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 14

After hovering outside Bruce's room for a few hesitant moments, Tony headed downstairs where his "welcome home" party appeared to be in full swing. Not in the mood for partying for perhaps the first time in his life, Tony slipped through to the kitchen and poured himself a generous glass of whiskey which he knocked back as quickly as he re-filled his glass.

'You might be out of the hospital but you're still recovering, I don't think drinking is a good idea – at least not while you're still on medication.' Pepper said appearing in the kitchen doorway.

Tony didn't bother to turn around from the counter he was facing. 'Leave off Pepper.' he muttered snatching up the bottle before she had a chance to take it from him; he glanced over his shoulder to see his ex with her crossed arms and a look which said "I'm only looking out for you." Tony turned back to the counter and took a deep breath to calm himself – he wanted to scream and shout, remind her that she left him and that since they were not together anymore she couldn't tell him what to do. Tony also wanted to reveal that he knew all about her new relationship with Steve, wanted to know why him of all people? A fellow Avenger? Was her reason for leaving him just a lie - it had to be because Steve was no different, he was a fellow soldier who risked his life just as much as Tony ever had or would do. Tony squashed the desire to turn on Pepper, deciding to just keep his mouth shut - an argument with her was not something he didn't want to deal with right now.

Tony felt Pepper's eyes on him as he drained another glass of whiskey, he caught her shake her head with disgust out of the corner of his eye before she turned on her heel and left the kitchen with an audible sigh of frustration.

Tony pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and sighed deeply; perhaps Pepper was right he considered as he screwed the cap back on the bottle – turning to drink wasn't a good idea and it was wrong of him to snap at her when she was trying to help. What he needed to do was to face Bruce, talk to him. Clearly the scientist wanted him, his kiss, so desperate and eager, said it all but "The Other Guy" was holding him back. Tony understood, of course Bruce didn't want to take any unnecessary risks but it was ager that led to the Hulk's release – what how much of a risk were they really taking? Besides, even if the Hulk did try and break free Tony was confident he could keep him at bay – he'd proven that at the hospital.

Tony decided one more drink for courage wouldn't do him any harm if he was going to face Bruce and quickly found himself unscrewing the bottle cap once more; he paused just as he was about to pour and felt eyes on him … but he knew instantly they were not Pepper's.

He'd always been able to sense his presence, from the first moment they'd met it was like his senses were in tune with his.

Tony set down the bottle, straightened his back and flattened his shoulders, he took a deep breath but when he turned he saw the doorway empty. Tony frowned – he could have sworn he'd felt Banner's eyes on him. Tony's heart clenched at the sound of Natasha's voice as she greeted Bruce and commented on how much better he looked now that he'd cut his hair and shaved. Tony smiled slightly upon hearing this … had Bruce cleaned up for his arrival home?

~~~~AFTER THE WAR~~~~

Bruce had indeed been watching Tony from the kitchen doorway, only for a brief second before he left to join the party; he'd seen enough to know that he'd driven Tony to the bottle and felt guilty for it because he knew Tony was still recovering from what he – no - what the Hulk had don he correct himself. So Bruce joined the party, smiled, made small talk, nibbled at nibbles and politely declined any alcohol offered to him because unlike Tony, he couldn't risk turning to that. Tony seemed always to find solace in bottom of a glass but it was usually another who drove him to it Bruce thought glancing at Pepper and Steve dancing like that had no care in the worlds … well he guessed at this moment in time they didn't because they had each other and there was no current threat, no reason to assemble.

Bruce had always been the good guy, the best friend, ready and willing to listen but Tony rarely took the opportunity, finding more comforting in the cold hard burn of liquor than the warmth of his friendship.

~~~~AFTER THE WAR~~~~

Pepper rounded on Bruce the moment Natasha had left to dance with Clint. 'Nice to see you've cleaned yourself up.' she commented sipping from her wine glass. Bruce just glared at her, wondering what she wanted – she clearly despised him so why both to make small talk? 'You need to talk to Tony.'

Bruce's eyes snapped toward her – did she know what had happened between them? Had Tony told her? And what about everyone else he thought glancing around the room his eyes flicking from Steve to Natasha to Clint … did everyone know? Bruce's heart beat quickened and he felt panic over come him; perhaps this was all just some horrible joke at his expense he suddenly thought looking at their smiles and hearing their joyful laughter turn to that of scorn.

'Bruce?' Pepper asked worriedly; he glanced at Steve who immediately headed over.

'Everything alright buddy?' Steve said moving protectively in front of Pepper.

Bruce glared at him, his eyes flashing green as a warning - did he really think he was going to Hulk out right here and hurt Pepper? Is that how little he trusted him to keep control? Bruce felt shaky and sick, these people weren't his friends, none of them were friends not really … they were just a group of admittedly extraordinary individuals thrown together by SHIELD to do their bidding. It was all fake. Bruce suddenly felt lightheaded as his heart drummed in his ears – faster and faster until he felt the beginnings of an almighty Hulk roar bubbling in the pit of his stomach. A roar of frustration and anger at SHEILD for bringing him into the mess – why couldn't they have just left him alone!

'Have we got a problem here?'

Bruce's eyes snapped up and rested on Tony's. In a flash Tony was standing beside him, his hand on his shoulder warm and comforting and no trace of fear or worry in his eyes, he was different of he others, he wasn't scared of Bruce. 'Need some fresh air Banner?' he asked the scientist casually although he could tell things needed to cool down and quickly.

'Yeah please.' Bruce muttered concentrating on the blue of the arc reactor that he could just make out beneath Tony's black shirt.

'Come on then, I've got a hankering for a cigar anyway.' Tony said flashing Pepper a brief smirk – she'd always hated him smoking and knew she would disapprove even more now that he'd just been released from hospital. 'Come on Banner I might even let you have a puff.'

'I don't smoke.' Banner muttered letting Tony pull him away from Steve and Pepper.

'Well maybe you should start.' Tony said pushing him toward the door that took them out into the yard. 'Might calm your nerves.'

Bruce sighed with relief as he stepped out into the cool fresh air and sank back against the brickwork. 'Thanks for getting me out of there, you didn't have to … especially after …' he just trailed off and shook his head trying desperately hard not to think about Stark's mouth on his, his hands clawing at his back and … "God get a grip Banner!" he shouted inside his head.

Tony leant against the wall sideways to Bruce and fixed him with an amused smile. 'I don't make friends very easily.' he confessed. 'So I'd like to keep hold of the few I have.'

Bruce glanced at Tony and smiled gratefully, he was happy that Tony still wanted to be friends with him after what had happened between them. 'Thanks.' he said feeling a lot of weight fall off his shoulders, it was good to know that he didn't have to worry about having to avoid Tony after what had almost happened between them.

Tony let out a deep sigh. 'Doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about it.' he murmured reaching out and brushing lightly at a few crumbs on the front of Bruce's shirt. 'But I promise I won't try and jump you again, not until you want me to anyway.' he added with a cocked eyebrow.

Bruce's eyes darted over Tony's, he couldn't believe the billionaire basically confessed that he still wanted him like that; Bruce swallowed hard and wondered how to tell Tony that he'd always want him but could ever let it happen because it was too risky. 'Tony …' Bruce breathed not sure where to start. 'We can't.'

Tony's eyes slid over and rested on Bruce's. 'You mean you're too scared.'

'Of the Hulk yes.' Bruce whispered.

'No.' Tony said shaking his head quickly. 'You're scared of yourself, for letting your guard down and letting someone else in for the first time since the accident.' he said prodding a finger into Bruce's chest.

Bruce closed his eyes. 'That's not it Tony.' he said shaking his head; he wished he could explain, he wanted Tony to understand but he didn't understand himself just yet.

'It is.' Tony insisted. 'You think you're cursed, that you have to be alone forever because of him but you don't. The Hulk saved you, he'll always save you and he'll always protect you and that is something you can't change.'

'He threw you off a building.' Banner said choking at the memory of the footage he'd seen on the television, of the Hulk crushing Tony and then dropping him without any remorse. 'He nearly killed you.'

'And why do you think he did that huh?' Tony asked pushing himself off the wall and turning to stand in front of Bruce who still stayed slumped against it. Bruce shrugged and shook his head, tears in his eyes, how was he supposed to know what the Hulk's reasons were? Didn't Tony think he'd wished a thousand times to understand the beast? Tony leaned in close. 'Because he was trying to protect you, idiot.' he said his nose and lips and inch from Bruce's and his hands laid on the wall either side of his shoulders preventing him from being able to run away from the conversation.

Bruce's eyes darted over Tony's confused, what did he mean? Iron Man had never been a threat to the Hulk in the past, Tony's repulsors merely irritated rather than harmed him so why feel the need to protect Bruce? And why attack his fellow Avenger so brutally? Why not simply ignore him and carry on smashing like he usually did until he calmed himself down?

'The Hulk is always there, he senses everything.' Tony whispered not knowing this for sure but having a pretty good guess that he was right. 'You woke up next to me that morning and freaked out, you wanted to run, and the Hulk made sure you got away.' he said his eyes locked onto Banner's, their chests almost touching and they breathed heavily in unison.

Banner trembled and flashes of memories filled his head – waking up in Tony's room, panicking, knowing he had to get away and then the Hulk taking over. Rarely, very rarely, did Bruce ever remember anything once the Hulk had taken over but now his head was full of what had happened – throwing the bed to one side in a rage, smashing through the wall of Stark's bedroom and running … running away from Tony who was heading for the workshop … he had been running away! Bruce sucked in a deep breath and stared into Tony's triumphant eyes – the cocky bastard thought he had him all figured out! Who did he think he was?!

Bruce pushed hard against Tony's chest, roaring as he did so and with a loud splash the two of them fell into the swimming pool. Bruce hit the water so hard he was pulled under and thrashed to get back to the surface but he was disorientated and because of the darkness he could not tell which way was up. Bruce stretched out his hands and cried out Tony's name as panic overcame him – he wasn't scared of drowning – he was scared of the Hulk not letting him drown.

Bruce opened his eyes and searched frantically for any indication of the surface, he could feel the Hulk scratching to get out but battled him down. Bruce eyes snapped to the left when he saw something – the bright blue of the arc reactor - Tony! Bruce swam toward him, but could feel himself weakening due to lack of oxygen but he pushed on determined to get to Tony.

Bruce kicked and cried out in protest when he felt arms around his middle and himself being pulled away from the light - away from Tony. All of a sudden a rush of air filled his lungs and he felt himself being pulled out of the pool and slammed down onto the cold hard surface. Bruce opened his eyes and stared around him, needing to see Tony and make sure he was okay, but all he saw Steve's bright blue eyes staring back at him angrily. 'What the hell were you doing?!' Steve cried pulling Banner up so that he was sitting up and slapped him hard on the back just to make sure all the water had left his lungs.

Bruce rubbed at his aching chest, the water burning his insides, and gulped down large mouthfuls of air. 'It was just an accident.' he muttered relief flooding his body when he saw Clint helping Tony out of the pool.

'Well we could do without those.' Steve muttered helping him up off the ground.

Bruce knew exactly what he meant, it was accidents like these that led to the Hulk escaping. Bruce glanced once again at Tony to check that he was okay before he walked away – heading back to the safety of his room ignoring the look Pepper gave him as he passed.

TBC