You had always had a passion for science since you had the mental capacity to question anything in the vast world around you. You spent all of your free time growing up creating your own experiments and reading any books that you could get your hands on to try and expand your knowledge. Your interest only grew over the years as you excelled through your education system until you were graduated from university with your doctorate by the time you were legally an adult.

Even though you had spent all of your life in a lab, whether that be through education or in the clinical spare room at your parents' house that they had decorated and equipped for their gifted daughter, but you had never professionally worked on in one. Having surpassed most of the competition, you didn't find it hard to obtain a job at Stark Towers in their laboratories working on their newest project under the supervision of Dr Banner.

On your first day, you excitedly got ready, preparing yourself as though it was your first day at school, gathering a bag of your favourite supplies, hoping to help yourself with everything you needed to do before heading off to work. You were directed down several floors when you arrived to where the laboratory was and was met with a dark-haired man, double your age who you knew from the research that he had published.

"Doctor Banner, it's a pleasure to meet you," you smiled warmly, holding out your manicured hand.

He analysed your bright pink nails before taking in the rest of you. You were far from what he expected to arrive as the new promising scientist. You were decked out head to toe in sensible clothing and shoes but all brightly coloured, along with your bag being coated in a layer of glitter and sequins. It wasn't the professional look he expected but you knew well enough that your age and sex usually led to others thinking you weren't professional or competent, so there was no point in being dressed drably.

"Doctor Y/S/N, your thesis was enlightening," he responded.

"Thank you."

"It was a truly remarkable read," he added.

"Although I am grateful for that compliment, I am far more grateful for you to refer to me as doctor. No matter how hard I worked for my doctorate, many don't seem me deserving to take that name."

He offered her a soft smile. "You have clearly earned your doctorate and more, I will always treat you as such."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.