Inside Voices ▷ Bruce Banner | ✓

24 - FINAL STAND

THEY WERE CLOSING IN ON THEM. She didn't like it all that much, the constant updates, having to hear it as the main topic of conversation wherever she went, it was difficult. But she understood why it happened, but that didn't make it any easier for her to sleep, constantly feeling as though someone were right outside her door. She had yet to start dreaming, but she still had the irrational fear of going to sleep that came with fear, and that was what led her to Bruce's room.

"Bruce?" she called, knocking on the door, shivering as she stood in the empty hallway, so vulnerable and easily spotted, it made her arms prickle with goosebumps.

The door opened not too long after to reveal a confused and tired looking Bruce who seemed surprised to see her, rubbing the back of his head as he looked down both ends of the hall, as if expecting to see someone else who could explain.

"Hey, Marn, what's going on, you okay?" he asked, reaching out and usher her inside, taking one last look down the two ends of the hall before closing the door behind them.

"I can't sleep," she said, climbing onto his bed and onto the covers, looking up at him, and he tried to see through his sleep, nodding as he climbed onto the bed as well.

"And you wanna sleep here," he finished, sighing as he settled back under his covers, motioning for her to go under as well, as he couldn't pull the blanket all the way out.

She happily burrowed under, pressing herself right up against his side, screwing her eyes shut as she clung onto him, and she could tell Bruce was surprised considering he didn't move for a few moments, his hands just hovering in mid-air.

"I can feel them just outside my door," she whispered, and he sighed, understanding perfectly.

"They can't get to you anymore," he promised, reaching out to wrap his arms around her, holding her close, already falling asleep, "Everything's going to be just fine, Marnie. Just go to sleep."

She hummed, pressing herself as close to him as possible, trying to wrap herself up in the blankets, and Bruce just held her closer, because he knew what she was trying to get away from, and he of all people knew how hard it was to run from a monster she couldn't very well see until it had full control over her.

He struggled to stay awake until she fell asleep, holding her as close as possible, and the moment her breathing evened and her body relaxed, he was out like a light.

º º º

When she woke, Bruce was gone and she had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Standing, she changed out of her sweater and into one of Bruce's, padding out of the room and upstairs, shivering as she glanced behind her every few steps, feeling as though someone was watching her.

By the time she reached the dining area, everyone was already gathered around the table, staring down at the papers strewn about. Steve had told her that it wasn't commonly where they debriefed when it came to missions, but since she had yet to have the full tour of the Tower, they all decided it was best they convene in an area that she was used to so she could find them.

When she arrived, everyone looked up, serious, but then she noticed their expressions shift, just momentarily, to shock.

Then Clint shouted. "I knew it! Pay up, Stark, I told you!"

"There's no way it actually happened, Barton, and you know it!" Tony shouted back, pointing a finger towards the taller, cheering blond who was seeking high fives from everyone at the table, punching Bruce's shoulder lightly.

"Whatever it is you bet on, it's not what it looks like," the oldest man sighed, shaking his head as he motioned for her to stand next to him, and she did so easily, if not without confusion, and she wrapped her arms around him as she shivered, though not from the cold.