Without the Usual Cost of Labor by vain_glorious (PG)

[musesfool.livejournal.com]

Fandom: AVENGERS
Pairing: none; gen
Length: ~6400 words
Author on LJ: vain_glorious
Author Website: @ AO3
Why this must be read:

Tony and Bruce find some information that points to evil scientists producing things they shouldn't have produced, with some serious consequences for Steve and for the team. This is a really funny look at a dark premise, and that sense of discomfort underlies and sharpens the hilarity, and having it in Tony's POV allows for that distance.

"You're not saying no," Tony says, pointedly.

"It sounds plausible," Bruce admits. "They had all kinds of samples. I know they did."

"Poorly secured," Tony states more than asks. Bruce just shrugs.

"What I don't get," Bruce begins, then trails off. "This is not the first thing I'd do. Or the second. Or…"

"Yeah," Tony agrees. "Why are the villains always so stupid?"

"I'm not sure stupid is the right word," Bruce says. "You tell anyone about this?"

"I was waiting for a second," Tony says. "You want to make a motion?"

"There are a lot of steps between the idea and the execution."

"It says they 'successfully produced viable offspring,' on the last report," Tony quotes. "That's what sent the flare up to SHIELD."

Bruce nods, shrugs again.

"You just don't want it to be true," Tony says.

"Well, yeah," Bruce says. "Do you?"

Without the Usual Cost of Labor by vain_glorious

If you enjoy the story, please let the author know.

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