Unfortunately, the SHIELD was faster than Bruce in finding Tony. They had far more resources than him, and he couldn't even ask for Jarvis' help as Tony expressly forbade it to assist anyone that was looking for him.

At least he had to give director Fury credit for calling him as soon as Tony was found. Or rather, as soon as Coulson made sure that he was alive and would survive. When he was found in the underground cavern, he wasn't breathing, but the suit's oxygen reserve which he had installed after his stroll in space should have ended not long ago, because in just a few minutes he was revived.

Bruce was still surprised to discover that Tony tried to kill himself. It just didn't look like something he would do, at least as directly. Self-destruct with alcohol, sex and violence? Sure. Hold up inside a cave in the middle of the ocean to drown? No. Still, he had no idea that Tony was able to attack their own friends. There was also the fact that he thought Bruce was dead. When Fury suggested that this might have been part of the reason why Tony acted in such fashion, he felt his heart sink in his chest, but at the same time experienced an unexpected and cruel satisfaction. Even in a destructive way, it was the most intense love that he had ever experienced. Knowing that someone loved him enough to not be able to live without him was as incredible as it was terrible.

He hesitated for a moment before entering the infirmary room where Tony was being detained. When he saw Tony handcuffed in bed, he was unable to hold back tears. Seeing him arrested as a criminal was too much. The noise of the door opening caused no reaction in Tony, who continued to look at a wall with a blank stare.

- Tony... What did you do? – he asked, surprised with the high pitch of his voice.

It was only then that Tony turned his head toward the door. Once he saw Bruce his face lit up. For a moment, he forgot everything else and tried to jump towards him, but only managed to force his skin against the handcuffs.

- Bruce? Is that really you? Are you really here? – he asked in a voice filled with emotion. Fury had already warned him that Bruce was alive, but he hadn't believed. Somehow, he had lost what little faith he had left in the days when he was in the hospital waiting unsuccessfully that Bruce waked up.

- What you had in mind, Tony? – he asked without being moved by the love and despair in the voice of the other.

Tony tried to look away embarrassed, but the way his arms were trapped didn't allow much movement. Since the alcohol's effect passed, he felt consumed by the weight of what he did.

- I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I thought you'd never wake up and...

- No! – he screamed violently. – Don't you dare put the blame on me.

Bruce didn't realize what he had said until he heard his own words. And it was only then that he learned how true they were. He spent too much time blaming himself for Tony's attitudes, but both men were adults and were responsible for their own behavior. He already carried too much blame for all the things he couldn't avoid doing, he couldn't afford to carry the destruction caused by another person. No matter how much he loved Tony, that was a feeling he couldn't take for himself.

- I don't... I wasn't. God, Bruce, I would never... – he didn't know how to explain, or at least didn't know if there was an explanation. He recognized fine well that the fault was only his, he wouldn't dream of implying otherwise. But how could he express the despair that led him to do act like that? - I was so worried, and had drunk way too much and...

- This is exactly the problem! – he realized he was still yelling, but was not able to stop. - You always do this! - the tears streamed down his face and he didn't do anything to stop them. - When you drink, you... – he sobbed. - You become another person, you do things that I never imagined you could. - then he lowered his voice to become little more than a murmur. - Things cannot continue like this.

Tony took a moment to realize where he was getting. And then, he spent a bit more time thinking about what he would respond. He knew what he needed to say, but didn't want to make promises that he wasn't able to fulfill. He wanted to say that he would never drink again, but didn't trust himself that much. After all, now he was well aware that he was suicidal and that alcohol was his weapon of choice. It was his punishment, his favorite hell. How could he give up such a thing? How could he give up his only way to drown the pain?

- I know Bruce, but that is...

Bruce could feel that he would start with one of their arguments. I also knew that all his arguments would be phoney, but would make sense. And in the end he would end up giving in to Tony, as always. He couldn't allow the cycle to continue, he had to end it all now. He straightened his posture, choked back the tears and wiped his eyes and, when he spoke, his voice was firm and clear.

- No, Tony. This is your last chance. Not only for me, but for you. If you want to get better, I promise I'll be with you every step of the way and do everything in my power to give you all the conditions you need to heal, you have my unconditional support. But if you prefer putting your life and the lives of others at risk, you won't see me again. I won't stand here and watch you kill yourself.

Tony swallowed hard. He had no other choice. He couldn't afford to lose Bruce.

- I want you with me, and I never want to feel like it felt when I heard what happened in the hellicarrier. – he answered simply, unable to verbalize the exact words.

It still wasn't enough.

- Promise me you'll never drink again. - Bruce demanded, afraid to be pushing the other too far, but knowing it was his only chance.

- I promise. – he answered mechanically.

Bruce turned to the door.

- If you're lying to me, I won't even listen to your excuses. I'll go where you won't be able to find me ever again. - and while opening the door - I will ask director Fury to release you, he said you could go home if I kept you under control.

And like so Tony made a promise that he wasn't able to fulfill.