Safe and Sound

Chapter 14

    I’m glad he didn’t say anything about the “mugging”.  I work quietly on the equations regarding the vest. The plans say it should contain titanium, so it can also act as an energy shield and extra conducting? The notes were very vague and didn’t make much sense.

    I make the notes on the paper, writing a detailed explanation and blueprint for the harness. It’ll wrap around his front like a plate of armour, and turn into supportive straps on the back. It’ll criss cross across the back and under the arms.

The sheaths for the katanas will have locks so they don’t fall out if he were to say… be swinging somehow through the air. But he’ll have cuffs on his forearms and matching gloves which will have an electromagnetic trigger that will unlock the sheaths.

I don’t hear anyone coming up behind me because of the ringing. So when someone roughly puts their hand on my shoulder, I flinch hard enough to fall out of my chair.

Were they trying to hit me? Just trying to get my attention? That was pretty hard… Who was that? Should I leave? Maybe they don’t want me here anymore. Gods that hurt… I can feel my eyes welling with tears as I pull my knee towards me, ready to shield it from any more damage.

“Hello...?” I open my eyes, which I didn’t realize I had squeezed shut, to find a tall, scruffy looking man with curly brown hair standing over me. I move back a bit, heart racing, and I can tell I’m breathing hard, even if I can’t hear it.

“Kid, you okay?” Mr. Stark comes jogging over. “Bruce what’d you do?” he glares at the other man.

“I didn’t do anything. I just put my hand on his shoulder. I thought I was pretty loud going up this time.” the man, Bruce, says.

“Well, he’s kind of deaf. Still that was kind of… Peter?” Mr. Stark crouches in front of me. “Are you okay kid?” I wipe the tears from my eyes and nod. I try to use the chair to pull myself up but it slides away and I hit the ground again. I reach for the crutch but Mr. Stark grabs it before I can. “I don’t think so. This is Bruce Banner. He’s a doctor. Will you check his knee?” Mr. Stark asks Bruce. “He’s been mugged twice in the last week and could hardly stand this morning.”

“Of course. Can you remove your knee brace and pull your pant leg up?” I hesitate a bit.

“It’s alright kid. He’s used to seeing bruises and such. He helps us with medical stuff all the time. Hell, Spider-man almost broke Nat’s arm last night. I admit he’s really impressive. Wish he’d just talk to us…” Mr. Stark seems to trail off in thought.

I take off the brace and pull my pant leg up, wincing. Bruce Banner. The Bruce Banner is looking at my knee? I don’t know if I should be excited or embarrassed.

“Geeze kid… this looks worse than a mugging. At least a few years… What’d you do?” Dr. Bruce asks. I reach up, feeling around my desk for a pen and pad.

“Here.” Mr. Stark hands me what I was looking for.

“I was stabbed a few years ago, and I’ve sliced it up a few times. It’s been broken before too.” I show him the pad.

“Kid… What the actual fuck.” Bruce says.

“Language!” we hear muffled yelling from the floor above us.

“What are you, another vigilante.” Mr. Stark rolls his eyes.

“It’s a wonder you’re walking on it right now. It’s definitely sprained. I think you may have a torn muscle or two too but I can’t be sure. You’ll definitely be using that crutch for a bit. What did they do, stomp it?” he looks really concerned. I nod. She did. He winces, “Did they get anywhere else?”

“Yeah, but not as bad. Just some bruises, I’m fine.” I write.

“If you have any more trouble, call me immediately,” he says. I nod and Mr. Stark hands me the crutch, offering me a hand. I take it hesitantly and he helps me up and back into my chair, where I pull my pant leg down and my knee brace back on. I immediately pull out my phone.

Peter- Guys you’ll never believe who I just met!

Ned- Is it Tony Stark?

MJ- No dude he works for the guy remember?

Peter- It’s Dr. Banner!

Ned- Holy GUACAMOLE

Peter- I KNOW

    I put my phone away, looking over my notes again, just to be sure I’m not about to hand in something stupid.

    “Hey Peter?” I look up to see Mr. Stark smirks as he glances at my phone. “Dr. Banner knows sign language too.” I can feel my face light up. “Bruce, I think the kid wants to talk to you.”

    “I thought he couldn’t talk?” Dr. Banner looks confused.

    *Dr. Banner I’m a huge fan!* I sign. He just sighs.

    “Yeah, yeah, I’m the Hulk.”

    *Well that’s cool too but your papers in Gamma Radiation are amazing! I’ve read nearly all your books and papers! You’re so cool I-* I stop running hand down my face. *Sorry.* I sign. I totally just fan boyed. Dr. Banner looks like he’s going to say something, but just turns and walks off, his face hard. Oh no oh no oh no I’ve seriously upset him I made him mad I-I can’t breathe.