Disclaimer: Blah blah don't own blah blah don't sue.
Chapter 2:
It was only halfway through class. I kept checking my watch, waiting for the class to be over so the weekend would finally start.
"Interesting though, Natasha. Any rebuttals?" I heard Banner say looking at me.
"Clint, do you have anything to say about Natasha's thoughts on true love?"
"Of course I do" I replied with a toothy grin, "True love is a farce." A pause
"Is that it?" Banner asked, a slightly confused look on his face.
"No I was just pausing for dramatic effect," I said with a goofy lopsided smile.
Banner and the rest of the class chuckled.
"Well, do continue," he said.
"Hollywood gives everyone this idea that people can just look past all the flaws their partners have and even fall in love with those flaws. That's absolutely ridiculous. No matter how much you love someone you'll always be slightly annoyed by something they do. There's always one quirk or quality that you'll never love. So true love is impossible because that means loving every simple facet of a person."
"And you don't think someone could learn to love any differences they might have with their partner?" Banner asked.
"Not a chance."
"Hmmm…does anyone have anything to say to that?"
After I had my little tirade I rested my head back on my arms and drifted off once more.
"Clint! I need to talk with you very quickly," I heard Banner say.
Class was finally over and I was ready to bolt out the doors into the crisp October air. I could practically hear the soccer field yelling my name. I sighed and walked back towards Banner. I saw him struggling with getting all the books we used for class out of the lounge and went to help him.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, no problem…So what did you need, Bruce?"
Banner looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Didn't we agree you could only call me that during our meetings?" he asked with a tiny smile.
I grinned sheepishly, "Oh right. Sorry about that," I chuckled nervously, "At least I didn't say it during class."
Bruce grinned, "This is true."
I looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"Mocking me, are we?" he asked.
"Never. You just used one of the my phrases, is all."
Bruce looked and me and then smiled, "I guess I did."
We started walking towards his office, him pushing the cart filled with books.
"So what did you need to talk to me about?" I asked.
"Ah, right. Tomorrow. The meeting with Jenks from the Chicago Tribune is still on. We should be there at 9:30 and then we can have lunch around 12:30. After that we'll head over to Lakeview for another meeting with one of my old college friends who promised to help you with your project. And based on the shocked look on your face I'm guessing you forgot all about the meetings."
"I didn't forget about the meetings," I said, holding the office door open for him and then followed him inside.
"I just forgot they were this weekend. But don't worry about it Bruce. I'll be absolutely professional and prepared."
"I know you will. This mentorship project is going to be the best one yet. I just know it."
"For sure. Ummm…we might have a slight problem though."
"I talked to your RA about giving you a ride to the train station. It leaves at 8:15 and gets in around 8:45, which gives us plenty of time for me to pick you up from the downtown station, grab some breakfast, if needed, and make it to the Tribune."
"Not bad, Bruce. You are definitely on top of this."
"Someone has to be."
We both laughed a little.
"Alright, well I will see you tomorrow and we will kick some journalist ass."
"Very well. Oh, don't party too hard tonight at Harris Hall."
I winced a little. "You know about the party?"
"That I do. I won't tell any adults though as long as you take care of yourself and don't let anyone know that I knew about it and didn't stop it."
"Alright! No joke, you are one of my favorite people. Of all time."
He laughed, "I'm sure. Now go have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."
AN: Aw, Banner does care.