AN: Hey, people this is my very first story, and I'm pretty excited! I've been wanting to write something like this for a while now, and has been my motivation. Note that this is a progressive slash; I'm not diving into the romance within the first few sentences... I feel that takes away from the realism. Reviews are very much appreciated! Enjoy! 3

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Marvel or any of its wonderful characters.

Bruce thought had come to terms with his curse. He thought he had learned accept that which couldn't change. Yet there he stood, at square one. The day had given way to night, and thick condensation had clouded his vision. All that surrounded him were dead, leafless trees, which provided no shelter from the elements. It didn't matter. The sky wept, much as he did internally, soaking every inch of his shivering body. His gaze never wavered from the gun in his hand. The sleek metal was comforting in a way. He could rid himself of the recurring nightmares, the pain of suppressed emotions, the trauma of lives lost, of lives destroyed… all with a single bullet. It felt… good; for once in his life, he was in complete control. The moment quickly passed as wretched realization struck him: His first attempt had got him nowhere; how would this be any different? "Second time's the charm," he muttered under his breath. The man would not be deterred. If he could find no cure, if he was a constant threat to others, he would have to die.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Bruce?" An all-too-familiar voice from behind startled the physicist out of his trance. Tony…

"How'd you find me…?" Bruce halfheartedly asked, removing the safety on the gun. He had travelled halfway across the country, to a remote area even he was hardly knowledgeable about, and made sure to stay hidden. He had no devices in which he could be tracked. It wasn't that much of a shock; if Tony wanted to find someone, he would.

"Doesn't matter. Don't answer my question with a question."

"Well, Tony," Bruce chuckled, "I'm sure it's pretty obvious to you what I'm doing." He offered not so much as a glance in the other man's direction. Cocking the gun, he continued, "I'm trying to solve a very big problem." The gun was raised to his temple, and his finger hovered over the trigger. He was turned to face the billionaire. He could tell that Tony was genuinely concerned for him; the look in his eye said it all without him having to say a word. It was still a mystery why Tony even bothered. Bruce had fractured the man's skull, broke quite a few of his ribs, and crushed his leg some 6 ½ months ago. Even now, he was still recovering.

"Do you realize just how stupid and selfish you sound right now?" Tony scoffed.

"No, I guess I don't." There was no point in going on the way he did. The pain was too great. So what if he was being selfish? So what if he was being stupid? None of it would matter in the end.

"…Drop the gun, Bruce." Tony demanded. This only made Bruce grip the weapon tighter. The billionaire's dark eyes peered into Bruce's, searching for the slightest glint of recognition. All he found was hopelessness. Tony knew his suicide attempt would fail; Bruce had said it himself. That wasn't what worried him. It was the simple fact that Bruce wanted to die.

"I'm not sure I want to." Bruce mumbled.

Tony's metal-clad hand clasped around Bruce's wrist, hoping he would comply. "Please, Bruce. Drop it."

It was obvious that Tony would have it no other way. Releasing a shallow breath, Bruce finally spoke. "Fine. You win." The gun fell from his hand, his head bowed as he stifled a sob. "It probably wouldn't work anyway."

Tony released his grip on the doctor. "Maybe you should stop trying to solve a problem that's already solved itself." This made the doctor laugh.

"Has it? Has it really solved itself?"

"If you were to look at it from a different perspective, then yes, it has. Honestly, Bruce, it bothers me to see you like this. Promise me that I'll never see that," Tony pointed to the gun on the ground, "in your hand again. I mean it."

Bruce raised his head, staring into the soft blue light that shone on Tony's chest. "I'll… do my best. That's all I can promise."

"Good enough. I'm taking you back to New York. Any opposition will be bluntly ignored."