Chapter Text
"It’s really good not to have to run for once."
Bruce stares at the glass in his hand, and Tony wonders what he sees.
"You shouldn’t have to run." It's not a promise Tony is one hundred per cent sure he can keep, but it's something he knows now he'd give his blood, sweat and tears to make true.
You see, there's this way Bruce's face crumples that's like a punch in the gut. Tony hasn't seen it often. He's glad, honestly. It says far too much about Banner for comfort.
('You can't kill me. I've tried')
The worst thing about that face- the thing that hurts, every time he sees it, is how easily it fits on Bruce's body. He turns into this ghost of himself, and Tony can barely look at him- how his whole body seems heavier, his movements dulled and understated, screaming 'don't look at me'.
Tony would give pretty much anything not to see that ever again.
He looks over and feels a little thrill at Bruce's smile. I did that.
"Banner, I swear to you, as long as you’re here you will never have to think about running."