Author's Note: So please read, enjoy, and review! And hopefully I'll write some more to add to this one. (I have bipolar disorder 2, and sometimes I only write during mania).
Hi all! This is my first ever Tony x Bruce ficlet. I've never written either of them before. I only just got into The Avengers. My knowledge on the two of them is very limited at this stage. So hopefully it's not too bad. Below the cut is the first part of it. I'm not sure how long it will be, it's mostly just a oneshot. I'm hoping to write a series of ficlets. Basically, the plot is that Tony has added on a whole new floor with a room for Bruce to Hulk Out in. I've read this idea in many different fics, and it's one of my favourite headcanons.
Bruce had been living in Stark Tower for a few months now. He had never felt so welcomed and so at home as quickly as he had there. As soon as he climbed into Tony's sports car that day The Avengers saved Earth, and they drove off together, he knew things were finally going to be different; he knew he was going to find happiness.
Initially, whilst the welcoming had been warm, and his every need had been tended to by both Miss Potts, and J.A.R.V.I.S., Bruce did struggle to feel comfortable in Tony's home. Not because of Tony, or anybody else there, but because Bruce still did not trust himself after thirteen years. Thirteen years since his accident within the radiation lab, and he still didn't trust himself not to breach control in any situation. Sometimes, the slightest bang, or even Tony's loud music, could cause Bruce to become anxious and wary that The Other Guy might come out to play. But luckily, it never happened, and his panic attacks started to settle down.
Today, Bruce was working in the lab, as usual, on his latest Hulk experiment. No matter how hard he tried, he could not seem to produce the results that he wanted, despite having been absolutely certain that his particular methods were going to work this time. His patience was starting to wear thin, so he took a moment to sit down in his swivel chair, closing his eyes to breathe and calm his senses.
"No luck again, today, Brucie?"
Bruce jumped slightly, and opened his eyes to look at Tony. "No. Again." He tried to hide his frustration.
Tony leaned against a workbench and folded his arms across his chest. There was a small glint in his eye and Bruce only wondered what he was up to. He was familiar with that look, and it usually (always) meant trouble. Namely for him.
"You've got the look. You're doing the look, Tony. What is it?"
Tony mocked surprised. "What look? I'm innocent! Oh, I see. By 'look' you must mean how incredibly handsome I am." He flashed his best, full-of-himself smirk.
Bruce felt the tips of his ears go red at the comment, but ignored him. "I know you're up to something."
Tony pushed off the bench. "Come on; I've got something to show you."
Puzzled, but equally curious, Bruce followed his friend out of the laboratory where they then almost immediately stepped into an elevator. He watched as Tony punched in an entirely new number on the switchboard: level 36, and then had his face scanned for security, which was unusual. This was the new floor Tony had been building over the past month on the South Building where Bruce's lab and quarters were, and he wondered why it required security to reach it.
"You're showing me the new floor?" Bruce questioned.
Tony just smirked knowingly in response, and stepped out of the elevator as it dinged open. They stood in a lengthy hallway with minimalist decorating, and only one door, which was directly adjacent to them. Tony motioned for Bruce to open the door. What he came face to face with, was definitely the least he had been expecting.
Behind this door, was an enormous room, in both length and height, built quite like a warehouse. There were chains hanging from the ceiling, incredibly large barrels and crates piled together, and a few medium-sized trucks. A few marble statues could be found as Bruce scanned the room, as well as large piles of bricks and boulders. The walls were padded with soundproofing foam, and there were no windows to be seen. Bruce wandered around the warehouse for a few moments, taking it all in. And he was no fool.
"Tony..." He could feel his fists clenching.
"What do you think?!"
Bruce spun to glare at him. "Do you think this is funny? I'm not your pet. I don't need a playground." He could see the reflection of green in his irises flashing in Tony's.
"This is not a playground. I call it The Green Room."
"Built especially for me, huh?" Bruce was breathing heavily. He backed away just in case until there was 250ft or so between them.
Tony kept a steady, calm fixture on him. "The H - The Other Guy isn't your enemy. He saved your life. And I think you should be able to let him loose every once in a while. It's not healthy to keep in your anger."
"People have died because of my anger! I have destroyed CITIES because of. MY. ANGER!"
And that was it. The Other Guy took over completely. He roared and roared as his muscles began to grow and expand, his flesh becoming bright green, and his clothes tearing to shreds. He gained balance, and quickly whipped around to fixate a glare on Tony. The rage within him burned and boiled like the flames of Hell, and he wanted nothing more than to pick up the puny scientist and squash him like a bug.
"Hulk!" Tony bellowed. "I made this room for you! I made it so you can feel better! I made it so Bruce can have a break! Do you know who Bruce is?"
Hulk only hollered in response, frantically grasping a nearby crate and hurtling it in Tony's general direction. He jumped in the knick of time, and knelt down on his knees, holding his hands out in surrender. Hulk raised his fists, ready to pound him into the concrete floor, but felt his anger subside momentarily as the puny human shouted his name again.
"Hulk! I'm not the enemy! I made this room for you because I want you to feel happy! I want Bruce to feel happy!"
Hulk lowered his arms. "Hulk not pet. Bruce no want playground."
"I know..." Tony answered slowly. "This is so you can smash whenever you feel like it. So you can blow off steam."
"Not playground?"
"Not playground; Green Room. To smash. Whenever you want."
"Hulk smash now?"
"You go your hardest, big guy. I'll wait outside for Bruce, okay?"
Hulk grinned. "Hulk like Tony. Bruce also like Tony."
He then proceeded to turn around and begin demolishing the entire warehouse.
Tony exited The Green Room and took a seat on the floor outside. Why hasn't he thought to at least put a chair here? That was certainly stupid on his behalf. Now he would get a numb ass waiting for Bruce to finish his demolition time. It could be an hour before he -
Abruptly the door opened, and Bruce popped his head out sheepishly. "Um… I need some clothes…"
Tony grinned, and motioned toward the one thing he DID have built into this hallway. "Wardrobe right there, built into the wall. Just press on it. I'll keep my back turned; promise."
Bruce rolled his eyes before Tony stood and faced the direction opposite the wardrobe. He heard the smallest sound of the mechanics of the wardrobe in working, and then some rustles of clothing. He could hear material as it was being sashayed and pulled up Bruce's legs; the sound of a cotton shirt enveloping the scientists muscled arms and shoulders. Tony had to suck in a breath for a moment at the thought, his own personal feelings coming out a bit too much for his own comfort.
"Are you decent?" He cleared his throat.
Tony felt a hand tap him on the shoulder, and faced Bruce who had chosen a purple shirt (figures), and designer label jeans. He was smiling at Tony; that soft, gentle smile where his brown eyes always reminded Tony of a puppy. "Thank you." Bruce said, tenderly resting his hand on Tony's arm.
It was all he could do not to take Bruce's face in his hands right then and there and kiss the absolute life out of him, so Tony just motioned for Bruce to follow him as he stepped into the now open elevator. There was an awkward silence between them for a few moments, which was incredibly unheard of for Mr. Tony "Always Has the Last Word" Stark. He was truly battling with himself whether or not to make a move on Bruce. Not because he didn't think Bruce was attracted to him; hell, who wasn't attracted to Tony? It was more that he wasn't sure if Bruce was romantically interested. Sure, they bonded over science a lot, and Bruce seemed to put up with his self-absorbed, douche-baggery, but that didn't necessarily mean he was interested.
"Uh, Tony?" Bruce shook him. "The elevator. We're on my floor… You coming?"
Tony shook his head clear and looked at Bruce who had pressed the "keep open" button on the elevator so he was able to stand in the opening. He was staring at Tony with a puzzled, yet quite honestly, adorable look on his face.
Fuck it. "Go on a date with me."
Bruce went bright red. "W-what?" He stammered.
"Tonight. Let me take you out for dinner. Anywhere you want."
Tony watched as the scientist considered this for several moments, wringing his hands together, and avoiding eye contact. Tony was sure he had blown it given the body language he was receiving. Argh, he should have asked much more romantically, or at the very least in a subtler fashion instead of freaking poor Bruce out and putting him on the spot.
"You know what? Forget I even asked. I was being stupid. Ignore me." Tony said quickly.
Bruce's head snapped up. "What? No! Tony I… I just haven't been on a date for… Thirteen years…"
"So… Is that a yes?"
"Just promise me that we can go somewhere quiet, okay? Too much stimulus can be… Not good."
"Anywhere you want, Bruce. I swear. I wanna do this right. For you."
Bruce blushed again and seemed to hesitate, before stepped forward and pressing a shy kiss onto Tony's cheek. Then he backed out of the elevator slowly, grinning at Tony, the redness still present in his cheeks. As he turned to head in the direction of his quarters, Tony saw a slight spring in Bruce's step and he too grinned to himself. And now, he had some preparing to do for his date tonight with none other than Bruce Banner.