Day Three (Darcy/Bruce)
The ring didn’t stand out but she always wore it and never explained why. Off course Jane had never asked but most of the Avengers had at some point asked about it. No one had gotten an answer.
The day before Christmas she was sitting in the window off the common room silently rubbing her ring while staring outside. She was so far away in thought that she didn’t notice Bruce coming in. Bruce watched her for a moment before continuing to the kitchen and making tea. He poured the hot tea into two mugs and brought one over to the young woman. When she didn’t seem to notice he cleared his throat softly and gave her a small smile. It was obvious to see that Darcy was hurting but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
She turned a little towards the scientist and gave him a sad smile while grabbing the much, the warmth making her feel better. She could see the surprise on Bruce face and she knows that she must be looking like a mess. “Thanks Bruce.” Her voice isn’t as steady as she hoped but she trusts Bruce so it’s okay. Bruce sits down beside her, close but not touching, concern showing on his face. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She looks away for a moment before turning back to him. She leans against the wall and sighs, slowly taking a few sips of tea. She gathers her thoughts a little before speaking up.
“I had a friend. Not my best friend or anything but someone that I hung out with a lot. She was a year older and a lot tougher. Ever since I got a big cup size I’ve been bullied. Guys think I’m easy and girls think I must be dumb and act jealous. It was hard but Anna she wasn’t like that. Instead of getting jealous she offered to teach me self-defence.” A small smile breaks through on her face as she remembers those moments. “We became good friends and hung out a lot but we would always do stuff and not talk about anything. So…” She trails off and swallows before continuing again. “… I never knew about her dad and when I did it was too late. I got the call on this day 4 years ago that she’d slit her wrists.” She feels Bruce hand on hers and she turns it to squeeze his fingers, needing the assurance. “When I went back to my dorm after the holidays I found the ring. She’d wear it most of the time so I don’t even know if she forgot it at my place or if she left it…” She ends with a chocked of sob and feels Bruce pulling her into his arms. They stay like that until the others come around for breakfast. They look a bit funny at the two of them but she finally feels like maybe she doesn’t have to carry this burden all alone anymore.