𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗳- ʙʀᴜᴄᴇ ʙᴀɴɴᴇʀ

Not a big fan of spicy

Bruce stood at the entrance of Emily’s cozy apartment, inhaling the warm, inviting aromas of home-cooked food. Emily had been working on a special recipe for weeks, and tonight, she had invited him over for dinner to finally share it with him. She seemed excited, buzzing around the kitchen with a bright smile on her face as she set the table.

“I hope you're hungry,” Emily said, her voice filled with pride. “This is my best recipe yet. A little spicy, but I think you'll love it.”

Bruce nodded, trying to keep his usual calm demeanor intact. What Emily didn’t know was that Bruce wasn’t great with spicy foods. In fact, they often pushed him closer to the edge of losing control—not because of anger, but because of the intensity and discomfort. But how could he tell her that after all the effort she’d put into this meal?

"Can't wait to try it," Bruce said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

He sat down at the table as Emily placed a plate of what looked like a beautifully crafted dish in front of him. The smell was potent, filled with an unmistakable kick of spice that hit his senses even before the first bite. He steeled himself, not wanting to disappoint her, and picked up his fork.

As he took the first bite, the heat hit him instantly. It wasn’t just spicy—it was blazing. His mouth felt like it was on fire, but Bruce smiled through the burn, nodding appreciatively as he chewed. Emily looked on with anticipation, waiting for his reaction.

"Wow, this is... really good!" he managed to say, forcing a grin through the discomfort. He took another bite, but his eyes were starting to water, and his throat felt like it was searing.

But it wasn’t just the heat. He could feel the familiar twinge of stress creeping up his spine. His body, ever sensitive to anything that raised his adrenaline, started to react to the discomfort in ways he couldn’t control. His hands trembled slightly, and he could feel his pulse quicken.

The next bite was even worse, and despite his best efforts, Bruce's control began to slip. His eyes flashed an unmistakable shade of green, a warning sign that he was dangerously close to losing control. He could feel his muscles tightening involuntarily, his breathing growing more labored. His heart was racing, not from anger, but from the intense heat of the food.

Emily’s smile faded as she noticed the change in his expression. “Bruce? Are you okay?”

His lips parted to answer, but he couldn’t hold back a grimace as the burn intensified. He wiped sweat from his brow, trying to laugh it off. “I—uh—think this might be a little spicier than I’m used to.”

Emily’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh no! You don’t handle spice well, do you?”

Bruce nodded, swallowing hard. “It’s... fine. Really.”

But Emily wasn’t convinced. She saw his eyes flickering green, and panic quickly set in. She leapt up from the table, rushing toward the kitchen. “Hold on, I’ll get some milk! That’ll help!”

Bruce let out a breath, his body still fighting the sensations coursing through him. He could feel the Hulk stirring beneath the surface, the heat and stress pushing him dangerously close to losing control. His vision blurred slightly as his body began to tremble.

Emily returned quickly, holding a glass of milk. “Here! Drink this, it’ll cool things down.”

Bruce took the glass gratefully, gulping down the milk as fast as he could. The cool liquid soothed his throat, easing the burning sensation somewhat, though the Hulk was still lurking beneath the surface. He took deep breaths, focusing on regaining control, using all the techniques he had learned over the years to calm himself down.

Emily sat back down, biting her lip with concern. “I’m so sorry, Bruce. I didn’t realize…”

Bruce shook his head, forcing a smile as he placed the empty glass on the table. “No, no, don’t apologize. The food’s great. Really. It’s just... a little spicier than I expected.”

Emily’s concern softened into a small smile. “Next time, I’ll make something milder. I promise.”

Bruce chuckled, the tension in his body finally beginning to ease. “Yeah... I think that might be a good idea.”

They shared a laugh, the awkwardness of the moment passing as Bruce regained his composure. Emily’s eyes still held a hint of worry, but Bruce reassured her with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

“Thanks for the milk,” he said softly.

“Anytime,” Emily replied, her smile returning fully. “And don’t worry, I won’t put you through that again.”

As they finished the meal—this time with Bruce steering clear of the spicier bites—Bruce couldn’t help but feel grateful. Even with the occasional near-miss, Emily never seemed fazed by who he was, and that, more than anything, helped him feel a little more in control.