“Why would I be mad?” Tony had been worried at times, annoyed, and on and off again obsessed about finding Banner, but he hadn’t been annoyed. The gravity sent him back to fishing for a slice in the pizza box, a reason not to look up at his friend. “You never promised that you wouldn’t leave.”

Pepper promised a few times. And still left. Twice.

“And you’re back now. After three months of being yourself— Okay that does sting. You know you were safe here. I’d have— You could have been taken care of. And I wouldn’t have bothered you.” A lie. Tony wouldn’t have left Bruce alone for more than a few hours at a time and they both knew it.