He can't stop thinking, can't stop obsessing, and he knows he's falling deep. Tony could only recognize it as being a slight man-crush on one certain, nerdy tweenager with a shy composure and (what he thought to be beautiful and unique) foggy eyes that honestly hold more emotion and life then most people he knows. More or less, he's being slightly undergirding about it, bearing the weight of what his 'friends' (or formerly known as) had said and done to the boy, and how he'd sat back letting it happen, even though Bruce had looked innocent enough and obviously already taking shit by the truck load from God knows who and where.
And Tony tries to talk to the other male, he really does, but what he can't seem to understand is why he can't. Sure, he can get the courage sometimes to say hello or sit a little closer to Bruce then what might be necessary, but it feels too much like a project for his comfort. And Bruce is not a project, he's more, he feels special and Tony just wants to accept that, because fuck he's supposed to be the cool one here! Bruce makes stuttering and red-faced look suave when put up against Tony's utter mindless babbling. It's frustrating in a way that makes him want more.
And Tony Stark always gets what he wants.
It the day that he doesn't see Bruce either walking through the halls or sitting alone in the library that this fact really comes to light. It's not until near the end of the day that he sees Bruce for the first time, and he doesn't like what he sees.
Bruce is hunched, and it honestly looks like he's struggling not to sit right there on the floor. He has his hood pulled up over his head and the string around his neck is tied to make it so that no one could see his face. But even with that, Tony can somehow tell that he's been crying or at least that he is very upset. He's so easy too read, for someone who can't see, and Tony thinks that that's why it's so easy, and maybe one reason he likes the boy so much. It also makes him fun prey for people looking to prove themselves to society. Except for Tony, of course, he would never hurt Bruce intentionally.
"Heya' Bruce! What's been holdin' you up, haven't seen you like - all day, man." he calls out, unnecessarily loud, with a friendly gleam even though the other couldn't see it. Bruce made him smile, it was only science by now. One thing leading to another, Bruce, leading to Tony getting the smallest pleasant flutter in his gut - making him smile like a moron.
Bruce doesn't reply which honestly isn't anything new, but the way he just doesn't seem to acknowledge Tony's presence at all, not even a small turn of his head or a nervous twitch, makes him worry even more then he already was. "Hey, Big guy, helloooo?" he steps closer, quirking a brow in question. The other males head ducks lower, and Tony wonders if he keeps on doing that, maybe his head will just roll off his shoulders completely. It's a funny thought, but Bruce was giving him better reasons to worry.
"Uhm. Did I do something wrong? Why are you ignoring me?" Tony frowns, feeling a little rush of something akin to panic wash over him in waves as he stared at Bruce, worry evident in his eyes.
Bruce doesn't move for a moment longer, but when he does, Tony can't help himself but to imagine Bruce saying something like 'go away, you're annoying' or 'why do you even talk to me?', and that's a fucking terrifying thought, so he doesn't let it simmer any longer then it needs to-and oh shit, Bruce is actually talking now. "I'm sorry, totally blanked for a sec. Could you speak up, maybe?" he said gently, waiting, and after he only got a sigh in response he swallowed a little in worry. "Sorry, I know, I'm a spazz. Come on." He nods his head back with emphasis, even though, again, Bruce clearly wouldn't be able to see it. No one can fault him for being a bit of a drama queen when the moment calls for it.
"Tony, can we not do this today... I've had a rough morning." He quirks his brow at how exhausted Bruce sounds, and he knew if he could actually see the other males face his eyes would hold that same exhaustion in them. He sighs in relent.
"Fine, though it's actually more like you 'had a bad day', since it's almost over, but whatever. Hey, you doin' anything this weekend?"
Tony can see Bruce stiffen, and he hopes it because he's contemplating the idea, and not that Tony had overstepped some invisible border. "Sure... I... I guess... I am now?" fireworks go off, and Tony hasn't felt quite this happy and relieved in... well, he can't tell how long its been, but he doesn't care, because it feels great.
"That's the spirit, Banner." Tony takes a chance by gently patting the boy on his shoulder, pulling away at the wince, taking it as a gesture of extreme discomfort, a reoccurring theme between them, he notes.
For the first time since grade school, Tony hopes he isn't annoying another human being.
But this isn't just another human, not another face he needs to memorize for sport, no - Bruce was like something else entirely. Someone who deserved respect. And for what? Getting picked on? Well, Tony's always had a thing for the under-dog - though that's not the entire truth - he takes pity on the blind kid who seems too nice for his own good sometimes. Even though he's been giving Tony the cold shoulder for quite awhile. The rich teen can sense that there's a lot more there then what he and everyone else sees from Bruce Banner.
Bruces POV;
He isn't sure what compelled him to accept Tonys offer. He's never hung out with anyone before, and for good reason, he doesn't need to feel on edge even more so then he already does. He knows how this will go, how he'll be tugging down his shirt, covering his face, and not talking to save himself from being caught with all the ugly marks covering his person like a second skin.
Bruce can see now how horribly that could go if he messes up. If he just doesn't pay attention for even a split second, how things can go from what he would consider 'bad' too 'hell' in no time at all.
But he's honestly too afraid to take his words back now. Answering had felt so easy, too easy in fact. Maybe it's because Tony talks so much, and his mind had forced himself to feel a sense of false familiarity with the boy. That fact scares him beyond the scrapes and bruises or whatever's waiting for him back home. He knows that living a demeaning lifestyle is nothing in comparison to loosing someone you're close too. He doesn't even think about why he believes that. Though he can;t help himself but to know deep down, it has something to do with his past, with one person in particular. Someone he doesn't have the strength to bring up, even to himself.
Tony tells him a time, day, and his number saying that it would be okay if he couldn't remember. And of course Bruce didn't dare to say that he indeed could easily have remembered it, but what would have been the point when he doesn't own a phone? Or that he can't even use the one hanging in his kitchenette, because his father had forbidden it for whatever reason?
"Okay..." he says in a thoughtful and quiet voice. If he were a girl, and hadn't hit puberty early, Tony probably wouldn't have heard him at all. He heard a soft, bemused chuckle and then the sound of footsteps shortly afterward. Bruce's head tilted up out of instinct, blurry eyes lifting towards the descending sound of what he supposed to be Tony walking away. He heaved a heavy sign, lowering his head again whilst burying his fingers knuckle deep into his own burly locks of hair. At least that was over, now he'd just have to survive a whole day of it tomorrow. Joy.
He was more excited about it, and nervous, then he wanted to admit.
Tonys POV;
When the boy looked up at him after a moment his heart lurched up into his throat but he remained still. Their eyes met, and Tony couldn't breathe until Bruce's eyes flickered away. Looking back, Tony could see that he was simply following the sound of another person moving.
He exhaled, sealing his lips soon after in hopes that he didn't blow his cover. Gladly, he didn't, and Bruce had other more important things on his mind.
And now, so did Tony.
Had he seen right, or were his eyes playing trick on him? No, he may be popular and rich, with what seemed to be the world sitting in the palms of his hands, but Tony knows that his intellect reaches a level far higher then anyone else at his school. He's sharp, and he knows what he saw.
Bruises, littering the boys face. His strong jaw coated in them, varying in color and intensity, accompanied by a cut striping down the middle of his swollen lip. He wanted to speak out, say something, get angry and demand answers. Normally he'd do just that, but Bruce had appeared to assume that Tony was already gone.
He looked spooked too, and Tony didn't want to be the one that made that any worse. He'd have to bring it up later somehow. Right then, he just watched the other teen move, staring at him really, knowing he couldn't possibly detect it. Hopefully, he prayed, that this was just another bully problem and not one that hit a little closer to home.
Tony went home exhausted, but anticipating the day to come when he'd be able to actually hag out with someone he genuinely liked.
This could go either really, really bad, or it could change his life for the better. Well, he only had one way to find out.
OOC; Okay for first, I'd like to deeply apologize for not updating in so long. My muse has been down the drain as of late and I've been having a hard time finding any inspiration for this ff. Thank you all for being so patient, for the follows, and the amazing reviews. Please keep it up! I promise to update more now that I'm on track in school.
Edited.