p • r • e • s • s • u • r • e

Untitled

"Promise me you won't do that again?"

"I...I can't promise."

"Can you at least try?"

"No, Bruce, I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because it'll happen no matter what!!"

"What will?"

"Nothing."

"Tony, what's going to happen?"

He groans.

"The arc reactor. Every time I put it back in..."

"You're fucking kidding me."

"Nope."

"You were in agony!"

"Yes, I believe I may have outdone myself."

"Babe...

The scientist squeezes his eyes shut and holds Tony close.

"We'll fix it," he murmurs into his ear.

But what if I don't want to?

Bruce sighs, stopping the engineer from taking it any further as he kisses him passionately.

"Okay, you obviously can't do this right now. I don't want you to get hurt. Why don't you take a bath, and we'll head out for dinner?"

"Bruce I can handle you."

"I don't really know if you can handle anything right now."

"Ouch. I'm fine, really."

He kisses Bruce and rolls over until he's on his back, waiting, ready. His fingers slip under the waistband of the scientist's pants.

"You really think you're prepared for me?" Bruce asks smugly.

Tony grins, and heads to the bathroom.

Bruce lights a few candles and pops towels in the towel oven (yes, they exist and yes, Tony has one of those-are you really surprised?).

He starts filling the tub, then runs downstairs.

"Where-"

"Kitchen! I'll be right back, don't die while I'm gone."

"No promises..." Tony chuckles. He strips, sliding into a deep red and black silk embroidered robe and sits in bed with his laptop, checking his email.

Bruce is back really fast, holding a jug of milk and a jar of honey.

"What on earth are you doing, Banner?

"Honey and milk."

"Yeah, no, I see that, but in a bath?"

"It's good for your skin."

Tony rolls his eyes.

"Wow, thanks mom. You gonna kiss my booboos better, too?"

Bruce grins, pouring the thick, golden honey in the bath.

"Whatever my baby wants."

"Oh my god Bruce."

"What?"

"You're so annoying," he teases, pecking him on the cheek.

"You know you love me."

He screws the lid back on the honey and washes the jar off in the water, then drapes towels over both ends of the giant bath. Tony is curious.