Hulk Loves Tony Chapter 2 of ?
Chapter 2: Pepper
Thank you for all the reviews! I was really happy to see the response to this story. I've decided to continue it for as long as I can (I have two kids one is 2 and the other is 4 months, so life is hectic), but the tone will probably change as I go along. All the other stories I write are much much darker and generally involve non-con or child abuse, but I don't know where I want this to go yet. I will always warn if I do go in that direction.
Oh and yes, Captain America is out of character because I wanted him to be the bad guy. Pepper might be a little over the top here too. I do like both of them very much, but for the purposes of this story, I need them to be OOC,
I do not own Iron man or the Avengers or any other characters used in this story.
~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~
Tony was sound asleep when Pepper stormed in. "How could you forget to call me? I have been worried sick and you didn't think to call and let me know that you're fine. That-that you are just laying in bed sleeping, completely fine and I have been worrying for nothing!"
Tony's eyes flew open as he tried to decipher what Pepper had just screamed at him. Between his concussion and the fact that she woke him from a deep sleep, he just wasn't having much luck figuring out what she had said. "Um, what?"
"What do you mean what? What the hell is wrong with you?" She yelled.
"Are you Pepper? Why the hell are you yelling at him? He has a concussion!" Bruce chastised as he walked into the room.
Tony sat in confusion as Pepper apologized. "Did I do something wrong? Why were you yelling?"
Pepper's eyes flashed. Without raising her voice, she snapped at him. "You did not even call me and you risked your life again. I can't do this. You never consider anyone else. You just go off risking your life without a thought to how it will affect me or your company or-or anyone. You didn't even call me. How could you not call me?"
Suddenly Pepper was in tears and Tony wrapped his arms around her to comfort her as best he could. "I did try to call you right before I got rid of the missile. I tried, but you didn't answer. Ask JARVIS."
"Mr. Stark is correct. I offered to call you and he agreed it was best, so-"
"JARVIS had to tell you to call me! What the hell Tony?"
"No!" Tony scrambled to explain as Pepper jerked away from his embrace. "No, I -I was already going to . He just said it and then I called and I-"
"I can't do this anymore. You never consider me in any of this." Her arms swung around emphatically. "I'm sick of having to drag you out of the lab to get you to eat and sleep. To get you to spend time with me. I am sick of having to deal with your insomnia and the fact that you won't eat. I'm sick of dealing with your insecurities and your nightmares. I'm sick of being taken for granted. You know Rhodey has more than once offered me a place to stay after I have gone to him in tears because of something you have-or more importantly haven't done. I am sick of being second to Iron man. Hell, I'm sick of Iron man and I am sick of you Tony Stark. I won't do this anymore. I can't. I will keep my job, because why should the company suffer because of our failed relationship, but I can no longer see you personally." She calmed slightly, looking at a shell-shocked Tony. Swiftly, she approached him and gave him a gentle kiss goodbye. "I hope you find happiness, but I can't do this anymore. Goodbye, Tony."
And she was gone. Bruce stood there awkwardly as he had during Pepper's outburst, starring at Tony, waiting for him to say something. Tony looked to him with a desperate expression. "What the hell just happened?"
~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~~tonyandbruce~
After a few days of healing, Bruce allowed Tony to go down to his lab. It was a struggle to make Tony rest and not return to his scientific explorations sooner. Now, Bruce could no longer see any reason to deny Tony access to his experiments. Multiple times Bruce had tried to engage Tony in a conversation about what happened with Pepper, but after being shut out every time, he decided it was best to let Tony deal with the breakup however he saw fit. If that meant pretending the whole thing never happened, then so be it.
They walked down to the lab together so Tony could give him a tour. "This is, well I'm sure you know what it is, and that, and I suppose that as well. You know what most of this equipment is, so let's skip this area." Bruce smiled and shook his head at Tony's rambling. "Aha! This is JARVIS' mainframe and this is dummy. He's my most awful creation but he saved my life so I have to keep him around and this is..." He went on to show off his unique equipment and the specs for multiple projects he was working on, and finally every iron man suit he possessed. Then he settles down on a stool and started working with JARVIS to repair the suit that he had worn in his battle with Loki. "When are we supposed to go do Avengers stuff?"
"You mean the Loki situation?" Tony nodded and Bruce continued. "Around 3 I think."
"Hmmm. Just enough time I think. So, when are you leaving?"
"What?" Bruce spluttered.
Tony looked at him. "I thought you didn't want to stay here. You denied my offer at least six times. Maybe seven. JARVIS, was it six or seven times?"
"Eight, sir, but the last you were barely conscious."
"Eight it is then. I understand if you don't want to stay. I know you do a lot of good wherever you go and I will give you any equipment you need when you leave. If you need more, you can always get a message to me and I will send-"
"And if I changed my mind and I want to stay?" Bruce asked quietly.
"You want to stay?" Tony starred at him confused.
"Yes"
"Here?"
"Yes."
"With me?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"I said yes Tony. I'm sure. I have been thinking about it for days. I would like the chance to work on technology that can help a lot of people. I want to do something more. I know I help a few people here or there, but I want to do something that can affect more that just a few. Your offer, if it still stands, is amazing. Any equipment and personnel I need. That's just amazing. Tony, you are the first person who has ever not been terrified of me. Everyone walks on eggshells around me, but you aren't scared. I don't know how you could not be scared, but I-just-Thank you. It means more than anything else you could ever offer me. Thank you."
"Right. Well-" Tony cleared his throat and avoided Bruce's eyes. "That's settled them. JARVIS please send Miss Potts" After a wince, a pause, and a deep breath he continued. "A memo regarding the eighth floor renovations and tell her to proceed with the plans. Send her memos 8-43 in regard to the equipment I want installed. Oh add in 67 as well. And 93. Oh and JARVIS, add a note that I expect it done by the time we arrive. Also, please get Malibu ready for our arrival. I will need a guest suite prepared and the second lab as well. Do you have a preference of waterfront or cityscape?" He turned to Bruce.
Bruce managed to shut his mouth which has been hanging open slightly. "Um...No?"
Tony raised an eyebrow and returned to his repairs which had been interrupted. "Make it Guest Suite two JARVIS. Bruce should have the more peaceful serene ocean view, don't you think?"
"Wise decision sir." JARVIS agreed.