p • r • e • s • s • u • r • e

Truth or Dare

Tony's breathing picks up, and he pulls just a tiny bit more, trying not to cut the circuit. The reactor still connected, he fiddles with some switches under the rim of it. Satisfied, he slides the reactor back inside, locking it quickly. He shuts his eyes, then taps the left side of the reactor twice. Pain ricochets around his bones, throbbing and burning until it stops abruptly. He sighs.

"Hey."

Tony freezes, then pretends to relax.

"Why aren't you under the covers?"

"Dunno. Just...I don't know. Can't sleep."

"Here."

The kind scientist pulls him close, and they're lying beneath the comforter nose-to-nose.

"Hey Bruce?" He whispers.

"Yeah?"

"I feel like a kid at a sleepover."

Bruce giggles.

"Truth or dare."

Tony's eyes widen, and he snickers.

"MMmmm dare."

The scientist shuts his eyes, thinking.

"I dare...I dare you to tell everyone you love me over the intercom."

"What!"

"What?"

"I dare you."

Tony grins, shoving Bruce playfully. He kneels against the headboard to face the intercom unit on the wall. The scientist watches him, his head on his hands.

"Go on," he teases.

Tony selects every room, broadcasting through the team apartments on the top floors of the building. He turns on the mic and giggles, slipping on his perch atop the pillows. His own boyish laughter fills the room as the scientist makes a move to tickle him.

"I, Tony Sta-Bruce, fucking stop it-confess my love for Bruce Banner..."

They both start guffawing, and everyone hears Bruce in the bathroom.

"I didn't think you'd actually do it!"

"Oh come on, it's me! How could I not! I have a reputation to uphold, goddammit!"

They break down in laughter, and Tony whacks the 'off' button with his foot, lying in a tangle in the bed. He can practically feel the eyes rolling from the rooms next to them.

"Okay okay okay, it's my turn," Tony says, and pins Bruce down under the covers again.

"Truth or dare?" He whispers.

The scientist opens his mouth to speak, closes it, and makes up his mind.

"Truth."

"Okay, I truth you to-"

"That'snothowitworksTonyandyouknowit," he whines.

"You're no fun. Okay."

He shuts his eyes and chews on the inside of his lip in thought, his face settling tenderly.

"Have you ever been with a guy before?"

Bruce nearly chokes.

"Sorry what?"

"Have you ever," Tony grins slyly.

"Been with a guy before?"

The scientist's face is bright pink.

"I-uh-I mean, I-I guess, but like-I don't-actually no, not really."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"