Title: After the War

Characters/Pairings: Bruce Banner / Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Nick Fury, Steve Rogers, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, Thor and others.

Summary: In the aftermath of the attack on New York, Tony finds himself with an unexpected house guest.

Warnings: MxM pairing, angst, violence, swearing, smut.

Rating: 15 / T

Chapter 11

Bruce slumped against the cold concrete wall and slid down it until he was on his knees wrestling against the creature trying to escape from inside of him; his fingers scrabbled at the tiled floor as his whole body jerked and thrashed as "The Other Guy" tried to break free.

Despite his injuries, and the danger of the situation, Tony tossed the crutches to one side and eased himself onto the floor beside Bruce, ignoring the immense pain that tore through his ruined leg which buckled under the weight of his body. 'Steve get these people out of here.' Tony said jutting his head in the direction of the very alarmed looking medical staff. 'Hurry!' he shouted when he saw Steve glance hesitantly at them and then Bruce who was now pounding at the floor with clenched fists.

Steve snapped into action, taking the doctor and the nurse by the elbow and steering them toward the door. 'You need to get out of here too.' he said glancing over his shoulder to Tony, but he knew his words would fall on deaf ears – Tony wouldn't leave his friend.

'Just go!' Tony shouted irritably. 'And get this place on standby to evacuate, I might not be able to stop this.'

Steve opened his mouth to argue, to remind Tony that trying to stop the Hulk was the reason he was in hospital in the first place but he didn't say anything – Tony knew this already and was still prepared to try; the man was braver than Steve gave him credit for. Brave or stupid.

When the room was finally clear Tony returned his attention to Bruce. 'Listen to me, you have to calm down – focus on me.' he said taking one of Bruce's fists, uncurling his fingers and slipping his own through them; he wrapped his other arm around Bruce's heaving shoulders and rested his cheek against his. 'It's just you and me.' he whispered calmly. 'I'm your friend, I'm no threat to you.'

'Tony -' Bruce managed to croak, clasping his hand tightly. 'Get away from me. You have to get away.'

Tony squeezed Bruce's hand and held him firmly despite his thrashing. 'I'm not going anywhere.' he said gently stroking away the tears that ran down Bruce's face. 'The Hulk can do as he likes, he can hurt me all he wants but I'm not leaving you. You're my friend, my best friend my only real friend.' he said pulling him into a tight hug.

Bruce buried his face in Tony's neck and breathed him in trying desperately to control the beast. 'Please you'll get hurt.' he cried. 'Get away from me Tony.' he begged feeling himself start to slip away and the Hulk take over; he drew back and his eyes ran over Tony's face which still bore the cuts and bruises from the last time the Hulk had got lose – he couldn't beat the thought of it happening again and knew this time without the Iron Man suit to buffer the Hulk's onslaught Tony was sure to be killed.

'It's okay.' Tony told him hiding every trace of fear from his voice. 'Everything is going to be okay … we're not going to let him win.' he breathed, edging closer to Bruce who had backed away from him. Tony swept back his fringe and then stroked the palm of his hand down Bruce's face. 'You are stronger than him, I know you are.' he said his lips pressing against his. Tony drew back and saw a flash of Bruce's warm brown eyes behind the green ones of the Hulk. 'Come back to me Banner, take control.' he said their lips meeting in another clumsy kiss. Tony felt Bruce's body tighten with fear but he did not pull away.

Kiss followed hesitant kiss and gradually Tony felt Bruce relax into him until the kisses became seamless. Tony slid the palm of his hand down Bruce's cheek cupping his face gently, his thumb brushing over the stubbly skin as the kiss deepened.

Bruce pressed his mouth harder against Tony's finding strength in him to push back the Hulk; his fingers delved into the thick dark locks of hair at the back of his head; this was finally happening and for real and he wanted to savour every moment of it. Bruce let out a small involuntary moan as Tony's tongue eased into his willing mouth and slid over his own.

As they drew apart for air Tony rested his forehead against Bruce's. 'You did it.' he whispered smiling when he saw the final remnants of green drain from Bruce's eyes and his heart swelled – they'd done it! Together they'd stopped the Hulk from escaping! Tony's eyes darted over Bruce's face and he noticed his friend did not share in his delight – Bruce just looked utterly devastated.

'I'm a monster.' Bruce whispered his shoulders sagging as his breathing slowly calmed; how could Tony ever want him knowing what he was, knowing what he was capable of.

'You are not a monster.' Tony said taking Bruce by the shoulders and forcing him to look at him. 'You are a brilliant man, the best man I know and I won't have you believing anything else.' he said almost sternly. 'You need to start believing me, believing in yourself.'

Bruce looked up at Tony through his tear-filled eyes and shook his head, when things like this happened how could he believe that? If they hadn't managed to stop the Hulk escaping who knows what would have happened; this time they might not have been so lucky – people could have been killed because of him.

Tony wrapped his arms around Bruce and pulled him close. 'You are not a monster.' he implored, desperate for Bruce to believe him. Tony pressed a kiss to the outer shell of Bruce's ear. 'You are not a monster.' he repeated prepared to keep on saying it until Bruce believed him.

Bruce laid his hand over the arc reactor glowing brightly in Tony's chest and closed his eyes briefly – he knew he couldn't let this happen no matter how much he wanted it, it was too selfish because Tony would only get hurt or worse killed because of it. 'Thank you for stopping him.' he said turning away as Tony tried to kiss him again; he climbed up off the floor and looked down at his friend. 'But you shouldn't have come near me. The Hulk is not your friend, so don't for one second think he wouldn't kill you.'

Tony stared up at Bruce and could see how serious he was; he nodded his head quickly – he had to remember that even though the Hulk had saved him when he'd fallen back through the wormhole that didn't make him an ally. Tony swallowed hard, he wanted to talk about what had just happened but he didn't know how and now Bruce wouldn't even look him in the eye.

Tony's eyes darted over to the door as Steve entered. 'It's okay.' he smiled reassuringly at Steve who was looking at Bruce in confusion.

Steve closed his eyes briefly and breathed a sigh of relief.

Tony noticed that Bruce kept his distance whilst he was taken back to his room attended by Steve and several hospital staff and that he waited outside the room whilst they helped him back into bed and checked him over. Tony sighed heavily and glanced up at Steve once they were alone in the room. 'He's taking this very badly.'

Steve sat down in the chair beside the bed. 'He should be pleased that he held the Hulk back.' he said not understanding Bruce's depression. 'What happened Tony?' he asked.

Tony shrugged his shoulders. 'I talked to him.' he said simply, not letting on what else had happened between them. 'I just guess I got through to Bruce and he managed to fight back.' he added.

Steve just nodded; he ran his fingers through his short blond hair and he sank back against the back of the chair. 'So what happens now?' he said exhaling sharply – did he tell Fury what had almost happened and risk SHEILD taking Bruce away? Or did he cover it up?

'Take Bruce home and look after him.' Tony said glancing over at the door, wishing Bruce would come in so he could see him, he just wanted to let him know that everything was okay between them.

Steve nodded agreeing that the most important thing right now was to take care of Bruce – deciding what to tell Fury could come later once he'd had a chance to reflect on what had happened. 'And you're going to be okay?' he asked glancing at Tony who he knew was in a lot of pain due to aggravating his injured leg.

Tony just nodded; he closed his eyes as a wave of exhaustion washed over him. 'Just take care of Bruce for me.' he mumbled sleepily.

Steve got up and laid his hand on Tony's shoulder. 'I will, rest up and come home soon – we need you.' he smiled down at Tony having new found respect of the man he'd once deemed selfish and cowardly. Not anymore, not after the sacrifice he was prepared to make in New York, not after taking on the Hulk alone and being prepared to once more despite being injured and without his suit for the sake of innocent civilians.

Steve left the room once Tony had fallen asleep but did not find Bruce sitting the chair outside where he'd left him; at first he was concerned that Bruce had bolted but was relieved when he found him sitting in the passenger seat of his car. 'How did you get in?' he asked patting down his pockets failing to find his car keys.

Bruce held up the car keys. 'I learnt a thing or two when I lived in Calcultta.' he told the Super Soldier who he'd pick pocketed earlier.

Steve just rolled his eyes, took the car keys and climbed into the driver's seat. 'You'll have to teach me.' he smiled glancing at Bruce who looked absolutely exhausted. 'Come on let's get you home.'

'How is Tony?' Bruce asked as they started to move. 'And be honest with me please.' he added not wanting anyone to hide anything from him again.

Steve nodded, knowing they couldn't keep Bruce in the dark any longer; he explained the full extent of Tony's injuries just as he should have done from the start not holding back on any of the details even when it came to the difficult job of telling Bruce how the Hulk had crushed Tony's leg so tightly that pieces of his Iron Man armour had to be surgically removed from it and at one point amputation was even on the cards.

Bruce simply nodded, showing no emotion on the outside although on the inside his stomach twisted with guilt and his heart ached. When they arrived back at the mansion Bruce ignored Natasha, Clint and even Thor who was paying a rare visit and headed straight passed them; he planned to go straight to his room but paused in the hallway – listening in on what was being said between his team mates in the next room.

'Is he okay?' Natasha asked Steve who sat down with a weary sigh, accepting the glass of whiskey Clint handed to him.

Steve glanced at his fellow Avengers. 'He knows everything the Hulk did to Tony.' he said simply; this was all he needed to say to explain to Natasha, Clint and Thor how Bruce was feeling. 'We should never have hid it from him in the first place.' he added angry with himself for not anticipating Bruce finding out.

Natasha and Clint glanced at each other worriedly; they knew that a depressed Bruce was a dangerous Bruce and even though they were unaware of what had almost happened at the hospital they knew it was time they stepped up their security over the Hulk. 'I think it's about time we let you in on Fury's proposal.' Natasha said clasping her hands together.

Steve and Thor's eyes snapped toward Natasha and Clint. 'Go on?' Steve said sitting up straighter.

'In fact it's probably better if we show you.' Natasha said heading out of the room for a few moments and then returning with a tablet.

Steve and Thor glanced at each other quizzically, both wondering what they were about to be told and what part they would have to play; they both knew that their current arrangement couldn't go on forever, the Hulk had already escaped Tony's mansion once and there was only so much they could do to prevent it happening again.