Work Text:
1st Person POV
“Is that… is that what you want? You want a divorce?” You couldn’t stop the tears that threatened to choke you as you wrung your hands until your knuckles turned white. Every fear, doubt, and insecurity you’d ever felt was running through your mind as you tried to process what your husband was saying. You sat a mess of nerves awaiting your husband’s response.
Bruce finally spoke, never taking his off of the road ahead. “I think it’s for the best, Y/N. For both of us.” Your observant eyes, which never missed much, drank in your husband’s face as he continued to avoid your gaze. The tight-lipped expression he wore and the fine lines that always seemed to soften his face, now only added a sharp edge to his emotionless words.
Questions swirled through your mind as you tried to comprehend where all of this had come from. What had brought this on? How long had he been feeling this way? Was there someone else? Why was Bruce bringing this up now, as you were on your way to another Stark soiree? Only one question could fight its way to the surface as your car pulled through the gates of the Stark home. “Have you given up on us?”
Bruce slowed the car almost to a stop as he continued down the driveway. “I’m sorry?” he questioned you. You continued on, "I’ve never pegged you as a quitter Bruce Banner, so tell me now, have you already given up on us? Because I refuse to do so.” Bruce pulled to the side of the drive, allowing other guests to pull around, and studied you intently for a moment. Taking advantage of his silence, and hopefully his consideration, you fought on.
“Bruce, I love you. I have loved you as long as we have known each other, and I refuse to give up on us without a fight.” Moving to take his hand, you squeezed it tightly as though to accentuate your point. “I’m not leaving this car. If you do, I’ll have my answer, but I want to go home and talk, fight, whatever we have to do to get through this.” You ended on this statement allowing him time to process and pleaded silently that he would agree.
“Okay.” Bruce’s one word answer was enough to allow you to release a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding in. You fought to steady your breath as you spoke, “I’ll let Tony and Pepper know we can’t stay… Actually, would you like to do it, or would you like me to?” It had suddenly occurred to you that one thing that may have upset Bruce was your tendency to take charge. That, you could change now by handing the reigns over to him.
Tony’s POV
Tony and Pepper stood on the veranda welcoming guests as they arrived. Pepper had been the first to notice that the Banners’ car had pulled to the side. “It looks like he told her on the way here,” Tony observed. Of course, Bruce had already told his science bro everything. He had tried to talk with Bruce, convince him to discuss things first, but Bruce was intent. Pepper broke into Tony’s internal musings, “Be that as it may, it seems she’s at least trying to change things. I can’t imagine what else would be holding them this long except deciding whether or not to stay for the party.”
“Hmm,” Tony nodded as the Banners pulled back into the line of people arriving, “$100 says Bruce gets out of the car to tell us.” Pepper looked at him curiously, knowing how ‘take charge’ Y/N was. “I’ll take that bet.”
1st Person POV
As Bruce pulled the car to stop in front of the Starks, Y/N gave his hand a gentle squeeze as he left his seat. He stepped up to Tony and Pepper to make their apologies for the evening, taking in the way Tony smirked at Pep. “She’s wanting to try, so we’re going to go home and work until something happens,” Bruce explained. Tony smiled warmly at his friend and clapped him on the shoulder. “It sounds like things will work out. Just be honest with her. Do you mind if I speak to Y/N for just a moment?” Bruce studied Tony for just a second before nodding.
Tony approached the car and opened your door, offering you a hand to step out. Bruce settled back in the car and moved it so as to not interrupt the flow of traffic as you and Tony made your way to a bench. “Anthony,” you greeted him warmly, having always preferred his full name, “to what do I owe the pleasure?” Tony considered you for just a moment, knowing you better than anyone but Bruce.
“He tells me you’re wanting to fight for this.” Your eyes began to mist over at his simple statement. “What if it’s not enough, Anthony? What if he still leaves me? I can’t do this; I ca-I can't do life without him.” Tears had begun to pool in your eyes, as he wrapped an arm around you and offered you a delicately embroidered handkerchief.
“Trust me Y/n/n, he won’t. If you are willing to fight, he won’t walk away.” He pulled you into a quick hug. “Now, go and show that man why you love him. No more of this nonsense, huh? You’ve got this.” Smiling at Tony as he led you back to the car, you pecked him quickly on the cheek as you whispered your thanks.
Climbing gracefully back into the car, you took your husband’s hand gently into your own once again. “Take me home Bruce, and fight with me.”