"Uuuuggghhh." Bruce groaned into his hands.
All the work he'd been given to research, analyze, theorize, take apart and put back together was giving him a major headache and all he wanted to do was sleep. He wasn't as bad as Tony, who drank coffee by the gallon to stay awake, but he did need a break. One he decided to take when you bounced into the room with a big smile on your face.
"Hey, Bruce. Whatcha doing?" You asked brightly.
"Oh, ya know. Struggling to stay alive. This paperwork is killing me." He gestured to the massive amount of files on his desk.
"What's got you so worked up?"
You shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh, ya know. Just swiped Tony's credit card. No biggie."
Bruce laughed as you lifted it up and twisted it around with your fingers.
"So? How does shopping sound, Dr. Banner? Compliments of Tony Stark, of course."
He grinned.
"Sounds great. Let's get out of here."
—————
Four Hours Later
"Bingo bango! We've got a winner right here!" You yelled, pumping your fists triumphantly. Bruce stifled a laugh as a few children gave you the "she's crazy" look as they walked by.
"Y/N, really?"
"Bruce, this game is decidedly one of the most difficult games on Earth. This game? Right here? Takes weeks, maybe even months for you to perfect your precision, your aim, your skill strategy. Me winning is the result of years of training just to get to this very level of mastery. I am...The Master." You concluded, planting your hands on your hips.
"Yeah, the Master of Skee Ball. And it doesn't count if you, Steve and Pietro are always playing the one at home."
"Hey, hey. First of all, Steve broke it last week and I've been itching to get my game back." You argued.
Bruce laughed and shook his head, scooping up the shopping bags that took up most of the floor near the machine.
"Ready to go?"
You nodded and snatched some bags from him before leading the way to the parking garage. As you got into the car and began to talk about anything and everything besides work, he only half listened while you rambled on. Bruce was more relaxed than he'd been in weeks and he was grateful for the break in his usually monotonous life. He felt an enormous sense of pressure to always come up with the right solution to everything and often, he wondered how he didn't cave in from the tension.
Bruce pulled into the Tower's garage, parked the car and took all of the bags out of the trunk before you could grab any.
"Gentlemen always carry the shopping." He teased.
"Yeah, yeah. It's too bad I like carrying things." Bruce tried to sidestep you, but you quickly grabbed a few of the bags before running to the elevator.
"We're going to the same floor!" He yelled, chasing after you and nearly getting crushed by the doors.
"Gosh, I'm exhausted. JARVIS, think you can speed this thing up?"
"Of course, Ms. Y/L/N. I am, after all, here to serve you willingly when you want me to "speed" up the elevator."
Bruce chuckled as you shot the camera in the corner an evil look.
"I didn't order a side of sassiness." You said.
"No, that comes to me naturally. Would you like me to alert Mr. Stark and the others of your p—"
"No, it's okay. Not Tony." Bruce quickly interrupted.
"As you wish."
A few floors later, the elevator hissed to a stop and Bruce began to exit when he saw who was waiting for you.
"H-hey, Tony! Didn't expect to see you here!"
"JARVIS, you traitor." You mumbled under your breath.
Tony crossed his arms and gave the both of you a fake smile.
"I just wanted to say hi. Can't buddies say hi to each other when they feel like it?"
"Not when they look like they're gonna kill them." Bruce muttered.
"Oh, come on. How was your day out? Did a little shopping, I see."
"Yeah, we needed a few-uh...things."
You and Bruce slowly edged around him. His smile slipped and he held out his hand with a semi-serious face.
"Y/N. My credit card. No—"
"Run, Bruce, run!" You screamed.
Bruce bolted around him and up the stairs, you right behind him as Tony cursed loudly and ran after the both of you. You managed to lock yourselves in a room and you collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavily. Bruce laid next to you and you two started giggling quietly as Tony started to bang on the door.
"Y/N! I know you're in there! I want my card back, NOW!"
"Why? You have, like, 5 more!"
"That's my favorite one!" He whined.
When you didn't respond, he swore loudly and kicked the door before stomping away.
"Well, that was fun." You said, yawning and curling up against the pillows.
"Yeah. That was."
Bruce let out a content sigh before closing his eyes and drifting off. You moved closer to him, wrapping an arm around his torso and snuggling into his chest before falling asleep.
And that's how Sam found you two an hour later. Holding each other with a load of shopping bags covering his bedroom floor.
"Did I miss something?" He asked aloud. Tony snuck up behind him and darted into the room, scavenging the bags for his credit card.
"Not much."
—————
Ugh, I love Happy Bruce :)