Misunderstood

Thirteen

Her bedroom door banged open, startling her from her sleep. She looked up, ready to murder whoever had distured her dream. Seeing Tony stood in the doorway looking worried, her anger subsided and she shot out of bed to her feet... 'Tony, what's wrong?'

He shook his head, handing the tablet he held out to her. She took it, frowning at him before she saw what was on the screen.

< BREAKING NEWS!

Dr Bruce Banner, the Avenger known as the 'Hulk' was caught kissing Dr Sophie Connors last night, outside the Gala held at 583 Park Avenue. The two looked to be extremely close with each other, as they attended the event. Sources say the couple have been dating since the battle, and that Dr Connors is apparently a close friend of Tony Starks, and has been since childhood.

Speculations over why Dr Connors is working at the tower, say she is a secret Avenger. After thorough investigation, it would seem that there are two beasts on the team of superheroes.

Evidence has come forward of Dr Connors also having an alter ego, and wr cant help but wonder if it is safe for the city, to have two destructive monsters under one roof.

Can the Avengers contain them? Is New York really safe? Is Connors really as innocent as she perceives, or will she unleash the monster within? >

Sophie looked at the photos underneath the article. One was of them arriving, another of them inside the event, a third was of them kissing. It was the other two that broke her.

They were photos of Hulk, and some damage he had caused. She sank to the floor and sobbed, letting the tablet go.

She felt arms come around her, rubbing her back... 'I'm so sorry Soph. I should never have asked you to go. This is on me. I'm so sorry'

Tony tried to comfort her, rubbing her back, and kissing the top of her head. He had no one else to blame but himself. He didn't know how anyone found out, as he had always ensured to keep it all hidden.

Clearly, someone else, outside of the select few, knew about her. He already had Pepper running point on the press. He knew this would get to her, and he was worried she would lose control. He wasn't afraid of her, he was afraid for her. There would be those out there, that would try to get a hold of her.

Though he knew they wouldn't stand a chance, whether she was as herself or as Tia. Both of them were fiercely strong and powerful.

He could feel her shaking and knew she was struggling... 'Jarvis, get Bruce to Sophies room now! Tell him it's urgent'

'Of course sir, I will relay your message'...

Not two minutes later, he heard a knock on her door... 'Let's him in Jarvis'... Tony heard the door open, and Bruce calling out... 'In here Banner, move it'

Bruce rushes into the bedroom, seeing Tony holding a distraught Sophie on the floor. Tony gestured with his head, to the tablet that was next to her. Bruce picked it up, and read what was on the screen.

He didn't have to read far, before he threw it on the bed, dropping to the floor... 'Soph? Sophie, I need you to look at me right now'... He waited until she did as he asked... 'Good, now I want you to recite Einsteins three laws, in Italian. Once you've done that, Newton's law of gravitation in French, ok?'

He saw her close her eyes, and began to do her breathing exercises. Him and Tony waited, letting her bring herself back in control. It took a few minutes, until she opened her eyes, pain and sadness were present in them.

'Hey, there you are..'.. Bruce gave her a small smile, and she pushed off Tony, throwing herself into his arms. He rocked back slightly as he caught her, feeling her hold onto him, as though he was her anchor... 'I got you, I promise'

Sophie sniffled, hugging him tight... 'I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry'

'What are you sorry for? You haven't done anything wrong..'.. Bruce frowns across to Tony, wondering why she was apologising.

'They called you a monster. You're not, neither of you are..'.. Bruce was in shock, and he saw it in Tony's face too.

'That's what you're apologising for? For what they said?'... He pulls back from her, stunned.

Sophie nodded her head, not able to look at him... 'They were mean about you. They don't even know you Bruce. How dare they say that about you?'

Tony and Bruce looked at each other. Of all the things that were said about her, she was upset for what they said about him.

'Uh, I thought you were crying because of what they said about you'... Tony says, confused, looking between the two.

Sophie pulled the edge of her top up to wipe her face, shifting in Bruce's lap to face Tony... 'When have I ever given a flying fuck what anyone who has zero importance to me thinks? I don't care what they say of me Tony, hell they can call me every name under the sun. Call for a fucking witch trail, I don't care. But no one, says shit about my family'

Tony looked at Bruce, rasing an eyebrow... 'Oh, yeah. She's fine. Nothing to worry about..'.. He looks back at Sophie... 'What do you want to do about it?'

She scoffs at him, rolling her eyes... 'Nothing. Let them think and say whatever they want about me. I got nothing to prove to them. What I am going to do right now, is uphold the promises I made last night. And that includes you'... She points at Tony.

He pulls a face, confused as to what she was talking about... 'Me? What did I do?'

Sophie leaned forward smacking him round the side of the head... 'That's for even asking me to go last night'

She settles back in Bruce's lap, snuggling into him, as he wrapped his arms around her... 'First, we are going to buy some apartment complexes. Secondly, me and you are matching last nights total, and so is your company..'.. She put a hand up, shushing him before he spoke... 'Don't ever interrupt me. Thirdly, we are starting a relief foundation, with Mr Andrews. He runs the local city food banks. He deserves some recognition for his work for this city'

Tony held a hand up slightly, and she nods at him... 'So, you're giving away my money and spending it, without me knowing? Yeah, you're definitely my sister. Fine by me, what do you need?'

She remains on Bruce's lap, as the three talk over what she had offered at the gala. Tony agreed with her on everything, and told her he was proud of what she did. After almost an hour Tony had gotten up, and headed out to make the calls needed.

Sophie relaxed into Bruce, closing her eyes as she felt him rub circles on her back. Feeling safe and calm, she fell back to sleep.

😘