Chapter 9
Bruce,
Part of me wishes that we’d met in person. Then you could’ve told me all of this out loud, and there’d be no mistaking the look on my face, the way I’ve looked every single time I’ve read one of your letters, but happier this time.
That being said, I wouldn’t trade anything about us. The way I got to know you is so
special, but maybe that’s because of how special you are. I really like you. I like you so much I asked Loki for help, even though you already told me that you like me.
Of course I would think twice about you. I think about you every day. I think about how smart you are, and how compassionate you are. I think about how much you’ve been through and how brave you are. I think about how you amaze me.
You’re one of my favorite people too.
Thor
As Natasha chuckled at her letter light-heartedly, Bruce sat his down on the table. He kept all his letters from Thor, but he especially wanted to keep that one. Thor actually liked him, and thought he was amazing, and told him that in a letter just like Bruce had.
“How’s Loki?” asked Bruce.
“Threatening to disembowel me for not telling them about me and Clint,” laughed Natasha.
“We both know you only did that so Loki would get all uppity about it,” replied Bruce.
“True,” said Natasha, “they heard from Sig, evidently. How’s Thor?”
Bruce scratched the back of his neck.
“Well, remember how you told me to tell him the truth in my last letter?” asked Bruce.
Natasha nodded.
“I did.”
Natasha’s jaw dropped. Bruce wasn’t even sure she was capable of being surprised.
“What’d he say?” asked Natasha.
Bruce didn’t say anything, he just showed Natasha the letter. He didn’t mind her reading it.
“Holy shit,” said Natasha.
“Yeah,” sighed Bruce.
For the first time in a long time, Bruce had a skip in his step. He could pull off being content most days, but he knew that his mirth was obvious to pretty much anyone, including Tony.
“Dude. You’re like, floating on a rainbow today,” said Tony.
Bruce sank down in his chair next to Tony at lunch with him, as well as Rhodey and Pepper.
“Oh, am I?” asked Bruce.
“Yes,” said Rhodey.
“Don’t jerk me around, Banner,” said Tony.
“Thor?” asked Pepper.
Bruce nodded, as Tony and Rhodey both raised an eyebrow at her.
“What? I know stuff.”
“Yeah, but about Banner?” asked Rhodey.
“Natasha?” asked Bruce.
Pepper nodded. He figured as much.
#
Bucky was in the middle of changing out the red yarn between Bruce and Thor for a pink one when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” he said.
He finished pinning up the yarn, then plopped down on his bed. Steve was standing in the doorway. He walked over, then sat down on Bucky’s right.
“I can’t believe you upgraded your chart. Every time I walk in here I’m scared you’ll have gone full Pepe Silvia.”
Bucky rolled his eyes. Steve collapsed against his shoulder, and Bucky wrapped both arms around him and tugged him closer. Bucky noticed that Steve had closed his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you walked over here just to make fun of me using an Always Sunny reference and then fall asleep with your dumb mug nestled in my third grossest hoodie,” chuckled Bucky.
“I live two houses down, pal, don’t make it sound like a chore,” said Steve.
Bucky grinned, and pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Steve’s house. His mom picked up.
“Hello?” she asked.
“Hey Mrs. Rogers,” said Bucky, “I got a dumb punk here that belongs to you, and I thought I’d convince him to stay for dinner.”
Mrs. Rogers chuckled, as Steve whispered a half-hearted but obligatory “jerk.”
“You know you don’t have to ask, James.”
“Yeah, I know. But he’s already half-asleep and he’d worry if he didn’t call. He’s such a worrywart.”
“Square up, Barnes,” whispered Steve, nuzzling Bucky’s chest.
“Oh, you love it,” chided Mrs. Rogers.
“I do.”
“Alright. Thanks for letting me know. Bye, James.
“Bye.”
When Steve started to stir, about fifteen minutes later, Bucky ran a hand through his hair. Steve turned to look at him. Steve’s cheeks were red, and his eyes were a little wider than usual.
“There’s my guy,” said Bucky.
“That’s me,” said Steve.
“Stay for dinner?”
“Sure.”
#
Rhodey honest to god studied Tony as he walked home with him and Pepper. He could tell that Pepper was studying him too. They shared a glance that asked are we going to leave this alone, then a smirk that said do we ever?
“You doing alright, Tones?” asked Rhodey.
“What? Huh? Yes, of course, I’m fine.”
Rhodey didn’t believe it for a second, but he wasn’t about to push him too hard. This was his best friend, he knew how to get information out of him. Rhodey cuffed Tony upside the head and ignored Pepper’s stifled giggling.
“What the fuck, Rhodey?” asked Tony.
“You’ve been gloomy all afternoon. Come on, we’re your friends, you can talk to us.”
Tony glanced back and forth between Rhodey and Pepper. Rhodey glared back at him.
“When I feel like I can, I will,” said Tony, “I promise. But it’s not that serious. I promise that too.”
Pepper reached out and patted Tony’s elbow.
“We believe you, Tony, relax,” said Pepper.
Rhodey didn’t believe Tony, but he wasn’t about to say that in front of Pepper. They’d almost reached her house anyway.
“I should get going. Bye, Rhodey. Stark.”
“Potts,” said Tony.
Rhodey waved, then rolled his eyes as he and Tony kept walking.
“Man, you two are driving me crazy,” laughed Rhodey.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Tony.
Rhodey shrugged.
“I honestly have no idea,” said Rhodey, even though he did.