So a new chapter and it wasn't a year. I know you are dying of shock. Anyway, let me know what you think.

I don't own the avengers or the characters. So, don't sue me.

Also trigger warnings: allusions to noncon and weird age difference relationship, PTSD, Panic attack, torture sort of and maybe other things, just be warned!

~tonyandbruce~tonyandbruce~tonyandbruce~tonyandbruce~tonyandbruce~tonyandbruce~

Tony woke the next day with Bruce sitting up next to him, frowning. "What's wrong?"

"You had nightmares all night. The stuff you were saying..." Bruce shook his head ans his eyes flashed green, before returning to normal as he took a deep breath.

"What, um what was I saying?" Tony asked hesitantly, pulling the covers up higher, attempting to hide as much as possible.

"Do you remember what you were dreaming about?" Bruce avoided the question by asking one of his own.

Not meeting Bruce's eyes, Tony got out of bed and went to get clothes for the day. "Yes. I always remember."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I don't know. Maybe, but I don't think I can. Sorry I kept you up. It's because of last night which I know is what you're thinking, but I don't regret trying and I want to continue trying. Nightmares are going to happen, but you're worth it and I really want to be enough for you."

"Tony!" Bruce growled in frustration, a Bruce growl, not a Hulk growl. "Stop saying that! You are more than enough for me. Our relationship has been the best I've ever had, can't you see that? Can't you see how happy I am with you?"

"Better than with Betty?" Tony whispered quietly.

Bruce paused. "Before the Hulk came, life with Betty was magical, but the sum of a relationship is how it holds up against hardships. As much as she tried, Betty could not handle the Hulk and her father wants to torture me, so my relationship with her was a complete failure. Me and you ,Tony, our relationship has had ups and downs, granted not as large as the Hulk, but we've gotten through them and been better for it. Our relationship is here to last. I mean, that's how I feel. D-don't you think so?"

"I do. It's the best for me as well, but I've had crap relationships for a long time, so I wasn't sure if you felt the same way." Tony made his way back over to the bed and sat on the edge nest to Bruce, their thighs touching. Bruce smiled a little.

"Well you had Pepper, right?"

"I'm not really sure I ever had Pepper. She was always working and so was I. We never had these type of conversations. We had a relationship which was deeper than my one night stands, but it wasn't deep enough to be a real relationship. I don't think I told you, but she's dating Rhodey now. I think that's probably what should have happened to begin with. I know they were there for each other a lot when I was kidnapped and then when I was dying and shutting them out. I don't know. I'm not sure I ever loved her. I loved the concept of her because she tolerated me and I don't know. Sometimes I think I did, but I just don't know."

"You did. I'm sure you did. I think you're just trying to save yourself from the hurt of her leaving." Bruce realized they were both speaking quietly. It was strange since they were alone, but he didn't want to break the moment so he continued the quiet conversation. "Tell me about the other people you've dated."

Tony grimaced, but complied. "Pepper, a bunch of girls whose names I don't remember, and-and Obie."

Bruce's eyes snapped up. "O-Obie? Obadiah Stane?"

"Y-yes."

What?!" Bruce's voice was louder now. "The guy who tried to have you killed?"

"Well, we broke up like six months before all that." Tony's voice was getting even smaller as he sat on the bed while Bruce stood up and threw his hands in the air.

"That's still-Jesus Christ!" Bruce stormed out of the room, but came back quickly. "I'll be back. Just- I need a minute."

Tony nodded, but as soon as he left he ran and locked himself inside the bathroom and turned on the shower. He didn't get in, but sat against the door and tried to stave off an immanent panic attack.

"Sir?" Tony looked at the ceiling, but didn't answer JARVIS's inquiry. "Take your pills sir. It will help." Tony shook his head, but his breathing was getting worse and his head was swimming. "Please sir. Take them." A glass of water and the pills popped out of a compartment in the vanity. Tony crawled over and took them. Tears were streaming down his face, but eventually his breathing calmed down.

"Thanks JARVIS." Tony whispered. "Did Bruce leave?"

"No sir. He calmed down in the Hulk room and he's on his way back."

"He didn't leave?"

"No, sir."

"Tony? Where are you?" Bruce's voice floated through the door and Tony shot up, wobbling unsteadily.

"In here " Tony called, but his voice was still quiet as if he couldn't make it loud again. Wiping his eyes frantically, he quickly undressed and unlocked the door. Then he jumped in the shower as if he'd been there the whole time.

"Can I come in?" Bruce called from right outside the door.

Making sure the shower curtain was covering him completely, he shoved shampoo into his hair and all over his body, wincing as it went in his eyes. "Sure."

All the effort Tony had made to make it seem as if he had been showering and not panicking was a wasted effort. When he saw Bruce, he started sobbing. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I thought you weren't coming back."

Bruce started towards him his eyes crinkling in worry. "No. No. Wait I'm not dressed. Hold on. I can't. You have to leave and I'll come out and then I'll be dressed and then it's okay because I'll have clothes and..." Tony knew he was rambling, but he couldn't stop and he couldn't stop crying and he really needed Bruce to leave now. "and then it'll be safe because if I have clothes on people can't hurt me. Except they always take them off and then it's not safe, but I won't let them anymore because I'm stronger now and they can't, but you have to leave because I'm not safe and please leave. I just need clothes. I just need my clothes and then I'll be okay. Please please Bruce I promise I'll be good. I can't.. I can't breathe. Oh God. Don't put me in the water again. Can't... I can't-" The words stopped, replaced by incoherent mumbling and sobs as Tony collapsed in the shower and curled into a ball.

Bruce had started to back out of the bathroom so Tony could get dressed, but when he fell, the doctor went into action immediately. Bruce grabbed a giant towel and shut off the shower. He pulled the curtain back and ignored the way Tony curled tighter on himself and sobbed louder. He wrapped him in the towel completely, making sure only his face was showing so he was comfortable, then picked him up and carried him to the bed. Now knowing Tony would not be comfortable unless he was dressed, he dressed him quickly and efficiently while addressing JARVIS. "Where are his pills JARVIS?"

"He's already taken them doctor."

"He had an episode while I was gone?" Bruce asked in concern as he pulled covers over Tony and then got under them as well.

"I am unfortunately not at liberty to divulge that information." JARVIS sounded as if he actually regretted that.

"Since when?"

"It was one of the things Mr. Stark changed when he brought me back Dr. Banner."

Bruce took a deep breath to keep his composure. "Alright, but he had the medicine which means he had an episode because I left and now he's had another one and he can't have any more medicine right now. Has he ever come out of it on his own before?"

"Rarely but yes."

Bruce felt a hand grab his jacket and shake it slightly. He glanced over and saw Tony looking at him fearfully. He opened his arm and Tony snuggled against him. Bruce tightened his hold around him protectively. "Sorry M'bad. Be good. Don't leave." His voice was muffled and sounded incredibly young, but Bruce got the point and found himself crying.

"Shhhh. You're not bad. I'm not going anywhere. It's okay. Everything's okay." He continued to murmur whatever comforting words he could think of into Tony's hair until Tony fell asleep, although he was still shaking even in this slumber. He continued to hold him, but addressed JARVIS now. "JARVIS. Turn off the lights and tell everyone not to bother us. Make an excuse, cancel all of his appointments and no phone calls. Let's let him sleep as long as possible."

"Already done Dr. Banner."

Bruce smiled a strained tired smile. "Of course it is."