Work Text:
“I don’t need a doctor,” Tony says with a hoarse voice and an exhausted look on his face.
“J.A.R.V.I.S told me that when you got out of bed, you fell on your face right afterwards,” Pepper mutters.
Tony scoffs. “You’re not supposed to expose me like that, J.”
“It was important for the investigation, sir,” J.A.R.V.I.S defends himself.
Tony frowns. “What investigation?”
“Of your well-being,” Pepper answers.
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“No, you’re the one who’s not making any sense,” Pepper argues. “And the fact that you have a 103º fever certainly has something to do with that. Not to mention that you can’t stomach one bite of food. You’re nauseous. You have a constant headache and can barely move without getting unbelievably fatigued.”
“I’ve been in worst states of being,” Tony says. “And you know that. And that hasn’t stopped me from giving scientific lectures.”
Pepper sighs. “You weren’t supposed to be incredibly drunk while doing them and I don’t know how that worked out for you,” she nods. “But you are sick and I’m afraid your case is a medical one.”
Tony closes his eyes, resting against the headboard. “Please, no,” he mumbles. He blinks his eyes open. “All I have is just a cold. Don’t we have any dextromethorphans lying around?”
“Well, you also can’t eat anything,” Pepper recalls. “Maybe it’s something beyond that. Maybe you’ve got a stomach bug.”
“Stomach bug?” Tony repeats incredulously. “I haven’t left this house for months. How’s that possible?”
“Well, then,” Pepper tilts her head, “these are the consequences of you overworking yourself.”
Tony sighs. “I’m upgrading my suit. I have to run tests.”
“I understand that it’s important to you,” Pepper says. “But you can’t only be concerned about taking care of others, you also need to take care of yourself. And that’s why I’m going to call Dr. Paterson.”
“No…”
“Yes.”
“Pepper, no…”
Pepper smiles at him and pulls out her phone.
“All I need is an ibuprofen,” Tony murmurs as he weakly lifts his hands, trying to grab Pepper’s phone off her hands.
Tony can’t reach her and Pepper very easily stands up from the bed. “If you behave, Dr. Paterson won’t be here for that long.”
Tony lets out a heavy breath, lying down on his bed and pressing his fingers to his temples. “This is a nightmare.”
“Tony?”
Tony startles awake. Opening his eyes, the corner of his vision is blurred and his forehead, temples, and the bridge of his nose are hurting terribly. He lets out a dry, pained cough.
“God,” Tony murmurs hoarsely. “You can’t do this.” He brings his hand up, resting it against his chest, feeling his arc reactor under the fabric of his shirt.
“I’m sorry,” Pepper says. “But I need to tell you something.”
Tony closes his eyes again, swallowing thickly. He’s ready to fall asleep once more. “What?”
“Your personal doctor can’t come today,” Pepper informs.
“And why would I care?”
“So, I called in for another one.”
Tony opens his eyes, looking up at his assistant. “What?”
“And he’s going to be here…” Pepper checks her watch, “at any moment now.”
“What?” Tony starts coughing, grimacing as he does so because it feels like his lungs are painfully constricting inside his chest.
“Careful, Tony,” Pepper mumbles as she reaches out towards the nightstand, grabbing a jar and pouring water into a glass.
“No, you’re the one,” Tony says, pausing to take a deep breath as he slowly pushes himself up into a sitting position, “who needs to be careful. How can you just say stuff like that?” He grabs the glass, taking a much needed sip of water.
“But it is true,” Pepper nods. “This one is personally recommended by Dr. Paterson when he isn’t available, so he has all the credentials.”
“There is no need for this,” Tony complains as he gives Pepper the glass back. “It’s just a cold. I’m going to be fine tomorrow.”
“You can stop whining about it,” Pepper deadpans. “I have already called him.”
Tony can’t even groan in complaint because that’ll upset his throat. “You should listen to me more,” he mutters.
“You are the one who should–”
“Dr. Banner is waiting at the front door,” J.A.R.V.I.S’ voice echoes, interrupting Pepper.
“Thank you, J.A.R.V.I.S,” Pepper says, getting up from the bed.
“Seriously, Pepper, I don’t need–”
“No, Tony, stay in bed,” Pepper gestures with her hand.
Tony doesn’t listen—as always—and stands up. The blanket falls off from his body, causing a small wind to go over him and he immediately shivers. He stumbles a little, too, getting dizzy.
“If it really is that necessary, he can just give me medicine and then leave,” Tony murmurs, trying to follow after Pepper. “Right? Pepper?”
Pepper walks out of the bedroom and Tony leans against the doorway, feeling exhausted.
“Jesus,” Tony breathes out before he turns around and practically drags himself towards his bed, climbing onto it and taking the blanket back, covering himself. Settling down, he hears some murmuring coming from the hallway and he braces himself for the worst.
Pepper shows up at the door, looking at someone who Tony can’t see. “He’s right here,” she says, smiling slightly as she points inside the room.
“Thank you.” Tony hears a…rather velvety voice and then he sees a man who can only be the doctor. And the doctor is…
The doctor is handsome. Tony won’t lie. He never lies about this kind of stuff. The doctor has curly black hair with a bit of gray sprinkled in. He wears glasses. Tony can tell that this doctor has broad shoulders under that white coat and he also seems to have a bit of a stubble. Therefore, he is Tony’s kind of man.
“Doctor,” Tony breathes out softly as he holds the edge of the blanket, pressing it against his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Pepper frowns behind Dr. Banner, and Dr. Banner gives Tony a crooked smile.
“I tried to get here as soon as possible,” Dr. Banner says and Tony wonders what it must be like to have this deep, slightly raspy voice saying ‘good morning’ to him every day. “Your assistant told me over the phone that your case is serious.”
“Very serious,” Tony adds for emphasis. “I’m so sick, Doctor.” He rests his head against his pillow, stretching one arm out by his side. “My body is aching all over.”
“Well, then we should get started immediately,” Dr. Banner says, approaching the bed.
“That’s funny,” Pepper chimes in, crossing her arms. “Because I was just telling Dr. Banner how treating you can be difficult because–”
“Of the trying times,” Tony immediately cuts her off. “The trying times that I’m currently in can make things difficult. But you’re a professional. I’m sure you’re used to it.”
“Indeed,” Dr. Banner nods as he places his bag on top of the nightstand. “But I don’t think I’ve ever treated any billionaires before.”
“It’s your first time? And it’s with me?” Tony murmurs, smiling softly. “I feel honored,” he flirts quite shamelessly and when Dr. Banner isn’t looking, Pepper hits Tony’s foot, making him look at her confusedly and she gives him a stern glance.
“The honor is mine,” Dr. Banner says before he turns to Pepper. “Are you going to stay–”
“No,” Tony shakes his head. “She is leaving. This is my privacy. My personal affair. And she’s going to leave.” He looks at his assistant. “Right?”
“If Dr. Banner doesn’t need anything, that is,” Pepper remarks.
“No, I’m okay. Thank you, Miss Potts.”
“In case you do need anything, just call out to J.A.R.V.I.S and he’d let me know immediately,” Pepper instructs.
“Excuse me,” Dr. Banner says after Pepper has left, “who is J.A.R.V.I.S?”
“I am J.A.R.V.I.S,” a robotic voice echoes through the bedroom and Dr. Banner flinches, looking all around the room. “Hello, Dr. Banner.”
Dr. Banner looks at Tony.
“This is my digital assistant that runs through artificial intelligence that I created,” Tony explains.
Dr. Banner nods slowly. “J.A.R.V.I.S?” he murmurs as he glances up at the ceiling. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Dr. Banner,” J.A.R.V.I.S says.
Dr. Banner raises his eyebrows. “This is very impressive.”
“Thank you,” Tony murmurs, feeling a rush of warmth all over his body and it’s not because of his fever. “But it’s not as impressive as taking care of people’s health every single day.”
Dr. Banner tilts his head. “I suppose with the whole Iron Man thing, you’re also looking out for people’s well-being.”
Tony’s gaze darkens amusedly. “Do you keep up with me, Doctor?”
Dr. Banner shrugs, unzipping his bag. “It was all over the news.”
“Well, I’m always on the news,” Tony shrugs.
“That’s true,” Dr. Banner nods, exhaling out of his nose. “I do think your suit is quite remarkable.”
Tony smirks. “Do you want to see my arc reactor?”
“What I want right now is to check your temperature,” Dr. Banner says as he pulls out a thermometer from his bag.
“Oh. Okay then.” Tony pulls himself into a sitting position and reaches down, holding the hem of his shirt.
“That’s not necessary,” Dr. Banner murmurs. “Just place it under your armpit.”
“It’s fine, Doctor,” Tony says as he pulls his shirt up, revealing his arc reactor before he takes the thermometer from Dr. Banner’s hand. Their fingers brush and Tony is bombarded by a shockwave. As instructed, Tony places the sensor under his armpit, holding his arm across his chest.
“It glows,” Dr. Banner suddenly comments.
“Oh, yeah,” Tony mumbles, looking down at his own chest. “It’s a new one. I improved it.”
“I heard about it before,” Dr. Banner nods. “Your father created it, didn’t he?”
Tony looks up at Dr. Banner. “Thought you didn’t keep up with me.”
“But how could I not know? Your father is one of the greatest inventors of all time,” Dr. Banner says. “And I had to study what he did in college.”
Tony frowns slightly. “You had to study my dad’s work in college? He was an engineer. Thought you had to study...biology and stuff like that.”
“Well, I was also interested in other things,” Dr. Banner shugs.
“You’re not like most doctors, then,” Tony murmurs at the same time the thermometer lets out a click.
Dr. Banner grins. “Guess you could say that.” He takes the thermometer from Tony’s hand, adjusting his glasses as he checks the temperature. “When we were talking on the phone, Miss Potts told me you had a 103º fever, now it went up to 103.5.”
“All thanks to your presence,” Tony shakes his head. “You’re quite charming but also…hot.”
Dr. Banner looks down at Tony, bewildered. “Mr. Stark, now is not the time–”
“What’s up with the formalities?” Tony drawls, looking quite enamoured or just delirious. Or both. Probably both. “I’m your patient, you’re my doctor. There’s no need for that.”
“There is a need for that,” Dr. Banner answers professionally.
“Well,” Tony tilts his head, “you can call me whatever you want, dear.”
Dr. Banner shakes his head as he takes a deep breath. “Miss Potts has mentioned your symptoms to me,” he continues, looking and sounding polished, which makes him appear even more attractive and it also tempts Tony to reach out and make him a mess. “Apart from the fever, she told me that you have a headache, can barely move, can’t eat anything and that you’re nauseous. Is there anything else?”
“Head over heels for you,” Tony replies very seriously.
“You really were delirious. How could you do that, Tony?” Pepper complains the next morning.
“How do you even know that this took place?” Tony asks before he takes the expectorant that Dr. Banner prescribed him yesterday, washing it down with water.
“J.A.R.V.I.S told me,” Pepper nods.
Swallowing, Tony looks at the ceiling. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“You know I can’t lie, sir,” J.A.R.V.I.S says.
“You’re very lucky that Dr. Banner is a level-headed man,” Pepper continues. “If you had any idea of how respected–”
“I do,” Tony interjects. “Robert Bruce Banner is a world-renowned doctor and scientist.”
Pepper frowns. “How do you know that?”
“Have you heard of something called Google?” Tony shrugs and Pepper sighs. “Why didn’t you tell me, by the way?”
“I would have,” Pepper says, “if you stopped whining about not wanting to be seen by a doctor.”
“If you had sat me down and explained to me that this doctor is the most charming man to ever cross the face of the Earth, I would have paid attention,” Tony nods.
“You’re unbelievable,” Pepper shakes her head.
“You know me,” Tony murmurs unapologetically. “Give me his phone number.”
Pepper looks at Tony. “I don’t have his phone number.”
“Then how did you contact him?”
“I didn’t contact him. I called Dr. Paterson, his secretary answered and told me he wasn’t available but he always recommends Dr. Banner as a replacement whenever that happens.”
“And you didn’t ask Bruce for his phone number?”
“Why would I ask Dr. Banner for his phone number?”
“So I could have his number.”
“Tony, just finish your breakfast.”
Tony hums quietly as he waits for Bruce.
Bruce opens the door, looking down at Tony confusedly.
“Afternoon, Dr. Banner,” Tony greets him politely. “How was your lunch break?”
Bruce closes the door behind himself. “How did you get into my office?”
“I asked your secretary,” Tony answers and that’s how it happened. Partially.
“I see,” Bruce says slowly, walking towards his desk. “Well, Mr. Stark–”
“Tony, please.”
“Tony,” Bruce nods and Tony focuses on the way his name sounds in Bruce’s mouth. “Did something happen?” he asks, sitting down on his chair. “Did you have a health setback?”
“No, quite the contrary,” Tony says. “You took very good care of me and I’ve been following everything you told me diligently. My assistant even allowed me to get back to my work a couple of days ago.”
Bruce smiles lightly. “I’m very glad.”
“But, you know, ever since our first encounter,” Tony starts, leaning forward and resting his arms on top of the desk, “I can’t stop thinking about something.”
“And what is that?”
“I want you to become my personal doctor.”
“What’s wrong with Dr. Paterson?”
“He isn’t you,” Tony smiles.
Bruce narrows his eyes as he looks at Tony. “This seems to be a bit…abrupt.”
“It isn’t, actually,” Tony shakes his head. “I hold a lot of respect for you. Your work on anti-electron collisions is unparalleled, by the way.”
“I had no idea that you knew anything about me,” Bruce mumbles.
“And I plan on knowing more,” Tony nods, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his card. “There’s my number on it. I’m going to give you some time to think but do give me an answer quickly because I just fired my personal doctor and, in my line of work, I can get beat up regularly.”
Bruce frowns. “You fired Dr. Paterson without knowing what type of answer I could give you?”
Tony tilts his head. “That’s how much I believe in you.”
Thankfully, Bruce’s answer was a yes.
“What is this time, Tony?” Bruce sighs as he steps into Tony’s room.
“I think I pulled a muscle on my back,” Tony murmurs, wincing.
“That’s the third time this week you pull a muscle,” Bruce says as he walks closer to Tony.
“You know, I have a very physically demanding job,” Tony mumbles.
“Let me see.” Bruce stands behind Tony and he feels the doctor’s hands on his shoulder blades.
“No, it’s lower,” Tony tells Bruce.
“Here?” Bruce asks when he touches Tony’s mid-back.
“No, no, lower.”
“Here?” Bruce presses his fingers on the small of Tony’s back.
“Oh, yeah,” Tony breathes out. “Right there.”
“Okay.” Bruce starts to gently rub Tony’s lower back. “You do have some knots here.”
“I knew it. A little knotty, right?” Tony says. “Guess I’m a naughty boy.” He leans himself backwards, resting against Bruce’s chest.
“Tony,” Bruce says, holding Tony’s hips and giving them a squeeze, meant to be a rebuke, before he pushes Tony forward again.
Tony turns his head, looking at Bruce from over his shoulder. “If you keep this up, you’re going to have to massage me all over, Doctor.”