A/N: Hey look, an Avengers fan fic from me that isn't about Thor and/or Loki.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Avengers.
You Can Count On It
After the Avengers said their goodbyes, Bruce was sure Natasha was going to approach him and place him under the custody of S.H.I.E.L.D. After all, recent events had proved he was a major threat to the overall safety of the world, hadn't they?
So he was shocked when Natasha approached him with his bag, holding it out to him, with a small smile on her face.
"You're letting me go?" Bruce asked.
Natasha gave him a puzzled look. "Doctor Banner-"
"Bruce."
"Bruce. S.H.I.E.L.D. and the world owe you a great debt. Director Fury thinks you're entitled to your freedom, as do I."
Bruce took his bag, offering his own smile. "Thank you, Agent Romanoff."
"Natasha." She said.
"Thank you, Natasha."
"We will be keeping an eye on you, keeping any interested parties off your trail, but we'll keep our distance, like always."
"Fair enough."
Natasha returned to Clint, who gave Bruce a single short wave, and when Bruce turned, he found Steve standing in front of him, with an outstretched hand.
Bruce shook it.
"Doctor Banner-"
"Bruce."
"Bruce, it was a pleasure working with you, and I hope we cross paths again sometime." Steve said earnestly.
"And… the other guy?"
"The same applies to him. We couldn't have done this without either of you." Steve replied.
Bruce's lips twitched, but didn't quite form a smile. "Likewise, on both accounts Captain Rogers."
"Steve." Steve said, giving Bruce's hand one more shake before going to his motorcycle, and immediately Bruce was roughly clasped on the shoulder by Tony, who steered him towards his car.
"Got everything set up. Private jet that'll take you wherever you want to go, I'll go with you as far as your destination, unless you want to take up that offer I made you about Stark Tower, which admittedly needs a little work, but-"
"I'll take the jet." Brace interrupted as he sat down in the passenger seat.
"You got it." Tony replied, starting the car. "Just name where you wanna go."
"I think I'd like to go back to Calcutta."
"You got it."
The flight to India was without incident. Tony had a couple drinks, but not enough to get drunk, and he didn't ask the stewardesses to dance, partly because he was all too aware Pepper would kill him if she found out, and instead the time was spent discussing theoretical physics.
After the plane landed, Tony disembarked with Bruce to see him off.
"It's been a pleasure Bruce." Tony said, shaking Bruce's hand. "We made a good team."
Bruce didn't fail to take note of the fact that Tony addressed him by his first name, and not his last name like the others had.
"By the way, I've got to thank the big guy for saving me. I owe him one."
Bruce shrugged. "I honestly don't know why the other guy saved you."
"Maybe he's more aware of your thoughts than you think." Tony suggested, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Another nice sentiment."
"Yeah, it seems like everyone's been having a lot of those the last few days." Tony replied.
"Well, so long Tony." Bruce turned and started to walk away.
"Hey." Tony said, stopping him. "If something happens again, I'm sure Fury'll call us all in again, and if that does happen, you think you might come back and join the team effort again?"
Bruce paused for a moment, before he smiled. "You can count on it. Who knows, maybe I'll even suit up with the rest of you."
The smile that Tony gave Bruce was one of the most genuine and biggest smiles Bruce had ever seen.
End
A/N: Actually way shorter than I meant it to be. Sorry about that.