Avengers x Reader One Shots

[Bruce x Reader] Maybe Math Isn't So Bad

     "Son a motherless GOAT!" you screamed in frustration. You had been working on your math homework for nearly two and a half hours and you still didn't understand a single problem you were supposed to be doing. You'd been to every website and watched every YouTube tutorial yet still your cluelessness ran deep. "One more time..."

     You attempted to complete the problem successfully only to have a big red box pop up on screen as soon as you pressed enter. Before you could throw the laptop out of the tenth story window of Stark Tower (or ask Thor to smash it with his hammer for that matter) you gently closed it and set it aside. You hated feeling unsuccessful. Hated it more than anything in the world. School was the one thing you prided yourself on and your failure to comprehend Advanced Math made you feel empty and broken. You leaned your head back against the wall as you felt tears threatening to spill.

     There was a knock on the door. "Hey, (y/n)...is everything alright?"

     Bruce.

     "No." You replied rubbing your temples. Your voice threatened to crack if you spoke so you opted to remain silent.

     "Well...is there anything I can help you with?" he asked nervously.

     "Probably, if you feel like explaining imaginary numbers. Why are they even a thing? They're imaginary!" you ranted to the scientist.

     "Do you mind if I take a look?" he asked softly.

     "Have at it, Dr. Banner." you replied moving over so that he had room to sit next to you on the bed.

     He ran one of his hands through his dark curls as he padded into the room and sat on the edge of the bed awkwardly. "Can I see your pen and paper?"

     "Yeah.." you handed him the notebook and pencil and accidentally brushed his hand with your finger tips. He smiled gently and wrote down the equation. "Ok you see-" and Bruce went on explaining how and, more importantly, why the numbers worked together.

     As the night dragged on, Bruce got more comfortable but you were still confused most of the time. About halfway through you actually got so frustrated that a few hot, angry tears fell from your eyes.

     "I can't do this. I'm never going to be as smart as you or Tony. I can't ever do anything right!" You let your head fall in your hands and just cried.

     A few seconds later, you felt a strong but tender hand rubbing your back. "Hey! It's ok...Math isn't for everyone! I'm just lucky enough to get it...you're great at other things, (y/n). Shhh...there there." Slowly and carefully he wrapped his arms around you. Bruce held you next to him until you finally got yourself under control and wiped your eyes.

     You looked up when you realized that he was stroking your (h/l),(h/c) hair. "Oh God...I'm so sorry."

     "No! No it's fine, (y/n)...it's really fine..." He was looking at your eyes. They were beautiful. He quickly looked away and picked up the notebook again. "We don't have to keep going tonight. We can just pick up again in the morning, if you want."

     "If I don't finish it tonight, I'm never going to do it. I appreciate your help though," you smiled sweetly and squeezed his hand.

     "I mean I don't mind helping... if you still want me to that is," he said adjusting his glasses.

     "If you feeling like dealing with an emotionally compromised girl, than your company is more than welcome," you reply.

     "I think I can handle it," he said smiling shyly.

     He spent the next hour and a half tutoring you and really making an effort to help you. At exactly 10:39, you started a problem and at 10:44 you put your answer into the answer box. You took a deep breath and pressed answer. All of the air rushed out of your lungs when a bright green check popped up on the screen.

     Beside you, Bruce, who had been lying back on your pillow, sat up and gave a great whoop as you practically threw yourself at him laughing. He squeezed your arms, smiling brightly and in the heat of the moment, took your face in his hands and kissed you.

     Taken aback, you sat there for a second before returning the kiss.

     He pulled away, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "I'm sorry...that was rude..."

     "It's... okay," you said more to yourself. You touched your lips and smiled. "It's really okay." You leaned over again and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

     He dropped his hand to your waist and kissed back.

     "Maybe math isn't so bad," you said pulling away just enough to speak and leaning your forehead against his.

     He smiled. "I suppose not. JARVIS, can you dim the lights a little please?"

     "I can do that, sir," replied the AI as the room grew darker.

      You situated yourself on his lap and undid the top button of his shirt. "Now where were we?"