BrucexReader: The Science of Love

Your heart seemed to come to a stop at the exact same time as the elevator. This is it, your big break. After all the time you spent studying and practicing, you were finally a genetic engineer at Stark Industries (just and intern, for now mind you) You had known Tony Stark from the time you were six, although the two of you lost contact after you went off to school and he became a billionaire, CEO and (of course) Iron Man. It turns out that he had remembered you too, because as soon as he saw you walk out of the job interview, he hired you. It was a huge honor to be working at Stark, especially after the incident in New York and all.

"________!" a cheerful voice cried, snapping you out of your daze. You looked to your right and smiled as Anthony Stark himself came bounding over to you. He hadn't changed much, he was still cocky, arrogant, smooth and, all in all, childish. But he had a caring side to him that few people really did see.

"Hey Tony! Thank you so much for getting me this job!" you said, hugging him. The billionaire grinned and motioned for you to follow him through the maze-like lab. All around you, workers were conducting experiments, taking notes, typing things up on computers and comparing data. Already the gears in your mind were whirring and excitement bubbled up in your stomach. This was really happening!

"_____, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Dr. Bruce Banner" Tony announced, wrapping his arms around a smaller man's shoulders. This "Dr. Banner" was about half a head shorter than Tony, with curly brown hair and slightly tanned skin. His eyes were a deep chocolate brown, partly hidden behind a pair of wire-framed glasses. His eyes met yours and instantly, a zing of electricity seemed to go through your whole body. It felt like you were paralyzed, glued to the spot and unable to move. You blushed furiously and side-glanced at Tony, who was smirking like the devil beside Banner.

"Come along lovebirds, I'll show _______ to her office" he chirped, still smirking, and starting to make his way down the hall again. You gulped and followed the two men, the tingly feeling still rushing through your veins.

"So, what's the news Green Giant?" Tony asked casually, ignoring the sharp look Dr. Banner gave him. "Well, all the towers are completely self-sustaining, so no change there. Oh, you DO have a message from Fury though. Apparently he found out about the little incident with Killian. He's demanding to talk to you" replied Banner, sounding halfway between weary and amused. Tony snorted and took a sharp left, leading the three of you down yet another hallway. On either side of you, there were lab doors and windows. People dressed in white lab coats and safety glasses were conducting experiments and jotting facts down on clipboards.

"And here we are" Tony's cheerful voice rang out. You followed him into the lab and looked around in awe. Computer monitors covered the far wall, while keyboards and control panels littered the table below. Large lab tables were scattered about the room, all perfectly clean. All the equipment was neatly organized, either on shelves or on the tables and desks. You turned to Tony, beaming and not knowing what to say and he handed you a lab coat, grinning back at you.

"Well, I better go meet with Fury or he's gonna throw me out a window or something. You mind showing her how we do things, Brucie?" asked Tony, smirking and leaving you alone in the lab with a very shy Dr. Banner. He blushed slightly and avoided eye contact, reaching over to pick up a clipboard with an information sheet on it. You smiled slightly, seeing how flustered and awkward Dr. Banner was.

"Um, yes, well...I suppose I should give you a tour of the lab" he said, stealing a quick glance at you then blushing deeply. You smiled and followed him around the lab as he pointed out what things were and where they went. As the small tour went on, he got more comfortable talking around you and even cracked a few jokes.

"Thank you so much, Bruce" you said, smiling at the shy genius. "And by the way, I know about you being the Hulk. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable or anything. Just know that I'm not scared and I really want to get to know you more".

Bruce's eyes met yours again and this time, they were filled with a certain happiness that hadn't been there before. You smiled at him, your heart swelling and your stomach full of butterflies. Boy, were you glad Tony gave you a job!