Tony hadn't slept well the night before. The bed had felt far too empty, and his dreams had been non-existent what with no sleep. It left him with a vacant stare at the ceiling as the sun tried to creep in past his blinds.

"Sir," Jarvis began mildly "It is near noon, and I believe you have a meeting at-"

"Mute."

Tony made a face and rolled onto his side. If he wasn't getting up for food, he certainly wasn't getting up for work. Besides, that was Pepper's job, and she could deal with it when she came back in two weeks.

His arm folded over his eyes.

Two weeks, really? That long, and she'd left on such bad terms. He heaved a weary sigh and considered reaching for the phone. Maybe if they talked more they could sort this out? No… no. Pepper had wanted time, and perhaps that was best. Even if waiting was not his strong point. But there was nothing else that could be done without worsening the situation. With his luck when he called she'd be asleep, or in a meeting, or at some other inopportune moment that would leave her frustrated with him.
At the risk of sounding like a child, it wasn't fair. She announces a problem, and leaves before he can fix it. It was maddening and gnawed at his stomach in a way he wasn't fond of.

A knock sounded lightly before the door was opened, and he didn't bother to lift his head to see who had actually come in.

"Tony?"

He couldn't tell if that was relief or dread that flooded his system as Bruce's soft voice entered the room.

"I know you're awake, I brought you breakfast. Well. Brunch I suppose… There's bacon?"

Tony suppressed a sigh and moved his arm to peek at the nervous doctor "Bacon, you say?"

The smile that spread over the other man's face was enough to make him sit up as he approached "Yes, bacon. Steve cooked." Bruce confirmed as he handed the plate over. Tony looked down at it skeptically and accepted the fork and knife handed to him "Pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Good 'ol 'Merican breakfast."

Bruce rolled his eyes "It's something, don't be mean."

"I am not being mean," Tony insisted with a huff, using the fork to push the scrambled eggs around his plate "I'm just implying that Rogers is the epitome of a stereotypical American housewife." Bruce rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped loosely in his lap as he surveyed the other man. "Except that he's a super hero, a man, unmarried, and thus not a housewife." He added after Tony had taken his first bite of the scrambled eggs. "Don't you force your logic on me!" Stark threatened after swallowing, pointing with his fork for emphasis. Bruce just smiled innocently, and the other man had to look back to his plate. Why did Bruce have to be adorable?

"How are you feeling…?"

It was a tentative question that arose after several minutes of silence between them, and when Tony glanced at him, Banner looked legitimately concerned. A snarky comeback was on the tip of his tongue, and had it been anyone else he would have let it fly. But for Bruce, he took a moment to actually consider his words.

"I'm okay," he said finally "This is the first time she's actually walked out. Sort of. I mean, she didn't really walk out so much as had to fly to a business meeting at the worst time possible. But, you know. We still fought and she left."

Bruce gave a small nod, shifting in his seat to face him more, a careful look of concern and interest on his face.

"I don't know, Brucie. It's just a little rough."

The other man nodded "Well, I'm here if you need me for whatever reason. You never know when a giant green rage monster will be useful."

A small grin tugged at the corners of Tony's mouth "He's excellent for catching things dropping from the sky." He agreed with a bit more humor in his voice.

Bruce smiled more "There you go. Don't want to find yourself unprepared when that happens."

Tony just laughed and finished his plate.

oOo

After that, the next few days got easier. The rest of the Avengers had done a good job of giving Tony space, and Bruce seemed to have this innate knowledge regarding when he wanted company. It seemed that almost as soon as he started feeling a hint of loneliness, the small doctor was suddenly there with a snack, some little project, or in the case of today: a movie.

"Just admit it, you're a telepath and you're reading my mind." Tony pushed, pressing play on the remote as he flopped down next to Bruce.

"If only," the other man said with a small chuckle "I guess I just have good timing. Or, you know, great minds think alike."

"That, I will accept."

They both laughed, and Tony stretched his arms along the back of the couch as the movie started.

"It's totally the janitor." He said simply after a few minutes

"Oh I absolutely agree." Bruce nodded "And I bet she's the next victim."

"Nuh-uh, it'll be that guy."

"Are you willing to put a wager on that?"

Tony's eyebrows raised as he turned his head to look at the other man "A wager, you say? Brucie, I didn't know you bet."

"I don't, unless I know I can win." And there was that sweet little smile again.

"Oho! You're on! That guy dies next, and if I win, I take you shopping and to get a haircut."

Bruce laughed harder, and with some dramatic music and startled screaming, the girl died.

Tony pulled a pout "Alright, Brucie-"

"She dies, and you get to take me shopping and to get a haircut." Banner interjected with a small grin.

Stark's eyebrows went up "Ohoho! Is that so? I get the privilege of taking Dr. Banner out, huh? Shaving his scruff and dressing him up nice?" He moved a hand to brush a finger against his cheek.

"That you do." Bruce agreed, grin fading to a shy smile.

The finger on his cheek moved down to his chin.

"Guess I'm pretty lucky."

"Guess you are…"

Tony leaned in, and put their lips together in a soft kiss.