Robert Bruce Banner & Anthony Edward Stark
A series of Friendship One Shots
Based off of quotes

Author's Notes: This will be set as a series of one shots involving the friendship between Bruce Banner and Tony Stark. After seeing the Avenger's movie, their connection just spoke something to me and I saw a lot of myself and my bestie in their friendship. The stories will not be in any sort of order but they will all be set after the movie, I also would like to say that yes I prefer Science Bros over Science Boyfriends but these stories can be taken as either friendship or pre-slash depends on you point of view. At the head of each story/chapter there will be a quote regarding friendship which the one-shot will be based on.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything regarding Marvel

"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you."
-Elbert Hubbard

Tony could still remember the shock on everyone's face when Bruce had spoken. 'But you can't, I know I've tried.' There was a part of the billionaire that had guessed as much, he had been fascinated by the Hulk the moment news reports started popping up all over the place, that fascination had lead him to research the man behind the monster, Doctor Bruce Banner. What he had gathered had been vague at best, but a man like him had to of experienced some lows. Tony would of been low just by visiting those third world countries Banner resided in, not to mention the man was constantly on the run. It was depressing in a way that made Tony not want to think about it, he hated thoughts like these, they reminded him too much of how he had felt locked and tortured in that cave. God he was a different man back then, arrogant and self-obsessed and constantly joking so no one could get close to him.

James Rhodes had been the first to break through his shell, but really they had both been young and naive, well Rhodey had been naive, and he had trusted Stark even after all the shit he had put them through. God it was a wonder James had stuck around. Pepper had been the second person Tony had come to trust, he had realised how much she had always been there for him, through thick and thin, through his highs and lows. She had the smart mouth and dry wit that he always appreciated, she was one of those rare people who may not of been able to keep up with him intellectually but boy could she deflect his words with such ease. Bruce Banner was the third, and the man didn't even know it. He had impressed Tony Stark and that was a feat in itself. No one else had a mind like the Doctor, the things Banner had done were simply amazing yet he still couldn't see it.

These thoughts frustrated Tony to no end. How could Bruce not see how truly magnificent he was? It had been the main reason he had approached the physicist, extended the hand of friendship and treated Banner the way he wanted to be treated. Like a normal fucking human being. So Tony had joked, he had poked and prodded, complimented and teased. Dripping sarcasm when it was needed and instilling faith where it was deserved. No one else on the team had believed Bruce would show, but Tony did. He had placed his trust in the man and it had been well earned when the Hulk had saved his arse from splattering on the pavement. Had he ever thanked Bruce for that? No probably not. Self-centred Tony again. To make it up to him, Tony had invited the man back to Stark Tower, wanting him to stay indefinitely but not wanting to push Bruce into a decision he clearly wasn't ready to make. That was fine with Tony, he was dropping the not so subtle hints for Banner to stay that the Doctor would simply laugh at and brush off as if they had never escaped his mouth in the first place.

It had been two months after the battle with the Chitauri and Banner was still residing in the Stark Tower. The two scientists would spend hours within the laboratory doing anything and everything they could think of. They looked for a cure for Bruce(although Tony was against this), they repaired old hot rods, they upgraded the Iron Man suit and even looked into the arc reactor technology. Tony had liked those days the best, he enjoyed seeing Bruce's face blush when the billionaire had lifted his shirt to show off the small reactor glowing within his chest. He had discovered that although Bruce had a small dry sense of humour, a sharp wit and a tongue that could keep up with the engineer, he was also incredibly bashful and a bit of a prude for Tony's liking. Pepper had told him that Bruce complimented him perfectly. Bless her, she was being so tolerant of this. Although it probably had something to do with the Doctor reminding Tony of more important dates and meetings he was suppose to attend knowing that going would make Pepper happy.

Over the months the two of them had grown closer, late nights in the laboratory or even simply sitting down and watching television together, they would talk. Normally about nothing, or work, or the latest in trends, but every now and then the subjects would turn more dark and they would venture into each other's pasts. Bruce had learnt that Tony was always inventing, always improving things because on some deep level he still wanted to make his father proud. He learnt that although appearing unflappable, Tony was rather disturbed and distraught about his time spent in Afghanistan and not to mention the terrible drinking problem he had. They had discussed that one over a bottle of scotch, Bruce had ended up putting him to bed that night muttering something along the lines of idiot, even though Tony had recognised the affection in his friend's tone. Tony had listened when Bruce told him about Betty, the love he had held for her and the despair he had felt when he left her with no clue as to where he was. He listened about the army and the running, the never ending running and the fear that laced Banner every second of the day. He had learnt about when things had gotten low and he had seen the depression in his friend's eyes and Tony didn't hesitate to pull Banner into a swift and brief embrace(it was totally a manly hug, lots of pats on the back and everything).

Tony Stark, after that night, had seen his friend in a new light. He didn't look down on Bruce, he didn't judge and he certainly didn't feel pity. No, Tony felt pride. He was happy that the Doctor had trusted him with such secrets and he was going to uphold that trust until the day he died. The day after that talk though something had changed in Bruce, he had seemed more distant and quiet, as if telling Tony those things had been a complete mistake. How could he not see that Tony would not abuse their friendship? Banner meant too much to him to simply throw that away, why would he destroy one of the healthiest relationships he ever had? Well not that healthy, he was a little obsessed but that was how the billionaire was, he always obsessed over things that were important to him. Especially his work, he had gone days without bathing and eating if he was really involved. Right now though, Stark watched the other man work, his chin resting in his hand as he leant on the table top having to push Dummy out of the way every now and then from his view. Stupid robot.

"You have no idea do you?" Tony spoke. Why did his voice seem so loud in the quiet laboratory? Why did it sound like he had broken a perfectly happy companionable silence? Oh that was right, he was Tony Stark, he was made to ruin moments.

"Excuse me?"

"You. Have. No. Idea."

"Speaking slower doesn't clear things up Tony."

"I'm serious."

"About what?"

"About you idiot!" Tony Stark stood, he pushed away from the table and his holo-screens to cross the room and perch himself up onto Banner's work bench. His deep brown eyes studied the physicist until he noticed the awkward blush climbing his friends features. "You have absolutely no idea how magnificent you are!"

"Aren't you in a relationship?" Bruce asked with a smirk trying to bring the conversation towards the more playful area. Tony was having none of that.

"And the world weeps because of that. Don't change the subject." Tony scolded as he picked up some of Bruce's notes and shuffled through them slightly his eyes skimming the messy writing. "You are brilliant, absolutely brilliant! You can't see it though and it annoys me to no end. I don't understand why you can't stop being so hard on yourself. I think you're amazing and I'm the most amazing guy in the world so obviously my opinion should be taken in high regard."

"What ever you say oh-amazing-one."

"Bruce." Tony reached out and grabbed his friend's sleeve, pulling him closer so Banner stood before his slouched form. Tony's hands moved to the other man's shoulders and he squeezed the muscles there very gently. "I'm serious, you're my friend and that's a really big deal for me. If you haven't noticed, if it wasn't for Pepper and Rhodey my only friends would be JARVIS and those two idiots over there." Tony indicated to the two robotic arms with the smallest nod of his head. "What I'm saying is lighten up, I think you're fantastic and it's about time you did too. Just slow down every once in awhile, take a deep breath and look at the amazing things you have done. It doesn't matter who other people think you are, I know who you are and I'm telling you that you're my friend, and I care about you."

"Tony..."

"I mean you saved me right? Best decision of your life!" There he went again, ruining the moment.

"Yeah well I can't control who the Other Guy likes."

"Ouch Bruce." Tony clutched his arc reactor. "That hurt, right here."

"That's not your heart Tony."

"Close enough. This would probably last longer than my heart so feel happy that you have a place in it." Tony chuckled as Bruce gave him a tentative smile before he joined in with the laughter.

"I'll try."

"You damn well better Brucey."