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Y/n looked down at the metal enclosing her wrist before raising her gaze to lock coldly with Bucky's pleading slate blues. Her entire posture stiffened at the surprise confrontation.
“Your actions with Widow spoke volumes.” ice hung off her words “There's nothing left to say.”
she made to move away but his wrist stayed locked in place, preventing her from leaving.
“Please.” his voice barely audible above the din of the room “I need to apologize...to see if there's...maybe...a chance for us to try again.” he was confessing all to her shocked face “I know what I did was beyond betrayal and unforgivable but I... I want a chance to make it right, to show you how sorry I am, to show you that I still...” he took a fortifying breath “I love you.” the words flowed from his lips, honeyed and sweet.
Y/n blinked. Did he actually have the audacity to say all that to her?! After everything, he actually thought he had a chance. What delusional world did he live in? The look on his face told her he was serious. She blinked slowly a couple of times, utter astonishment on her features.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me?” she finally responded “After EVERYTHING...' her sudden outburst catching the attention of nearby guests “You fucking did and put me through, you think I would put myself in the position to be hurt again by someone who doesn't deserve a second chance?!” the shock on Bucky's face was obvious and despite thinking she'd feel some form of satisfaction, she didn't. She felt nothing. She was truly over him. “I left because I couldn't trust you and Widow as teammates. I couldn't trust that you two wouldn't fuck me over in the field. I can't trust you and I won't trust you EVER AGAIN!” the raised voice caught the attention of everyone in the room this time, especially Bruce. He saw Bucky's jaw and arm slacken, stunned. “I'm not that same woman you fucked over over a year ago by fucking her supposed best friend.” the silence in the room amplified her voice so everyone now knew the truth. “I'm done with both of you.” she stepped away, wrist still encased in metal. “Let go of me Barnes. I'm leaving.”. When his dismay didn't loosen his grip, Bruce saw red.
“Get your hands off her!!!” he roared, skin tinging green, voice dropped an octave as his temper flared. He stormed towards them gaining a few inches in height. Bucky dropped her arm and stepped back into a fighting stance as the enraged man got closer.
“Bruce.” Y/n stepped in between the two and rested her hand on her best friends chest,speaking calmly and quietly as she did. “ You've been over a year without an incident and this asshole isn't worth it.” she looked up into his almost black eyes as they were locked with Bucky's steely gaze. She cupped his face and turned his gaze to her concerned one. She only cared about how this was going to effect him, nothing else. Stroking his cheeks she spoke in soothing tone. “Neither of them are worth it.”. Bruce's eyes returned to their warm chocolate shade and him to his normal size, hands caressing her upper arms.
“Are you ok?” he asked quietly as the room turned its back on the cooling drama.
“I'm fine.” she blessed him with a smile. His head snapped up when Bucky made to move towards them. Really this asshole was gonna try him? He almost Hulked out once, he'd have no problem actually doing so and beating Barnes to death. Bucky stopped in his tracks. 'Smart choice buddy.' Bruce thought to himself before looping an arm around her shoulders and steering her towards the elevator. It never moved until they were on the living quarters floor. Bruce stopped and she kept walking, turning the moment the cold air hit her exposed shoulders.
“Are you ok?” she looked at him with concern. The wall of windows allowed the glow of the full moon flood the otherwise darkened hallway, bathing the area in an ethereal luminescence, letting Bruce see the worry set on her face. He fidgeted and wouldn't meet her gaze as she got closer.
“I'm sorry.” he apologized, looking up at her sheepishly “I shouldn't have lost control like that.”
“If you had truly lost control..” she gave him a wry smile “Tony would be in the Hulk buster right now.”
His embarrassed smile was charming.
“Still, I'm sorry. I should have kept my temper in better check.” he started to stammer as she slowly moved back towards him. “I ruined the party and dragged you away before you could have some fun.”
“You saved me from a situation that could've gone badly.' she moved into his space “Besides, when have I ever had fun at one of Tony's overblown gala's?”. Their eyes met. “I only have fun when you're with me.” she admitted catching Bruce off guard. Soft music drifted through the charged air to surround them. “Dance?” she offered and he stammered out an
“I don't dance.”
“It's not complicated.” she placed his hands on her body and hers on his. They started swaying side to side. “See, easy.”
“With you.” he voice was quiet as they held each other's gaze. “You're beautiful.”
“Thank you.” she blushed “You look very handsome.” They danced a little longer before she moved closer and rested her cheek on his chest. The charged silence returned.
“What are we doing?” he whispered
'Maybe finally realizing we're more than friends.” she peered up at him.
“Is that what you want?” his face was unreadable
“Seeing you with that other woman made me feel something that I wasn't expecting: jealous.” his face remained impassive as she continued “The way she touched you, the ease of your smile and the conversation seemed to flow easily.” she felt as if she had misread everything as he remained silent “It seemed a lot more intimate than anyone else I've seen you talk with.” pulling away she continued to speak “Even me. Everything seemed so comfortable. I know one day you'd find someone else but I guess I wasn't fully aware of how soon that could be.” she had moved as far as his arms would allow “Or how it would affect me. I'm sorry Bruce.I thought maybe you felt the same way...” her cheeks burned as she looked away, unclasping his hands from behind her back. Before she could take a full step away his hand clasped hers and pulled her body flush to his.
“I do feel that same thing. Seeing Barnes with his hand on you...I wanted to kill him. Rip his arm off and beat him with it.” threading his fingers into her hair, he tilted her head back, his eyes on her lips as his head lowered. “Yes?” he asked permission
“Yes.” she granted it. His lips tentatively brushed across hers and when she returned the kiss, they made out like two teenagers.
“Stay with me tonight?” she asked when they broke for a much needed breath. He nodded breathless and she gently guided him further down the hall.
“Wait...your room.” he pointed to her door as she dragged him passed it.
“We're going back to your room.” she smiled
A few hours later, clothes spread across the floor and bedding messed up, Y/n lay with her head in the crook of
Bruce's shoulder, her fingers absently tracing random patterns in his chest hair, one arm around her shoulders the other tucked behind his head.
“Bruce?” she tentatively spoke
“Mm?” he looked at her, lids droopy and sated.
“Regrets?” she asked concerned.
“About you? None.”
“How about what we did?' her insecurity finally made its way into his mind. He rolled to his side to look at her.
“Do you regret it?”
“No. Not at all.” she didn't look at him “I'm just concerned I ...maybe...wasn't.... as good as.....her.”
“I could be concerned I wasn't as good as ...him.”
“You wore me out Banner. I'm exhausted and sated but I know I won't be in pain tomorrow.” she quickly addressed the look on his face “He never abused me but he was longer than you are and sometimes things got...rough...during sex and I hurt a lot the next day.”
“Well I'm glad I didn't hurt you.”
“You could've smacked my ass a little harder that one time. Perhaps next time.” she smiled cheekily at him and he dropped a kiss on her lips.
“I'll remember that.” he grinned before staring deep into her eyes “I love you.”
“I love you too.” she held his gaze, no hesitation in her words. They flowed from her heart to his ears. They pulled each other into a hug, lips meeting in a the softest sweetest kiss that turned into more physical displays of their love, Bruce remembering to smack her ass just that little bit harder this time. They fell asleep tangled together and stayed that way well until the morning.
'Are you sure we should be doing this?” Bucky asked Natasha as she piloted the drone around the exterior of the residential level. She was focused on the task of looking in the appropriate windows.
“You want to know what's going on with them just as much as I do.” she was cold, business like. The camera focused on the interior of the room only to find it empty, bed made. They both swore as she redirected the flying camera to the next target on the list. It took only few moments before she let out a barely audible gasp and his face darkened, heart falling through the floor.
There, entwined together on the bed was Bruce and Y/n. They were wrapped around each other still asleep as their ex's looked on, stunned. Bucky could hear Natasha's change in heartbeat though no signs of her being upset were outwardly visible. She got up and left when Bruce pulled a sleeping Yn's form closer and nestled against her. Bucky remained watching until a quick movement caught his eye and a brief view of a pistol muzzle was visible before the feed went dark.
“Assholes!” she put the gun back on the nightstand before looking for something to wear. She grabbed up one of Bruce's shirts and slipped it on before going to look. The unmistakable shape of a drone hung lifeless in the foliage outside the window. “What the fuck?”
“Obviously they were spying on us. It's what they do.” Bruce joined her looking at the now inert miniature aircraft. Incessant knocking thumped loudly on the door. A couple of security guards followed by Tony swept into the room.
“Friday reported gunshots from in here.” their friend explained as the detail swept the rooms.
“Everything's fine Tony. Just a mishap with a low flying bird is all.” Bruce tried to downplay the situation. Security reported all clear and Tony had a look around. The bullet holes in the glass were obvious as he pointed at them.
“You shot my window.”
“We were being spied on.” she explained
“You shot my window.”
“There was a drone.” she gestured and he saw the immobile craft.
“You shot my window.”
“So bill me!” she retorted and he smirked
“Nah I won't do that.” he grinned at them after seeing the state of the bedroom “However since you probably missed out on most of the food, I'll have a disgustingly large breakfast sent up for you to enjoy while I go read Barnes and Romanoff the riot act.”
“Thank you Tony.” they said in unison.
“Oh do me a favour.” he stopped and turned to them “I'm going to send up a repair team, try to keep playing hide the zucchini to a minimum while they're working.”
“Is more like hide the eggplant.” she quipped dryly. Tony stared shocked while Bruce facepalmed
“Did not need to know that.” Tony muttered as he closed the door.
“Did you have to tell him that?” Bruce rasped out
“I thought you knew me?” she fired at him before he contemplated it.
“You're right.” he kissed her temple before suggesting “How about we grab a shower?”
“Can I borrow some of your clothes?”
“Don't you always?” he smirked and she grinned as they entered the bathroom.
“Would either of you care to explain exactly WHAT you were THINKING?!” Tony roared at the two former Russian spies who sat stone faced in the conference room, the other Avengers also in attendance. They at least had the sense to look embarrassed...even though they did nothing wrong. All except Steve, who was almost as pissed as Tony.
“Bucky, Natasha....why?” he rested his hands on the table “You know how tenuous our relationship with them is. Why would you risk antagonizing them?”
Neither of them spoke a word, exasperating the two leaders.
“Do us all a favour, stay away from them and leave them the hell alone. If we're lucky, they might just stick around for a while unless you two fuck it up again.” he rested against the table. “Go on. Get out of here.”
Natasha simply walked away and Bucky shook his head, following. Everyone else filed out leaving Tony and Steve to leave last. The two discussed what to do with the errant team members, neither having the slightest clue.
A few weeks later things had calmed down and everyone had accepted Bruce and Y/n as a couple. It still didn't sit well with their ex's but they did as asked and left them alone. Y/n was going on non-Avenger missions and Bruce was helping Tony with his projects.
“Boss....” Friday's voice filtered hesitantly into the lab “There's been a problem with the mission Agent y/l/n is on?”
“What problem?” Bruce was immediately concerned and the AI was silent “Friday!”
“Agent Y/l/n was injured.” she finally blurted out “She's being transported to the infirmary as soon as they arrive.”
The two men made their way quickly to the landing zone. The quinjet was already there and the medical team was rolling her down the ramp on a gurney. She was leaning against the back rest, her arm immobilized, a blood stained gauze pad covering the wound. Bruce's heart raced while lodged in his throat. He ran to her, stopping the team.
“Y/n! What happened?” he started looking her over. Her hand closing over his stopped him.
“Darling, I'm fine. It's a through and through. Just a flesh wound.” she glared at the techs trying to get her to the infirmary “They refuse to listen to me however.” She and Bruce having a small discussion about her health and safety before she relented and let her escorts take her to the doctor. Bruce was upset and despite his experiences, he wanted someone to blame for her getting hurt. At that moment, the perfect candidate strolled down the ramp.
“YOU!!” he yelled and barreled his way towards Bucky “What were you doing on this mission? Huh? You're not supposed to be any where NEAR her let alone working with her.” Bruce yelled into Bucky's face, ranting and raving. The former assassin just stood there and took it. Things being said weren't any worse than things he'd already said to himself. “Finally she trusted you to have her back while working and you get her shot! You can't be trusted! It's the reason we left in the first place. We couldn't trust you or Natasha to keep us safe in the field. We couldn't risk turning our backs or risk finding a knife driven into it.” venom dripped from ever word. Bucky's arm whirred and Tony tried to separate them to prevent another Hulk out.
“Bruce, Bucky would never let her get hurt. He cares about his teammates.” Natasha stepped in
“Some more than others.” he clapped back, eyes hard. Natasha stepped back seeing the green tint to Bruce's neck “It's your fault she got hurt.” he blamed the metal armed Avenger before stepping back “Do us all a favour, stay away from us!” he stormed off to check on his other half. Bucky and Natasha parted ways silently.
A few weeks later, when her injury was nothing more than a fresh pink scar, Bruce approached her, fiddling with his glasses and not meeting her gaze. Last time he'd done that, well, they ended up back in New York.
“What's wrong Bruce?”
“We need to discuss something.”
“I gathered.” she set her book aside and gave him her full attention as he sat beside her on the couch, taking her hand. He hesitated briefly.
“Tony asked me to go on a mission with them tomorrow and I agreed.” he winced as she stared.
Fear in many of its forms tumbled through her gut and head. Anger, panic, dread -all the classics. She took a breath and released it.
“Why? You're classified as non-combat personnel. You shouldn't be anywhere near a battle! Why now?”
“They're going after a sizable Hydra cell.” he gave her more details than he knew she was cleared for but he wasn't going to keep her ignorant, he respected her too much. Two tears slipped down her cheeks as she moved to straddle him, taking his face in her hands.
“You come back to me safe and whole tomorrow Banner. You hear me?”
“Yes Ma'am.” he caressed her back as he rested his forehead against hers. He kissed her,gently at first but the looming danger made them deepen the kiss before Bruce laid her back on the coffee table. They didn't need a bed to make love in, though he would've liked not having rug burn on his knees.
The worry on her face was evident when she kissed him good luck before he left. She held on and didn't want to let go.
“I'll bring him home safe. I promise.” Tony tried to re-assure her as the other Avengers walked by to board the Quinjet. Bruce kissed her forehead before dropping one on her lips.
“I'll see you soon.” he promised
“You'd better.”. One final kiss before he slowly walked to the jet, giving her one last look before the ramp start to raise then the aircraft lifted into the sky and departed.
She tried to keep her normal routine but found herself unable as she missed him more and more. Two days passed before she found herself knocking on the door to Pepper's office.
“Y/n! How nice to see you. What brings you by?” Pepper made time for her friend. They sat on the couch and talked about their lives, the team being away and how Pepper dealt with Tony being away. She commiserated with Y/n over coffee and sandwiches. As Pepper answered a business call, Y/n drifted off.
“Y/n.” Pepper gently shook her awake “Y/n.”
“What time is it?” she sat up quickly, embarrassed. “Sorry I fell asleep.”
“It's ok. You were tired. I could see it.”
“I don't sleep well with out Bruce beside me.”
“I'm that way with Tony.” she sat down, looking concerned.
“What happened Pepper? You have that look on your face.”
“Have you checked your messages?”
Y/n pulled out her phone to see that Tony had indeed messaged her. 'Code Green called. Was awful. Meet the jet. He's in bad shape.'
“Pepper, I gotta go. “ she was a bit disoriented and unstable from her nap so she stumbled to her feet. Happy drove her back faster than legally allowed and she stood nervously waiting for Bruce. The quinjet touched down and she hugged herself as the ramp lowered. The shadowy interior moved and changed, the darker shapes morphing and resolving into various team members. She moved even further to the side as Widow and Hawkeye were the first into the building, Thor was next followed by Bucky being supported by Steve. She broke away from the building and ran towards them. Bucky's heart lifted in elation before crashing back to earth as she sped passed them and jumped into Bruce's arms, wrapping her arms around and burying her face in his neck, her legs going around his waist. He hugged her tight and then without caring about who was observing, kissed her thoroughly and deeply. Without breaking the kiss, he walked them to the elevator and pushed the button.
“We need to de-brief.” Steve called out and she flipped him off as the doors slid open and Bruce stepped in.
The doors slid closed and she pulled back to look at him. He was ashen, dark circles blossoming under his eyes, the rivers of red snaking through the whites around his now flat brown irises, the soul behind them haunted by his actions. Y/n ran her fingers through his soft strands, gently rubbing his scalp. He closed his eyes and absorbed the affection. She kissed him again, tentatively and he returned it, desperate. Guided by muscle memory, they found themselves outside their quarters. After some fumbling with the access pad they were in and moving to the bedroom. They stripped off as many of their clothes as they could, breaking the kiss and contact only when necessary. He laid her back on the bed, his body on top of hers. The look on his face spoke to the need to feel something good, something positive, to feel love. They made desperate and needy love, not stopping until they were exhausted. Even then, Bruce kept his body connected to hers in the most intimate way.
“I-I ….” he stammered and she caressed his cheek.
“Just tell me.”. He huffed out a breath.
“For the longest time I've been telling myself that I don't want a wife, home, kids....that I couldn't have it because of... the other guy...but out there, today, even in the middle of the code green, when it was bad, all I could think about was getting back to you. I wanted to see you again, tell you I love you and for however long it lasts, have everything I had denied myself. I know we're still new but I want us to be really together....and...I want us to have a child. I know I should've talked it over with you before I didn't use a condom but I figured with your birth control we're covered until we make a decision...together.” he smoothed her hair back from her face, kissing her gently.
“Bruce...”
“Please...don't...don't say anything yet. Let's talk about it before you make a decision.”
“Bruce. Remember when I got sick a while ago?”. He nodded and she continued. “It was because of the contraceptive. The doctors stopped it and have had to wait until my hormones stabilize.”. Something akin to fear flashed across his features. “I didn't say anything because we were using other methods...condoms....and between our crazy schedules we weren't having sex that much. I figured I'd be back on something soon.”
The silence was thick between them as they both started to overthink.
“Your menstrual cycle ended just a few day ago.” he thought out loud.
“Yes and if we ever wanted to try to conceive....now is a really good time.” she ran her fingers through his hair again. He looked down at her.
“Are you sure?” he was hesitant “With me?”
“I have never been more sure.” her eyes looked far away and down at his chest “Bucky...talked about kids. It never felt right though.” she looked back up at him “This...us...feels right.”
“Are you really sure?” he pecks her lips
“Bruce I have my legs locked around your body keeping you, all of you, inside me. I know what can happen and I'm still doing it. Does that sound like I'm unsure?”
He kissed her hard and deep “I love you.” he breathed as he rested his forehead against hers
“I love you too.”
For the next few days they were invested in moving their life forward, uniting their lives in the ultimate way, every chance they got.
“Bruce!” Tony called out as he entered the lab “You here?”
A disheveled scientist slowly stood up from behind the work table. “Yes.”
“You ok?” Tony scrutinized his friends appearance “Hi Y/n.”
She popped up adjusting her shirt back into place, smiling “Hey Tone.” . Bruce looked suitably embarrassed but still gave her a goodbye kiss before facing Tony.
“I'm happy for you buddy.” the billionaire smirked at his friend.
“Uh...thank you?”
“Now that you've gotten some, let's get to work.” he clapped his friend on the back and showed him some new designs.
Now that Tony was back to normal, well as normal as Tony ever was, Y/n was antsy to get back to California. She wanted it to be just her and Bruce again. Yeah, she'd interacted with Natasha and Bucky, gotten some stuff off her chest and now with that done, she wanted to get on with their lives. Smiling to herself and any other lives they might create. She swung by medical and asked the doctor a few questions before stopping by HR and gathering more information. She made a quick trip to one of the stores nearby, hid her purchase away and then went to find Wanda for some much needed girl time.
Over the next few weeks they both got wrapped up in work and each other. She went on low key missions and Bruce helped Tony out. They had spent some time talking about going back “home” but that was all it turned out to be. Then Fury pulled her in on an Avengers mission. Natasha was off doing re-con for Fury but that meant that Bucky would be there. She and Bruce actually argued over it. The simmering quiet underlying resentments they'd kept to themselves coming to the surface.
“What if you are pregnant? What could happen to the embryo?” Bruce shot at her.
“The baby would be fine. I've spoken to the doctors about it weeks ago.” She retorted then threw at him “What about you Mr.'I'm-not-going-to-let-Tony-drag-me-into-any-new-projects'.? What is it you two are working on again?”
Bruce broke eye contact and fidgeted “What are we doing?” he almost whispered
“We're fighting.” she answered quietly. They discussed this abhorrent behaviour they were expressing before apologizing and spending some time talking like the adults they were supposed to be.
Bruce waited for her as the quinjet landed. The thundercloud expression on her face told him almost as much as the long stomping strides across the landing zone as she disembarked. He walked alongside until they got to their room then she exploded. She ranted and raved as he sat and listened about the clusterfuck of a mission. Oh it had been a success but she'd barely been allowed to do her job.
“So then I had to shoot past Barnes in order to get him to move long enough for me to do my damn job! What the fuck kind of teammate does that?!”. Bruce reluctantly told her about the confrontation with Barnes outside her quarters. “Still he shouldn't have interfered.”
“I agree. You're an amazing agent.”
“Thank you.” she sat beside him on the bed, him side hugging her. After just sitting there for a short while, Bruce reached around and produced a small brown paper bag.
“I found this while you were gone.” he pulled the box out and handed it to her.
“Do you want to know?”. He looked at her sheepishly before nodding. She stood staring down at the counter in the bathroom when he joined her a couple of minutes later, arms going around her waist. They just stayed like that until her phone dinged. Y/n turned it over and looked at Bruce in the mirror. “Well Dr.Banner, looks like our first collaborative experiment has been a success.” she grinned and showed him the positive pregnancy test. They hugged and kissed in celebration. They agreed to keep it quiet until they knew for sure if it would be viable even after visiting the doctor. Bruce was almost bubbly as he entered the lab.
“So I had an idea.” Tony gave him the synopsis and he readily agreed. This did not escape Tony's notice. “You're happier than usual. What happened? Did you get y/n pregnant or something?”. Bruce's sudden change in demeanor caused a long, involved conversation. Tony was sworn to secrecy on threat of Y/n taking revenge if he divulged anything.
Things were going well as y/n and Bruce starting discussing the more practical side of their new situation. They made plans and even from New York, started looking to implement them. The one thing they knew was they wanted to start sooner rather than later and that meant tying up all their east coast business so they could head back west. She stopped taking multi-day missions and Bruce had agreed on no more new projects.
She had returned from a longer than anticipated mission to find him focused intently. She slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him before receiving a welcome back kiss, his arm around her shoulders. She glanced down at the work surface, her smile fading as he asked about her day, her arms slipping from his waist to hang loosely by her sides.
“What's this?”
“Something Tony asked me to take a look at.”
“Take a look at?” she questioned as she flipped through the information. She had learned a few things while being with Bruce and what he and Tony worked on was definitely the primary. “This isn't something you just 'take a look at', you need to be actively involved Bruce.” she moved away from his arm “This going to take 6-7 weeks minimum to get started. I thought we had agreed?”
“We did. Tony just wanted my input. It doesn't change anything.”
“It changes everything. Another 7 weeks before we can go home?! Just...no.” she was obviously upset at the perceived delay. “When we came back it was to make sure Tony would be ok and then we were going to go back. Tony is more than ok and we're still here! It's like he asks for a consult on a project and then he pulls you back in.” a realization hit her and she felt like an epic fool. He had only been her Bruce for a little over a year but he had always been “An Avenger. God I'm an idiot. You seemed so content being in your lab and doing research I keep forgetting you're still an Avenger. You always will be. Hell, you've even gone out with the team.” her mind was whirling with everything and she was having a hard time focusing. “I can't. I can't do this.” she had to get away to calm down and get some perspective.
“What do you mean you can't? Can't what?” fear tinged Bruce's voice
“I can't be here. I have to leave.” she headed to the bedroom and grabbed her go bag before heading for the door. Bruce tried to stop her, get her to talk to him but she refused and left. What the hell had just happened? The woman he loved, who was pregnant with his child, just walked out on him. He sat and ruminated for a few minutes before going after her. He knew she'd go back to her old quarters as they hadn't been re-assigned yet. When he got there and tried the access pad, he was denied.
“Friday, why can't I access Agent Y/n's room?”
“She said she doesn't want to be disturbed especially by you and has denied access to everyone until further notice.” the AI sounded apologetic.
“I want to leave her a message.” Bruce spoke from the heart as Friday recorded it. He went back to their room and fell asleep at his desk eventually waking from a dream so real he questioned his surroundings.
The next day Y/n strode into Nick Fury's office and placed a letter on his desk.
“I'm going back. Today.” she announced before Fury wrote on the letter, scanned it into the files.
“Fly safe Agent.”
“Thank you Sir.” she started towards the door when he spoke again.
“Let me know if it's a boy or a girl.” and blessed her with a rare Nick Fury smile.
“Will do.” she smiled before leaving his office.
She walked up the ramp of the quinjet and stowed her gear. It was inconsiderate to just bolt in the middle of the day while everyone was busy but she knew those closest to her would understand. She was airborne before engaging the autopilot and letting the repressed emotions out. She ugly cried and openly sobbed while wishing fervently that she had Bruce to hold her. To feel his warm strong arms around her, hugging her close, stroking her hair and telling her everything would be alright in that soft soothing tone of his. Her hormones must be playing tricks on her cause her body warmed and the scent of Bruce filled her senses.
“It's ok baby. I'm right here. Everything's going to be ok.” the press of lips to her temple made her look up. He was really there. His face soft and open, eyes warm with love and understanding. Launching herself out of the pilot seat and latching onto him they fell back onto the deck. She kissed him soundly.
“Wait.” she sat back confused “What are you doing here?”
“I know from past experience how your mind works.” he smoothed her hair back from her face “You didn't listen to my message did you?”. She shook her head.
“What did it say?”
“That I understand how you feel and that it looks bad but it really only was a consultation while I was still here. Tony and I can work virtually on this one and I was planning on packing to leave the following day.” he cupped her face “I love you and our baby and where you go, I go. That's non-negotiable.”
“You aren't upset?”
“That you left without a word, taking our baby with you?” he held her gaze and she blushed “I'm not thrilled about it, but I do understand.”
“I'm sorry Bruce. I should've been the adult I claim to be and talked with you.” she sighed before adding “I hope you can forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive. I would've done the same thing.”
“No you wouldn't.”
“Yeah.....yeah I would have.” he stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I don't want our baby born into that kind of environment. All that tension and stress...it's not good for either of you. We deserve it to be just us and those that will support us. We didn't have that back there.” he gave her another kiss. “We have that at home.”
“I love you Banner.”
“I love you too y/l/n.” he paused in thought. “We need to do something about that.”
“About what?”
'Your last name.”
“Why?”
He ran his hand down her arm and took her left hand in his. “I think it should be the same as mine.” and in a very un-Banner like manner, kissed her ring finger, the meaning clear. She seemed to look around the interior of the ship while thinking out loud.
“Now how do I say Yes to that in a rather flippant manner?” her eyes tracked back to his as she gave him a lopsided grin. They kissed then just held each other for a while.
They married 3 weeks later inviting everyone except Bucky and Natasha, for blatantly obvious reasons, and Steve and Clint for their complicity in keeping the affair secret.
The day the newest Banner arrived on the planet, Tony celebrated as if it was his own child that had been born. Natasha took a jet and disappeared for a while, Bucky drowned his sorrows and cursed his stupidity in his room with Asgardian alcohol, Steve just kept to himself and Clint was at home with his family.
What started out as the worst time in their lives for Bruce and y/n, turned into the best thing that ever happened to them.