Protecting Me

Disclaimer:
As usual, I own nothing.

Rating:
T (for reasons already explained in chapter 1)

Genre:
Romance/Hurt/Comfort

Pairing(s):
[abusive]Stony (Steve/Tony)
Stanner (Bruce/Tony)

Lyrics Used:
Marion Raven "Here I Am"

Author's Note:
So, apparently people really seem to love this story which-as an author-makes me very happy! This chapter will essentially be the first chapter told, now, from Tony's perspective. As always, I hope you enjoy the story.

Here I Am

I'll protect you, don't be scared
No matter what I will be there
I'll be gentle, I'll be light
These are the words you whispered in the night

The day had started off normally enough. But, I could tell Steve was on edge all day. And, I knew why, too-I'm not an idiot, though, I think Steve is beginning to think so. I knew he was jealous of Bruce. He always had been-ever since day one. It didn't matter how many times I tried to reassure him that Bruce and I were just friends-best friends, sure, but nothing more-he was still convinced that I was cheating on him with Bruce. I knew he resented Bruce for helping me in the lab, this evening, but-really-who the hell else was gonna do it. God knows Steve can take care of himself on the battlefield, but, in the lab?...Well, he's worse than clueless. I think that may be another of his problems. Sometimes, I can't help feeling like he resents me for spending so much time in my lab. But, what am I supposed to do? It's who I am. It's what I do. I'm not just gonna give that all up because he's threatened or insecure about it. I've made it perfectly clear that he's more than welcome to join me down there-mostly on his insistence on the subject. I swear to God, I will never comprehend that man. I knew tonight was going to be a rough night when I made our way up to our room. Opening up the door, I could see Steve standing in the middle of the room, seething. Here we go. I groaned inwardly, knowing the tongue-lashing I was in for. But, I had no idea just how ugly things were going to get.

"What hell have you two been 'experimenting' with down in that God forsaken lab for so damn long, anyway?!" Already with the shouting. This is going to be a long, long night. "Steve, just relax, okay? Dr. Banner was just helping me with some modifications to my Iron Man suits. That's it! I swear!" I can't believe I'm still defending myself to Steve. What is it going to take to make him realize I'm not cheating on him?! I would never do that! Sure, I play the part of the playboy to the public, but, that's not who I am! I would never cheat on Steve-or anyone else, for that matter. Sometimes, I can't help wondering if Steve's insecurities don't stem from his being from the 40s. I mean, God knows same-sex relationships were beyond taboo. I don't know, maybe that's what's bothering him.

"Stop lying to me, you little whore!" Dear God, his shouts are getting louder. I have to do something to calm him down. Someone's going to overhear this, eventually. God, that's the last damn thing I need, right now. I don't even dare to think what that would do to Steve's already out of control anger. Luckily-and unluckily-for me, a sudden *smack* shakes me from my thoughts. As my head snaps to the side, I can't believe what's just happened. Sure, Steve had been being progressively harsher with me, lately. But...he's never raised a hand to me. Never. I looked back up at him with a shocked expression only to see him smile sadistically.

I can't believe it. I can't believe what I'm hearing. How can he say that?! How can he do that to me?! Who the hell is this man and what the hell did he do with the man that I fell in love with?! Because he sure as hell isn't the monster standing before me. I was so shocked, so blind-sided by it, that I was knocked off of my feet. I couldn't believe it. Sure, Steve's words had become increasingly harsher, lately. But, he'd never raised a hand to me. Not once. I tried to get back on my feet, only to be knocked down by a solid fist colliding with my face. Still in shock, I instinctively raised the back of my wrist to spot just below my eye where Steve's fist had collided with my face, before falling back to the floor. Now, Steve was downright scaring me. He crouched down over me, as if he were about to say something more, when the door behind me suddenly flew open. Steve rose to his feet and I turned my eyes to the source of the disturbance. It was Bruce. Oh God. No, not Bruce. Oh, God, please don't get him involved with this. Please. Not him.

"What the hell part of a locked door was unclear to you, doctor?" Steve is taunting Bruce. Of course I didn't miss the irony of that. I still remember the way Steve had reprimanded me for the same damn thing the first day we all met at S.H.I.E.L.D. Still, there were more important things to worry about. Like Bruce's safety. And, of course, all of our safety in the event that Steve provoked the Hulk-which, at this point, I wasn't discounting anything.

I couldn't help noticing the pained and concerned expression on Bruce's face when he looked at me. The pain in my chest at the sight of that look on Bruce's face wasn't something I could easily ignore. I hated that look on his face. I wasn't entirely sure what had put it there, but, I did know that I never wanted to see it there ever again. I ached for it. But, then his face took on a more determined look as he slowly turned back to Steve. "Oh gee, 'Cap'...I dunno." There was something different about Bruce's voice when he spoke. There was a distinct edge to it that I had never heard before. God, how I wished he would have just left it alone and never barged in in the first place. Who knows what he may have just unleashed? Both in himself and in Steve. I know Bruce. He would never forgive himself if he lost control and the Hulk accidentally hurt anyone. "Maybe it was the part where you gave Tony a black eye!" When he spoke again, he wasn't really speaking so much as...growling? "What the hell is your problem, anyway, Rogers?" Venom dripped from every word he spoke. Part of me was screaming at me to be afraid of this new side of Bruce, but, another part of me realized...His anger wasn't directed at me. He was actually...defending me? I couldn't help it. I was intrigued. I had to see where this was going.

In an instant, Steve was mere inches from Bruce's face and Bruce didn't even flinch. He just stood his ground as Steve spoke in a dangerously low voice. "Why don't you tell me, doc? How about you start with just what the hell you and my man spent all damn evening on down in that God forsaken lab of yours?!" I waited, almost on baited breath for Bruce's response.

"Why the hell should anyone have to defend 'your man' when he hasn't done one damn thing wrong?" Bruce fired back, defiantly. I was in awe. He was actually defending my honor. I could tell by the look on his face how outraged he was when Steve talked about me like some material possession-like he owned me. Terrifying though the thought of Bruce's temper may be, I couldn't help taking some comfort in the feeling that Bruce cared enough to step in and protect me. "What's the matter, Rogers?" He asked, raising a challenging eyebrow. "Insecure, much?"

I'm fairly certain that my heart actually stopped beating, momentarily when-if it was at all possible-Steve stepped even closer to Bruce and spoke in a venomous whisper. "You better watch your mouth, Dr. Banner. You wouldn't want it writing any checks that your ass can't cash, now would you?" Oh, dear God, no. Please, no.

"I'd be more worried about your own ass, if I were you, Rogers." I couldn't believe it. Bruce was actually threatening Steve. I had to do something. I couldn't let this thing get anymore out of hand. God only knows what might happen if it did. I tried to struggle back to my feet. But, I was so awestruck by the events of the night, that my legs wouldn't obey my screaming demands to stand up. Before I knew it, Steve reared back an arm and Bruce's face snapped to the side-much like mine had-with a loud *thump*. Oh God, no. I couldn't even think as I reached for Bruce. I just knew I had to see if her was okay.

"No-no-no. Oh God, no." I was pleading. I was pleading with both Steve-to stop tormenting Bruce (I would take the brunt of his anger if it meant keeping Bruce safe)-and to the Hulk-to leave Bruce alone. "Steve, just stop it, okay?" I was pleading with Steve to just stop all the madness before things got even further out of control. I slowly reached a tentative hand out towards his face to check on him when he gently dismissed my concerns. The small trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth broke my heart. I cursed myself for being so damn weak that I couldn't stop it. I couldn't protect my best friend. Maybe Steve was right. Maybe I really am worthless.

Gently dabbing at the blood on his mouth, Bruce looked directly into my eyes and spoke in a voice far more comforting than his previous tone. "I'm fine, Tony." I was momentarily floored. I couldn't believe how tenderly he was speaking to me after the way he had just spoke to Steve. "Don't worry." He reached out a tentative hand, but-after everything that had happened, tonight-I couldn't help it. I instinctively flinched away. I hated myself for it, though, when I saw the mildly hurt expression on Bruce's face. But, God love him, he still tried to comfort me with his words. "It's okay, I promise." I wanted to believe him. God, did I ever want to believe him.

As Bruce rose to his feet, I couldn't help it. I had to act. I had to stop Bruce from escalating this situation any further. I tentatively reached for him as I plead with him "Bruce, please. Just...just don't, okay? You don't have to get involved in this, I can handle it, okay? Please?" Bruce could tell I was pleading but I couldn't care, right now. I had to get the madness to stop. I was terrified of what else Steve might do to him. Or even worse, what those actions might do to affect the Hulk.

"I'd listen to the man, if I were you, doc." Damn it. Steve was still egging Bruce on. "Why don't you just get out of here while I'll still allow it?" He smirked, smugly.

"Please. Please, just...Just do what he says, Bruce." Bruce hated what I was reduced to. I could see it in his eyes. The pained, concerned expression was back. But, I couldn't stop. Not until I knew Bruce was safe. "Just...Forget you were ever here. Forget you ever saw this. Please."

It seemed Bruce had made up his mind, right then and there. "Fine. I'll be glad to leave." I mentally breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God. Maybe now, Steve will leave Bruce alone. But, that relief wouldn't last long. Bruce motioned to me before adding "But, I'm taking him with me.". Oh no...

I couldn't believe it when Steve actually fell silent for a moment. Is he actually considering this? What the hell's goin' on, here? I wondered, to myself. Then, Steve answered my question. "Now, why would I willingly just let you take something that belongs to me?" Well, if there was ever any doubt, before, Steve just cleared it right the hell up. I really was nothing more than a possession to him. I hated how weak I was and how it hurt me to know that.

Then, I noticed Bruce getting right into Steve's face-much like Steve had done, moments ago-as he spoke again. "Let me make this real clear to you, asswipe." His voice was dangerously low. I couldn't believe it. It was like I was seeing a whole new side of Bruce for the first time. Part of me kind of liked how safe I felt, knowing that Bruce was so passionate about defending me. "Either I can take him. Or..." He paused for a moment, closing his eyes. I was terrified when I saw the green tinge taking over his face. But, I was then dumbfounded when the transition just seemed to...stop, there. Then, Bruce opened his eyes and a different voice, much like that of the Hulk, spoke. "Or the Other Guy can take him." Then I breathed a sigh of relief when Bruce's skin and voice returned to normal as he spoke again-though, his voice was still venomous. "It's your choice, Rogers."

Apparently, that mini-morph was all the convincing Steve needed. "T-Take him." I noticed the way Bruce couldn't stop the small chuckle that bubbled forth at the ever so slight falter in Steve's voice. Steve let out a small cough and his voice returned to normal. "He's your problem, now, doc."

Bruce smiled triumphantly and as he turned back to me, his face softened as he crouched down and extended a hand to help me up. "Hey..." I was shocked at how tender and welcoming his voice was all of a sudden. It was like someone had flipped a switch. But, I liked this voice and this Bruce. He made me feel safe. Protected. That meant everything to me. "Come on, Tony. Don't worry. Everything's gonna be okay." As he continued to speak, his eyes stared straight into mine and I knew he was telling the truth. I believed him. After staring at the proffered hand for a moment longer, I finally reached out carefully and took it, rising to my feet. For the first time in a long time, I almost smiled. Almost. Bruce smiled at me, turning towards the door, wrapping a protective arm around my waist. Just as we passed through the threshold and left the room, Steve spoke again.

"Just so ya know, it's over you dirty little whore. You can have your little slut. I hope you're very happy together. 'Cause you just lost the best damn thing you will ever have!" I didn't really know what to think about that. Part of me was relieved that it was all over. Maybe he wouldn't hurt me, anymore, now. But, the thought of being alone terrified me.

Instead of responding to Steve, Bruce leaned into me whispering into my ear. "Don't listen to him, Tony. You don't have to take that from him. You never to take that crap from anyone anymore." That thought made me smile inside. I knew I'd never have to worry about this type of thing ever again, as long as I had Bruce in my life. But, Steve's next words cut right through me like a knife.

"No one's ever gonna love you, ya dirty little whore!" That hurt. But, before Steve could say anything else hurtful, Bruce quickly ushered me into his room and shut the door behind us. I made my way over to the bed and sat down. I didn't really know what to think about anything that had happened, tonight. I was glad to know that Bruce was on my side, but...I just couldn't shake Steve's last comment. What if he's right?