Science Bros. Topic #1: Distance (Bruce X Y/N)

So far away
(Bruce Banner X Reader)
Song Used: Far Away
Artist: Nickle-back


   This time, this place
Misused, Misplaced
Too long, too late
who was I to make you wait?


    You opened your eyes only to see a familiar, giant, green chest cradling your smaller form as he leapt through the air like a giant toad. “D-Doctor Banner?” You asked groggily causing the Hulk to look down at you, a gentle look in his forest green eyes. The creature pulled you flush against him as he landed hard on the deck of the Hellicarrier. Like a prince who was trying not to jostle a sleeping princess he placed you on the ground. Before you could call out to him the creature was gone, leaping towards the rouge Quin-jet that was piloted by none other than Ultron himself. This would be the last moment you remembered laying your eyes on Doctor Bruce Banner, Your crush and your best friend.

    You were an Avenger. Apart of the team of earth’s mightiest heroes because of Tony and Bruce. The two men had rescued you after AIM had captured you for their human research project. You had been told that you had been subjected to a serum that gave you this ability to glow in the dark and bend matter. Lost and afraid Tony had given you a home in the tower and gave you a job as his assistant while Bruce helped you cope through some of the trauma that you had suffered. You remembered all the fun that the three of you had together and you remembered all the fun you had been able to experience with the whole team. Watching Tony try to out drink Steve, teaching Thor how to cook real food *besides Pop-tarts*, playing Mario-cart with Natasha and Clint, going on morning runs with Steve, and your favorite way to end the day; stargazing with Bruce. The Avengers were your family, but after this incident it seemed like everyone yet again went their separate ways. Tony went back to New York, Thor was probably in Asgard, and Clint went home to his family. Of course you still had Steve and Nat to hang around with, along with a whole new team of friends to count on to save the world. All of this still didn’t stop you from wondering… from waiting on him. You wished in your heart each day as you walked into the training room that you would run into Bruce walking down the hallway. Sadly this was just a wish and a longing. Bruce Banner was who knows where…probably in some foreign land like where Natasha found him the first time. “Good luck in finding him kid. He’s like a magician he’ll appear in one place but then blend in so well that he disappears” You remember Agent Carson tell you as you talked with her about your feelings. You hated talking to her, she never made you feel any better.

Just one chance
just one breath
just in case there’s just one left
‘cause you know, you know
you know, you know


     The sky was dreary and the clouds gathered around wanting to let out their tears of sorrow. The city was less populated on days like this which was why the man dressed in a dark cloak was able to travel so easily towards the small hut on the edge of the village. The man’s visage had not changed since he had started out this morning, for he felt a pang deep within his heart that would not go away. The man walked up to a door and slowly opened it with a creak.

    *Good morning Dr. Banner, I was wondering when I’d see you again* the elderly lady behind the bar said in a Japanese tongue as she cleaned the counter. Bruce sighed a little and threw his hood off revealing his face to any patron that dared to look up. *Hello Ms. Yumi, yea I’m sorry I’ve been having a little trouble lately* Bruce answered in Japanese as he occupied a stool at the bar and rested his elbow upon the clear glass counter. *Oh? Come child tell me what troubles you?* Ms. Yumi asked as she went to making Bruce his usually tonic with a shot of gin. Bruce raised one tired hazelnut eye to look at her as she made his favorite drink. *Well it’s just I’m kinda feeling bad. I loved this girl that was on the team with me… there was only two things wrong with it. 1) I doubt she actually liked me that way. 2) She’d probably hate me now… I left her and the whole team wondering and waiting. I guess I did it to protect her, but I still don’t feel any better about it* Bruce explained as she slid him his glass. *Well all I can say is that you can’t assume my child. You can always go back and I’m sure that the team will welcome you. If they are your true friends and if she truly loves you then they will be patient to wait* Ms. Yumi said giving a reassuring smile to him before she walked out from behind the bar so that she could take some drinks to another table. Bruce sipped his gin and tonic. He wanted to believe every word that they all said. He wanted to believe that he would be able to see (Y/N) again.

     Bruce took a small piece of paper out of his pocket. The paper was a picture of (Y/N) and him goofing around in the lab together. He remembers when Tony took it, but the best part was that he remembered her laugh. (Y/N)’s laugh was contagious and it was probably one of his favorite things about her. He remembered placing his lab coat on her smaller shoulders and then her dancing with him, the tails of the pure white coat flapping around behind her. Suddenly the scientist felt something wet hit his cheek. He closed his eyes and for once allowed the acknowledged tears to stream down his face. There was truly no way out. He’d said it himself. “In case you needed to kill me, but you can’t. I know. I tried. I got low, I didn’t see an end to it so I put a bullet in my mouth and the other guy spit it out!” those words still rung in his head every time he picked up the gun and held the cold metal in his fingers. The one thing that actually stopped him from putting it to his head and pulling the trigger was the one thing that kept him away from her. The Hulk.

That I love you
I have loved you all along
and I miss you
been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming that you’ll be with me
and you’ll never go
Stop breathing if
I don’t see you anymore

    “Agent (Y/N) I want you to go on a vacation. You’ve been working too hard recently and Captain Rogers has brought this to my attention” Director Fury said coming up to you in the training room. “Sir you understand why… please tell me you do” You answered as a look of dismay crossed your face. “Yes I do and I’m quite sure that this can be a little time used to resolve that problem. I give you my full permission to take as much time you need to relocate Doctor Banner and bring him back” Director Fury said placing a hand on your shoulder. “Y-you mean it? I can go and look for Bruce?” You asked almost unbelieving that you were just given this privilege. “Yes agent because I understand what he means to you. We need to find him before the military does or else he’ll be doomed” Director Fury said quietly his gaze serious and somewhat bleak. “Right…I’m on it chief” You said trying not to sound as excited as you truly were. “Good agent (Y/N) we wish you good luck” he replied before sending you on your way.

    You raced outside of the shield base to your motorcycle knowing that you’d have to go to Avengers tower and tell Tony the good news as well as pack. You already had one idea in mind for the first place that you would check for Bruce. Knowing that he was a strategist in hiding you knew that you would have to act fast and act stealthily if you were going to catch him. Tony would know what to do and how to get you to your desired vacation spot number one without you being detected. You skipped out of the bay doors seeing her sitting there and almost brand new. You smiled to yourself as you hopped on and threw on your helmet. “Bruce Banner here I come” you whispered to yourself as you flipped down the sun visor and rode off towards the city.

~ A Few hours later ~

      “Wait so Fury has actually given you permission to hunt for Bruce?” Tony asked as he continued to fiddle with one of his new suits. “Yea basically. He didn’t just let me though, Steve actually had to say something to him to get him to finally agree to it” You answered looking through some of the pictures that Tony had taken of you and Bruce earlier in the year. “Well I suppose that’s a good thing. I heard that Ross is still trying to hunt him down. The bastard doesn’t know when to quit does he?” Tony asked walking towards the work bench that you occupied and wiping his brow with a stray rag. “That’s why I need your help Tony. I have any idea where he might be, but I need your expertise to design a plan of getting in there without Bruce or Ross finding out. If Bruce finds out he might be mad at me or he might run and if Ross finds out he’ll capture me and kill me” You explained with a worried look crossing your face. “Don’t worry (Y/N/N) I’ll help ya get there. Trust me I think running from you would be the last thing he’d do by the way” Tony mentioned as he put away his tools. “Wait…W-what do ya mean?” you asked shakily as heat began rising to your cheeks. “I’ll tell ya when you’re older, now c’mon on let’s settle our plan over some Shawarma” Tony laughed leading you to the elevator.

On my knees, when I ask
last chance for one last dance
cause with you, I’d withstand
all of hell to hold your hand

     It was warmer today than it had been in days. The sun was out and the sky was clear. This was Bruce’s favorite type of weather, if he was truly honest with himself. There was one beach that he knew that cradled the village where no one would go. A lonely beach that had golden sands and indigo waters. A lonely beach that was not far from the shack that he called home, a place that rested only a few miles from the center of the village. On days like this Bruce would go to clear his head, meditate, study the biological life signs in the area, or just relax and watch the sun slip away behind the clouds and welcome the moon to take its place in the sky. This was the beach that Bruce had landed on when he was the Hulk after the battle of Sokovia. The Hulk, having been underwater way too long, had thrown up on the shore and left poor Bruce to lie in the pouring rain. He smiled a little to himself at the memory. *that was a bad idea Banner. You had caught a cold the next morning and became ill for two weeks remember?* Bruce thought in his mind as he laid out his purple and white striped blanket upon the sand dunes. He rested his head back and starred up at the clear blue sky. The waves crashing not far from his feet was calming and they reminded him of himself sometimes. The heavy thrashing and the loud, low roar of each oncoming wave reminded him of the anger that would always bubble beneath his skin while the white caps of each one that reached out onto the sand reminded him of his heart. His poor heart would reach out and it seemed like no one would answer, until he met (Y/N). He wished that she was here now to rescue him from himself like she had always done when he was living in the tower with her and the team. Bruce sighed tracing a lazy pattern into the sand beside his body. “I’ve hurt you and the only family that I’ve ever cared about. I wish I could see you again… just one more time” Bruce said softly to himself.

     It was early in the morning when Tony and (Y/N) touched down in the Mark 42. The two had landed in a forest-like area but they could hear the village life through the trees ahead of them. The heat mingled with the humidity and the smells of the natural world. “Who could’ve thought you’d find Bruce here” Tony shouted over the noise of the hustling and bustling inhabitants that bumped and passed you both in the streets. “Well Tony you and I both know that he blends in with foreign cultures very easily. This was my best guess because of the Quinjet wreckage found on a small island not far from here” You shouted back as you dragged Tony behind you and weaved through the crowds. After a few moments you both stopped to catch a breath as you looked around at the people. “Geez this is normal for these people? It’s like New York City commute, but worse” Tony said looking over at you and seeing the worried look on your face. “We may never find him Tony. What if we were wrong… what if he’s no longer here or what if General Ross has already taken him in custody?” You asked as a few stray tears began to flood your eyes. You closed your eyes taking a deep breath and looking away not wanting for Tony to see you cry. “Look (Y/N) our best bet is to ask around and see who knows him. There’s bound to be someone, but you and I can’t give up hope yet. Bruce is counting on us. I hope that we can get ourselves a drink soon. I’m famished and you look like you could really use one” Tony said causing you to roll your eyes at him. “What? Oh c’mon if we find the local tavern maybe we’ll find someone will know him” Tony suggested with a small smile. “Fine let’s go!” you groaned dragging Tony along behind you.

I’d give it all
I’d give for us
Give anything but I won’t give up
Cause you know,
you know, you know

     You and Tony had asked around until you were guided to a really beat up looking hut on the edge of the village. The locals had told you and Tony that the bar keep, Ms. Yumi, might know more about Bruce’s whereabouts. The two friends walked in quietly and sat down at the bar. “My, my, you two are new. What can I get for you two?” the elderly lady asked with a lazy smile. “Well I wanted to ask you about someone… he’s a very close friend of ours and he’s in danger” You said softly showing the lady the picture of you and Bruce together. The lady’s expression changed quickly and her eyes hardened as she looked at you. “Who are you?” She asked looking from the picture to you and then at the picture again. “Well I’m a close friend to Doctor Banner…we both are…” You trailed off before looking at Tony. “You better tell her, she might not believe us if you don’t” Tony said softly looking around and trying to make sure no one was spying on you. “Alright. My name is (Y/N) and this is Tony Stark, we’re friends of Doctor Banner and we’ve come to find him. The US military along with General Ross has set out to find him, if they do find him before we do they will kill him” You answered softly. Ms. Yumi took a solid five minutes before letting out a sigh. “You are that girl he speaks of when he comes here. He really loves you and he talks about wanting to kiss you, wanting to tell you that he loved you” She said softly as she handed you a parchment. “This is a map of the village. On the edge of the village is a small ghetto where his hut lies. I have a feeling though that he may be at the beach today so you may have to look there first” Ms. Yumi said softly giving you a small smile.

     “There’s a scooter in the back and you’re welcome to use it child, but you must be agile because I have no idea how long he’ll be there” Ms. Yumi said leading you through the back door of the bar. “Don’t worry (Y/N) I’ll be here when you two come back. This is something you’re gonna have to do alone though so go get um” Tony said with a smile giving you a small wave before you disappeared behind the hut. You jumped on the baby blue colored scooter before snapping the helmet to your head and then kick-starting the little engine. “Alright you little thing don’t fail me now!” You shouted over the sound as you hit the gas and sped down the dusty path. You rode through the village again passing by the various characters from the men and women wearing colorful robes to the poor street rats that begged or stole food from the local food stands of the marketplace. The trip took you roughly fifteen minutes to complete which for you was a mixture of relief and worry at the same time.

     Soon the smell of the salty sea air reached your nostrils and the sound of the crashing waves met your ear drums. This was a much more comforting situation because you knew very well that this was the place that Ms. Yumi had described. You jumped off the scooter and pulled your hair up in a tight pony tail. ‘I just hope he’s here’ you thought to yourself as you began walking into the sand dunes. Sure enough in the distance you spotted shadowed figure standing upon a huge grey stone. The figure was doing a karate stance that you had almost not been able to believe him to do until he beat the shit out of Tony once**. You saw another rock standing adjacent to the one that he was on and decided that this was your chance. The other had his eyes closed so he didn’t notice you doing the same move he had been doing, the Stork on the opposite rock. He might not have seen you at all if you hadn’t let out the breath you had been holding. The man was startled from his place and fell into the wet sand beside the rock.

    “(Y/N)…w-what are you doing here? H-how?” Bruce asked shakily as you held out a hand to help him back to his feet. “Bruce I’m a shield agent, it’s what I do.” You replied with a soft and warm smile. Bruce pulled you down and you landed hard in the sand next to him. “Oh god I’m so sorry!” Bruce apologized blushing and leaning over you to brush off your clothes. You couldn’t help but to laugh a little and smile up at him. You placed a hand on his cheek giving him a loving look. “I missed you Doctor Banner” You said softly. Suddenly the world paused around you as you felt his soft lips lightly brush your own. “You have no idea (Y/N)” he whispered before pulling you into a passionate and slow kiss.

So Far away
Been far away for far too  long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

      After you two broke away from each other for air Bruce gently laid down next to you and pulled you into his embrace. “Why’d you leave?” You asked him softly staring up at him with curiousness in your eyes. “Well I was really afraid… I love you (Y/N), oh god do I ever love you! I need you more than I would admit sometimes, but after what the Hulk did in Wakanda… it made me think what if I did that to you? What if I killed you?” Bruce answered sadness spreading across his features. You silenced him with a soft kiss to his lips. You felt him pull you closer to him which caused you to smile a little. “Why did you come looking for me (Y/N)?” He asked softly after you broke away again. You felt his hand lightly stroke your hair, a soothing motion that was always calming you back down when you were anxious, afraid, mad, or extremely upset by something. “Because I love you. I can’t live without you Bruce, I’ve tried and it doesn’t work. I need you come home with me…Ross is after you again and the only way I can protect you if you come back” You whispers as tears glistened in your (E/C) eyes. “You didn’t come alone did you?” Bruce asked sounding more concerned knowing from experience what Ross and his men would be willing to do to find him, extract the Hulk and thus kill him. “No I came with Tony as prior to Fury’s orders” You answered sincerely and wrapped your arms tightly around his mid-section. “Hey it’s alright…I’m so sorry for hurting you my angel” He whispered in your ear and held you close to him. “Bruce promise me that you won’t leave without me again” You whispered looking up and meeting his warm brown eyes. “I promise angel as long as you love me I won’t ever leave you again” Bruce replied kissing into your hair.
You and Bruce rode on the scooter back to the run down tavern, but for once instead of rushing you both were able to appreciate the people around you. “Tony should still be waiting for us if Ms. Yumi hasn’t kicked him out yet” You shouted to him over the sound of the motor buzzing. Bruce chuckled thinking about how crazy his friend could get when he was drunk off his rocker and nodded before setting his head back down on your shoulder. “To be honest Ms. Yumi will surprise you, you could appreciate her tolerance and drinking like a man but also her resolve as a woman” Bruce replied causing you chuckle a little. “So what have you been doing since you left us Brucie?” You asked curiously. “Oh just being a doctor, you know it’s one of my special talents after all” Bruce answered as he hopped off the back of the scooter and offered his hand to you. You blushed and gently took it letting him lead you through the back door of the tavern.

    As you both got back in the bar it was quiet. There were one or two patrons and Tony who was fast asleep with his head against the counter and his butt still glued to the seat. *Welcome back children. My, your friend has a big appetite for drink eh?* Ms. Yumi asked causing you both to laugh a little. “Yep that would be the famous Tony Stark. Well at least he slept it off this time, Bruce remember when he tried to play Mario cart after he and Steve had yet another drinking competition?” You asked earning another laugh from him. After about five minutes you and Bruce decided that you needed to wake Tony up so that Ms. Yumi could close up her bar for the night. “Stark wake up block head!” You snapped startling the billionaire and causing him to slip off the bar stool. “W-wha? (Y/N) D-did you find Bruce? Can we go home now?” He questioned trying to regain his focus as he slowly stood up again on his feet. “Hey Tony” Bruce said shyly causing the billionaire to whirl around quickly and see his friend. “BRUCE!!!!” Tony shouted pulling the other into a bone crushing hug. “T-tony…c-can’t…can’t breathe!” Bruce sputtered tapping the other’s shoulder. “Right…sorry buddy” Tony apologized and quickly let go of his friend. “Good to see you to Tony” Bruce finally said with a sheepish smile on his face. “Well then should we be heading home?” Tony asked sounding like a little boy on Christmas. “Well Tony I think we should probably wait until the airport opens up again and besides we’re gonna have to take a cart to get to the nearest city before we can even catch a…” Bruce started before Tony placed a finger on his lips. “Bruce ol’ buddy I’m Tony Stark, you don’t think I’ve got that part covered?” Tony asked raising a brow and showing a glimmering smile.

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
‘cause I needed
I need to hear you say
that I love you
I have loved you all along
and forgive you
for being far away for far too long
so keep breathing
‘cause I’m not leaving you anymore
believe it
hold on to me and never let me go
keep breathing
‘cause I’m not leaving you anymore
believe it
hold on to me and never let me go
keep breathing
hold on to me and never let me go
keep breathing
hold on to me and never let me go


     Now at night you don’t have to sleep alone. Now in the morning you are sure that you can wake up and see hope in the eyes of your significant other. After returning to the US, Tony offered to keep you and Bruce at the tower with him in New York City. Of course you still did a little work for Fury and Shield while Bruce worked in the lab with Tony like old times, but for once you were able to say that everything felt alright with the world. Now every time someone oppresses the love that you and Bruce stand for and share you are both reminded of the distance that kept you so far away.

Extended Ending
A month later…
      “Bruce?” You called from your shared bedroom and drawing your husband’s attention. “Yes my love? What is it?” He asked hearing the urgent tone in your voice. “C’mere” You answered trying to calm the racing pulse of your heart. Suddenly you saw the familiar dark brown curls peak around the door frame followed by a pair of soft and tired hazel-nut brown eyes. You couldn’t help but to giggle a little at his pace as you slowly stood up and walked over to him. You handed him a small package and pecked his lips softly. Your mind whirled only hoping that the reaction you were about to witness would be a good one and not one that ended with the Hulk destroying half of Manhattan.

    “You’re…you’re…pregnant…” Bruce trailed off staring down at you and then at the pregnancy test that rested in his hands. You nodded softly with a small smile on your face. “You’re not mad at me are you?” You asked sounding a bit uneasy. “What? No, no, no honey how could I be mad you? This is fantastic!” Bruce cheered gently lifting you up in his arms and twirling you around. He had a huge face splitting smile on his face that you could only describe as pride, and a hint of childishness. “Oh thank god Brucie! I was really afraid there for a moment” You whispered kissing him softly and lightly wrapping your arms around his neck. “I love you (Y/N) Banner and I love you baby Banner” He said softly as he got on his knees. Bruce lightly lifted your shirt, his face level with your flat stomach. He gently peppered it with kisses and smiled up at you. “Alright kiddo be good to your momma and I can’t wait to see you in eight months” Bruce said softly before standing again and taking you in his arms. “I love you to Bruce, thank you” You whispered burying his face in the crook of his neck. “For what my angel?” he asked curiously stroking your hair and smiling down at you. “For coming back home, and for giving me a family” You answered cuddling close to him. Yep everything was definitely right with the world especially because you never gave up on the man you loved. Robert Bruce Banner.