Marvel (MCU only) Stories

Babysitter Bruce (Final)

Dr. Banner, Mr. Stark has yet to wake up. I must inform you that Peter's school ends in thirty minutes. Someone will need to pick him up.

Bruce fumbles for his phone with his eyes closed, unwilling to shake off sleep yet. He cracks his eyes to look at the time. It's almost three in the afternoon. "What time does Peter's school end?"

Three-forty-five.

Bruce stretches and sits on the edge of his bed. His head pounds, and his eyes are gritty. He didn't mean to fall asleep. "I guess I'm as bad as Tony with my sleep schedule."

Dr. Banner, should I alert another Avenger to pick up Peter?

"That's not necessary, FRIDAY. I don't want to attract a lot of attention to Peter by sending Steve. Thor is largely ignorant of most of our world's customs, and Clint is irresponsible. Nobody else has the time to pick Peter up today."

"I'm offended," Clint's voice drifts through Bruce's ceiling vent.

"Have you been in my vent watching me sleep?" Bruce asks, creeped out.

"No. Or maybe I was," Clint says mysteriously. "You're kind of cute when you're asleep."

"Go away, Clint." Clint's odd behavior doesn't bother Bruce. It did initially, but Bruce soon realized that Clint didn't mean any harm.

"Go away, Clint," Clint mocks Bruce's sleepy voice.

"I thought I told you to go away," Bruce gives his vent a disapproving stare, knowing Clint can see.

"You thought wrong."

It's like dealing with kindergarteners with the Avengers - Earth's Mightiest Heroes, every one. "Clint," Bruce sighs, "go away!"

"Bye-bye." Clint scrambles away as quickly as he can in the tight fit of the vents. Tony downsized all of his vents - something everyone else in the tower didn't appreciate - to discourage Clint from climbing in them. It didn't work. Clint is fond of small spaces.

Bruce smirks as Clint's footsteps fade. Being Hulk's alter ego has some benefits. If he even shows a hint of irritation, people drop everything to placate him. People are terrified of him becoming angry.

"FRIDAY, ask Steve to come up here, please."

It is done.

"Thanks." Bruce brushes his teeth and tidies his sleep-mussed hair. He grabs a sweatshirt on the way out of his room. He didn't bring one that morning and regretted it. He didn't even take his shoes off before he fell asleep, so he's ready to go by the time Steve exits the elevator.

"Hey, Bruce," Steve says.

"Hey, Cap."

"Did you have a late night in the labs?"

"No. Tony passed out this morning after calling me to dress Peter. I ended up taking Peter to school." Bruce pours himself a cup of coffee. FRIDAY runs his coffee machine all day. Bruce hardly uses it, but Tony stops by daily to steal a cup or two - more like six - when working in his labs because Bruce's floor is closer than his own.

"Why did FRIDAY ask me to come up here?"

"Tony isn't awake yet, and I'm betting he won't wake for a while. Please chill in the penthouse and keep him from drinking coffee or working in his labs when he does?"

"I can do that. Where are you going?"

"I have to pick Peter up from school. He's going to stay with me for the rest of the day. I'll let Tony rest until Pepper gets back tomorrow."