Science Buddies

What to expect:
—Winged AU
—Wings change color depending on events in a person's life.
—Friendship between Bruce and Peter
—Stark doesn't know Peter.
—Err... Yeah I think that's all I need to say. Blep. :) Enjoy

— — —

Rain splattered against the window of the coffee shop, making loud 'pling's before running down to the sill outside.

Bruce tapped his fingers against the side of his hot chocolate filled mug. The marshmallows had melted and only a wisp of whipped cream remained visible. A cozy scent drifted from the mug and Bruce shifted in his seat.

The scientist didn't get recognized in public often, despite being a superhero. That being said, no superhero would be caught without wings. Bruce however... He hid his wings. Wings changed after important events in someone's life, as if to represent them. Bruce's wings, however, reminded him too much that he could never be normal. That he was not fully human, and never again would be.

The small ting of a bell followed by the slamming of a door got Bruce's attention. He glanced up from his mug and saw a kid—maybe highschool?—entering the coffee shop. Bruce couldn't see the kid's wings, but then most people hated wet feathers and honestly? Bruce could agree.

The kid sighed with relief, hugging his backpack to his chest. Lifting his eyes to glance around the room, his gaze found Bruce, his mouth falling open.

The kid's expression turned to a bright grin and he bounced on his toes. He scrambled over to Bruce and the scientist sighed. This kid was probably a fan of the Hulk. While he wasn't often recognized, that didn't mean never.

"You're Bruce Banner!" The kid exclaimed.

He gave a slow nod. "Yeah. The Hulk. Asking for an autograph?"

The kid nodded. "If it isn't to much trouble." Bruce motioned for the kid to continue. The kid set his bookbag on the chair opposite Bruce and pulled a book from it, setting it on the table. A pen was hurriedly pulled from the kid's pocket, a smile lighting up his face.

Grabbing the pen, Bruce looked back down at the book and realized that holy shit this was his book. Glancing back up at the kid he asked for their name.

"Peter. Peter Parker," the kid said, eyes lighting up. "I can't believe it! I'm talking to my favorite scientist! Your work is incredible!" The kid continued to ramble and Bruce was floored. As rare as it was to be recognized as hulk, being recognized as a scientist was even rarer. And by a kid, no less!

"Well Peter," Bruce said, small smile on his face after having signed the book, "sit down and talk with me, will you?"

A look of regret flashed across Peter's face. "Sorry Mr. Banner. I can't. I've got homework." Peter rubbed his shoulder, avoiding the scientist's eyes.

Bruce nodded. He understood that. Grabbing a napkin off the table he wrote down his number. "Text me at some point," Bruce said, handing Peter the napkin, "I'd love to talk science with you."

If the elated look on Peter's face was anything to go by, he'd be seeing the kid again.

— — —

Tony's wings were red, gold feathers weaving intricate designs around them.

Natasha's wings were black, purple
around the tips.

Steve's wings were red, white, and blue, the feathers laid out in circular patterns.

Bruce's wings were green. The Hulk, obviously.

As Bruce stared in the mirror, he contemplated plucking out every feather and hoping to grow them a different color. That idea was shot down rather quickly. That would hurt.

Retracting his wings, Bruce grabbed some of his recent research papers and headed down to the coffee shop. Peter had texted him earlier, asking to meet up at 4:30. Seeing as how Stark had given him the week off, he agreed.

Bruce ordered two hot chocolates and sat at the same table he had last time. The shop was empty aside from the guy working the counter and the person he'd come to understand was their boyfriend. But as Bruce watched the employee throw a muffin at the other, he started to question if they were actually dating.

Not that he had much time to think about it because Peter came barreling in the door shouting, "I'M NOT LATE!"

Bruce let out a laugh. "No, no you aren't." Bruce watched the kid stumble over to him, noticing that he had his wings showing this time—grey feathers with splotches of red.

"Hiya Dr.Banner!"

"Nice to see you again. And call me Bruce."

Peter nodded. "Okie dokie Dr. Banner."

A small laugh tumbled from Bruce's mouth and the two started talking about science. The topic changed a few times, but it always came back to research and theories.

"Shit!" Peter exclaimed, finally realizing the time, "I gotta get going. See you later Bruce!"

— — —

Bruce met up with Peter a lot over the next few months. He learned a lot about the kid, ranging from his crush on his friend Harley to the death of his parents. The kid had gone through a lot, had lost a lot. Bruce had trouble understanding how the kid was still so optimistic after all that had happened to him. Though he did notice the kid didn't show his wings much.

One day the pair were sitting at the table in the coffee shop when Peter paused mid-sentence. He closed his mouth, tilting his head before asking, "Hey Bruce? What's it like when hulk takes over?"

The scientist froze and Peter quickly apologized. "Sorry! That was really insensitive of me—I shouldn't have asked that. I'm so, so sorry Bruce-"

"It's alright," Bruce said, hand up as if to slow the kid down. "Whenever hulk takes over it's like being asleep. I don't remember anything, and not much of what happens after either."

Peter nodded. Then paused. "Can I tell you a secret?" He asked.

Bruce nodded. "Won't tell a soul."

Peter took a deep breath. "I'mspiderman," he confessed at a million miles a minute.

It took a second for Bruce to figure out what Peter had said, but when he figured it out his jaw dropped.

Peter. Peter was Spiderman.

"I'm telling you because I know you don't like Hulk. But Hulk has saved my life and... And you need to know that."

Bruce nodded as Peter continued.

"I know you don't want to be a hero but trust me, you're doing good. And your wings, I... I don't want you to hate them. Wings are a gift we have and we should show them, not hide from them. That's like hiding from an arm or a leg." Peter looked up at Bruce. "We can hide them, but they'll always be there when we need them."

The two sat in silence for a while.

"Peter," Bruce said, voice cracking, "Can I see your wings?"

The kid nodded, two grey wings bursting from his back. Red feathers were knitted along the bone and tossed haphazardly through the grey, but there was something else now.

Green. Green feathers growing at the bottom of his wings, shaped like mountains.

"Peter-"

"Can I see yours?"

Bruce's eyes met Peter's. He nodded.

The familiar sensation of feathers growing from his back sent shivers down his spine. Some green feathers fell to the floor. Bruce hated the memories his wings dug up, but Peter was smiling.

"Red," the kid said, "Red feathers."

Turning Bruce stretched out one wing to his side, a smile growing on his face as he saw that now his wings weren't only green, but had red growing along the edges in mountain shapes.

Just like Peter's.

The two shared a smile and somehow, they knew everything would be alright.

— — —

(A/N)
Word Count: 1259
Written: October 17th, 2019
Posted: November 4th, 2019

Wow! A long one!

I came up with this idea a while ago. I always wanted to write it but was struggling with writer's block for a bit. But here it is! And it's done!

It took me like an hour to write I need to go to bed holy fuck-

Regardless, tell me what you think! It's more fluffy and less action than anything else
I've ever written. I like it a lot heckkk boi. Would you guys want more like it?

Welp, hope you all have a nice day. Feel free to comment my dudes. Bai~