yellow, yes, I'm back within the week as promised! enjoy friends. R&R!
Peter finally made his way down to the white tiled floor. His gaze relaxed at the sight of the researcher delving into his most recent innovative studies. Although still at guard with the new room occupant, Peter decided he liked the real Dr. Banner. There is only so much one can infer from reading research articles.
Shifting his body into a contrapposto stance, Peter leaned heavily against the wall to support the remainder of his weight. He felt the exhaustion from the whirlwind of events begin to encase him in a thick lead blanket as he listened to the hum of Dr. Banner's voice.
"-and that's how I ended up meeting Tony Stark who as a fellow technological research genius allowed me to use his labs to further pursue my gamma stud-" halting mid-sentence, Bruce paused.
Turning his head to one side, he listened for the peculiar sound he heard. Was that a growl?
Bruce narrowed his eyes at Spiderman in confusion. Peter's cheeks flared with embarrassment under his mask at the thought of his obnoxiously gurgling stomach. He subconsciously wrapped a hand around his middle at the whale-like sound of his complaining organs.
"Spiderman" a voice calmly prodded Peter's gnawing mind, "Are you hungry?" Dr. Banner inquired curiously.
"Yeah," internally wincing at his deflated voice, Peter shrugged off his embarrassment, "I m-mean, kind of…"
Bruce let a subtle grin peek through at Spiderman's answer, of course, the kid was hungry. He was a teenager. They were always hungry. Duh, come on Bruce get it together.
Did he just discover more important information about their vigilante? Spiderman might have an enhanced metabolism to keep up with his web-slinging activities, maybe something similar to Steve's advanced metabolism. The scientist filed away the hoard of questions to a back burner in his mind. He had come in the room with a mission, to see if Spiderman's injuries required any medical aid.
"How about I make you a deal," pausing as he saw Spiderman's head tilt curiously questioning his words, "you let me check over your injuries and I'll bring you some food."
Simple bartering request, right? Dr. Banner held his breath. He was never a very good bargainer, except for that one time in Florence where he successfully haggled for an Italian leather bag.
"Fine," the small figure replied in tired defeat after quickly pondering his options.
To be fair, Peter did think the deal was too good to be true, but if he was going to be stuck in this prison cell of a tower he might as well not be hungry while waiting for SHIELD's verdict on his nightly activities. Plus, he was currently numbered and outmatched. Ugh, how on earth am I going to get out of here in time for my birthday plans with Ned and MJ?
Bruce let out a small breath he was holding in anticipation. He didn't actually think Spiderman would let him get near him considering how flighty the arachnid seemed. How the hell did he get Spiderman trust the scientist in his personal space when his teammates spent the entire evening trying to even catch the arachnid? Whatever he did, he was happy it worked.
Trust was a magnificent thing Bruce still couldn't quite wrap his head around. He was glad to obtain even a sliver of Spiderman's trust; God only knew how cautious his judgment must be after being physically trapped and detained by the Avengers.
"Good, alright then. Can you sit down for me?"
Dr. Banner motioned to the floor where he carefully kneeled and began to lay out the contents of his first aid bag. Ruffling through its amalgam of items, he slowly pulled out an array of medical equipment.
Spiderman gingerly lowered himself to the floor and sat with his right leg stretch out front. He curled his left leg into his chest nervously. Peter furred his brows at the dull ache still radiating from his side.
Peter wearily eyed the contents being taken out of the bag but made no move to retreat from where he decided to plop down. Bruce ran through a list in his head: distilled water, alcohol-free cleansing wipes, scissors, sterile gauze dressing, antiseptic cream, and butterfly band-aids.
Not for the first time, Peter was exceedingly glad for his accelerated healing abilities. His arrow injury clotted and was on the verge of mending together the jagged gash. Unfortunately, his headache was still persistent, although thankfully the nausea and blurry vision had already subsided. Reminder to self, do not confront three Avengers between the roof ledge and the sidewalk. That was really dumb Parker, it was a pancake of a disaster.
Rearranging his position, Peter withheld a hiss between his teeth, there were definitely bruises around his torso from his little Black Widow escapade. Gosh, Dr. Banner has so many things in that little bag. Spiderman knew very little about medical equipment with the exception of the most basic first aid kits.Twitched anxiously as he tried to block out his heart's dull thud filling his frontal lobe.
Watching the Spider rest his head on his knee, Bruce took the opportunity to take a closer at the figure's burnt and torn suit. He was furious at the thought of Stark's repulsors directly firing at the vigilante but simmered his anger to focus at the task at hand.
Dr. Banner decided to begin with Spiderman's semi-charred side. Wincing at the gnarly sight, Bruce examined the melted spandex-like material still clinging to his figure.
Peter keenly watched the man pick up a small bottle of clear liquid. As a kid, he was never fond of the doctor visits his Aunt May would drag him to before each school year. Every couple of semesters Peter Parker would receive vaccine boosters and physical exams he'd absolutely detested.
All the poking and prodding of cold and pointy things, Peter shuddered at the thought. Not that he had trypanophobia or anything, because being afraid of small pointy objects would just be silly, definitely not what a super-enhanced Spider would fear.
Logically, Peter spent hours meticulously researching the biology behind vaccines and found it to be one of the forefront medical inventions of the 18th century. Spiderman stiffened as he noticed Dr. Banner approached his space with the clear bottle in hand.
"Okay Spiderman, I am going to lightly flush the burned area with water to remove any dirt or charred materials. Once I clean out the debris, we'll let the area dry and then put some antiseptic cream to prevent any infections from setting in. Is this alright with you?"
The scientist paused, waiting for verbal confirmation before treating his patient.
Glancing down at his lower right side, Peter noticed redness and inflammation where the repulsor beam hit above his hip bone. He saw slices of his suit torn and sticking to his raw burn wound.
The sight made his heart flutter, Spiderman gave Dr. Banner a small yes and nod of permission to continue. He might be super genetically enhanced, but he was still human. His humanity meant he was still ever so often humbled by the flu and bodily infections. The pesky new strains of the flu just never stopped mutating.
Peter screwed his eyes shut when Dr. Banner moved closer with the bottle in hand. Spiderman wished, not for the first time today, that his hyperactive senses would just go die in a hole. He felt everything. Everything was too loud and too close.
He could hear Dr. Banner's accelerated heart and steady breaths. Peter could also hear his own irrational heart thumping within its cage. It's fine. It's fine, everything will be fine. Just play it cool Parker. Do not freak out in front of Dr. Banner, he not even a real doctor. I mean, technically.
Praying Dr. Banner wouldn't notice the minuscule tremors coursing down his figure, Peter steadied his mind with a deep breath. There were no needles here, he would be fine. He just had to occupy his mind with something else while Dr. Banner checks him over. It would be quick and hopefully painless. Think Parker, think of anything! Star Wars, the Death Star. Ned, his nerdy best friend he loved to pieces. Science, chemistry, webs, biology, ah bingo!
In the past, Peter had found a way to psychologically trick his own brain into believing the doctor's office was good. Mostly good, which in reality it is and I'm just a microwaved chicken nugget at best.
While studying his arachnid self in biology books, Peter's curiosity took him down all sorts of interesting paths of discovery. One method he used to distract his nerves in stressful office visits was to scientifically work through biological concepts. For example, why vaccines were important, biologically speaking.
Vaccines are used worldwide to prevent deadly diseases. They do this by reducing the risk of infection while working with the human body's natural immunity to fight against diseases.
The human body is often invaded by germs such as viruses and bacteria which attack and infiltrate the body's system. Peter paused, thinking of how similar the bacteria and viruses were to Darth Vader and Palpatine's armies in Star Wars.
He recalled reviewing his AP Biology course materials and studying macrophages, b-lymphocytes, and t-lymphocytes, aka defensive white blood cells of the body. They were the good guys, like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. The macrophages literally swallow germs and dead cells, while leaving behind antigens. Not necessarily a lightsaber-wielding Jedi, like Luke Skywalker, but still pretty neat defensive cells.
Antigens are then identified as intruders, it is where b-lymphocytes, the good guys, come into the scene with their production of anti-bodies used to attack the antigens. Peter loved creating the massive epic battles between white blood cells and the stormtrooper-like germs in his mind. Ultimately, vaccines help develop the body's immune system, as it learns how to fight the disease or enemy like in Princess Leia Organa's case at the Battle of Endor. I mean, galactic freedom is an important matter. Granted, so are anti-bodies.
Using these pictorial mnemonics is what helped Peter study for his AP exams before graduation. It might also be a not so secret way for Peter to calm his frayed nerves near unknown medical apparatuses. Breaking his chain of thought, Spiderman flinched in surprise at the cold water being drizzled onto his inflamed burn.
Muttering a quick "Sorry", Bruce made a mental note to proceed slowly.
Dr. Banner noticed a large portion of superficial first degree burns and a few areas with already fading second-degree burns. He was amazed at the lack of damage; it was not normal at all.
Bruce had been expecting third-degree burns, severe skin boils, and possibly nerve damage from the direct repulsor blast. There are SO many questions I want Spiderman to answer if he chooses to answer them of course. Bruce's inquisitiveness was hushed at the site of an extremely still vigilante.
Noticing Spiderman's discomfort, Bruce deciding to start talking through his actions to avoid any painful surprises.
"-unstick the last piece of fabric…" Spiderman was half-listening "-use some antiseptic cream to prevent infec-" and half falling asleep from exhaustion. Even so, he nodded as the scientist spoke to him in a soft tone.
Peter noticed his senses quieted as Dr. Banner explained what he was doing and the equipment he would use. Phew, nothing sharp. The irrational buzzing at the back of his neck all but dissipated as he allowed Dr. Banner to move on and clean his now dried bloodied calf.
Peter was given the options of stitches or the butterfly band-aide, which was a no brainer to him knowing the injury would be nearly fully healed in a few days. Thankfully, the Steri-Strips, aka butterfly band-aids worked to pull together the split skin once Dr. Banner cleaned off and sterilized the tender injury.
Peter felt the time tick in molasses-like fashion, in what was really about 15 minutes of Dr. Banner asking simple questions. He nodded and shook his head accordingly.
All that remained was Peter's annoying headache. Luckily my blurry vision cleared before the researcher came into the room. Finally, I'll be able to get some food and maybe keep it down.
"Spiderman, there is one more thing I need to take a look at before I go and let you rest," Dr. Banner spoke hesitantly as if afraid to ask Peter his final question.
"I noticed you endured some head trauma. Do you have any symptoms of nausea or dizziness? More importantly, do you have a headache?" He questioned with a guilty look.
"Uh, maybe. Why?" Spiderman begrudgingly answered.
He was well aware of the dangers of a concussion, considering his nightly activities. Peter was nearly positive he had a concussion.
"I'm afraid you might have a mild to severe concussion from your fall and would really feel more comfortable if I could check your pupils to rule out neuro dam-" before finishing his sentence, Bruce was cut off.
"No," Spiderman heatedly refuted.
"I won't take my mask off!" The vigilante nervously squirmed backward with unease.
Peter tried to put as much distance as the room allowed between him and the kneeling scientist. He would not remove his mask, not under any condition unless he was physically forced. It was the only thing keeping him from the world. It kept his life in a somewhat normal cosmic order considering all things.
How foolish Peter was feeling. Was it all a gimmick to get him to reveal his identity? Did Dr. Banner just butter him up with his research and provide him aid simply to get into his head. I'm so naïve to think he actually cared.
Was that all the Avengers wanted? To get Spiderman to remove his mask when he was tired, weak, and injured? Surely not, right? Gah, I can't think straight with this damn headache. Spiderman's hand clutched the side of his head where the pain flared with his movement.
"That's okay, Spiderman, I want to make it clear," welp, here it comes, Peter braced himself.
"I won't force you to do anything you don't want to," Bruce reassured the retreating vigilante.
What? Peter was confused and simultaneously relieved at the words. Dr. Banner had a pitting look in his eyes as he watched Spiderman withdraw in obvious distrust.
"Just let me know if that headache worsens or if you start to endorse any vision changes, alright?" Dr. Banner cautiously warned but made no other remarks about removing Spiderman's mask.
Spiderman's nod was scarcely noticeable, but Bruce was satisfied. Lowering his hand from his head to his stomach, Peter placed aside his confused thoughts in lieu of the renewed hunger pangs.
"Can I get some food now?" A whispered breath asked cautiously.
Peter cringed at the slight nausea of built-up hydrochloric acid in his stomach. He was actually very excited at the prospect of food. Any food really. I would just about skip a cat tree rescue for a burger.
"How about I go see what I can scrounge up at this hour?"
The researcher winked happily at the vigilante whose body was once again was pressed tight against the corner. Well, at least he didn't climb up the wall again. It was disheartening and simultaneously impressive with a dash of creepy. Bruce had never seen Spiderman up close until tonight, much less watch the arachnid climb a wall at such close proximity.
The scientist noticed how jumpy the vigilante's behavior had become. It was unsurprising how flighty he was considering how protective Spiderman was towards his identity.
Bruce quickly repacked his medical supplies without making eye contact with the Spider. He was acutely aware of his every move being watch and analyzed. Spiderman's eyes continued to follow Dr. Banner as he picked up the unused gauze and methodically rearrange his first aid kit.
Bruce was very pleased with his Spiderman interaction. I think, with time, I'll be able to get the kid to start actually trusting me. He was fairly spooked initially but eased out a little. Whelp, some trust is better than nothing.
It was a successful visit, he made sure Spiderman was physically healing and not in any immediate distress. It is incredible how Spiderman's wounds were already healing by the time I arrived.
Giving the vigilante a brisk nod, Dr. Banner cautiously exited the room. He watched Spiderman critically for any suspicious behavior before opening the automatic door. With no movement to note an attempted escape, Bruce left the room.