Chapter Text
It caught you by surprise when Bruce pulled you back after work one Friday afternoon. “Sorry, did I mess up the exporting of the Demo Disk? Shit, I knew I should have waited till it was done instead of going out to lunch…” you apologised and moaned. Great, another fuck up.
Bruce smiled for a moment and went back to staring at the floor as he leant on Matt’s desk, “No, no, you didn’t do anything wrong…I was just thinking about stuff and uh…” he trailed off; clearly his mind was questionably thinking if he should continue.
“What’s up? I can work overtime if I have to. I’ve got nothing planned tonight.” You assured him, your nights consisted of going home, showering, eating, and catching up on your latest show.
“Well…I was more wondering about what you’ve got going on on Sunday?”
You gulped, what was he getting at? Did he really expect you to work a Sunday?
He continued, “There this wedding...one of my old friends…and we’re allowed to bring a plus one and…I was only wondering if…you wanted to attend with me?”
He sounded unsure of his words. Was this supposed to be a date? Or did he really just need a friend to go with…because if this was his idea of a first date it was a pretty shitty choice. “Yeah, I mean sure, if you really need someone to go with. That’s what friends do.”
He looked up at you and looked almost ghostly white. “Oh, right.” He cleared his throat. “Well, actually, maybe I’ll just go stag…probably best anyway. I’ll see you on Monday.” He hurried out of the room fast, but you stopped him before he could go any further than the exit.
“Hey, Bruce wait.”
He stood still next to the open roller door and turned back around as you paced over to him.
“Did you want to go to the wedding as friends…or as a date?” you asked nervously.
Bruce smiled, “I thought we hired someone smart.”
“Oh, please, I’m definitely the smartest here.” You joked back.
“But, yeah…I’d like it to be as a-er-date…”
You hoped that the quickly approaching darkness hid your slightly flushed cheeks. “Well then, what time are you picking me up?”
“10. The wedding and the reception will probably take the whole day, so don’t expect to be home until around 9:30.”
“Alright, then, I’ll pick out my dress.”
Bruce smiled like he’d won a trophy and bid you goodnight as he walked away to his car. You pulled a small remote out of you jeans pocket and clicked the button that made the roller door close. As you unlocked your car and sat in the driver’s seat, you thought about what just took place. You’d never really thought of Bruce like that…I mean, he was definitely attractive, and yeah he was pretty sweet and generous and one of the funniest people you knew, but you’d never thought of actually doing the whole dating process with him, it was either straight to sex or all the lovey-dovey cuddling and kissing stuff. What if this ruined the chemistry the whole group had? What if this affected their daily work routine? What if you’d just fucked up everything? Maybe it didn’t matter for now; it was only just one date after all. You started your car and drove home to your apartment.
Then, as you were lying on your bed in your pj’s, was when your phone buzzed with Bruce’s name as the texter.
‘I’ve got some pretty shitty news’
You felt half relieved and half disappointed, ‘you told the groom he could do better so now you’re uninvited to the wedding?’ you texted back, half joking but half nervously pushing the send button.
‘No, although I’m sad you’d think so crappy of me’
You giggled to yourself.
‘I just found out that my ex-girlfriend is going to be there >:(‘
You frowned, ‘So? Did she burn your clothes or slash your tires?’
‘No…but she’s probably crazy enough to do that.’
Again, you huffed in amusement, and let him continue.
‘We were in a relationship for 9 years, and one day I just woke up and…didn’t love her anymore. So I broke up with her. Last time I talked to one of her friends 8 months ago, she said she never got over me. She’s not seeing anyone so she’s going alone to the wedding. I just don’t want to show up with someone else while she’s depressed and hasn’t got anyone.’
You sighed audibly and felt your heart sink with the deep breath. ‘That’s okay. You have fun though! :)’ you texted back half-heartedly.
‘I still want you to come with me :P we just…won’t be able to be seen together a lot…or at least just not around her…’
You bit your lip, that’s going to suck. While she’s around you’re both going to have to split up. But what if you didn’t go because of this, and Bruce felt so embarrassed that he didn’t ever ask you out on another date. That would suck even worse. ‘Yeah, that’s fine. I’m all cool with that. I’ll see you on Sunday?’
‘Yeah, see you then. Thank again :)’
‘Don’t mention it,’ you typed as you yawned, ‘Good night.’
‘Night, Y/N’
You closed your eyes and hoped that your dreams were filled with Bruce in a well-fitting suit.