Title: Feline Better Yet?
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: Pg
Character/s: Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner
Pairing/s: Background Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 616 words
Warnings: N/a
Major Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Cats
Author notes: N/a
Summary: Bruce thinks he found a solution to their resident super-solder's troubles.

~ + ~

Steve blinks his eyes open at the sharp rapping at the door. He lets out a pained grumble before waving the person in.

"Steve, how are you feeling?" Bruce asks, holding a box in his hands. Inside, he hears something rattling about? Maybe tapping? It was hard to hear, especially with the way his head was pounding.

"I think you know how I'm currently feeling, Bruce," he mumbles, shutting his eyes and trying his best to relax.

Bruce gives him a small sympathetic laugh. "That's why I'm here, actually. We haven't yet worked out any medication to help lessen your pain, but I found something that just might help..."

Steve opens his eyes and looks at the scientist, curiosity and hope rising within him. "At this point, I'd take anything," he says.

"I'm glad to hear that," Bruce says, setting the box down on the bed. "It's... well, it's not exactly a pill or anything, but there are countless scientific studies backing this up. Your body burns through anything and everything we give you. So we were hoping to give you something that would help your body help itself."

"I'm willing to give whatever you got a try," Steve says, eyeing the box.

Bruce runs his fingers over the flaps of the box anxiously, visibly warring with himself over this idea. The man takes in a steadying breath before opening the box and reaching in.

"Steve..." Bruce says, flashing him a small, shy smile. "How do you feel about cats?" he asks, pulling out a small gray tabby.

"A... cat?" Steve eyes the cat, wondering how it was supposed to help him.

Bruce sighs, tucking the small kitten against his chest. "Not a fan?" the man asks.

"No, no. I am." Steve rushes to say, reaching for it with his none-plastered hand. "I just, not sure how a cat would help." Or what Tony would have to say about him suddenly adopting a cat.

With a growing smile, Bruce hands him the cat. "Well, there have been studies into the relaxing and therapeutic effects of cats, particularly their purr. They have been shown to benefit people both mentally and physically. Dr. Cho and I were talking, and we were hoping that with the aid of the cat, well, that your body would relax and hopefully become more receptive to our attempts of more traditional attempts at medication."

"Well, if anything, at least I would have a buddy to keep me company." Steve jokes, scratching the kitten behind the ears. It begins to purr softly, butting its little head into his hand. With each scratch, the volume of the kitten's purrs grows. "Thanks, Bruce, really."

The little kitten was quickly warming its way into Steve's heart. He wonders if a doctor's note from Bruce and Helen would convince Tony to let him keep her.

"Not a problem, Steve," Bruce says. "Really, it's the least we can do."

"Nonsense, you and Dr. Cho do a lot for me. The fact you're even trying to develop painkillers for me, despite how futile the task is, means a lot." Steve says. "I'm really grateful."

Bruce's face heats, reddening under Steve's words. "Yeah, well..." the man says, sounding a little choked up. Bruce looks away and clears his throat. "Have any ideas on what you're going to name her?" he asks.

"Not a clue," Steve says. "Any suggestions?"

"Well, Jessica is a sweet name," Bruce says.

An idea comes to him. Bruce must see it on his face because he asks, "What?"

"Dr. Jessicat!" he says, scooping up the small feline into his hand. "That's her name."

Bruce tosses his head back and laughs. "That a fantastic name." the man says.