Marvel One-Shots

Bretty (Bruce + Betty)

Title: The Bet That Backfired

Bruce Banner was known for his calm demeanor, his genius brain, and, well, the Hulk. What he wasn't known for was making bets.

Which is why this particular moment in the lab was so out of character.

"Come on, Bruce, it'll be fun!" Tony teased, leaning back in his chair with a mischievous grin.

Bruce sighed. "I'm not sure this is a good idea, Tony. Betting against you never goes well."

Tony smirked, twirling a screwdriver in his hand. "Oh, it’s not about winning. It’s about the experience. Besides, it’s a harmless bet."

"Fine," Bruce muttered, knowing he wouldn’t be able to escape. "What’s the bet?"

Tony leaned in, grinning wider. "You’ve gotta ask Betty out. But, and here’s the kicker, you have to do it as the Hulk."

Bruce’s eyes widened. "Tony, are you insane?!"

"I’m an entrepreneur, not a therapist," Tony quipped, shrugging. "Look, it’ll be hilarious! What’s the worst that could happen? She says no?"

"The worst that could happen is the Hulk accidentally wrecks half of the lab!"

"Oh, Bruce," Tony said, laughing. "That's why I have Hulkproof glass now."

Bruce rolled his eyes. But deep down, there was a part of him—a small, daring part—that was intrigued. Betty had been on his mind for a while now.

She had always been there for him, through thick and thin, Hulk or not. Maybe, just maybe, this crazy bet could give him the courage he needed.

Or, well, the Hulk would give him the courage he needed.

"Alright," Bruce said, surprising even himself. "But you better have that glass ready."

——————————

The next day, Bruce nervously shuffled into the Avengers’ common room where Betty Ross was sipping coffee and chatting with Natasha. She smiled when she saw him, which only made Bruce more jittery.

"Bruce!" Betty greeted warmly. "How’s everything?"

Bruce gulped. Tony's bet. Tony's ridiculous bet.

"Hey, Betty," Bruce said, managing a shaky smile. "So, I, uh, wanted to ask you something."

Natasha eyed him curiously, sensing something was off. "Everything okay, Banner?"

"Yep!" he squeaked. "Totally fine! No need to worry. No Hulk coming out or anything."

Betty raised an eyebrow. "Well, that’s good…"

"Okay, um…" Bruce hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. What was he doing?

Then, he felt it—the slight stir inside of him. The Hulk wanted out. He’d agreed to the bet. And, in typical Hulk fashion, he wasn’t going to be subtle.

Before Bruce could stop himself, his eyes glowed green and his body began to expand.

"Bruce—wait!" Betty called, half concerned, half confused.

Natasha instinctively reached for her gun. "Bruce, control it!"

"No, no! It’s fine!" Bruce said in his transforming voice, trying to stop the inevitable. But it was too late.

Suddenly, there stood Hulk. Big. Green. And terribly awkward.

"BETTY," Hulk rumbled, his deep voice booming across the room.

Betty blinked, clearly trying to process what was happening. "Bruce? Is that you?"

"YES. BRUCE... UH… HULK HAS A QUESTION."

Natasha stood there, dumbfounded, slowly putting her gun away. She muttered, "I’m getting popcorn."

Hulk shifted nervously from one massive foot to the other. He cleared his throat, which sounded like thunder. "HULK... UH... HULK LIKES BETTY. A LOT."

Betty's eyebrows shot up, clearly unsure if she was in some strange dream.

Natasha burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. "Oh my God, I can't—Bruce, what is happening?!"

"SHUT UP, SPY WOMAN," Hulk grumbled, glaring at Natasha. Then he turned back to Betty, who was now biting her lip, trying not to laugh.

Hulk scratched the back of his neck with a huge green hand. "HULK WONDER... WILL BETTY GO OUT WITH HULK?"

Betty, at this point, had lost her battle with keeping a straight face. She burst out laughing, shaking her head.

"Oh, Bruce… this is… this is too much," she said through fits of giggles.

Hulk looked around, a little confused. "HULK SAY SOMETHING FUNNY?"

Betty stepped forward and patted Hulk’s massive arm, still laughing. "You're adorable, you know that? Hulk or Bruce, it doesn’t matter. I’d love to go out with you."

Hulk’s face lit up with the biggest grin. "REALLY?"

Betty nodded. "Really."

Natasha wiped away tears of laughter. "Oh, man. Tony is never going to let this go. This is comedy gold."

"TONY MADE BET," Hulk muttered, glaring at the ceiling, as if Tony could hear him.

"Of course he did," Betty said, still grinning. "But you didn’t need a bet, Bruce. You could’ve just asked."

Hulk frowned for a second, then transformed back into Bruce, his clothes somehow intact. He stood there, looking sheepish but still smiling.

"I... uh... got carried away?"

Betty just chuckled. "Well, I think you’re cute when you’re nervous. Both versions of you."

Bruce sighed, but it was one of relief. "Thanks, Betty. And, uh, sorry for the whole… Hulk thing."

Betty leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Natasha let out a final laugh as she walked out of the room. "I need to tell Tony. This is too good."

Bruce blushed, but as Betty held his hand, he couldn’t help but think—maybe, just maybe, that bet wasn’t such a bad idea after all.