When Bruce first moved into Stark Tower, he wasn't really sure what to expect. Tony had promised him that he could spend as much time as he wanted in 'Candy Land,' and that he would have his own lab and any equipment he needed. The doctor had to admit, the offer was tempting.
But what he was worried about was the fact that he was moving into Tony and Pepper's home. He didn't want to intrude on their relationship and he was concerned that there would be situations that would make him feel like a spare part. And the worst fear was that watching the couple would only make him feel alone.
He had voiced some of these fears – he hadn't wanted the billionaire to know how lonely he could become – and Tony had shrugged it off saying that the tower would be big enough that he wouldn't be in the way, and that Pepper wouldn't mind at all.
And she hadn't. The kind hearted red head had welcomed him with open arms, offering whatever help she could. Bruce had a sneaking suspicion that Pepper liked him because she thought his subdued nature might calm down her erratic boyfriend – that said, she had never encountered the Other Guy.
The result wasn't quite what she had expected – Tony and Bruce seemed to bring out the worst in each other – but she wasn't going to complain when it was obvious that Tony was enjoying himself so much. He was like a little kid at Christmas with a new toy – and he finally had someone to appreciate it with. Bruce was someone who could keep up with his genius, and could actually bear to be around him for extended periods of time.
The strangest thing Bruce found out about his new residence was the view it gave him to Tony and Pepper's rather peculiar relationship. Someone unfamiliar with the pair might say that the relationship was just a fling and that they wouldn't be able to weather the storm, but Banner knew better.
He had been in his personal lab when JARVIS had interrupted him with an invitation to dinner with the couple. He had only been staying in the tower for a few days and was still getting used to the AI system, so the sudden voice made him jump. Trying to shake off the feeling that this was going to be the most awkward moment of his life, he made his way to the elevator and headed for the room JARVIS directed him to, hovering in the door way uncertainly for a moment before taking a deep breath and entering.
The lights were dimmed and he could see Pepper sitting at the dining table at one end of the room. Tony was nowhere in sight, so Bruce awkwardly took a seat with the red head. She smiled warmly at him.
"Tony ordered pizza. He tried convincing them to bring it up, but they have a policy about entering people's houses..." She shook her head with a fond smile. "Tony wasn't best pleased."
"I can imagine," Banner replied politely with a chuckle. It was so Tony.
"Well, it's a stupid policy," came Tony's exasperated voice from the door as the billionaire swept in balancing several pizza boxes with one hand. Bruce eyed the amount of food with trepidation.
"Who else is eating?"
"Maybe I just like pizza," Tony shot back at him, then smiled. "I tend to over order. Saves me cooking for the next few days. Me and cooking are not a good combination, are they Pep?"
The red head laughed, shaking her head and launched into tales of Tony almost burning down his Malibu home, as well as managing to set himself on fire. By the time Bruce fell into his bed that night, exhausted, he felt much more comfortable than he had before. Stark had never let the conversation become awkward or dull and Banner found that the billionaire had an uncanny knack for producing small talk.
Time passed, and Bruce found himself discovering more and more about his flatmates' dysfunctional relationship. It was obvious from the first minute that Tony adored Pepper. She was the only person who could walk into the billionaire's lab and distract his attention from whatever he was working on. No matter what he said, he always found time for her.
One night when the trio had been spending the evening watching a movie – something Pepper had chosen which held little to no interest to the doctor, but he joined them none the less if only to not be alone – and the couple were wrapped around each other on one of the sofas. Tony was always exceptionally gentle with the red head, fully aware of his muscles and strength, and so he held her carefully, her head lying against his arc reactor.
Bruce watched as without a word he lifted her chin so that he could kiss her. She blinked at him, but he made no comment and let her get back to watching the film. Banner had the distinct impression that he was kissing her simply because he could.
It was three months into their shared accommodation arrangements when Tony strolled into Banner's lab, pouting but with genuine sadness in his eyes.
"If you're going to tell me someone's died, I don't want to know," he said with a soft smile when the billionaire stayed silent. The attempt at humour fell short and Bruce frowned – this wasn't like Tony.
"It's Pepper." He said eventually, flopping down into one of the stools scattered about the room. Bruce pulled up a seat of his own and sat opposite the billionaire, putting on his 'listening face.' "She's angry at me."
"Why?" Banner frowned again; he found it unlikely that the red head could feel any genuine animosity towards the man she so clearly loved.
"I was fighting with Thor – just practise – and I got a little bit banged up. Nothing serious," he tacked on the end when he saw concern flash across the doctor's face. "But Pepper... She's determined that I'm going to get myself killed and that I should just give everything up now before I do irreparable damage to myself." Tony looked genuinely distraught, and Banner's heart bled for him. None of the others had this problem (except for maybe Thor, but he was a lot more durable than Tony, with or without his suit) but they all pitied the billionaire – and Pepper - for it.
"She's just worried about you Tony. She's not angry." He tried to comfort.
"That's just the problem!" Tony exploded, propelling himself to his feet and beginning to pace. "If she was mad, at least I could argue my side of it. But she's not. She's scared for me." His voice dropped back to desperation. "I would do anything to not hurt her anymore."
And Bruce had nothing to say. How do you respond to that? And so he just sat there without a word looking around for something – anything – he could use to cheer up his friend. Tony was looking to his for answers though, and with no inspiration forthcoming he scrambled for something to say.
"She understands why you do it Tony," he offered – it was the best he could do.
"So? It doesn't stop her worrying every time I walk out the front door. It doesn't guarantee that I'm always going to come back. What if I go out and don't come back? I can't do that to her." He was pulling at his hair and suddenly, he looked as though he hadn't slept in days. Knowing Tony, he probably hadn't. "She deserves someone better than me." With that, the billionaire made to leave. Bruce grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around and staring into his eyes, determined to make him understand the absurdity of that comment.
"Tony. You saved the world. You have risked your life countless times to protect innocent people. Hell, you accepted me into your house without any reason other than compassion. I have never met a better man than you." The intensity in his voice was clear, and after a second's deliberation the billionaire nodded once. "She loves you, Tony. Not anyone else. Never doubt that." He could see the red head in question lingering in the doorway over Tony's shoulder, watching the pair in silence.
"Thank you," the billionaire murmured softly before pulling away again. When he saw his girlfriend stood in the doorway he froze for a moment, looking uncertain.
She sighed softly, coming forwards to embrace him. She kissed him softly, whispering in his ear things that Bruce couldn't hear (though he had the feeling they were apologies). After a moment Pepper dragged him from the room, but not before shooting a deeply grateful look at the doctor. He smiled in acknowledgement, before turning back to his work on radioactive tracing.
For a while he pondered the couple he was living with. To anyone it was obvious that they were meant to be together – and it became clear very quickly that for all his reputation, Tony wasn't going to leave her anytime soon. And Pepper wasn't running. She hated the risks the billionaire took, but at the end of the day it didn't matter: she had the strength to stand by his side, but she could never build up the courage to walk away. So they would stay together.
And as one, they were stronger. It sounded cliché, even to the doctor, but it really was true. They shared their strengths and made up for one another's weaknesses: a team, in the truest sense of the word. Tony was rich (it was hardly a secret) but there was more to it than just money: he had Pepper and so no matter where they were or how bad the situation was, he had everything he wanted.
Bruce was often lonely, often longed to have his other half beside him, no matter how impossible it was. But watching his friends together, he realised that just by being around such perfect love he was blessed.
I'm not sure about this one. I strayed into bromance a bit (it was so tempting). This may be edited at a later date.
Slightly different style to the previous one. I hope it was still alright :)
