The fear he is used to.

It's become what is normal for him, something he can count on. When people are afraid, they leave him alone. If they leave him alone, he can't hurt anybody. It's a good system. A lonely system, but good nonetheless.

What he isn't used to is Tony Stark.

Now, Bruce can smell fear. Literally. Something to do with the Other Guy, he figures. He can tell when people are afraid of him, and how afraid. He can tell that all the other members of the Avengers still fear him to an extent. Sure, they love having the Hulk on their side, but nobody is exactly willing to face him outside of a battle with aliens. Even Fury is afraid of him.

But not Tony Stark. Iron Man. His Highness. Whatever he preferred to be called. When Tony was around, he couldn't smell the smallest fragrance of fear coming from the man.

Romanov still watches him like a cat, waiting to see if he was going to change again. Not that she would be able to do anything. So far the only person able to fight an even battle with him was Thor, and even the demigod was unsure of the Hulk. Hawkeye and Captain America keep their distance. Fury doesn't come around him if it is not completely necessary.

When he had first met Tony, the man had congratulated his work, and then doubly congratulated the fact that he was the Hulk. He seemed pleased, that Bruce had such a destructive potential. What's worse, he had started to purposely aggravate Bruce, just so he could see what would happen. Foolish, stupid even. But not scared.

Bruce doesn't know what to do with it. He had never met someone who had seen his full horrible potential and been totally unfazed by it. So when Tony had invited him to stay a while at Stark mansion, the choice had been easy. He wanted to know what it would be like, to be around people who weren't jumping at his every move. He wanted to feel normal.

Not that Stark is the easiest man to live with. His ego rivals the size of his tower, and even now he continually tries to provoke Bruce. But it's okay. Because that just shows once again that he isn't afraid. His way of telling Bruce that he won't be an outcast forever.

Bruce is used to the fear. But he is beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, he could get used to the friendship even more.