Hi, I don't know if you've written for Bruce yet but could you do a polar opposites fic with him? Like his girl is the scary mean one in the relationship and he's the soft spoken one who is the only one who can calm her down.
Hothead
Bruce Banner x Fem!Reader
[A/N] I haven't written for Bruce yet, this is my first Bruce request! ❤️ I loved this request, this version of reader was so fun to write 🥰 Thanks my lovely, hope you enjoy this one 😘
Admittedly, people were surprised when Bruce started dating you. Especially your fellow Avengers. Over the years they’d all taken care to keep a calm environment when Bruce was around – for obvious reasons. Tony occasionally pushed the boundaries because of course he did but otherwise people were always careful around him. Bruce hated it but what could he do? He understood their hesitance, their worry. He just wished he could be treated like the rest of the team rather than something fragile.
That was why you’d been such a breath of fresh air.
You’d joined the Avengers the week previously. Against your will and you weren’t shy about telling people that fact. You had the power of pyrokinesis, able to create and manipulate fire. It was something you’d struggled to control for the majority of your life until things had finally come to a head and you’d been faced with two options – serve time in a federal, secure facility or join the Avengers.
“That Tony Stark! How do you stand him?” You’d burst into Bruce’s lab, pacing up and down “He’s so fucking patronising! Just because he’s rich he thinks he can talk to people however he wants. Ugh!”
You’d felt your hands warming up, a telltale sign your powers were activating without your input, and you’d taken a deep breath – you’d found over the years that the usual anger management techniques didn’t work for you. You’d always had a problem with your temper, ever since you were a kid. There was the infamous incident in kindergarten when you’d tackled that girl to the ground and pulled her pigtails because she’d said the hat you were wearing was ugly. At first it hadn’t been a problem. You were just a normal albeit angry kid. Until the day your powers had activated for the first time.
Bruce hadn’t officially met you yet – he’d heard about the new girl with the literal fiery temper and had been warned to stay away until you were more settled, until your power was under control. Whenever that would be. He’d watched you clenching your fists and not wanting a fire in his lab, he’d reached over and put his hand on your arm “Hey. The breathing’s irritating I know but the box method works sometimes. Inhale for three, hold for three and then release for three.”
You’d glanced at him and then followed his instructions, keeping your gaze on him. Bruce had smiled “There we go. Working, right?”
You’d nodded, unclenching your fists – the breathing had helped but what had helped even more was his hand on your arm, grounding you. In the past people had ran for cover when your temper got the better of you but clearly Bruce knew a thing or two about anger. He hadn’t been scared of you. You’d taken another deep breath “What else helps?”
“Writing my thoughts down in the evening. I like Science, that helps. Absorbing myself in my hobbies.” Bruce had studied you “What did Tony do to wind you up then?”
You’d gone off on a rant, telling him all about your latest issue with Tony – the two of you hadn’t instantly clicked. It wasn’t like you’d chosen to be an Avenger and you’d found Tony to have too much of a hero complex. His patronising tone during training hadn’t helped either. You’d accidentally caused a fire every day that week “I’m still learning though!” You’d burst angrily “It’s not like I like losing control! He’s acting like I’m doing it on purpose. Aren’t you guys meant to be teaching me this stuff? He doesn’t have a fucking clue what it’s like.”
Bruce knew how that felt though. It hadn’t taken him long to ask you out.
Going on actual dates proved difficult for you both because of your powers so he’d arranged a picnic for you both on the roof of the compound. It had gone well but you were frustrated again about how training had gone that day “I worked with Natasha.” You’d told him “It was okay, she’s okay. She was showing me self-defence, fighting skills, I don’t know, whatever. I was struggling to understand this one move she was showing me so I started to get angry. She sprang back like I was going to explode; Steve was already grabbing the fire blanket for God’s sake.”
You’d sighed heavily, looking out at the night sky “How do you put up with it? With everyone treating you like you’re a bomb waiting to explode?”
Bruce had shrugged “I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t be the same. People are… Frightened of what they can’t control. What they can’t predict.”
“Are you scared of me?”
Bruce had laughed and shaken his head “No… No, I’m not.”
You’d looked at him and admitted quietly “I scare myself sometimes.”
“I know what you mean. I scare myself too.”
It had been so nice to talk openly with someone who had truly understood him. After your fifth date you’d made it official and Bruce became your boyfriend. He’d told the Avengers about it and had just about managed to swallow down his irritation when they’d all shared concerned looks with each other. Steve had been the one to gently suggest it might not be the best idea. He'd brushed off their concerns.
Bruce was quickly falling in love with you. You were funny and smart, and really pretty. But what Bruce loved the most about you was that you weren’t afraid to get angry not just in front of him but at him too “You said we were gonna meet at seven, why are you still farting around in the lab at half past?” You’d roared at him, getting even more annoyed when he’d simply smiled in response. He’d had to whisk you out of the lab quickly before you lost control of your power again.
Your training continued and whenever you felt your temper rising they began to send Bruce to calm you down. Anyone else telling you to take deep breaths or to hit the punching bag only sent you into a further rage. But Bruce? Gently putting his hand on your shoulder was all you needed to start calming down. His voice always remained soft, his thumb stroking over your skin as you took the infuriating deep breaths.
People began to treat Bruce differently after that – less like he was going to explode at any given moment; his reputation had shifted in people’s eyes. He was the soft-spoken, calm one, the reliable one, the only one who could calm your fiery temper. Overtime people became less wary around you too – it became a running joke that if you were starting to lose your temper they’d have to call for Bruce “Off she goes.” Tony would tease “Better call the green one.”
One night you’re spending the night in Bruce’s room, his fingers stroking through your hair when you mumble “Do you think I’ll ever stop being angry?”
“I don’t know. What makes you so angry?” Bruce asks quietly, his fingers moving to run up and down your arm.
“I don’t really know. I’ve always had a strong sense of justice I guess.” You reply “I don’t like bullying. Or people who think they’re better than other people.” You hesitate “I guess if I didn’t care so much I wouldn’t be so angry.”
“If you didn’t care so much you couldn’t be an Avenger.” Bruce smiles “Not that you wanted to.”
“Don’t, I was so mouthy when I got here.” You cover your face with your hands “I had the wrong idea. I’d seen all the devastation; I thought you guys didn’t care. I was wrong.”
“Act first; think second, that’s your motto.” Bruce teases, his arm going around your waist as he presses a kiss to your shoulder.
“I really don’t know how you do it.”
“Do what?”
“Keep the anger at bay. Keep… You know at bay.”
“Well, I don’t always. Sometimes it gets the better of me.” Bruce admits quietly “I just try my best though. Because what’s the alternative? I lose my temper; the other guy comes out and destroys a city. I don’t want that.”
“I don’t know how to control my temper though. And that means the fire comes.” You turn to face him, pressing your face to his chest “I set my childhood home on fire. I can’t even remember now what made me so angry but I just saw red and before I even knew what was happening the place was up in flames. My parents were lucky to get out alive. My baby sister was in her crib, she could’ve…” You cut yourself off, swallowing the lump in your throat “They never told on me. About the powers. Told me to try and control them but they didn’t trust me in the house after that. Never left me with my sister alone, even when we were older.”
“If they didn’t let you in the house, where did you-”
“We moved out of the city and they bought me a trailer. I lived in the backyard by myself. They barely had anything to do with me. We don’t speak these days.”
“How did the government find out about your powers?”
“I lost it at work, you know, my old job. We had this client, he was making a claim. It was a fair one; it was in his paperwork, he should’ve got it… They screwed him on a technicality. I’d tried to argue on his behalf but was told to not get involved. My boss had this horrible, smug look on his face. He had so much money, this guy didn’t, and I just… Lost it.” You take a deep breath “Everyone made it out except for my boss. My powers had finally killed someone. I’m very lucky I didn’t go to prison.”
Bruce presses a kiss to the top of your head “It wasn’t your fault.”
“It was and you know it.”
“You didn’t ask for these powers. And how were you meant to learn to control them if you’d been told since you were a kid to suppress them?” Bruce kisses your forehead “You know what? I don’t think the trick is to stop being angry. Don’t stop being angry at the injustices in the world. You just gotta learn to live with that anger.”
“Is that what you did?”
“Yep. I’m angry too… All the time. You can’t let it control you though. Easier said than done, trust me I know.” Bruce leans his forehead against yours “I’m here though. And you’re gonna get a handle on your powers. You’re getting better every day.”
You meet his gaze, wishing you could share his confidence. But the look in his eyes does make you feel better. He completely trusts you – trusts that you’ll get your powers under control, that you’ll learn to keep your temper under wraps, to stop flying off the handle. That you won’t hurt him. Maybe you can become someone to be proud of, rather than someone to be feared. Maybe. But until then, you have Bruce. Your calm in the storm. The first person in the world who hadn’t run for cover when your powers had been activated. You kiss him and then lie back against the pillow, finally feeling calm.
They see you in a swimsuit for the first time pt1: headcanons
Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Thor Odinson, Loki Laufeyson
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱
Steve Rogers
It's actually kind of crazy because your swimsuit isn't even all that revealing. It's just a simple pastel pink two-piece. The bottoms are short shorts, and the top is a halter style tankini. But man, oh man, did it take Steve by surprise.
You gotta remember, this man is from the 1940s. He is NOT used to seeing that much skin.
He's extremely respectful, though. Despite struggling internally, he keeps his focus on your face, not letting his gaze drift down any further past your neck.
That jaw is clenched, but he looks as cool as a cucumber.
He can't help but feel a little unsettled about you going out in public wearing something like that. Although it's modest by today's standards, it's a bit...provocative by his.
He just doesn't like the idea of someone else being able to eye you up so easily. But won't ask you to change because he, obviously, doesn't want to be selfish or controlling.
Keeps a close eye on all of the men at the beach, making sure none of them are looking at you in any way that could be construed as disrespectful.
Subtle protective hand on your shoulder.
Has a moment of internal relief when you finally put your cover up on.
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱✮▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰
Thor Odinson
Let's be real, Thor is probably the least subtle being in all of the realms. He physically cannot be secretive or stealthy about, well, anything. So, when you reappeared from the bedroom wearing the gold silken bikini he bought you last week, his change in demeanor was blatant.
Immediately gets up from wherever he's sitting and stomps right up to you, his smile wide and full of admiration as his gaze trails over your curves.
"By the Norns..."
Hands glued to your waist. No, they're not moving any time soon.
Now, Thor's a himbo, not some wild beast, so of course he keeps his gaze respectful (or at least tries to). He would feel horrible if he ever accidentally made you feel uncomfortable.
Get ready for a bucket load of poetic praises.
He can't help himself from staring at you while you sunbathe on the hot, white sand of a nearby Asgardian beach. He'll sit right by your side just taking you in.
Shoulder kisses. That is all.
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱⛈▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱
Bruce Banner
One word: awkward.
The moment he saw you in that periwinkle one-piece, it was all over for the poor guy.
He tries to subtly avoid eye contact as much as possible and kinda just darts his gaze between your eyes and the wall past your head. Only problem? It's super obvious.
Gets flustered when you call him out on it.
"Huh?? No, no, what? No, I'm not avoiding you. Why would I avoid you? You think I'm avoiding you?? I wouldn't avoid you-"
Yes, he's your boyfriend. Yes, he's seen you in outfits more revealing than that before. But this is, apparently, "different."
His body works completely against him. Every now and then, without meaning to, his eyes will drift downwards as he's talking to you about whatever. Although it only lasts seconds before he catches himself and begins to stutter over his words.
Absolutely notices if people are staring at you, but he won't say anything. He doesn't want any confrontations and figures his insecurities aren't important enough to start a fight over.
Might subtly suggest you put your cover up on as soon as your out of the water. Just so you don't get sunburnt! Heh..yeah that's it-
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱✎▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰
Loki Laufeyson
As soon as his eyes catch sight of you in that little, ruffly, white two-piece, they are never leaving.
"Well...well... now, what do we have here?"
Shamelessly checking you out. He does not care if you notice (which, how could you NOT). He's practically eating you alive with that stare. It takes a lot of restraint for him to not just walk over to the door, lock it, and-
Essentially slithers up to you for a...closer look. Hands roaming your form. You might have to remind him not to get too handsy. Which he'll respect, obviously.
"Loki, my eyes are up here." / "Loki, not right now."
"Damn."
He, for one, doesn't mind anyone at the beach seeing you dressed up like that. He rather sees it as an opportunity to gloat and show off what only he can have. Although, if he notices anyone looking at you in a way that pushes the boundaries, he won't hesitate to 'remove them'.
And to get the message across that you are indeed taken, he will ALWAYS be touching you.
1. To prove the point.
2. Just because.
Typically keeps an arm snaked around your waist, holds your hand, or just stands almost unreasonably close to you.
He also hates swimming and being in the sun in general, so he'll just stay on the beach, fully clothed, under an umbrella, with a book, taking sneaky glances at you out in the water.
i miss you 2012 avengers. i miss you the avengers tower. i miss you irondad and spiderson. i miss you meme lord shuri and peter. i miss you loki lingering in the tower for no other reason than that he's the main love interest. i miss you poptart-eating thor. i miss you grumpy bucky barnes. i miss you old man, chronically offline steve rogers. i miss you clint in the vents. i miss you girls night with wanda and natasha. i miss you resurrected, shamelessly flirty pietro. i miss you clueless, socially inept vision. i miss you the rare bruce banner feature. i miss you sassy sam wilson. i miss you cheeky reader who always called fury by his first name. i miss you super nanny phil coulson. i miss you christmas avengers blurbs in the middle of the fanfiction written by an autistic 14 year old. i miss you 😔😔😔
What if I said Bruce Banner is a more interesting and complex character than Hulk? And I wished more media (MCU, Comics, Games, Cartoons) focused more on him than his green alter ego.
Bruce is such a treasure trove of potential, with his backstory and family having such interesting storylines that unfortunately end up being at most foot notes in almost every story.
The MCU tried to give Bruce more focus (and they did for some time) but at the end his character ended up among the many that were sidelined and forgotten about.
And it pains me because when we got focus on Bruce it was good, his speech in Avengers 1, his several of his scenes in AAOU, TR, SH and IW.
His scenes with Jen in She Hulk were among my favorites because they show a side of Bruce with hadn’t really seen before. His interactions with the rest of his family left me wanting more.
Maybe I just like Bruce more but I think he is the better character between him and Hulk, and should be given more spotlight.
Swinging at the hornets nest here (the “sex work is work” crowd won’t like this one lol) but there was a post going around about like “if you work in hospitality and you think you see a sex worker, no you didn’t. Keep your mouth shut and let them make their money” is honestly sending me. As many of you know, one of my jobs is working front desk at a hotel and like no lads…we can’t “look the other way” at times. Yes, we know when the working girls check in (many are regulars who are open about it, plus after working their long enough you Know™️ when a woman is because you can clock the signs) and of course we can’t stop them but there are times when you literally have to say something. Here are a couple of instances that have happened on my shifts alone:
-I was checking in two girls and knew something was off and asked to see both their ID’s. Only one had a passport and her 18th birthday was literally a week ago. The other one handed me her high school student card. We had to call the police when their pimp came in and started making threats bc we refused to check them in.
-a sex worker checked in the night before and a housekeeper went into the room the next morning and found the woman in a bloody mess. There were chunks of human tissue scattered throughout the room (the housekeeper quit after that. Honestly, housekeepers are literally on the front lines of the bullshit but that’s another story)
-something about a “couple” was offfffffff at check in. The woman was standing with her hands behind her back, had her eyes glued to the floor, and wouldn’t answer questions despite her name being on the reservation. The man was answering for her. When I asked to see her ID, he hands it to me, and when I handed it to her, her arms were covered in bruises. We didn’t let them check in
-there are two properties and one of them has an agreement with a women’s shelter. I’ve checked in women into one property only to see them come in months later to the other property under the womens shelters’ reservation with bruises and broken limbs (many of whom are indigenous women).
So yeah bottom line: with the World Cup soon approaching, all of us -front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, the kitchen staff, sales, you name it all departments- have had to do extensive modules on clocking the signs of human trafficking. You can’t just look the other way because it can mean missing the underaged girl or preventing horrific violence. Yes we have our regulars and yes sometimes it is what it is but no you can’t just look the other way and let them “secure the bag” because I guarantee there’s a pimp in the lobby/parking lot who’s the one getting the bag at her expense.
theartofmadeline
stormborns
areudirty
kaledo-art
