Shadows of the past

Family don't end with blood

       Bruce didn't need anyone to tell him. In fact, he probably knew before most of the team did. Most likely because he was the one that Tony spent the most time with and they would bond over their love for science.

        Ever since the team moved into Stark Tower (he could hear Tony even now, "Its hardly Stark Tower anymore, now is it? I mean, now that all you guys are here. Screw it. I'm renaming this thing. It is now Avengers Tower. Can I blame Fury? I am.") Tony had done nothing but make him feel welcome and comfortable.

       Not just Bruce though, Tony, in his own way, made sure to make the Other Guy comfortable too. There were a couple reinforced floors where the Hulk could go crazy and it would be alright, something which the Hulk enjoyed a lot, Bruce used to keep him on a tight leash which was stressful for the both of them. He never had any problem with the Hulk ("I'm also a huge fan of the way you turn into a giant green rage monster").

       Surprisingly, as Tony promised on the hellicarrier, it was a completely stress-free environment. His way of getting there, however, was ever so slightly different from others.... although it was far better. Recollections of pranks, jokes and what could only be described as pure 'Tonyness' flitted through his mind.

       But it took one to know one as the saying went, and he definately understood the way Tony would almost imperceptibly flinch whenever people would raise their voices around him even when not directed at him. Almost imperceptibly because he always noticed. And when it was directed at him, or targeting his actually pretty low self worth, he had to try really hard to restrain the Other Guy, who unsurprisingly, was very protective of Tony.

       It always amused and saddened Bruce whenever people would call Tony a child. He was one. He was forced to grow up too fast. That's what happened when you had a negligent or abusive father. Tony was subconciously making up for all those years of missed childhood now. (Everyone called him a psychiatrist, he may as well live up to that. Names are powerful things)

       He wouldn't tell anyone of course, not only was it Tony's secret to tell, but he saw the way Tony acted around him. Tony trusted him implicitly, a kind of trust he reserved for only a few (read: only Pepper and Rhodey) especially after everything that happened in Afghanistan and Stane, his 'science bro' (Tony could take all blame where that term was concerned. But why did he love using it so much?!) Dropped practically all masks around him.

       He dropped the sarcasm and the snark, the 'I live to have fun and  enjoy my life' persona projected to any outside the avengers, his defences and witty comebacks and the walls meant to protect him. He dropped the walls made of iron around his heart and was just Tony. The Mechanic. The fun quirky guy with an amazing sense of humor and zero self preservation. The really smart, practically spawn of Athena and Hephaestus, who just wanted to build cool stuff and help people. He remembered a line from Tony's favourite TV show Supernatural - 'Saving people, hunting things, the family buisness'- although in Tony's case it would be more inventing then hunting.

      On occasion Bruce would be allowed to see the child who just wanted to be accepted, and those moments, he wouldn't trade for the world.

       "Jolly Green! What are you doing sitting around?! We have science to do!!" aaand there was Tony. Apparently he needed his regular science fix. He took it like an addict took drugs although the side affects were worse for other people. A bored Tony was a dangerous Tony. Leaving him alone and locked out of his lab had terrible results like clint getting glued to the ceiling, snow coming out of the vents and on one occasion messing with Fury's eyepatch (something Fury still hadn't recovered from). Not to forget the patriotic songs blaring nonstop at five in the morning. Bored Tony terrified him. His other half, however, greatly enjoyed the mess Tony would make.

       "Tony only you would call the Other Guy 'Jolly Green'". He didn't know exactly what he felt about the name. But he could a feel a shift in the back of his head as the Other Guy- the Hulk was deciding what he felt about the name. Bruce was surprised at the feeling of pleasure he felt from the Hulk. But then again, his 'giant green rage monster' as Tony so eloquently put it, was always accepted by Tony, one of the main reasons he was so protective of the man. Tony... confused the Hulk. Most others, even those who accepted him were wary if not terrified of the Other Guy. Tony.... he more than just accepted him, he was the only one who wasn't afraid of the Hulk. He genuinely wanted to know Bruce even before the Avengers initiative. Tony Stark was different.

       "Well, yeah!! If I don't who else will? Besides, he likes me so its fine. I bet he likes the name too. I mean, just calling him the Hulk? That's like calling a '67 Chevy Impala 'Baby'! It doesn't capture anything but 'eh probably pretty cool' it deserves more than just that! Any way stop brooding! We have science to do and I will poke you with a stick if I have to." As Tony rambled on, Bruce smiled to himself. He wouldn't change any of this. Tony was like his brother and he wouldn't give his brother up for anything.

So thats a wrap!! Hope you guys enjoyed it!! This was one of my favourite chapters. Um so I read somewhere that Bruce didn't have the best childhood so I'm going with that. I'm sorry for those who wanted Natasha but I wanted to have her find out after Iron man 2. Unfortunately I haven't seen that in a while so I don't wanna mess up any details. (Note:i just watched it so expect a new chapter soon.) Also do you know how hard she is to write?! I might do hers after avengers out of sheer principle alone! But yeah. Oh and I noticed that more people read my third chapter than my second... what is that about?

So anyone bothering to reread this will have noticed that I  made some changes. A guest reviewer on fanfic.net said that she would like to know how the Hulk felt about being called 'jolly green' and how s5tark and science should scare the living daylights out of people. This is why I edited a bit and why you now have some of the Hulk's reactions. See this is why I need reviews or comments so I know what to do better!! Still enjoy the new version and please drop a comment or something!