strongestavengerbruce:
“Are you a doctor now?” Bruce asked pointedly, raising his eyebrows at Pietro. “I know a lot of people with heightened perception, they aren’t all capable of realising when something within them isn’t working the way it should.” He was very aware the boy was making light of the situation because he was uncomfortable, and his bouncing leg kept catching his eye, reminding him that he was putting him in a position where he was nervous, where he felt trapped. But it was necessary, and the check up was non invasive. Hopefully it wouldn’t induce too much trauma.
“I know they did.” He admitted, taking Pietro’s temperature, satisfied by the results. “That ridiculous thing is why I got dragged back into this mess. It emits Gamma radiation. Something I regrettably know a lot about.” Nodding when he was told there was no pain, he laughed quietly. “No, I meant it. She can.” Setting down the thermometer and picking up a tool for measuring oxygen saturation, he gestured for Pietro to hold out his hand so that he could clip the small plastic box to the end of his index finger. “No blood, it isn’t a needle.” He assured him. “It’s just measuring your oxygen levels through your nailbed.” The moment it was secure, he moved back to their topic of conversation. “I mean, it’s very probable. She only teases me about it sometimes. Not so secretly I think she likes the attention.”
Shooting Pietro a deadpan look when he announced he was old enough to be his father, he knew Emma was going to get a real kick out of that one. “Tony might not admit it, but he likes taking care of people. I’m sure he’d be equally as charmed by you.” Unclipping the device from Pietro’s hand, he glanced down at the results, making a mental note in his head so that he could write them down when he left. “I know you don’t, but it isn’t going to take long. And Tony would be doing what I’m doing because he cares. We both care.” Smiling again, unable to help himself, he hummed quietly in response. “It doesn’t exactly feel like Earth but… she makes this place a hell of a lot less stressful. And the Other Guy seems to like her so…”
“Nah but I bet if you give me a week and the study materials, I could become one,” Pietro said, wiggling his eyebrows in a silent dare to the doctor. “Well those people’s heightened perceptions suck. I know the second my body does something weird,” He promises, knees bouncing impatiently. “Somehow saying that you’re measuring anything through my nailbed is worst than a needle,” It wasn’t really, but it was still weird at least. “So she’s a freak, like me. I guess like you too. Mutants?” He asks and then rolls his eyes. “Doc, I will throw up.” But it was nice to hear that after all his pining to what Bruce probably assumed was basically an inanimate object, he had sealed the deal so to speak. “Is she pretty? A big win for the nerds, huh?” He smirks a little bit, then. “Kidding,” He adds sheepishly. “You’re a handsome guy, I bet she’s pretty,” He decides on. “Nobody is charmed by me, doc. I talk too much, too fast, I don’t like to sit still, I will steal your snacks and Wanda is pretty and nice. It’s our dynamic. She woos them and I ride her coattails. It’s how it’s always been.” And after a moment. “I didn’t mean that as a bash on Tony. He was -- it was really nice of him to bring us into this -- he gave Wanda a home and I’m grateful for that,” He says seriously before he stands, pacing a little bit. “What’s next?” He demands then he laughs. “Oh no, you’ve got it bad! And the Hulk does he... get... does he like have a crush on your girlfriend?!”
