strongestavengerbruce:
Bruce shot Emma a sceptical look, although he knew she would never lie to him about something so serious. It was far easier to brush the entire thing off as a joke, he didn’t want to dwell on why his name made him uncomfortable, and she didn’t deserve to relive his trauma alongside him. “When I say the same things to you, do you believe me?” He asked, half in an attempt to make a point, at the very least he could justify his difficulty in accepting what she was telling him. But also because he was genuinely curious. It so often struck him that regardless of their many, many differences, a lot of their issues were similar, affected them in ways they were able to recognise. His smile growing when she winked at him, he waited patiently for her to finish speaking.
He stood before her, his arms neatly folded, watching her with an open and unguarded affection. It was the most he could do considering they hadn’t been able to touch for far too long already. “I know it does. But you don’t have wrinkles and you know it so stop with that.” He teased, his humour fading when he noticed her mood suddenly drop. “Emma, that was an accident, come on. The Other Guy broke your ribs and you refuse to hold it against me, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t an accident either.” He hated talking about the injury so casually, but in this case it actually served him. Gesturing again for her to hold out her hand, he laughed, shaking his head. “You only know that because you hear what I’m thinking even when I’m on the other side of the city.” He feigned frustration, hoping to amuse her. “You’re not supposed to know that, I was playing it cool.” He knew she was biding her time, talking to delay potentially burning him through the gloves, but he did nothing to hurry her. He was ready to wait as long as she needed to. He knew a little about her previous relationships, and he had made a point of never pushing her, never forcing her or prompting her to do things she wasn’t ready to do. “I’m very lucky.” He agreed, catching her eye with a wry smile. When she held out her hand, he reached out, barely hesitating before carefully pressing his fingertips against her palm. He was prepared for a bite, a chill that was too strong for his prototype, but the material was only cold. It felt like touching someone’s coat after they had been walking in the snow. “See,” he told her, his smile growing exponentially as he linked their fingers. “I’m a genius.”
“I can hedge a pretty good guess, Bruce. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to strike a nerve,” She hadn’t really thought about it to be honest, but she filed away that information so she wouldn’t slip up again with him. At that, Emma paused, considering his question. “Yes,” She decides. “I believe you think those things. Any doubts I have don’t come from you, they come from me and my ability to believe that someone loving me like that is even possible,” she shrugs. “So yes, I believe you. I know that you would never lie to me about something like that.” She rolls her eyes. “Yes! I do too!” She scoffs. “You’re ridiculous and also about The Hulk,” She shakes her head a little bit. “It’s literally not the same and you know that. He was scared and mad and trapped and I had forced him out. And that wasn’t you. We’re not having this argument you’re going to make me mad,” She huffs a little.
But as ever, he melted her annoyance in record time and she smirked. “You weren’t playing it very cool, my love. But I appreciate that you’re besotted. Beside yourself even,” She smirks a little. It was no secret Emma enjoyed being appreciated. Emma held her breath when he touched her but she grinned, a soft gasp leaving her and she reached immediately to hold both of his hands, looking in almost-wonder at their hands linked. If she weren’t so cold feeling -- emotionally -- she might have cried. “God damn, you are a genius,” She grins and squeezes his hands gently. “Okay, now, an gimp suit made of this material,” She teases, shaking her head in slight disbelief. “Warm enough for me to touch -- someone else? Opal?” She asks and then exhales. “Thank you so much.” She couldn’t communicate how grateful she was for this and for him.
