#invincibleiron

It was surprising that Tony noticed him at all anyway. Even more surprising that he seemed unbothered by a raging alter ego. It was comfortable being around Tony. He had a great sense of humor and generously offered to let Bruce stay with him for a while. But those were also dangerous thoughts and it was so much easier to never get too close to anyone.

So, really Bruce should know better and should have turned and left immediately and maybe even pretended like nothing had happened and he hadn’t followed Tony home like a hopeful puppy. Because as soon as Tony showed him around and took him upstairs and introduced his lovely girlfriend named Pepper, Bruce couldn’t remember breathing. Or thinking. Or anything except that the woman was not Pepper. She was older, taller, with lighter hair than the ginger he remembered. But that was his Virginia. Long lost first love, first everything, and Bruce can’t do anything but stare at her in shock and wonder if she recognizes him, too.

For some time now, Bruce had been working with the Avengers team on various missions, mostly saving the world. But he worked closest with Tony. He had given him his life back really, and for that he was eternally grateful. Sometimes he thought Tony was the only one who truly appreciated him as himself, as Bruce. Everyone else kinda wanted the green guy. Tony was also incredibly flirtatious with him, whether in the lab or otherwise. It boosted his esteem, but he knew letting things get out of hand could cause trouble.

Bruce never could say no to Tony. Not in the end. He could try, and he certainly did. Even this time, before he realised just how tired the other looked, he'd given a half-hearted "Tony, no." and tried to pull his hand back.

But one good look at Tony later, and he caved completely, moving willingly with him. If Tony needed sleep and wanted Bruce with him, who was Bruce to deny him that? He couldn't.

"Okay. Okay, I'm coming. Don't worry."

Crowley knew, of course, who this was.  How could she not?  The inventor was famous.  Though Crowley mostly knew him for his weapons of war.  She reached out a gloved hand and took the one he had offered.  “Antonia Crowley.  It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. Stark.  I’ve heard quite a bit about you.  And about your business.”

She groaned a little. Her muscles sore. Pepper turned over and the sunlight shone in from the windows. Where was she again?

Oh yeah. Tony’s.

Passing her hand over the other side of the bed slowly, she search for him, eyes closed.

Dr. Bruce Banner had never done something so impetuous in all of his young life. He was only in his mid-twenties and already held multiple doctorates in varying degrees of scientific study. In fact, his pure scientific knowledge was what had brought him across the world to London, to speak at an international conference. The plane ride out of JFK however was something he would never forget for the rest of his life. He only knew the man’s name. His first name anyway. Tony. He was young and obviously another American flying overseas for some reason or another. They hit it off really, laughing and talking about anything and everything .. except science oddly enough or their reasons for traveling. At one point Bruce had been staring out the window at the ocean, cuddled under a blanket when he felt the other man’s hand on his groin. Soon enough, the total stranger was giving him the best wank of his life and he had to struggle not to cry out like a horny teenager. After they retrieved their luggage, Bruce found the courage to do something he normally wouldn’t. He had shoved that strange Tony individual against a wall and kissed him with reckless abandon. He wanted to tell him everything, like some desperate virgin. Unfortunately, airport security ended up splitting them apart and they went their separate ways. 

That was the last he’d seen of him. It wasn’t just what he did to him, it was the chemistry he just felt. Bruce knew it had to have been a once in a lifetime type of meeting. He’d never see him again. Hell, his name probably wasn’t even Tony. As he sat in the room of his hotel, he rationalized things in his head. He probably lied to him to gain his confidence. Bruce could never be so lucky in life like that. He’d had a nightmare of a life so far, and he wanted to focus on his career and stay the hell away from his father for as long as he lived. Little did Dr. Banner know what would happen to him; and that the life he lived now was an absolute luxury. The accident hadn’t happened yet. But that was why he was here, to speak in London about the possibilities of gamma radiation.