Protecting Me Chapter 11: Love Into the Light, an avengers fanfic

Protecting Me

Disclaimer:
As always, I own nothing.

Rating:
M (for references to domestic violence)

Genre:
Romance/Hurt/Comfort

Pairing(s):
(past) [abusive] SuperHusbands (Steve Rogers/Tony Stark)
ScienceHusbands (Bruce Banner/Tony Stark)

Lyrics Used:
Ke$ha "Love Into the Light"

Author's Note:
FINALLY! Here it is! The conclusion to my two previous cliff-hangers! I know! I know! You've all waited a long time for this chapter (or at least, I'm sure it's felt like it). And, here it is! I swear to try to not disappoint! Also, just to be clear, this chapter is from Bruce's POV.

Love Into the Light

Maybe it's about the time | To let all of the love back into life | Maybe it's about the perfect place | To let go and forget about the hate | Love into the light

Finally, he found the nerve to speak, again. "And, I've come to a decision..." Here we go...The moment of truth...I thought to myself as I waited for Tony to elaborate.

I found myself waiting on bated breath as I waited for Tony to tell me what decision he'd come to. All of this waiting was torture, but, I could tell Tony was searching his mind for just the right words. So, that at least told me that it would either be very good news or very very bad. Either way, I had to know what it was. So, I just remained silent-waiting as patiently as I could.

"I'm in love with you." When Tony finally spoke again, he was staring straight into my eyes-I knew he was sure of himself. I didn't doubt him-not for a moment. I was just utterly shocked by the admission. I couldn't believe I was finally hearing the very words I had been dying to hear ever since the day Tony and I first met. It honestly felt like I was in the dreams that I would always wake up from far too soon for my liking. Only, this wasn't a dream. This was real. Tony was really standing here, before me, telling me he's in love with me. I'm finally pulled from my thoughts as I register Tony moving closer, sitting next to me on the bed, before calling out to me. "Bruce? Bruce, is everything okay?" His voice was so meek and timid-afraid he'd said the wrong thing. I couldn't take it, any more.

Finally, I found my voice. "Yes." I breathed, working up the nerve to speak again. Reaching out to the man before me, I gently cupped his face, stroking his cheek, before speaking "Everything's perfect." I smiled as I moved in closer to him. As I settled in-replacing my hand on his cheek-I smiled when I felt him lean into the touch. "Tony, I love you, too. So much."

Looking into his soft brown eyes, I watched as his smile spread across his entire face. In that moment I felt a surge of warmth spread through every one of my veins. I knew, then, that I would always do whatever it took to see that smile take over Tony's face. After staring into his eyes for another moment, my hand slid from his face as the other reached out and pulled him into another kiss.

The kiss was soft and tender as I tried to pour forth all the emotions I'd held back for far too long. Pressing myself as close to him as possible, my hands slid around Tony's waist-effectively pulling him up on to my lap as I pulled him closer-one hand finding its way upward, curling into Tony's hair as the other settled on the small of his back.

I was definitely surprised when I felt Tony's tongue glide across my lower lip-seeking entrance. Finally. I knew, in that moment, that the old Tony was back. This was the Tony Stark I had fallen in love with. This was the true Tony Stark. Upon realizing this, I happily opened my mouth, allowing his tongue to slide in-quickly gaining dominance. The feel of Tony's fingers carding through my hair sent small tremors spreading through my entire body-every nerve screaming out for those fingers to caress every inch of exposed skin on my body.

Evidently sensing my tremors, Tony pulled away-a slightly worried look on his face-as he whispered. "You're shaking?" His voice reflected the concern in his rich brown eyes.

Freeing the hand from his hair, I gently caressed his cheek before replying, just as quietly, "It's okay. It's nothing for you to worry about. I'm just so happy to be here..." I paused to press a chaste, gentle, kiss to his lips. "In this moment..." Another kiss. "With you." Another kiss. "I love you more than anything...You know that, don't you?"

His smile reached all the way up to his eyes, yet again, as he simply nodded before our lips crashed together once more. I felt my eyes slide closed as my mind shut down and I lost myself in the kiss. Tony's hands explored every inch of my body-eagerly pulling me in closer. The next thing I knew, he had moved to straddle me between his legs. That brought me back to my thoughts. Again-I wanted this more than almost anything. But, the one thing I did not want was to rush Tony-to make him feel like he had any expectations to live up to.

"Tony?" I breathed, between kisses. The only answer I received, however, was Tony's hand sliding up underneath my shirt. So, I tried again, a little more forcefully as I placed a hand to his chest. "Tony."

Finally, he pulled back, slightly. His eyes were curious as he replied "Yeah, Bruce?" He asked, slightly out of breath from our previous activities.

"I just...I don't want you to feel like you have to live up to any...I don't know...Expectations?" I replied, unsure of how to word it. "We can take this slow, if you would rather. I just don't want you to feel any sort of...pressure." I hoped this would convey the message I wanted to get across.

Looking into his eyes, it looked like it had. Pressing a gentle kiss to my lips, Tony just smiled, as he replied. "Thank you, Bruce." I felt a calloused hand stroking my cheek as he added "I love you so much."

Catching the hand on my cheek I just returned his smile as I replied. "I love you, too, Tony." I released Tony's hand as we both moved into a sitting position before I took Tony's hand in mine as I looked straight into his eyes. "I love you more than anything in the world. I have loved you ever since the moment I first met you and you mean everything to me. That's why I want to make sure I get this right. I just want to make you happy, Tony."

Tony just smiled at that as he gently squeezed my hand. "You do, Bruce. You make me the happiest man alive, every day. Every little thing you do for me makes me happy. You've always been there for me-every time I was down, you were there to pick me back up, again. You've always been by my side-even when I haven't made it easy. Every little thing you do for me makes me fall in love with you all over again, Bruce. That's why I want to get this right, too."

Pressing my lips to Tony's in a final, chaste kiss, I spoke softly. "It's getting late. Why don't we turn in?" I asked, invitingly, as I gestured for Tony to stay with me, tonight. The spreading warmth returning as I saw the broad smile taking over Tony's face.

"Sure." He replied, sliding off the the opposite end of the bed. I couldn't resist watching as Tony pulled his shirt off, revealing a strong, muscular chest and his reactor glowing warmly. My eyes traveled downward as Tony made to remove his pants. My eyes were mesmerized by the sight toned, muscular legs and thighs. Suddenly, I registered the sound of Tony's voice speaking to me, again. "Bruce?...Bruce?"

Suddenly snapping back to reality, I replied with the first words to come to mind. "I'm-I'm sorry. What?" Way to be smooth, Banner. I scolded myself, mentally, for sounding so pathetic.

"I was just asking if you were okay." Tony replied, now clad only in his boxers, as he climbed back into bed next to me. "You looked like you were kinda spacing out, a little bit?" He asked, slightly concerned.

Shaking my head, a bit, to clear my thoughts as I spoke again. "Oh. No, it was nothing. I'm fine." Looking back over to Tony, I could tell he wasn't buying it. "Okay, I...maaay have been...a little...distracted by your beautiful body." I tried to smile confidently to cover my awkward confession.

Tony, however seemed completely unfazed by it as he only grinned, proudly before leaning over to whisper in my ear. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the show."

I knew I was blushing when I felt the heat spreading across my face as I slowly pulled away, climbing out of the bed to get ready for bed. Pulling my shirt over my head, I couldn't stop the smirk taking over my face as I noticed Tony completely entranced, watching as I undressed. Pulling off my pants, I slid back into bed, next to Tony as I leaned in close and whispered in his ear "Enjoying the show?" I asked, cheekily, with a gentle nip on his earlobe.

Tony turned an even deeper shade of red than his famous Ironman suits. "Y-yeah." He replied, sheepishly. His shy smile has to be one of the most irresistible sights I've ever seen. I couldn't help leaning over and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before pulling him close and lying back with him as I pulled the covers up over us. Finally settling into a comfortable position, I wrapped an arm around Tony's waist and pressed his back to my chest.

Nuzzling into Tony's neck, I whispered "Good night, Tony. I love you."

Just as I was about to drift off, I heard a soft, contented, sigh and Tony's soft warm voice. "G'night, Bruce. I love you, too."