!Attention! This story is just barely AU, because in this universe Tony and Pepper have always just been friends. Don't get me wrong, I actually really like Pepper and I even like her and Tony together, but I find Tony and Bruce far more irresistibly adorable. Having her relationship with Tony never exist was actually out of respect to it. I wasn't going to make them break up, or try to paint her as a bad person, the way some fan fiction writers do when they want to get past an established couple, and I certainly wasn't going to have Tony cheat on her. If you like the idea of Tony/Pepper, feel free to go read a fic that focuses on them, because they're a good couple too, but if you watched the Avengers and were captivated by what a relationship between Tony and Bruce would be like (as I was), then you can enjoy my story without any established couple related guilt! I claim no ownership of any characters or trademarks in this story, and am making no profit off of it. Enjoy!

Tony grinned behind the wheel of his convertible, self-satisfied and victorious. He looked over to Bruce sitting beside him, a distant look on the other man's face. Sun glinted off his glasses, and the wind blew back his mess of curls. Tony felt a swell of pride at the sight of him. Bruce Banner was Tony's prize from a hard fought battle, one almost as difficult as the one fought against the Chitauri. It had taken Tony over a month to convince Bruce to come live with him at the newly dubbed Avengers Tower, but in the end he had beaten down Bruce's resistance.

Bruce hadn't come with out conditions though, but Tony had gladly met them. The Tower had been remodeled with the most Hulk-resistant materials, an entire floor had been repurposed into a Hulk containment room, and Bruce had been provided with everything he needed to start researching a cure. With those conditions met, Bruce hadn't been able to argue with Tony and his incessant pleading.

"I don't want to live in that big tower all by myself," Tony had said to him during one of his many campaigns to win Bruce over. That was only partially true, though. Tony had lived alone all of his adult life, in mansions larger than the Tower, and been perfectly content. The truth was that he didn't want to live in that big tower with out Bruce.

Can't he see how much fun this is going to be? Tony had never met anyone as brilliant as Bruce Banner, save himself, and the things they could accomplish together were overwhelming.

Perhaps he's forgotten how to have fun, Tony considered. I'll just have to remind him then, he decided, feeling more than up to the task.

Bruce was deep in his own thoughts, considering the choice he had just made.

I put up a worthy resistance, he told himself. He could feel secure in that knowledge at least. It had been exhausting, too, because truthfully, he hadn't really wanted to turn Tony's offer down.

He couldn't explain to himself why, but he felt safe with Tony Stark. It went even deeper than Tony having the wealth and power to stand up for him, although that was certainly a factor. When Tony was around, Bruce felt safe from himself.

But that wasn't something Bruce could rely on. It was just an irrational feeling he couldn't shake. What he had to remember were his instincts, and what it took to survive. He had to be prepared to leave at any point and not look back.

At least I'll have a place to stay and a lab to work in until then, Bruce thought.

If he was completely honest with himself though, it wasn't the facilities or the protection that had tempted Bruce into this offer, it was the lure of companionship. He had been so long with out it, and for all of Bruce's wariness, Tony had given every impression of earnestly wanting to be his friend.

Tony parked the car in the structure beneath Avenger's Tower. Tony hopped out and got Bruce's duffel bag out of the back before Bruce was even unbuckled. Bruce couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Anxious to get me settled?" he asked.

"Little bit," Tony admitted. "I keep thinking you'll change your mind at any second. You put up such a fuss about coming here in the first place."

"I put up a fuss? You relentlessly hounded me for over a month."

Tony shrugged. "I'm good at getting what I want."

"Remind me again why you wanted this so badly?" Bruce asked as Tony punched in the codes at the elevator.

"Because we're going to do brilliant science together. And because you need to know that you have someone on your side."

They stepped into the elevator.

"That being you?" Bruce asked.

"Do you see anyone else stepping up to be your champion?" Tony asked him. Bruce balked at the choice of words.

"My champion?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

Tony thought for a moment that he had said too much. How could he explain to Bruce what he couldn't even explain to himself? Despite the incredible generosity that he had already shown Bruce, he knew that he was willing to do so much more for the man. He would gladly walk through Hell and back for him, of this he was certain. That certainty frightened him a little, because he had never felt anything like it before. He imagined it would be even more frightening to Bruce, who had never received anything like it.

"Yeah, your knight in shining armor. Literally," he joked lightly, making Bruce roll his eyes.

Tony suspected that it was the philanthropist part of his "genius billionaire playboy philanthropist" title that made him so protective of Bruce. If anyone deserved some kindness after a shit storm of bad luck, it was Bruce Banner. He seemed to be the only one who wanted to give it to him though, so if the only break Bruce was ever going to get was the one Tony gave him, then he was going to give him one hell of a break.

When they arrived at Tony's penthouse at the top of the Tower, Pepper Potts was waiting for them.

She's very pretty, Bruce thought to himself. The prettiest part of her was how she smiled and met his eyes, and shook his hand without hesitation.

"It's nice to meet you Dr. Banner," she said.

"Please, call me Bruce," he told her.

"Come on," Tony clapped his hands on Bruce's shoulders. "I'm making you lunch," he said, and steered Bruce towards the kitchen.

Pepper sat across from Bruce at the bar and watched the two men interact while Tony cooked for them.

"So Bruce, I've been dying to know, where are you starting with your research now that you have access to my magnificent facilities?" Tony asked the other scientist.

Humble as always, Pepper thought. That was Tony for you.

"Studying my own physiology, to start. There's still so much I don't know about my condition, any attempt at a cure would just be a stab in the dark at this point."

"Would you mind if I assisted? I'd be lying if I said your 'condition' didn't fascinate me, and it's been a while since I've used my knowledge of biology. It would make for a nice change."

Bruce smiled. "The brilliant Tony Stark assisting me? I think that's a little backwards, Mr. Stark."

"Not at all!" Tony exclaimed. "Bruce, I can honestly say that you're the only 21st century mind I have ever encountered that rivals my own. You're a genius," he said.

Bruce and Pepper were both speechless, Bruce for never having received such praise and Pepper for never once hearing Tony give anything like it.

"If I'd been such a genius, I wouldn't have gotten myself blown up," Bruce laughed weakly.

"O contraire," Tony argued. "I've blown myself up plenty of times, although with admittedly less radiation involved. No true scientist has never blown up."

Bruce laughed genuinely at that.

Pepper couldn't help but notice the twinkle Bruce's laugh brought to Tony's eyes, or the way he leaned over the bar to be as close to Bruce as possible when they spoke. She saw that Tony kept getting lost in conversation with Bruce just to remember the food at the last second.

Well, Pepper thought to herself. That's interesting.

She truly had not seen that coming, but she wasn't one to doubt her own instincts. Mostly because they weren't instincts. Virginia Potts had such a well honed power of observation that it was almost genius level in its own right. And right now, her observations were telling her that Tony Stark had much more than just a scientific interest in Bruce Banner.

When the food was done, Tony set a plate before each of them.

When Bruce took his first bite his eyes widened in amazement. "Oh my…oh my god. How did you do this?" he asked, in awe.

Pepper laughed at his reaction, silently congratulating Tony for impressing the object of his affections. Tony himself puffed up with pride.

"Scientific principles are easily applied to the culinary arts. Cooking is an excellent hobby for any scientist," he said.

"I'm a terrible cook," Bruce admitted.

"Really?" Tony asked, sounding oddly intrigued.

"Oh yes, terrible. I nearly starved myself in India. Curry and I don't get along."

Tony Stark laughed gleefully at that.

Pepper smirked. Laughing louder than necessary? Oh yeah, he has it bad for sure.

Through out the meal Pepper saw how Tony couldn't keep his hands off of Bruce. Sure, it was just touching his arm, again, and again…and again. But Pepper knew Tony. He wasn't handsy. The only time he slipped in contact like that was when he was interacting with an attractive woman, and even then he didn't reach for them as much as he was for Bruce just then.

She shifted her focus to the man in question. He was probably only slightly shorter than Tony, but built in a way that made it seem more so. There was something oddly gentle about him. Odd, because of what she knew he could become. Still, he seemed to almost hide behind those thick curls and glasses. He had a good face, unique and rather charming, and his broad shoulders seemed to support a healthy physique. She wouldn't have ever looked at him and thought he could change a man's sexuality though.

Change it, or discover it? She thought to herself. Tony was certainly attracted to women, (the behavior Pepper had seen from him over the years could not be faked.) But yet here he was, clearly infatuated with another man. Was it a passing phase? Or was Tony really bisexual?

Does he know? Pepper wondered. That was what concerned her the most.

"I have some matters to go over with Pepper," Tony said once lunch was over. "Why don't you get settled while we talk?" Tony showed Bruce to his room on the other side of the penthouse, next door to his own.

He even held the door open for him, Pepper noticed. These things might have all gone unnoticed if you didn't know Tony as well as she did, but each little action stood out plainly to her. It was the look in his eyes though that had her convinced. He looked at Bruce with adoration.

"So?" Tony grinned at her once they were alone. "What did you think?"

"Aren't we supposed to be discussing Stark Industries?" she asked.

"Oh, that can wait," he dismissed her. "Come on, what did you think?"

Pepper paused before answering, choosing her words carefully.

"I think he compliments you very nicely."

Tony wrinkled his nose at that. "What do you mean? This has got nothing to do with me. He's great all on his own."

Does he even hear himself? she wondered.

"That he is. He's clearly intelligent, and seems very personable. I was only commenting on how well you two get along."

Tony actually sighed dreamily. "Yeah…yeah we do."

"Tony…can I just ask…" How was she going to phrase this? Should she even say anything?

"Is there more to Dr. Banner than just his mind that you admire?"

Tony looked shocked. "Of course there is! He's an incredible person! He's been through so much, and still has so much integrity." Tony could go on. And on. But he didn't.

"It's just that…the way you act around him…" Pepper said reluctantly.

"What?" he asked, frowning slightly.

"You act like…" she was starting to chicken out.

"Pepper," Tony said seriously, looking her in the eyes. "What?" he repeated insistently.

"You act like you're smitten with him."

His reaction was not what she'd expected. He laughed.

"Haha, I guess I sort of am," he said.

He doesn't get it.

"I'm sorry, I should have spoken more clearly. Tony, it's like you're attracted to him."

There, that was the reaction Pepper was expecting. Tony's mouth dropped open.

"Wha-? Pepper, that's not even…no! Pepper, that's crazy! I'm not… I'm not gay!"

"Are you bi?"

The question was so direct that he had no defenses prepared for it. He was too stunned to form words.

"Have you ever been attracted to men?" Pepper continued.

"Pepper, there's a difference between knowing a man is attractive and being attracted to him."

"Do you think Bruce is attractive?" she asked, feeling slightly guilty for her ruthlessness.

He knew the answer he was supposed to give, but before he could Tony's mind was swimming with thoughts of Bruce. His eyes, dark brown hidden behind the shine of his glasses. His hair, thick and curled, and the way he would run his hands through it, pushing it back from his face when he was deep in thought. The sound of his deep voice and his soft laugh. The way he never quite buttoned his shirts up all the way…

Yes. Yes I think he's beautiful, Tony thought before he could stop himself, overwhelmed by a swell of emotion.

He felt suddenly dizzy.

Tony fell backwards onto his sofa. Pepper sat down besides him.

"It's okay Tony," she told him.

"How…how did I not see this?" Tony croaked.

"People don't usually see things unless they're looking for them," she said gently.

"God, Pepper, what do I do? I made him come live with me! What am I going to do about this?"

"You could tell him," she said, not expecting Tony to go for that.

"No! No way! He's been through way too much! He doesn't need this too. Besides, I don't want him thinking I'm some creep who lured him here for my own twisted purposes."

"Tony, it's not twisted."

"I'm not saying it's twisted because we're both men, Pepper. There's nothing wrong with being gay. Or…whatever I apparently am…but there's no way he's not going to second guess my reason for bringing him here if I tell him. Besides, I'm sort of dealing with a major personal revelation here. I'd sooner keep it to myself until I figure this out."

Pepper agreed that that was probably smart.

"But still…how can I be around him now, knowing what I know? I can't pretend it's all friendly appreciation, not now that…the floodgate's open…"

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. He doesn't seem to have any clue. If you just act the same as before, everything should be fine."

Tony nodded.

"And who knows…" he smiled weakly. "Maybe this is just a passing thing."

"Yeah," she smiled back.

But as they moved on to discussing Stark Industries, Tony found himself thinking that he didn't want it to be a passing thing. Sure, losing these feelings would make his life much easier, but the thought of losing Bruce in any capacity terrified him.

I said I was willing to walk through hell and back for him… Tony thought to himself. What's more hellish than unrequited love?

I know there are already plenty of "Tony and Bruce grow closer while living together" fan fics, but sue me, I can't help but think that I can give it my own unique spin. If you review it would mean the world to me, and I'll private message you a response. If you want to critique me I would prefer a private message instead of a review, because truthfully praise is something I'd share with the world, while critique feels more, well, private. Thank you!