[Bruce allowing someone else to remind him who he is is just couched terms for allowing them to have input on his self-defined identity. It's a privilege he extends to very few-- before now, essentially only Betty had had that distinction. Although it's not a declaration that he'd accept the input unconditionally, not at all, Bruce's innate unrelenting stubbornness makes any kind of consideration a noteworthy concession. How he sees himself is at the core of his most critical struggles, and it's what outlines his problems and successes with the Hulk, which is the prevailing, overriding issue of his existence.
But this is an even trade. He appreciates that Tony might not be quite as resolutely, bloody-minded independent as he is, but he's close. Bruce answers with a slight, quirked smile, trying to soften what he knows is a huge difficulty for both of them-- exposing weakness, on a projected continual basis. Truthfully, they need the safety net, both of them. If it won't be each other, then who are they going to rely on to do it instead? There's an underlying level of mutual understanding here that Bruce has rarely replicated elsewhere, and a lack of expectation that the other will change. Both points are crucial.]
Deal. [There's a beat, and then he huffs out a breath of self-conscious humor.] If we let each other. But we can try.
no subject
But this is an even trade. He appreciates that Tony might not be quite as resolutely, bloody-minded independent as he is, but he's close. Bruce answers with a slight, quirked smile, trying to soften what he knows is a huge difficulty for both of them-- exposing weakness, on a projected continual basis. Truthfully, they need the safety net, both of them. If it won't be each other, then who are they going to rely on to do it instead? There's an underlying level of mutual understanding here that Bruce has rarely replicated elsewhere, and a lack of expectation that the other will change. Both points are crucial.]
Deal. [There's a beat, and then he huffs out a breath of self-conscious humor.] If we let each other. But we can try.