This is a request by love_is_adagger- I hope I did okay! This is an idea I've had for a long time, so I'm really glad I was able to mesh it with your request!

Nonbinary!reader

"How soon?"

"Less than an hour. We'll send you a message when the quinjet lands."

"Thank you."

Bruce Banner hung his phone up, thanking Tony for his fancy technology with secure lines available. With Ultron on the loose, he couldn't take any chances. You'd be there soon. Once you were, he'd be able to fully calm down.

He sat outside on the Barton's front porch, waiting. The others were inside, thinking that Bruce just needed a minute to calm down after being the Hulk earlier. He didn't correct them. They'll figure out the truth soon enough.

The hour stretched out to be the longest hour Bruce had ever experienced in his entire life. He kept checking his watch every few minutes just to convince himself the hour wasn't over yet. It never was. And then it finally was.

He heard the jet before he saw it. Bruce had to stand up and leave the porch to see the quinjet coming down into the grass in front of him. The door behind Bruce opened. He glanced behind him quickly and saw it was the others- the Avengers- coming out to see what was going on.

When the jet landed on the ground, Bruce hurried forward, ignoring the words of caution from his teammates.

The backdoor opened up and out came you, with your backpack on, and Bruce could feel himself finally relax. You ran up to meet him in between the jet and the house. He pulled you into a bone crushing hug, which you reciprocated. You didn't know what was going on, but you knew it was bad. Bruce had never done something like this before.

"You okay?" he asked, finally pulling away. The quinjet was lifting off and going back to wherever it came from.

You nodded, smiling. "Yeah, just worried. What's going on?"

"I'll tell you, I will," Bruce said. "Let's just... we should probably introduce you to the team first. They're on edge as is, this whole thing kind of freaked them out."

With another nod, you and Bruce turned toward the Avengers and started walking over. Bruce put a protective arm around your shoulders and you leaned into his side.

"Shall we go in?" Bruce asked once the two of you got to the steps leading to the Barton's home.

Everyone was confused, but nodded. Tony was curious how many other team members had secret... people.

Once everyone was inside, they all went to the edges of the living room- pretty much where they had stood when Barton introduced his family- and waited for Bruce to introduce you. You were younger than him, so they hoped you two weren't... involved for lack of better words.

Bruce finally decided to rip off the bandaid. "Well, everyone, this is my kid. (Y/n), these are my coworkers. You know them already. Except, uh, this is Clint's family, his wife and kids."

Everyone waved and you sent a wave back. "Nice to meet you guys," you said, a bit shy.

No one spoke, not sure what to say, so Bruce looked over to Clint. "I hope it's okay, I know it's kinda last minute-"

It was Laura who shook her head and smiled. "Of course it's okay, I'm sure she'll be fine sharing with one of the kids."

You opened your mouth to correct, but your dad beat you to it. "Actually, (Y/n) uses they/them pronouns," he said. It made you smile pretty big. He then looked down at you. "Is that okay?"

You nodded. "Yeah, sure." Still wearing your backpack (you hoped you brought enough stuff), you followed Laura up the stairs and she showed you where you could unpack your stuff.

Downstairs, the Avengers had questions. Tony was the one to ask.

"So. What's the story?"

Bruce sighed, knowing this was coming, but not really looking forward to explaining. He wasn't ashamed, it was just a sad story.

"I met (Y/n)'s mom before I became the Hulk. We dated a bit in college, we were having fun. Then we found out she was pregnant and freak out. We were still kids ourselves, we didn't know if we could do it. But we tried. She and I agreed to do our best..."

This was the part Bruce hated. Natasha noticed his demeanor change and stepped forward to place a hand on his shoulder, offering her support. Bruce placed his hand over hers and nodded, showing his appreciation.

"(Y/n)'s mom didn't make it through delivery. Something ruptured and the doctors... so then I was left to raise (Y/n) alone. It was scary after I became the Hulk. Everyday I was scared I was gonna hurt them, or worse. But then when I thought about giving them up for adoption... that hurt me even more. So we've been braving the world together, and I made sure to keep her off of SHIELD's radar. Like you."

Clint nodded, feeling a new sort of connection between him and Bruce. They both had a family they wanted to protect more than anything.

"They seem great, Bruce, you did a fantastic job," Natasha said.

He thanked her, and the others sort of moved on. They needed to get to work anyway. "Let's get cleaned up and then get to talking," Steve said, and the group obliged.

After Bruce showered and got dressed, he went to find you. You were in Lila's room, who didn't mind sharing at all. There was an air mattress on the floor, and that's what you were sitting on, fiddling with something in your hands. A small toy Bruce had given you when you were a baby.

"Hey kiddo, how you doing?" Bruce asked, sitting down beside you.

You smiled and automatically leaned into your dad's side. "Okay I guess. I still don't really know what's going on, though," you said. "It's not like I'm scared, but I'm... on edge, you know? And..."

When you didn't finish that though, Bruce looked down at you. "Hey, what's up? You know we have a rule about not keeping anything from each other."

It was cheesy, but it kept you guys honest and close.

"You're right," you admitted. "I guess... I'm just worried? I can't imagine your coworkers wouldn't like me, but I can't help but think it. And that they think I'm... weird."

Bruce didn't have to ask to see what you meant. When you came out to him as nonbinary a couple years ago, it was a transition. You were scared it'd be too hard and a few times tried to tell him it was okay to use your old pronouns if it was just easier.

However, Bruce didn't give up, and now using they/them pronouns was so easy and natural. He'd make sure the Avengers did the same.

"Don't worry about that, honey. I'll correct them as many times as needed. They'll get there, just like I did. Plus, it might be easier since the team is meeting you now, there's no need to switch."

His words made you smile. Bruce was the best at making you feel better. To you, that was his super power.

"Thanks, dad," you said, hugging him tightly. Then, you sat up and turned toward him. "Now, what's going on?"

Bruce explained what was happening, trying his best to make it sound like not as big of a deal (even though it was a HUGE deal). He just didn't want you to freak out and be scared for him. Of course, you always were, so it didn't matter.

"Okay, I need to go down and talk with the others. Do you want to stay up here or some down as well?"

You grabbed a book from your backpack. "I'll come down, it feels too lonely up here right now," you said.

The two of you went downstairs. Bruce went into the kitchen with the others to talk, you sat off to the side and read. It was kind of a guise, though. You were really trying to listen in on their conversation. It sounded bad.

You just wish there was something you could do.

"Hey kid," Bruce said, coming into the room where you were. He saw you weren't even looking at your book. "You listened in on all of that, didn't you?"

You nodded. "I'm sorry, I just want to know what you guys are gonna do. I know it's dumb for me to worry about you, but I still do."

Bruce smiled and sat next to you. Off to the side, Natasha stood on the other side of the doorway, sorta kinda listening in on the conversation. She couldn't help it, old habits and such.

"Yeah, of course you will. And I know I can sit here and tell you I'll be perfectly fine over and over again, and I know it can't do anything to ease your fears. So I'll just tell you I'm gonna do everything I can to save the world and make it back for dinner. Okay?"

"Okay. When do you have to go?" you then asked.

He sighed, knowing this part was going to suck. "Soon. I've talked to the Barton's and they say you can stay here until everything is taken care of. Is that okay? I'd just prefer you being somewhere I know you'll be safe."

As much as you worried over him, he worried about you just as much- if not more.

You nodded. "Of course. It'll be cool to get to know them, since they're the family one of your coworker's and everything," you said. The 'coworker' joke never failed to lighten up a dull moment.

A while later, the Avengers had to move out. Clint had a moment with his family and Bruce had his moment with you.

All you could do was hug him tight. Just like you did after the New York City invasion. Just like you always do when something happens. Only this time, it was before. Something nagged at you. That's why you needed to do 'the hug' now.

"It'll all be okay," Bruce said. "I promise to do my best."

You nodded into his shoulder, willing any tears away. "I know you will."

Finally, you pulled away to let him do his job. The world kinda depended on it. "I love you, (Y/n). I'll see you after this and I'll take some time off to hang out with you, okay?"

"Okay. I love you, too!"

You stood outside with Laura Barton and her kids, and watched as the Avengers left to complete their plan. After the quinjet disappeared from view, Laura placed a hand on your shoulder.

"Let's go inside, I'll make us some breakfast."

You nodded, and went to follow. One last time, though, you turned and looked at the sky where the jet had just been. At this point, all you could do was hope everything would be okay.

~Fin~

A/n: Apologies for the delay in posting! I am home for Spring Break and spent the weekend hanging out with my parents and celebrating my dad's birthday! Today, they both had work, so I was able to get some stuff done and this is one of those things!

I hope you guys like this one, because Bruce totally deserves to be a dad. He is so sweet and would be a great parent, even if he were terrified of Hulking out. I know the Hulk would love his kid, too.

My requests are still open, so please feel free to DM me or comment them if you have one!

See you next week Lovelies!!!!!!