Extremis
Bruce paces in the waiting room after Tony had been taken in for surgery. He still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Steve, Captain America, beat a non-enhanced human, a civilian at that, with his vibranium shield. If that wasn’t enough, he left him! Left a baseline human in Siberia with no way of knowing if he would survive or not. All for his friend, James Barnes. There was a hint of green around his irises but he takes some calming breaths as Pepper arrives. He looks at her in hopes she had good news.
“There is only one way we can make sure Tony lives.” Pepper says quietly before taking a breath. “It’s called Extremis, Tony told me to use it as a last resort.. The doctors are saying that he might not make it and I-” Bruce remains silent as he thinks this over. Obviously Tony was okay with it but he has quite a bit of a problem with what he’s okay with.
“What will it do?” Bruce finally got up the courage to ask.
“It will heal him all the way through, all the damage done to his body would be completely reverse. He’ll be completely healthy...physically.” Pepper adds on the last part for emphasis. Bruce sighs as he thinks before nodding.
“Alright, we should do it then..” Bruce concedes. Pepper nods and walks off.
The doctors began injecting Tony with Extremis while Bruce was intercepted by James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes aka War Machine and Tony’s Best Friend. “Dr. Banner.” He greets neutrally.
“Colonel Rhodes.” Bruce greets the man respectfully.
“Glad to see you’re back from...wherever you hide yourself.” He narrows his eyes at him. Bruce fidgets nervously.
“Yeah..I’m sorry..”
“You shouldn’t be apologizing to me.”
“I apologized to Tony already.” Rhodey looks at Bruce then tilts his head his eyes calculative.
"Did he forgive you?”
“No, he said we can work something out but he wouldn’t forgive me yet.. I honestly don’t blame him for not forgiving me.” There was a self-depreciative smile on the doctor’s face. “He was the first one to accept me, no us, both the Hulk and I with no fear. He didn’t ignore him like the rest of us did.. Then I just up and leave him because of that stupid witch.” Rhodey gives him a look of understanding.
“I’m glad one of you have the decency to apologize properly.”
“Properly…?” Bruce asks in confusion. Rhodey hums and hands him the letter that was sent to Tony. Bruce blinks and begins to read it. As he read it, the green around his irises began to grow. “What the fuck is this?”
“An ‘Apology Letter’ from Rogers.” Rhodey responds easily. “To Tony.”
“This isn’t a damn apology.”
“Agreed. How’s the surgery going?” Rhodey swerves the conversation as Bruce’s fingertips start turning green. Bruce sighs as the green recedes from the outside.
“We have to use Extremis or else he won’t make it.” Bruce slumps in his seat. “It’s all my fault, I should have been there.”
“You left because of what Maximoff did and you were afraid. Things could have turned out differently if you were here but I get why you left.” Rhodey explains. “Doesn’t mean I’ll forgive you as soon as Tony will.”
“I expect nothing less. I..read the Accords. I got an agreement that they would only call me if the world was under threat..” Bruce says quietly. Rhodey looks at him with a bit of a surprise in his eyes.
“You did? Tony told me a bit about your history with Ross..”
“Tony wouldn’t let him do anything that would hurt me or the people he care about which includes enhanced individuals.. I trust him to stop Ross from making us weapons or anything like that.” Bruce admits. Rhodey snorts in amusement.
“Rogers said you would have gone against the Accords.” Bruce blinks in surprise.
“I would have probably gone into retirement more than disagreeing with them. While the Accords aren’t perfect, I can agree with most stuff and I’m sure Tony can get them amended with some help..” Bruce hums thoughtfully.
“You know, Tony should get the same agreement as you..”
“What agreement?” Rhodey and Bruce looks over to see Tony walking out of the surgery room looking a lot healthier and younger.
“Dr. Banner here got an agreement with the Council as to not call him in unless the world was in danger. I was saying that you should get something similar. There are enough enhanced people around the world that can handle New York or the entire country Tones.” Rhodey tries to insist. Tony looks thoughtful about the agreement.
“I’ll think about it...It would give me more time for the company schematics and for charity events.” Tony hums.
“And more time for yourself to just build what you like, read, pick up another hobby..” Bruce offers.
“I have been wanting to pick up cooking again..” Tony mumbles. “I’ll think about it.” He declares. Bruce and Rhodey share a conspiratory smile.
“Of course Tones.”
“Sure thing Tony.” Tony eyes them warily but smiles brightly.
“Let’s head back to the tower! I want to see what we can do about the Compound.” Tony walks to the car with Bruce and Rhodey trailing behind him.
“I may have a suggestion..” Bruce starts hesitantly. Tony hums in acknowledgement. “Maybe we can make it a school for those that are enhanced but don’t want to be too far from home?”
“I knew I loved you for more than your looks Brucie bear! I’ll talk to Charles and Stephen to see what we can do!” Tony grins at him. Bruce gets a bit flustered but smiles.
“I’m with you all the way Tones. It’s also quite good revenge on the Rouges.”
“You are being petty Honeybear.”
“One of us have to be.”