AN: Based upon the amazing art of Brilcrist on DeviantArt - post/29599657839/brilcrist-here-have-some-fluffy-comforting
I saw those panels, and I couldn't let it go!
What the Dark Lord Knows Not
Deep silence, the aftermath of battle (and something even more profound) reigned in the bedroom.
A smooth cultured voice announced the time and weather before it was cut off by a groping hand.
Tony Stark was awake, and trying to piece the last 24 hours together.
JARVIS. The voice was JARVIS.
Which means they made it back to the Tower or Malibu.
He was hoping it's Malibu.
"nggg"
A tiny sound. But it was enough to draw Tony's attention to the warmth beside him.
"Hey." Not the most elaborate greeting, but it got the job done.
Bruce. His Bruce. Battered. Beaten. Bruised. Broken.
"To – ny?"
Beloved.
"It's alright Bruce..." A kiss on the forehead, to steady, to ground the injured man. "Big Guy..." Tony loved to call him that; it was his way of saying that he loved all of Bruce, from his calm, compassionate physician, to his brilliant scientist, to his raging green id.
"It's ok now." Tony whispered reassurance, their foreheads touching, his hand resting on Bruce's cheek, fingers laced through the tangles of Bruce's hair.
"Just go back to sleep." Tony locked eyes with his friend, never looking away. All his compassion, all his understanding, all his tenderness: in sum, all his love in a look, gifted in a way that even a small child could comprehend and believe. He watched as Bruce's eyes flickered shut, trusting.
Bruce's exhausted reply said it all: "T – Thanks" as he slipped into a dreamless sleep.
So Tony watched. Guarded. Thought.
Neither man could ever be certain that Bruce would remember everything everytime once recovered from a "Hulk-out". It varied. Sometimes, his memories would return in a rush, sound-scent-color, a pinwheel of emotions, all swirled, before resolving into coherence. Sometimes, it was more like a PTSD flashback, a simple traffic noise or a common phrase as trigger, to bring it all back again. And sometimes, there would be nothing at all, a drunkard's blank, and Bruce would be forced to sit like a scolded toddler while Tony would walk him through a blow-by-blow (and he knew, he knew, that Tony always made light - "Big Guy, that building was an eyesore! The City should've condemned it years ago, you were only saving the Mayor money, he'll thank you, trust me..."). But for some reason, Bruce really wanted to remember yesterday. Something important had happened, something that put a yearning glint in Tony's eyes. Something he needed to remember, because whatever it was, it happened to Tony, and now? Now, where there had been a wall, a reserve, hiding the inner Tony Stark, now there was no barrier between them. Tony had always been his friend, but now he was something more, more open, no, completely open, no secrets.
Only love.
Yeah, Dr. Bruce Banner needed to remember. And fast.
A/N – I have more to tell you all, since I know how they wound up as they did, but it's complicated.
Reviews are gratefully accepted.
