Fic: Bruce/Coulson
Title: Enter the Sandman
Pairing: Bruce/Coulson
Rating: pg-13
Summary: Nightmares keep Bruce awake......and Coulson? well, he begins to notice.....
Bruce didn’t drink coffee. He didn’t need anything to help heighten his already frayed nerves.
It was not safe.
Except, Bruce didn’t sleep either.
He couldn’t, because when he did; he remembered.
His mother had the most beautiful brown eyes he ever saw. She had flowing chestnut hair with such a loving smile. Her arms would wrap around him and he was safe, he was home.
But then he came, he who played with him, had showed him love.....only to destroy it all.
Flashes of what he did as the Hulk would flash through his mind.
He would see Betty, with her comforting eyes, trying to make it all better even though it couldn’t be.
Instead, Bruce napped. He knew he needed rest, so naps where the second best thing.
It was this that started it all.
…......................
He was in lab, having just taken a quick fifteen minute power nap. He could function; at least, he wasn’t hallucinating yet.
There was an email from Agent Coulson:
“Dr. Banner,
Get sleep. The Avengers need you on top condition. No more sleeping in your lab.
-Agent Coulson”
Bruce read it a couple of times.
Agent Coulson was everywhere and knew everything, so it made sense he knew of Bruce’s habits. However, it still surprised Bruce.
Except, he was still on top condition. Perhaps, not perfect condition but he was not a liability. Not yet. Besides, Bruce had to work. He would rest later.
…........................
It had been two days after the email from Coulson.
Bruce leaned on the kitchen counter, waiting for his tea to be done. It was around three in the morning, so Bruce didn’t have to worry too much about seeing any of the others. It was true that he had not bonded with them much. He had always been that shy, awkward kid; that became worst after having to constantly be running away.......
He hadn’t realized he had fallen asleep until he felt someone tug him away from the counter. He woke up startled.
“Dr. Banner, I thought I made it clear you were to rest?” Agent Coulson scoffed.
“I am fine, fine, just.....it was a long day.” Bruce muttered, rubbing his eyes, trying to wake himself up.
“You fell asleep against the kitchen counter, how is that fine?” Coulson scowled, lips pursed.
“I just needed some tea.” Bruce muttered, glancing over to where his tea was all ready to go. He blinked a couple of minutes before glancing at Coulson.
“You were sleeping, I thought I should let you rest.” Coulson stated, voice softer this time around.
Bruce picked up his mug and smiled tiredly at the agent.
“Thank you Agent, good night.” Bruce sighed, trudging out and towards his lab.
He didn’t see Coulson’s eyes cloud with worry.
…..............................
He woke up the next day, head over a pillow, and a blanket wrapped around him. There was a note next to him.
“Dr. Banner,
If you insist on sleeping in your lab, then perhaps you should look into a more comfortable way of doing so.
-Agent Coulson”
Bruce allowed himself a soft smile. God, he was still tired.
The pillow felt good.....but a sudden alarm got him jumping out of his chair and out of his lab.
At least he had rested enough to be good while in the field.
…................................
He had slipped up just a tiny bit, but it wasn’t a big deal. No one had gotten hurt or injured.
Not yet. Not yet. Bruce was still good.
Except Coulson noticed, he always did.
Coulson was waiting for him in the lab. He was leaning on one of the counters, arms crossed. His face was completely serious and it made Bruce wonder just how the other managed that. How could the other be so calm and collected all the time?
“You slipped today. Your reaction was too slow, someone could have gotten hurt.” Coulson stated.
Bruce winced, because it was different telling yourself that, but hearing it aloud by someone else.....
“I will be putting an order to prohibit you for a couple of days, to come into lab.” Coulson informed him.
“What?! You cannot do that! This is my work.” Bruce cried out, finding himself getting angry all of the sudden.
“Watch your temper, Dr. Banner.” Coulson said with a raised eyebrow, before walking out of the lab.
Bruce closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Perhaps, he needed a little bit of rest.
….....................................
He laid in bed that night, the first time in days. When had he been in his room last?
He closed his eyes but his mind began thinking....began remembering.....
He ended up staying the whole night up, reading.
…......................................
Bruce knew that the meeting was important. But it was so hard to pay attention.
He leaned back on his chair, telling himself that he was paying attention.....
The meeting ended. Bruce was oblivious to the others, glancing at him worriedly.
Bruce didn’t notice that the others had began to worry, for each day, there were darker circles under his eyes and his skin was getting a pale look.
No, Bruce slept through it all.
He did not wake up until he was gently shaken awake by Coulson.
“Bruce?” Coulson whispered, fearing that waking the other up would cause the other to not go back to sleep....but Bruce had to be moved back to his room.
“Coulson?” Bruce muttered, shifting on the chair, eyes barely open.
“Come, Bruce, let us get you to your bed.” Coulson smiled softly, heaving Bruce up.
The other leaned heavily on Coulson, head resting on Coulson’s shoulder.
Coulson was practically carrying the other and it worried Coulson that Bruce felt so light.
“Why are you doing this to yourself?” Coulson whispered to the sleeping Bruce.
Coulson laid Bruce down into his bed. He gently ran a hand through Bruce’s hair, watching Bruce sleep peacefully. He looked so different, so free.
Coulson shook his head, before slipping out of Bruce’s room.
….................................................
He doesn’t remember blood....he tries not to....
He remembers her screams....he tries to remember her loving voice...
Didn’t she sing something to him?
......................................................
Bruce woke up with a gasp. He looked around, confused as to how he got back to his room.
He stumbled out of bed. It wasn’t that bad, he had gotten enough restful sleep.
No one said anything to Bruce as he walked towards his lab.
“You are not allowed in your lab.” Coulson stopped Bruce half way there.
Bruce blinked a couple of times, remembering that yes, he had been grounded.
“I....I remember.” Bruce muttered, running a hand through his hair, getting ready to walk back to his room.
“Dr. Banner, perhaps you should see the psychologist.” Coulson quickly spoke up before Bruce could walk away.
Bruce tensed at the idea. He had seen psychologists since he could remember. They had yet to help him sleep at night.
“No, they didn’t help me before.” Bruce muttered, before quickly making his way back to his room.
…....................................................
Bruce stopped sleeping again.
Coulson would send him e-mails, but there was really nothing the other could do.
Not unless he drugged Bruce. Perhaps, Bruce wanted Coulson to drug him.
Yes, if that wasn’t a messed up thing to think.
Relationships. That is why Bruce didn’t have any.
The moment someone starts sending him emails, Bruce falls in love with them.
He remembers one of his psychologists telling him how he is dependent. He clings to people, the first show of affection and Bruce suddenly gives himself completely.
He could add Coulson to the list. A person just doing his job.
….................................................
Coulson did not rush to the infirmary.
Coulson did not scream at people to get out of his way.
Coulson did not push past the others to get to Bruce.
No, Coulson calmly walked to the infirmary, berating himself for not drugging Bruce.
He knew that Bruce was in no shape to be in the field.
The others were outside, waiting for the doctor to be done.
He didn’t ask what happened, it wasn’t important now. Not until the reports were due.
“It is nothing too bad, Boss.” Clint stated, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Coulson shrugged the hand off.
…....................................................
Bruce woke up three days later.
He felt sore and groggy, but otherwise, he was alive.
“You are finally awake.”
Coulson sat next to him. He had his computer on his lap and a number of papers on top of Bruce’s legs.
“Your body decided to take some much needed sleep.” Coulson told him, shooting Bruce a glare.
“I wish the nightmares would let me sleep.” Bruce whispered, staring up at the ceiling.
Coulson didn’t say anything; there was nothing to say to that. Instead, Coulson took Bruce’s hand in his.
…...........................................................
Bruce sat on the chair.
“What do you want to talk about Bruce?”
Bruce looked at the psychologist, Dr. Helenger.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, how does it feel being out of the infirmary?”
Bruce stared at the doctor. She seemed nice.
“Relieved.”
…...............................................................
“Phil, it is getting late.”
Coulson looked from the many reports he had to finish. Bruce was leaning against the door frame.
“You should be in bed by now.” Coulson stated, glancing at the clock .
“I can’t sleep.” Bruce shrugged.
Coulson found himself picking his reports and laptop up.
“Didn’t think you would be so needy.” Coulson teased.
“You really are the one to blame for it.” Bruce stated, ushering Coulson into his room.
“I don’t regret it.” Coulson stated, watching as Bruce made himself comfortable on the bed. He shook his head and followed suit.
“Thank you.” Bruce muttered, curling around Coulson the moment Coulson had gotten into bed, reports on their bedside table.
“Good night, Bruce.”
“Night, Phil.”
…...............................................................
Bruce didn’t drink coffee...
But he at least got some sleep now....or most nights at least.