Tourette's
Bruce could tell that by the end of the fundraiser Tony was getting tired. He hovered, following his husband subtly as he made his rounds, talking to rich investors and stockholders. Towards the end of the night, Tony’s eye twitching started to pick up and when he saw Tony’s head throw itself back in the middle of a conversation, he pulled Tony to the bathroom.
“The nights almost over, okay?” He said softly, holding onto Tony from behind as the man fixed himself in the mirror. “You can do this.” Bruce hated encouraging Tony to hide his tics, but even he knew how important it was that these powerful people do not learn of Tony’s Tourettes.
Tony was diagnosed at 16 years old and from the moment the doctor told the small family that Tony was different, Howard had forced the boy into behavioral therapy to learn to control his tics. While Tony underwent these sessions, he also learned from his father’s shouts and slaps how important it was to not make a fool of himself. Howard called him a freak every moment he could and Tony knew it would be the same if anyone else learned of his disorder.
Bruce and Rhodey are the only two who knew. Rhodey, because he literally lived with the guy for half of his life, and Bruce because he was the love of his life. Since they started dating, it was clear their relationship would be without judgement and once Tony got proof of that, he gathered the courage to tell Bruce. While Tony was almost constantly concealing his tics, it was often tiring and painful to do so. So when he returned to the comfort and privacy of his own home, he finally let them fly. It was hard to do so now that the Avengers had moved in, but Tony would gladly take the exhaustion and pain versus telling them another weakness of his.
Bruce disagreed against the secrecy, but he didn’t try to force him to tell the others. There were many times like when they were discussing Ultron and Tony started giggling. The team took it for Tony being ignorant of the situation, when in fact Bruce knew it was a tic caused by the stress he was under. He had made a sound to try to get Tony to hold it back but he could tell by everyone’s faces they were just getting more angry.
Another thing they took for Tony’s playboy attitude was when he said he didn’t want to be handed things. One of Tony’s physical tics included tossing items when they were given to him, and although he worked hard to control that one, it was less likely to occur when someone he trusted handed him something.
Tony's Tourettes mainly consisted of physical tics but on occasion he did have verbal ones. Once in a while he would cuss, and Bruce literally wanted to punch Steve every time he said ‘language’ in response, causing everyone to laugh. Tony couldn’t control these shouts but to be fair, both he and the billionaire found them to be funny when Tony would yell out random things while they worked in the lab.
Their lab was the one other place besides the privacy of their bedroom that Tony would let his Tourettes be free. It was not uncommon to see blueberries suddenly flying in the air or an uncontrollable giggle fill the room. It was why Tony created hologram games so that he could force his Tourettes throw crumpled paper instead of his tools across the room. It helped immensely but every so often Bruce would duck as a screwdriver flew over his head.
Tony was able to hold it together for the rest of the fundraiser but when they returned home, Tony rushed to the penthouse just barely holding back a tic attack until their bedroom doors finally closed and locked.
Bruce pulled the man to the bed just as his knees gave out and his body started shuddering. In no time, Tony’s whole body was jerking uncontrollably, not unsimilar to a seizure. His neck was thrown back and his body twisted as his eyes twitched and his fingers started scratching himself. Bruce grimaced at the horrible sounding grunts and cusses that erupted from Tony’s throat. With great difficulty, he helped the man out of his shirt, avoiding Tony’s jerking hands that were close to hitting him several times. “You’re okay, Tones,” he chanted softly when he saw Tony trying to fight against the tics. “Let it happen, sweetie.”
When Tony was all changed, he put on a movie and got in bed with his husband. Tony was still jerking wildly but the bed was big enough to ensure he didn’t get hit. Doctors believed tic attacks were brought on by anxiety and stress so he hoped the movie and his presence would calm and distract Tony.
Halfway through the movie, he was forced to get Tony’s helmet and mittens when the man’s tics kept throwing his head back into the headboard and both scratching and punching himself. Even with the mittens, Tony was causing bruises by hitting his body.
In the morning, Tony was absolutely exhausted as well as bruised up and in pain. His muscles hurt severely from the attack and Bruce didn’t have the heart to force him to get up for the team breakfast. Instead, he spent the morning in bed with Tony, massaging his tense muscles and checking to make sure he didn’t pull anything. He put a soft collar around Tony’s neck when he saw the man could barely turn his head without pain.
It was well into the afternoon when Steve summoned them all to a briefing downstairs. Bruce hated having to force Tony awake when he was still in pain from yesterday, but he knew the brief was important. Tony groaned as Bruce helped him to the edge of the bed, the bruises his own fists made yelling in protest. They had to pause as Tony finally stood because his legs started to tremble, exhausted from all the jerking and kicking they did.
Bruce led Tony into the bathroom where they showered together. He used warm water which would relax Tony’s muscles. And he could tell the man appreciated it because he smiled gratefully with his eyes closed in bliss as Bruce delicately washed his body.
Bruce left Tony sitting on the bed as he changed. When Bruce looked over, he frowned when Tony’s eyes were twitching badly and his hands scratched at his exposed arms. He ran over to pull Tony’s hands away from his body and looked into his husband’s face. “You’re gonna be okay, calm down,” he said softly. He knew Tony’s tics were being brought on by his anxiety at facing the team so soon after an attack. He was less able to control and conceal tics immediately after. “I’ll be there the whole time, okay?” Tony nodded, which turned into a jerking tic causing him to throw back his head again. He grunted from the pain.
By the time they were ready to go, most of Tony’s tics had calmed down except for the scratching one. Bruce forced him to wear the mittens, which they had argued over for several minutes. Eventually, Tony took in his already bright red arm with scabbed cuts on them and had given in.
They made their way downstairs and entered the conference room. Steve turned his stern gaze to them when they entered and scolded them for being late. Tony followed Bruce quietly and they sat down at the large table. Everyone eyed Tony’s mittens but didn’t comment.
The briefing was long as Steve went over their next mission which would take place in three days. From the corner of his eye, he could see Tony’s tics happening under the table but they weren’t very noticeable. That was of course until Tony shouted “Fuck!” in the middle of Steve’s speech.
“Childish, Stark,” Steve shook his head. A few Avengers chuckled, Clint being the loudest. Bruce simply cringed.
“Sorry,” Tony said, head bowed. Bruce knew he genuinely didn’t mean to interrupt, but today was not a good day, Tourettes-wise.
Even with Tony’s apology, Steve couldn’t give it a rest. “No you’re not,” Steve scowled. Bruce saw Tony’s hand punch his own leg in distress. “You think you’re so funny, Stark. We are talking about peoples’ lives, here.”
Bruce sighed when he saw Tony looking guilty. “He doesn’t think it’s funny-”
He was cut off by a round of giggles from his husband. Steve’s eyebrows raised and he crossed his arms. “Fuck!” Tony shouted.
“Yes, fuck indeed,” Bruce muttered, rubbing his forehead.
“I apologize. I don’t think it’s funny, Steve,” Tony finally said, getting his mouth under control. “I didn’t mean it.”
Steve sighed, averting his eyes from the pair and continued talking.
Bruce took Tony’s hands under the table when he saw the man getting anxious. Despite what it may seem like on the outside, he knew Tony hated getting in arguments or fights with Steve. Tony revealed to him one day that he had flashbacks of Howard every time it happened and of the man telling him how freakish Captain America would think he was because of his disorder. Every time Steve focused those angry blue eyes on him, he had to force himself not to panic.
Tony was quiet for the rest of the briefing, but right at the end when Steve handed everyone a packet the review, Tony’s tic had him tossing the paper back at Steve’s face. He’d never seen the man look so murderous. “Get out!” Steve shouted.
Tony jumped up, mind already converting Steve into Howard with his arm raised above his head ready to deliver a blow. “He’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch!” Tony involuntarily shouted out in distress. He quickly covered his hands over his mouth.
Before Tony could dart out the room, Bruce stopped him. “He can’t help it, Steve. Leave him alone.” Tony already knew what Bruce was going to reveal when he saw the man avoiding his eye. “He has Tourettes.”
Tony grimaced and waited, but frowned Steve simply said, “What’s that?”
Bruce sighed, cleaning his glasses. “It’s a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movement.” He frowned when he saw Steve was still confused. “It means his body does things and says things against his control. He didn’t mean to curse or throw the paper at you, his body did it involuntarily.”
Steve immediately looked guilty and went to apologize but Tony cut him off. “It’s fine,” he said awkwardly. Steve nodded.
“If you have any books or recommended readings about the subject, I would appreciate it,” Steve said after a moment of silence. “Me too,” the other Avengers spoke up.
Tony looked up in surprise. “I’m not being kicked off the team?”
Steve frowned, “No, of course not.”
Tony turned to Bruce to see the man smiling. Tony smiled back as his husband pulled him into a hug. “Fuck!” Tony shouted, causing them all to laugh.