Tony is persistent. Bruce will give him that.

Italics is Tony speaking with Bruce.

Bold is Bruce speaking with Tony.

"Speaking aloud,"

'emphasis or anything else,'

Bruce. You said I should learn self-defense right? What do you think I should learn first? I mean, I've gone a few rounds with Happy and I'm no slouch in the fitness department but without the armor, I'm a sitting duck.

Earnestness and playing to Bruce's protective instincts will likely get him what he wants even if he had to drag Bruce out himself. There's a thought. If Bruce could push him aside couldn't he shove Bruce forward?

You have more than enough money to hire a professional, pick a fighting style and go with it.

He was as curt as ever. He didn't even say what kind of style would best suit Tony like he was expecting. This was going to be harder than he thought.

Alright, does that mean you're going to teach me?

Whom, after all, was a professional of the highest degree, you're not getting away Bruce. Slight distaste filtered through their shared space,

You need two physical bodies to truly learn a fighting craft.

Bruce had a point, it was hard to learn how to fight someone if there was no one to try it on.

Then I'll just bring in sparring opponents and you can show me how to fight them.

To start with Tony'd use Rhodey and Happy and maybe borrow one of Fury's agents to beat up.

Please Bruce, what better way to learn heroing other than by an actual hero?

Using the 'Hero' card when the man disliked it so was a chancy wager, but Tony had to try.

You said it before, that you have experience, don't you think I'll learn far more when you show me moves with my own body? It'll be like accelerated learning!

C'mon c'mon... Bruce was just lingering there, probably frowning and working up to dismissing him.

We are Iron Man now. So both of us need practice in using and not using my, our body.

Was that too much? Bruce still hadn't accepted the Iron Man role. Tony was nothing if not determined. Time to add incentive.

We both know you're just going to jump in if it looks like I'm going to die, might as well make sure doing so would be super hard to do.

Bruce had already done it a few times. In fact, the first time wasn't even life-threatening, he took over when Tony nearly lost a few fingers if not his hand. Bruce's essence unfurled giving off a less closed off feel, there it is, that sigh. Tony marked it as his giving up sigh.

Fine.

Jumping at the opening Tony made his way to his work out room, as he stood on some mats he almost vibrated with anticipation.

Show me.