Seeker of Truth - Chapter 7 (Reader x Avengers)

Seeker of Truth - Chapter 7: Headquarters


They took you through the big, mechanic doors. You found yourself in a great, open hall. People moved around like ants. You could see the workers walking from the elevators towards the other side of the hall, talking all the way. You felt uncomfortable in this building. It smelled like the inside of a new car, even though Tony had said it had been here for several years.

‘Where did Bruce say his lab was?’ Tony asked Steve, while he peered through the hall. ‘I keep forgetting were it is. He should have just accepted my offer to come work for me.’

‘Not everyone is as fond of you as Virginia,’ Steve said. ‘I think we need to go to the left.’

‘Well, what would you know about that…’ Tony replied. ‘All you do is stare at her like a lost puppy,’ Tony pointed at you. ‘It’s not the 1940’s anymore. Get over it.’

Steve didn’t respond to Tony’s last comment. He just walked to the left, swallowing hard.

You shook your head, as a small grin covered Tony’s face. You now realized why Steve didn’t like to be alone with Tony. You knew Tony wasn’t known for his subtleness, but sometimes he could be a little too harsh.

After a few silent minutes you arrived at a closed off part of the building. Through the glass you could see the long hallway, leading to a large open lab. People in long, white, lab coats were walking up and down, caring trays of needles or other equipment.

Some of the workers coming out through the door glanced at you for a few seconds, but then continued their way somewhere you could only guess.

The doors closed again.

Steve handed you a small card, saying ‘VISITOR CLASSIFICATION 7’. You didn’t know what it meant, but you didn’t care. As long as you could get in.

Steve pressed his thumb against a small display next to the door. It started scanning and then gave an accepting beep. You had expected some computer voice to say ‘Welcome, mister Rogers,’ but there was no voice, just the soft beep and the sliding sound of the doors.

Tony did the same and gestured you should place the card on the display. The little, blue display also approved the card and the doors opened again.

You followed Steve and Tony to the other side of the hall. There were just a handful of people in the big lab, bended over several microscopes.

‘Tony, Steve!’ a voice cried. ‘Over here!’

The man on the other side of the lab waved at you, smiling. The other men and women in the lab looked up from their work and shook their heads.

‘Shall we leave you alone with your… friends, doctor Banner?’ one of women asked.

The man on the other side of the lab nodded and gestured you should come over to him.

‘Very well then,’ the woman said. ‘We’ll start working on all the paperwork from last week. If you need anything we’ll be upstairs.’

The man nodded again. ‘Don’t forget to add the sheets I gave you yesterday.’

‘Of course not, doctor Banner.’

The group of workers walked out the door, with large maps under their arms. They would not come back soon.

‘They said you were coming,’ the man said. ‘You convinced Fury to let her in? That is a great accomplishment, even for you Tony.’

‘I have my ways, Bruce’ Tony grinned. ‘He did say not to break anything though.’

‘He knows you too well,’  Bruce said. ‘He will not be joining us, I assume?’

‘Not unless you find anything,’ Steve answered.

‘Right, of course,’ Bruce said, turning to you. ‘Let me introduce myself. My name is Bruce Banner, although you probably know me better by my other name, Hulk.’

You laughed, having a hard time imagining this kind, gentle man to be the green, angry monster from the attack on New York.

‘Why do people always laugh when I tell them that? I don’t see how it is even remotely funny.’

‘Don’t worry about it, Bruce,’ Tony said. ‘She has bumped her head more than once in the last couple of days.’

‘I’m sorry,’ you said. ‘You are right. It’s not funny. Shall we start then?’

Bruce nodded, but his face was still covered in a suspicious frown. ‘Very well. It’s best if you two wait outside,’ he said.

‘Why?’ Steve asked, disappointed.

‘I like to work in peace,’ Bruce answered. ‘So, if you will excuse us. This lovely lady and I have some test to run.’

Bruce shoved Tony and Steve outside the lab and pressed a button on the left side of the wall. A large black door appeared from the ceiling, which separated you and Bruce from Steve and Tony.

For a few seconds Steve eyes locked on yours. You could see the doubt in his eyes. You gave him a small smile, trying to tell him you were going to be just fine, even though you didn’t know what was about to happen.

Soon you could only see the black door. You didn’t know if you were happy that Steve and Tony were not here for the tests. You had liked it that they had been there for you until now. You hoped you were ready for everything that Bruce was going to find.

You sighed.

‘Let’s do this.’


TO BE CONTINUED...