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"Oh Tony," he murmurs, and carries the man back to bed. He doesn't even bother struggling this time.

"Please kill me, please let me leave..." he sobs.

He settles into Bruce's arms, and cries out years of pain into his chest. They stay like that for a brief eternity.

Tony gets up hurriedly, stumbling along the way.

"Where are you going?"

He grunts, and Bruce can hear his toothbrush vibrating and the tap running. He's back quickly, climbs under the covers and kisses the scientist deeply, fisting his shirt.

Bruce savours Tony's lips on his own, but pulls away, reaching his hand under the covers.

Stark giggles.

"Ooooh someone's getting handsy."

The scientist instead grabs Tony's good arm up and into view, revealing the burns and small, gaping sores and splotchy bruises.

"Tony, are you..."

"No, Bruce, I'm not on drugs." The sultry smile disappears from his face.

Bruce frowns, sadness flooding his face.

"Oh, Tony...you've got to stop doing this to yourself."

"How'd you get the bruises?"

He clears his throat.

"I attacked the...attacked the edge of the table."

"And the rest?"

"Miniature screwdriver."

"Jesus, Tony. That-that's fucked up. Why would you want to...?"

"Because I...deserve it. I don't really want to. I feel like...for once, I'm doing what I'm supposed to. Getting the punishment I deserve."

"No, Tony, you don't! You're amazing; what don't you get about that?"

The engineer presses his lips against Bruce's passionately, rolling over to straddle him.

"Tony stop, you're exhausted. Not right now."

"When, then?"

"When you're feeling better. You need to get some rest."

Tony looks a little shocked.

"Literally no one has ever turned down sex. With me."

Bruce chuckles.

"It's for your own good, Tony."

It's for your own good, Anthony. You're sick, and I just want to help you. You'll see-you'll be bringing home girls in no time!

He swallows.

It's for your own good, Tony. At least now you'll have experience-so you won't be embarrassed your first time. Why don't I get rough and show you why it sucks with a guy and not a girl. Maybe you'll change your mind. I'm just trying to help.

He squeezes his eyes shut.

"Nononononononono..."

"What's wrong? Tony?"

He thrashes against the covers, pulling away from Bruce and not once turning his back.

"Nonono...don't touch me, please..."

"Tony it's me, it's okay. I'm here."

He reaches forward to embrace him, but he flinches away, his voice cracked and quiet, desperate.