Chapter 1
The Avengers’ latest fight was a perfect balance of adrenaline-raising challenge and quick work that lifted the Avengers’ spirits on their ride back to Stark Towers. The quinjet was filler with laughter and revelry as the team recounted their near-misses, quick thinking, power hits.
All except Bruce Banner, who curled up in his seat, asleep. He usually was tired and achey after a transformation, but it was stranger that he could pass out so thoroughly with all the ruckus, stranger still that he remained senseless when they landed and Natasha gently prodded him. The long nights at the lab and frequent transformations must have finally caught up with him.
”Hey, Big Guy, we’re home,” Tony said, snapping his fingers in Bruce’s face.
No response.
“Has Banner taken ill?” Thor asked.
”Tony must be overworking him,” Steve said. But he couldn’t help but feel it was something worse, something serious.
“I’ll bet,” Clint smirked knowingly.
Steve ignored the juvenile teasing, picked up the doctor and cradled him against his chest, letting him stay curled up like a pillbug. It would give his teammates more fodder but it was worth it to get Banner inside, get him comfortable in case something actually was wrong with him.
”Aww. Little guy looks so small against Captain America’s big strong chest,” Tony cooed.
”C’mon, let the doctor keep some dignity,” Clint said, aiming a paper ball at Tony as his camera snapped a picture.
”Tony,” Steve warned, unable to shake the sinking feeling.
Steve had never been in Bruce’s bedroom before. It was nice how Tony set him up with a whole multi-billion-dollar floor of coveted tools and gadgets, but Bruce’s own room was sparse in comparison. It made sense. He dedicated his life to science and didn’t have much outside of it. And with his habit of packing up and fleeing...
Tony must have insisted on the luxurious king-sized bed that Steve set the scientist down in. He couldn’t imagine Banner choosing that for himself. Same with the plush down blanket that Steve pulled over him. At least he’d be comfortable.
Steve wanted to linger and make sure his teammate was OK, but he knew the longer he stayed the worse the jokes would be. He gently clasped Bruce’s shoulder and left.