Bruce made his way through all those that Tony had invited to his latest party. The doctor dodging the hanging lights, as he made his way to the bar. He couldn't quite recall what this party was for; but given that the only reason that he was there was because Tony had warned him that he would have him locked out of the labs for a month if he didn't do something other than get lost in experiment and equations for a night, Bruce had to suppose that it didn't matter what the party was for, he was only there because he had to be. Though the fact that the billionaire had told him that it would be a chance for him to find someone; another being that could talk and walk. A being that was woman and had lots of lovely curves that he could get lost in; rather than getting lost in the little friends that he grew in petri dishes, had put him off a little. Though the doctor was not about to tell Tony that he thought he might have already found a woman, the most beautiful of women. Bruce well aware that the billionaire would never let it lie, if he were to confess that he had a liking for the newest recruit to the Avengers; a shudder going down his spine as he thought of Tony trying to push (Y/n) to him. Of the not-so-subtle hints, and the silly schemes that he would come up with, to get the two together. And anyway, even though he thought (Y/n) might like him too, given the fact that he was surrounded by gods, super soldiers, a billionaire with a fancy suit and skilled agents; why would a woman that beautiful be interested in him.......a boring doctor that changed into a big, green scary monster, whenever he was angry.

"Here.....looks like you need it.........." Bruce looking up at the sound of a voice; only then realising that he was stood at the bar. The bartender, an older man with pale hair, a moustache and glasses, smiling back at him, as he pushed a drink towards him.

"What........what is it...........?" Bruce asked, as he picked it up and sniffed it.

"A concoction of my own......good for anything that ails ya.........." The old man replied. The doctor eyeing the said concoction for a moment, before shrugging and taking a gulp. Bruce coughing as the liquor made its way down his throat.

"Good, huh........?" The barman chuckled, as Bruce hit himself on the chest; gasping for a second, before he looked up at the older man.

"Good........? Its lethal........I'll have another........." He managed to reply. Drinking down the rest, before pushing the glass back across the bar. The old man chuckling, as he brought out a shaker and refilled the glass.

"You know......bartenders are good listeners, and it looks to me like you have something on your mind............" Bruce thinking on the stranger's words for a moment, as he sipped his new drink. It was true that he could do with a listening ear, maybe even a little advice. And given the barman didn't know either him or (Y/n); that and he was unlikely to ever see the old man again, perhaps........

"Let me guess.........it's a woman........." The old man continued, before Bruce could say anything.

"How.......how did you know..........?"

"Because it's always a woman. Now, is it one you've lost; one you want......one you can't have............?"

"One I want........I think......" Bruce sighed, as he took a seat on the barstool next to him.

"Think..........?"

"Well, I think I love her, but............and then I don't know if she feels the same, and I really don't want to make a fool of myself............."

"How do you feel when you are around her........?" The barman interrupted, as he picked up a cloth and started to clean glasses.

"Er......well......my heart starts to race. My mouth dries and my palms sweat. My mind turns to Jello, and I don't seem to be able to speak. And when I don't see her for a few days, it's like I've lost a part of myself........."

"So......does she normally spend a lot of time with you..........?" Bruce nodding at the new question.

"If she's not on a mission, she comes and helps in the lab all the time. Sometimes........." The doctor laughing as memories of all that she had done for him since she had joined the team, came flooding back.

"Sometimes she brings a picnic basket with her, and she lays a blanket on the lab floor so can make sure that I eat. And then at Christmas, she bought me a book that I have been after for longer than I can remember. I couldn't believe that she could even remember us talking about it; never mind that she would go out of her way to find it for me..........." A smile coming to Bruce's lips, as he thought about all the times she had included him in things. How she would listen to him, even when he had been going on for hours about things that probably bored her to tears; and how she seemed to know when he needed someone to just be there. The slightest touch of her hand on his, calming him in ways that nothing else was able to.

"Well, if ya ask me, that sounds like love....for both of you. The only thing left, is for you to do something about it.........."

"Hey Bruce..........." A voice interrupted. Both men looking over to see a beautiful woman coming to stand at the bar.

"Tony said that you would be here. Would you like..........?" (Y/n)'s eyes widening as Bruce got to his feet and pulled her into his arms. Her knees turning to mush, as he kissed her.

"B.....Bruce......what........?" She managed to ask, when the doctor pulled away.

"I love you, (Y/n), and I think you love me. So, what do you say to us getting out of here and talking about it somewhere a little quieter........." Bruce replied. A large smile making its way onto her lips.

"I say that I would like that very much.........." (Y/n) happily taking the arm that he offered her, before letting him lead her through the crowd. The barman shaking his head as he watched them leave, before going to find his next customer.