Masquerade

Chapter 10

*SPOILERS*

If you have not seen Age of Ultron, do NOT read this chapter!!

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"Remember when we met Bruce?" I ask him, running my hand through his hair. It's been three days since we came back from the mission, all six of us. We managed to destroy a HYDRA facility and get back Loki's scepter. Bruce has been working with Tony for the past couple days, but I managed to get him up here for a couple hours last night.

"Wasn't it in India?" He raises a brow.

"Mmhm," I nod, "I came with Nat to recruit you for the mission."

"Is that what you call recruiting?" Bruce laughs.

"Yes, sweetheart, it is." I smile in response.

"Hm. Well, what about it?"

"I don't really know. Just thinking about it. Thinking about a lot, actually." I shrug, glancing out the window. A soft rain is falling, echoing through the room.

Bruce doesn't respond. We sit in silence for a while, the rain making the only noise throughout. I glance at the clock, a dark 6:48 looking at me. I sigh and shake my head, slowly sitting up.

"You okay?" Bruce asks quietly.

"I'm gonna go take something for my head. It's been hurting for days." I say quickly, getting up and walking to the bathroom. I down a couple pills and walk back, finding Bruce leaning against the headboard. I stop at the doorway, leaning against it.

"It's already May," I say, looking to the window, "July 9th suddenly isn't too far away now."

"You're right," Bruce groans, "I can't believe it."

"Neither can I." I walk slowly to the bed, climbing onto it. I join Bruce, and lean myself against the headboard as well. My head slowly starts to calm itself, the pills kicking in quickly.

So much has happened since Bruce and I started dating. S.H.I.E.L.D. falling, Fury 'dying', an engagement, missions galore, things we would have never expected to happen. We've grown closer than ever, and have created such a bond between us, it's almost like we're one person at certain times. But there are many times Bruce and I show signs of difference.

He still works endless hours in the lab, especially when Tony is with him. When he finally does come up to the floor, he's cranky, even pissed. It would take days for him to finally come around to his normal self. I learned to just give him the space he needs, doing what I can to help. I've had missions like those too, coming home from some exotic country all flustered and angry.

But that's how Bruce and I work. We balance each other out, making everything equal. We were almost like a skeleton equation, just waiting to be balanced.

"Tony's having the get together tonight." Bruce comments, pulling me from my thoughts. I internally groan, rolling my eyes.

"We have to go?" I frown, staring out the window.

"Kinda, yeah. He's letting us live here. It's the least we can do Ash." Bruce sighs.

"I just- I don't know. I have a bad feeling about tonight. Like something's gonna happen." I look over at him. His face twists into confusion, a brow raised.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Bruce's voice fluctuates.

"Like I said, I don't know. My stomach turns just thinking about it." I close my eyes, shaking my head. I feel the cool air nip my skin, so I reach down and grab Bruce's dress shirt, slipping it over my garments.