Pairing/s: None
Characters/s: Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner
Canon: MCU
Au: None
Warnings: None
Prompt - "... And caroling out in the snow"
Steve makes his way outside on the deck of the Tower, following the trail of footprints in the freshly fallen snow. He'd given Bruce a few moments to calm down after he left the room earlier. The team had been jokingly singing Christmas carols together, seeing who can put on the worst show of it. As soon as Bruce had entered the room, he had left.
He spotted Bruce resting against the guardrails of the deck, looking out into the horizon.
"Hey, Steve" Bruce greats him flatly, keeping his gaze fixed on the skyline.
Steve moved to stand next to him. "Bad memories?" Steve ask causally.
Bruce let out a bitter laugh, "Yeah. You could say that". The man sighs and looks down at his feet. "Family… stuff. I'm sorry but I don't feel like talking about it"
He rests a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "I understand" he says.
"I am sorry about leaving like that…" Bruce says looking away.
"You don't have to apologize, Bruce" he says. "It's okay"
Silence passes between them for a few minutes. They stare off into the distance, Bruce gripping the rails tight and Steve with his hand on the guys shoulder.
"Bruce?" Steve calls softly.
"Yes?"
"I just… I mean…" Steve turns to face Bruce. "The Avenger… we are kind of your family now." Steve gives him a gentle smile, giving his shoulder a slight squeeze in comfort. "If that's any comfort" he adds on jokingly.
Bruce gives him a small smile of his own. "Thanks, Steve." He says quietly. "That… that means a lot actually.
They go back to looking out over the horizon.
Steve looks to Bruce with a huge grin and begins to sing 'Deck the Halls'. Bruce laughs nervously at him, but after a few more verses, he joins in.
End