Acceptance

Bruce stood in the lab, quietly toggling things on the screen and thinking to himself. Anthony sat across the lab with a bag of dried fruit watching a simulation run and obviously thinking about something. It was never clear whether the man was thinking about what was in front of him, or something else entirely and fifty other things besides, but he seemed content enough with whatever had him occupied. It had been nearly a week since they had crossed the line between abstract theory and application. Everything was going well, really, incredibly well. Bruce was not really surprised that nothing between them had changed. They had been so close for so long that he had rather expected as much. Besides that, with everything else they had been through together, everything else that had ever had them at odds, something as basic as sex seemed a silly thing to get upset over.



What did seem new and interesting was the contrast that had seemed to develop between their normal dynamic, and how they played off each other behind closed doors. Anthony was as -nearly abrasively- self assured seeming as ever, and still seemed to lead him through trying different things, thinking about things in new ways, challenging himself and accepting himself, as he always had; in the lab. He would even approach him forcefully enough, to let him know he was tired of work and wanted to play for a bit, but that was where the assertive behaviour seemed to wane. Bruce found it suited him though, to take the lead. In that way, he never felt pushed into anything; rather, he could initiate what he wanted at his own pace.



If anything surprised him at all, it was that Anthony still seemed more than willing to take direction. He was fairly certain his friend had never been this way with women. He had seen him flirt, and even seduce, but had never gotten the sense he was normally anything but decidedly dominant, at least to some degree. He understood if this had to do with Anthony enjoying the idea of someone showing active interest in having him, but he did not want to think that he was giving him any reason to doubt that he was desired. It felt almost as if Anthony was always asking him if he still wanted him. The alternative was that Anthony had just discovered that he liked having someone else take charge, and was just enjoying seeing Bruce in a more dominant role that anyone would expect from him.



Of course, it could just as easily have been both; which was what Anthony would have told him if he had asked. However, since Bruce seemed content to just sneak suspicious peeks at him and keep his musings to himself, Anthony did not bother explaining. He was relatively assured at this point that Bruce did intend to keep him, though that did not make it less satisfying to have the other be ardently affectionate towards him. He did realize, to some extent, how very deeply rooted his insecurity about being loved was, no matter how much evidence he was given that he was cared for, more would always feel comforting and satisfying. He would like -just as much- to turn the tables and make Bruce feel all the good things he wanted him to, but he also realized that his new lover was still weary about getting too carried away. Bruce seemed to take enough pleasure in coaxing enjoyment out of Anthony though, and he was not going to complain about that.



Anthony had, their first morning together, run off to the lab after breakfast, or brunch as it had been. He had put together a portable version of the monitoring equipment they had been using in the lab. Bruce had seemed to take comfort in being able to keep a better eye on his unique biology, and had seemed rather amused at his eagerness to provide that reassurance. Since then Anthony had indeed found that Bruce required much less convincing to fall into acts of intimacy. He walked over to him, then, and wrapped his arms around his waist, looking over his shoulder to see what he was doing.



“You know… I’m not sure I want the media attention of being Tony Stark’s new boyfriend.” said Bruce, in good humour.



“Relax, Spencer, no one’s anywhere near this lab.” Anthony made light of his concern.



Bruce shot him an odd amused glance and shook his head at the comparison. Certainly, in his youth, he would have had a ludicrous amount in common with the young doctor from the crime solving series, but as it was, the analogy seemed a bit laughable for the disparity.



“And… are you willing to stake your reputation as a playboy on it?" he asked him, brow raised, as he tried to look back at him.



Bruce turned to face him then and smoothed his hands over Anthony’s lower back.



“Let’s go upstairs.” Anthony said quickly, before groping his behind and rushing off towards the elevator.



Bruce rolled his eyes and followed.