dear_mun | (no subject)

No, it's fine. Anyone would do the same.

No, they wouldn't.

Look, it's... I shouldn't have said that. Not to you.

[But you already did...]

And I'm not angry about it, so don't worry about it. We're cool, as they say.

That's not what I'm worried about.

[Meh.] Okay, yes, that's partially it, but not all of it.

I'm trying- I'm trying to say...

What are you trying to say?

[Very, very patiently. No need to rush, Tony, Bruce will be here to listen as long as you want him to?]

[It takes a good two minutes for Tony to pull the words together.]

I...

I'm sorry.

...

You have nothing to apologize for, you know. At least not to me.

[If you've done anything to him, its not exactly the same him, after all. You don't owe him anything.]

[But I can't apologize to him right now. And that's not the point.]

I just did. I said something to hurt you, and I didn't mean to.

So.

I'm sorry.

[...well, if he puts it that way...]

Apology accepted, then. [Smiles.] There, you see? You don't have to worry.

[That gets a surprised look.]

Just like that? You don't have to forgive everyone.

[And Bruce is just going to give you one of his mirthless looks here.]

What else can I do? Get angry?

[A dry laugh.]

You know how badly that would end.

[Ouch. Ah, damn it.]

I'm not saying you should get angry. I'd honestly like it better if you didn't, but that's just because it's me. I know what that looks like.

[Tony. That point you were making.]

But there's a difference between getting angry and forgiving someone. And I want it. I want you to.

But you don't have to, Banner. It's not one or the other.

[So what else can he do if he can't get angry and can't forgive somebody? Hold a grudge? Yeah, like that will work out well.

Quirks his lips up in a small smile.] I do forgive you Tony, relax. It'd be petty of me to get angry over something like that.

[Okay, no, that wouldn't work.

Tony isn't good at finding the right things to say when it comes to comfort. Technical stuff, sure, but... Damn these issues.]

I'm glad. I'm glad I met you, and that you're, well, you. And if you need anything...

I'll come find you. [Yep, another smile.] And likewise, the offer is open for you. If you need me, I'll be around as soon as I can.

If I need you, you'll come rescue me? Now that would be a sight.

It'll be the talk of the town, I'm sure.

We'd make headlines. In a good way. It almost makes me want to call you just to try it.

I suppose it would be worth it just to see the surprise on the faces of everyone else.

[The comics world is a little screwed up, or so he's told...]

[Things get a little crazy. Honestly, Tony is baffled by the treatment here.]

Well, it'd turn some heads. You might make a few people pass out.

That's it? No swooning whatsoever?

[Wry grin. He's joking about the swooning.

Really.]

You want me draped in your arms?

[Mental image.]

Even I think that would be overkill.

[Pretty much.]

Well, I don't mind being carted around as long as you aren't planning on beating me with one of my own limbs.

Bad idea, by the way. Forget I mentioned it.

[See, this is still a joke.]

[A laugh.]

No plans like that from me. You can relax.

[Jokes are good.]