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[amongants]

The sudden appearance saved him a lot of time searching, at least. He couldn’t say he’d be able to tolerate the exuberance the man practically oozed, however. Hank cleared his throat and put on his best welcoming smile before taking the hand in his own and giving it a firm shake. 

“Tony Stark,” he greeted, nodding curtly. “You’re right about that. Pleasure is mine.” There was a hint of dry humor there, but he seemed genuinely pleased to meet the man, if only because it was rare to find anyone capable of comprehending anything he had to say. 

Sure, he knew plenty about the head of Stark Industries. Knew even more now that he’d joined up with the Avengers, and he had to say-- he was impressed. If feeling a bit competitive, now that Tony had finally shown up.

Biotic Factor (Hank & Tony)

Every so often, he hit a roadblock. Something wasn’t working right, or something simply wasn’t compatible. Maybe he’d slipped on a few notes and forgotten a miniscule segment of the design, and had to go back and rectify the mistake. He’d murmur some scientific gibberish under his breath, because there was always something in these schematics didn’t want to cooperate.

Work went smoothly enough, with Hank devising several ways to improve upon the range of the antennae, amplifying the distance at which he could call upon the ants. It would drastically improve combat vitality, and significantly increase his chances of coming home unscathed. 

“Range enhanced to… four kilometers, and counting. Any more pushing and the emitters are going to burn out.” Hank scribbled that down on the corner of his notebook, a record should he wish to improve upon it further. A few more tweaks to a circular disk smaller than the palm of his hand, the internal communicator, his mind supplied, and he was finished. Mostly.

Hank stepped away from his work. At this point however, it was less work and more adjustments and upgrades; his attempt at enhancing his gadgets and by extent, himself. Perhaps a bit of fresh non-lab air would jumpstart his imagination and clear away a day-and-a-half’s worth of mind fog. 

He’d consider it one his rare breaks, and take full advantage. Now, to find his future Lab partner. Good with machines, wasn’t he…?

[amongants]

just-let-me-change:

He had a slight nervous energy, but given the circumstances of their last meeting, that wasn’t anything unusual. Or maybe he was just jittery about being with the Avengers. Lord knows she’d been nervous when she first arrived.

She blinked back the tears, trying not to let it get the better of her. He wants to know about my powers. That’s all.  Images flash unbidden of the two of them, fighting side by side. She’d been consumed by the need for revenge, and hadn’t much cared if she survived the battle.

“It’s been.. easier.” she rubbed her arm. “They’re good.” Her normal enthusiasm for her powers was gone for the moment, as she tried not to dwell on  the past.

“I guess you’ll see soon?” she gave him a weak smile.

He smiled easily, although there was a hint of concern there-- somewhere, hidden behind enthusiasm and intrigue. Good. They were good. That was a relief. Poor Hank had worried endlessly over any possible mistakes

“That’s good to hear,” he said. He’d seen her in action, but it seemed so long ago and he couldn’t accurately recall anything of use for his research. He couldn’t help but comment. “Fascinating, how well you’ve been able to adapt.”

Whether it was unique to her, or something else, it had opened his eyes to a whole new realm of possibilities. For her sake, he’d withhold anymore questions until later.

Hank perked up a bit at that. “I suppose I will. If you don’t mind.” It’d involve enough staring to make anyone uncomfortable, but it was for strictly scientific purposes. 

Little Things || Janet and Hank

[amongants]

Plate IV. Alaskan hymenoptera. Harriman Alaska series. Vol. IX. Insects. Part II. 1904.

[amongants]

Biotic Factor (Hank & Tony)

Every so often, he hit a roadblock. Something wasn’t working right, or something simply wasn’t compatible. Maybe he’d slipped on a few notes and forgotten a miniscule segment of the design, and had to go back and rectify the mistake. He’d murmur some scientific gibberish under his breath, because there was always something in these schematics didn’t want to cooperate.

Work went smoothly enough, with Hank devising several ways to improve upon the range of the antennae, amplifying the distance at which he could call upon the ants. It would drastically improve combat vitality, and significantly increase his chances of coming home unscathed. 

“Range enhanced to... four kilometers, and counting. Any more pushing and the emitters are going to burn out.” Hank scribbled that down on the corner of his notebook, a record should he wish to improve upon it further. A few more tweaks to a circular disk smaller than the palm of his hand, the internal communicator, his mind supplied, and he was finished. Mostly.

Hank stepped away from his work. At this point however, it was less work and more adjustments and upgrades; his attempt at enhancing his gadgets and by extent, himself. Perhaps a bit of fresh non-lab air would jumpstart his imagination and clear away a day-and-a-half’s worth of mind fog. 

He’d consider it one his rare breaks, and take full advantage. Now, to find his future Lab partner. Good with machines, wasn’t he...?

[amongants]

The Little Things

If one looked closely, they could see a tiny, near invisible trail of carpenter ants along the wall, moving in an orderly line as if they had some very important duty to fulfill. Where they were headed was anyone’s guess, and more appeared to be escaping between the cracks and the imperfections in the walls and doors of the small establishment. 

He fiddled aimlessly with a mess of machine innards shaped vaguely like a helmet. The ants followed along around him at the command of the unfinished machine. This new lab would have better parts, he hoped.

As he made his way down the hall, walking only because it helped him think. Walked in mindless circles, that is, so lost in his own world that he hadn’t realized he now walked the streets of New York and headed in no particular direction, hoping somewhere in his subconscious that he’d finish the helmet before he had to meet the team. Or maybe meet the team in a more natural, relaxed environment. 

The helmet buzzed in his hands. A small binding of wires connected the helmet to a thin headset, transferring the ants’ thoughts straight to Hank. Ants did not think comprehensibly, but with time Hank had managed to translate those thoughts into something he could understand. They were curious little things, not comprehending but still naturally driven to explore their environment.

He continued along the sidewalk, answering their thoughts with simple answers. It wasn’t his greatest idea, but it was his favorite, rivaled only by the budding schematics. A wire placed here, a chip inserted there. 

The headset was compressed and placed into the gut of the helmet, and finally his magnum opus was complete. Now, to get the ants to give him directions.

[amongants]

He’d have to very inconspicuously ask around about who had a temper and who wouldn’t mind his curious prodding. He’d have to build bridges at some point, but it was always best to observe from afar and determine the best time to come in asking questions and trying to be friendly. Hank, unfortunately, had some pretty awful timing, but made up for it with superb observational skills.

Hank only responded with a light huff and waved the man off. At least he’d be going in expecting to be overwhelmed with questions, and thus he had time to prepare and think of his answers beforehand. He’d have to remember to give his thanks for the heads up later, and then maybe a bit of an introduction to his research here. 

The ants were quick to scramble back into position and help him clean up, diligent little workers that they were. They’d done this for so long that he didn’t have to prod much to stir them into action, and if there was one thing ants were exceptionally good at, it was routine.

It seemed an awful thing to have to leave most of these guys behind, but they wouldn’t fit too well in New York. He glanced back briefly where the door to his lab shut, a miniscule smile in place. A good few months ahead indeed. 

Ought to get to work planning his flight back home, then. 

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

amongants

“Hope they don’t work on a schedule…” Hank dearly hoped no invasions or world-shattering events occurred any time soon. The least they could do was wait long enough for him to get acquainted with the team, then they had his permission to go all out.

Speaking of the team, he’d have to be on his best behavior when he arrived, and try to be as attentive to these people as he could be. It just wouldn’t do to have an aloof scientist more interested in insects than his teammates. What would they think of him then?

“It’s settled, then,” Hank began semi-cheerfully, sanding to accept Steve’s number and holding out a hand for him to shake. “I’ll contact you when I arrive, see what this team you mentioned is all about.”

Two nights of little sleep were finally starting to catch up to him, but Hank managed to stay on his feet. This new prospect, the new opportunities, were each enough to keep him wired just long enough. The scientist blinked a few times to clear the fuzz, and let his expression ease into something more relaxed.

His eyes shone with mirth and perhaps a bit of childish glee. “I’d be happy to explain anytime.” In truth, unfortunately, he’d likely end up talking to himself; nobody could understand a word he said, no matter how simple he explained it. But the company was always welcome.

Preferably the type of company that didn’t mind listening and learning rather than giving input. He wasn’t one for chatting.

Shaking the other’s hand, the Captain’s grin is much more open that it was when he arrived. There’s something about things falling into place that is so uplifting that he can’t help but feel it’s a good first step to getting some diversity on the team. In the meantime, he’ll have to track a few more people down, make sure that they know someone is incoming. 

Never did well to sneak up on an assassin, after all… or the Hulk, for that matter. Since the team carried both, he’d definitely need to make sure they knew.

“You don’t know what you’ve opened yourself up to,” Steve chuckles, stepping back at last and heading for the door with a small wave over his shoulder. “We’re a curious bunch. The more we know, the better prepared we are. You’ll probably have to teach all of us a thing or two. But until then, have a good afternoon, Doctor.” 

He, himself, was looking forward to understanding (or at least hearing more about) what Pym was all about. His research was an extension of the man, or so it was with most people who studied so intently that Steve had met. Learning about it might give him a deeper insight to the scientist and, in the process, help him decide what kind of position Hank could have in the group. Educating himself about his teammates was the best weapon he had. 

This one didn’t seem to mind the questions and the Captain was eternally grateful for that. Now if he could just get everyone else to that kind of acceptance with questions, he’d be doing well. 

Very well, indeed. 

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thevalueofstrength

“I am more than willing to work around whatever schedule you’d like to set up, Sir,” Steve offers, grinning. “Minus any world invasions between then and now where we might need some help, everything should be going at your speed. Ours is a bit haphazard, going either lightening fast or not moving at all. So really, I’m more than happy to arrange for whenever you’re available instead of the other way around.”

If the relief on his face is almost shining through, it’s probably because he’s become used to bad news. Oh, he’d always prepare for it, and he wasn’t turned towards always hoping for it these days, but when it happened it was like a wash of cool water over bare muscles. Nice and refreshing, if a bit of a shock to the system, but something the Captain would welcome for how rarely it happened.

Now to just drag one of the others out from their hidey holes and have them play nice. He honestly doesn’t think it’ll be that hard…

“Here, my business card has my cell but this is my personal,” Steve mumbles as his brow starts to furrow in belated thought. He shifts his weight, pats down the pockets of his sports jacket, before pulling out pen and paper. A quick looping number and he’s handing over a personal line that he uses only for Avengers. “Anytime you need anything, you give that a call and you’ll get directly to me.”

Eventually, they’d get some sort of communicator for all of them, but he’d have to talk to Stark about that one. If he could find him. Rubbing the back of his neck, the Captain grins a bit sheepishly, finally letting his shoulders slope.

“It really is an honor to get to work with you,” he comments, making sure to check where he’s stepping as he heads back to the edge of the lab. “I won’t keep you with my fascination of the Pym particles and how you came up with the ideas, but you should know that I am very much interested if you ever want to talk to someone about your work. I just… may not understand all that you say.”

“Hope they don’t work on a schedule...” Hank dearly hoped no invasions or world-shattering events occurred any time soon. The least they could do was wait long enough for him to get acquainted with the team, then they had his permission to go all out. 

Speaking of the team, he’d have to be on his best behavior when he arrived, and try to be as attentive to these people as he could be. It just wouldn’t do to have an aloof scientist more interested in insects than his teammates. What would they think of him then?

“It’s settled, then,” Hank began semi-cheerfully, sanding to accept Steve’s number and holding out a hand for him to shake. “I’ll contact you when I arrive, see what this team you mentioned is all about.” 

Two nights of little sleep were finally starting to catch up to him, but Hank managed to stay on his feet. This new prospect, the new opportunities, were each enough to keep him wired just long enough. The scientist blinked a few times to clear the fuzz, and let his expression ease into something more relaxed.

His eyes shone with mirth and perhaps a bit of childish glee. "I’d be happy to explain anytime.” In truth, unfortunately, he’d likely end up talking to himself; nobody could understand a word he said, no matter how simple he explained it. But the company was always welcome.

Preferably the type of company that didn’t mind listening and learning rather than giving input. He wasn’t one for chatting.

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

[amongants]

thevalueofstrength

There’s a small smile that graces the Captain’s lips at the mention of insects. He, himself, doesn’t mind them. There had been plenty of times he’d woken up with a million bites after sleeping outdoors on his shield with the Commandos. If they couldn’t bother him then, they probably wouldn’t bother him now, so long as they weren’t on him in mass.

“I think you’ll find everyone either indifferent or alright with things,” he offers softly, giving a shake of his head. “Many of us have been in positions where living with them instead of trying to stomp them out is just how it is.”

Himself among them, even from before the war.

The only person he can imagine might have a problem with them is someone who was used to everything going their way. Not necessarily in a spotless kind of way, but definitely more used to nothing invading, interfering, or showing up in their work space that wasn’t invited, bugs included. He’d have to look into that, actually, and he hoped no one was truly terrified of something so small.

“Good, good,” Steve continues, finally letting his shoulders relax a bit. His lips even part in a wider smile, eyes softening at the corners. “I look forward to it, too. I do believe we’re setting up a base of operations outside of New York City… or at least that’s my plan. Living in a tower in the middle of a well known city isn’t exactly recommended for keeping low profiles when off work. But if you require any sort of lab equipment, let me know, and I’ll try to arrange for a basic set up to be there before you arrive, or at least sometime soon after you meet some of the team.”

It’s a relief to find someone else willing to give some helping hands to the Avengers. They weren’t exactly a team, per say, not yet. But they were building themselves a new name, a new reputation, and above all, a new chain of command. Steve gently rolls out his neck before taking a step back, wary of what insects might actually be in the lab right now that he hasn’t seen.

“Would you like to arrange a meet up later or would you prefer I left my card for immediate contact, once you’ve settled into the idea and have some suggestions. God knows I could use them,” the Captain admits, blinking at the man in front of him a bit owlishly, as if trying to figure him out all of the sudden despite the past few minutes speaking to him. “You’ll find your ideas welcome to be heard, at the very least, though depending on the situation there might need to be some compromises.”

Good to know. It was two of the hardest parts of his career - finding others who shared his enthusiasm for the insect world, and finding others sharing his enthusiasm who’d want to work with him. They were few and far between, either because his... eccentricities were too much to handle, or because they lied about the whole bug thing thinking they’d be getting a good job. Good pay, sure, as long as you could put up with him.

He grimaced at the mention of New York. He’d have returned eventually, there was no denying that, but he’d have preferred to hold it off for as long as he could manage. After all, it was home. At least he knew it well enough to know of the trade offs; peace and quiet for better equipment and more opportunity.

“A meeting,” he said, nodding serenely. His expression softened. “Right. Assuming that I now have an open schedule, would your team be willing to meet after the flight home? I’ll have some issues to clear up,” work and government related, of course, “but I should be free otherwise.” 

Then he’d have time, he hoped, to think. Let it all settle in once and for all, and maybe offer his suggestions to make team life easier. 

Hank just hoped they wouldn’t be the standoffish types; rough and tumble members who worked too well together to accept a new member so easily. But from what he could figure from the conversation, they were at least capable - and brave, if the news and what Steve was saying was to be considered. 

Or they were just insane, going up against aliens and conquerors and who-knows-what. If that was the case, he’d fit right in.

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

[amongants]

thevalueofstrength

A brow jumps, but the Captain offers a slightly amused smile, nonetheless. He wasn’t considered eloquent, but he supposed there was a certain cadence to his words when it was called for. Couldn’t be much of a leader without he, if he was to guess. Wasn’t much for politics of slick words, though, so he could just be considering things on a superficial level, which wouldn’t do him any favors here when he was speaking against someone that knew words than he knew the definitions for.

That Pym wanted to help was just the better for him as Steve gently stepped over ants and stood in front of the other’s desk. Gave the other the advantage, sitting in his area and the Captain coming into it.

“Wonderful,” Steve comments softly, grin quirking up a corner of his lips at last. “Because I’m down quite a few Avengers, who have decided that they need a rest, and with more of us in the loop… it’s possible that we won’t ever have an ‘off’ day where one of us is needed and none of us are to be had. That being said, I would like to offer you the options for the more… physical part of the Avengers. Not for everyone, like I said, but know it’s there if you ever feel the need to get out and battle test something.”

One way of putting it. He doubted explosions were really how to test anything other than if something explodes or not.

“I’ll arrange for you to meet some of the other Avengers. Unfortunately, our resident mech builder is a bit M.I.A. at the moment, doing Heaven knows what elsewhere. So you’ll probably be our go to scientist for awhile, Sir, when the world decides to throw something new at us, even after all our time on it.”

He feared, deep down somewhere in some dark recess of his mind, that this team would be just like every other before it. Annoyed, forced to work alongside him because somebody with more power told them to. And hoped, a much more pleasant side of Hank, that they’d like him at least as much as he liked himself-- which wasn’t much, but it was better than being hated. Hank wasn’t one for small talk, but having people around just in case was a nice thing to look forward to.

He hoped none of his devices would need testing, because that always meant he’d screwed it up somehow. 

“As long as they don’t mind insects,” he murmured softly. Hank was a magnet for all things small and crawly. If he was lucky, nobody on this team had any bug phobias. 

It was hard to believe that he was leaving so easily. He enjoyed the work here, but so much of it had been nothing but dead ends and politicians, and Hank wasn’t suited to working with them. The specimens were nice, and the ants were quite easy to talk to, if a little standoffish. Must be a biproduct of living in such a dangerous environment-- 

Everything else would need to be collected later, as well as some of the equipment that wasn’t exactly his. Braconidae had significantly better chances against radiation, and were quite widespread in comparison. He’d have no problem continuing his work outside of this lab.

Clasping his hands together as if doing so made it all final, Hank settled into the creaky chair behind the desk, and smiled tiredly. “I look forward to working with you. Your team.” 

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

[amongants]

just-let-me-change

She sensed him before she saw him enter the corridor. She caught his awkward wave out of the corner of her eye, and turned to see who it was. To her surprise it was the scientist who had been responsible for her powers. And her greatest loss. She was immediately flooded with the pain and regret she’d felt the last time she’d laid eyes on him. Feelings she’d tried to put behind her.

Why was he here? She eyed the gym bag in his other hand. Ah. Another hero then? Or maybe he was.. what? An advisor? Someone to monitor the powered people?

She gave him a bright smile that didn’t reveal any of her inner apprehension. “Dr. Pym! How have you been?” She fell into step beside him. If memory served the man was oblivious - he wouldn’t catch the tears that threatened.

At least she didn’t look angry, like plenty of the others he’d run into had. Something about being bothersome, or too nosy. He never intended to get into others’ business, but he couldn’t help being curious--something utterly natural that never quite registered as being a possible nuisance. 

“Fine, thank you.” Stressed, maybe. Hank was quick to get to the point, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. “I’ve been meaning to ask - if you don’t mind -” whether she minded was irrelevant once Hank got going, “how your “abilities” have progressed since we last met.” 

Something told him he ought to be saving that question for later, something he shoved back so he could focus on results. The focused, one-track mind of a very enthusiastic scientist. 

Little Things || Janet and Hank

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He slowed down, made sure his notes were stacked neatly in hopefully chronological order. “Eloquently put,” Hank said, with a smattering of humor. “But I see what you mean.” Offering insight he could do, but he felt that putting his point of view out for the rest of the community to see probably wouldn’t earn him any favors. 

But heroics had rarely ever worked out nicely for him anyway. It would be nothing new.

Deciding now would assure a meeting with the team, and the odds of him running into them were next to none. If they needed his help, if he could help, then going along seemed to be the best option. As long as he could take his research along, that is. A distraction it would be, certainly, but it would keep him busy when he needed to wind down. Slow work tended to do that.

And if everything worked out, he’d be making a difference. It would be enough to get his name in good standing again, prove he wasn’t just good for discovering the appropriate manner in which to have a civil one-on-one with an ant.

Now that he had the opportunity, the list of questions he’d intended to ask earlier had slipped his mind. He’d remember later.

“I want to help. If this is how I can do so, then I’ll be glad to aid you and your team.” Hank stopped once his notes were evenly laid out on the table in their appropriate folders. Now that he’d agreed to meet with this team, to lend his hand, he was beginning to wonder how he’d get all of his equipment out of here.

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

A pause and the Captain nods, allowing the other man to organize himself. He’s sure there were plans for today, busy men and women always had plans, but Steve wasn’t exactly movable when he wanted something. And even if it’s just the man’s ear for a half second to get a yes or no, they’ll talk about it later, he’ll be there until he gets at least that. 

“Actually, it’s more your point of view, Sir,” Steve interjects, head tilting as he surveys the room. Movement out of the corner of his eye makes him step back, making way for a few hapless ants near his boots. A brow rises but he remains silent on that matter, instead continuing on one of his own. “You see things… differently. You’re up close and personal with the world, you know about it in a different sense then the rest of us do. The big and the small are your domain and sometimes, people get caught up in one or the other. Having different viewpoints is good, opens up the mind to ideas, and I think it’s something we definitely need.” 

It’s another beat before he takes another step back, allowing both doctor and bugs to move about their places. 

Strange though it may be, he’s unsure what he’s looking at, truly. He’s done some research into the man, not just his methods, and now that he sees the space… he’s not sure what to think. Granted, Stark’s workshop is just about as hectic in a different kind of way, but he’s always hoping for something more organized when he comes into these situations. Maybe that’s just the way he lives his own life, he amends with himself before he crosses his arms a bit tighter across his chest. 

Maybe that’s the way they all had to live to get their ideas out in time before the next one came. 

“And of course, I’ll be as open as I can be with what I know and what I’m asking. The life I and my team live isn’t for everyone, and we know that. There’s so few of us taking up the mantel, I’d understand if you weren’t willing to meet all of us and just let us meet when we collided. But as long as there’s open communication, I figured the best first step is to let you know that I’m looking into your ideas and really enjoy the dynamics of them.” 

[amongants]

thevalueofstrength

There’s an incline of the Captain’s head in agreement. Yes, an email. Eyes stay to the scientist, watching every muscle move as he attempts to place this man somewhere in the realm of known instead of unknown. “Your particles,” Steve comments, coming right out and saying it. He wasn’t one to beat around the bush and his arms cross over his chest as his gaze sweeps over the lab. “I’m head of the Avengers, Sir. And I think… you might be able to help us in ways we desperately need.”

Not just the particles, of course. But the man, himself. That kind of mind, combined with the others around…

Well, alright. Steve admits, at least to himself, that it might not do well to have all of them in the same room at times. Especially true if any or all of them have an ego that is anything like he remembers Stark’s to be. A small stretch of his neck that has the air releasing from his spine with a small pop and the Captain continues, staying his place near the door of the lab.

“I understand our numbers have dwindled, especially when it comes to how we’ve been captured in the media. But in order to help those that need it, especially with new worlds opening up, I’m reaching out to those that know more about our own world in the hopes of… taking them along for the ride, so to speak.”

“I don’t know much about aliens, other than what it’s like to fight them. And I don’t know much about what you do, but that’s why I’m here. Looking for answers, and I’m told if I’m seeking them, then you’re the mind that has the right way of explaining it to me and helping me out. Sir.”

He’d been afraid of that. Expected it, because that’s all anybody wanted out of him these days - or so it he believed it to be. He hadn’t come up with anything else of note in a long while, too long, and it was a wonder anybody was still coming to him at all. He found comfort in the fact that at least he was trying, regardless of the results. 

Something sparked at the mention of the Avengers, and then Hank felt more eager to take part.

But, no, the man isn’t looking for just the particles. Hank wasn’t too sure what he was to do about aliens, or anything beyond his small sphere of particles and biochemistry and all that they entailed. There was obvious uncertainty at the idea of being “taken along for the ride”, but if he had any complaints, he kept them to himself.  

Hank adjusted his posture to appear a bit more casual. “I’ll do what I can, but I don’t know how my particles - or my knowledge - could help you.” The work he was doing here was good work, work that was taking much too long. If there was something he could do, something more immediately satisfying, then he’d do it gladly.

How he was to explain anything to anyone without some basic knowledge was beyond him, but Hank had a way of figuring things out. He knew how to make things work, and if he could do that, he could make them understandable. 

“Let me just finish up here,” he said, turning back to face his table to gather and organize his notes. “I’d say this is a good time for questions - for the both of us.”

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

[amongants]

The layout was significantly more complicated than that of his lab. So far, he noted three different doors that led to the same room, a loop that led him back to the start, and a handful of other rooms that didn’t appear to serve any purpose when he’d peeked in. It was only curiosity that had taken him to these places, and he knew it quite well otherwise.

Then there was the gym, which he’d learned was a necessity after the, ah, scuffle a few days back. At least there was no membership involved - which he couldn’t afford, anyway - and no glass windows for a nosy audience to peer through. He’d consider it, but some encouragement would be nice.

He didn’t seem to be the only one with that idea. It was nice to see a familiar face, even if they hadn’t really spoken or interacted in any way since some time ago. Before he’d even attempted to grab her attention, he’d already settled with scientific curiosity as a viable method to go about approaching her, despite the fact that he was well aware that it was a terrible way to greet anybody--

That is, he was dying to know how her powers were working out.

Hank waved to her, a little awkwardly. Proper socialization was something he’d have to relearn after months in that little secluded lab in South Africa.

Little Things || Janet and Hank

So far, life as an Avenger had been good to Janet. Sure, she’d had one or two mishaps  - usually when she took the initiative to do things on her own - but she was settling into a nice routine. Get up, do her morning pilates, go for a run, (sometimes with Steve!), grab some breakfast on her way to her office buildings. Then she’d work on designs - or increasingly, read reports from her people on leads for Steve to follow up on. Mid-afternoon she’d head over to the Avengers tower for training. Sometimes with Steve, but often with whoever happened to be around. He had some big ideas about how the team could function with all their powers. She was still getting to know everyone. 

She was on her way to the gym at the tower, a towel slung over her shoulder, and her gym bag bumping at her hip as she went. It was one of the days she knew Steve wasn’t going to be around, and she was curious to see who might be around today. 

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n478_w1150 by BioDivLibrary on Flickr.

Field book of insects New York,G.P. Putnam’s sons,1918. biodiversitylibrary.org/item/17499

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Ant-Man.  Brush and ink, digital color.

[amongants]

It seemed strange to have a visitor that wasn’t here to check on his progress, and Hank felt awfully agitated all of a sudden at the intrusion. He kept a strange schedule and most of his colleagues knew when and when not to interrupt, so Hank couldn’t necessarily blame him for popping in at a most unexpected time. He was a stranger, after all.

Hank pushed away from the desk and turned to face the man, eyes alight with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. The ants behind him took this as an opportunity to scramble.

Their unflinching loyalty makes up for their horrendous impatience.

Email? Strange. Whatever information needed to reach him was sent via letter or personal visitation-- never email. Especially no email from a man he didn’t actually recognize, and especially no email from the Russian wilderness. That only served to heighten his suspicion. 

“No, I didn’t,” he said, somewhat stiffly. He was evidently a bit huffy today, and looked ready to explain why he couldn’t help and how Steve could find much better aid somewhere else. His sudden desire to know the man’s reasons behind his visit trumped any negative feelings he had about the situation, however. “Talk? Well I... suppose I can make some time. What do you need?”

There was a twinge of dread in his words, and he regretted the question immediately after. Hank really just wanted to get back to his ants.

Surprise Guests | Hank&Steve

Why was everyone he had to get in touch with always in a lab or workshop!?

Steve glances up at the building as he stands outside of it, hands in his pockets and sunglasses keeping the glare down as he eyes things around. Finally kicking himself off his truck, he can’t help but wonder if he should be here at all. After all, he didn’t know the man, not really. Nothing more than a passing glance at a file that SHIELD had kept on all of them with powers, to see if he could help in his current debacle of finding James Barnes.

But he’d found him on his own, a lucky break that was more breaking than lucky. So now he just… needed to find someone else to stand by his side, call the team their own.

If it could be called a team at all, really.

There were so few of them left after everything that had happened, once more everyone going their separate ways. Scrubbing a hand through his hair before his sunglasses are settled there, the Captain sighs as he peeks through a door into where he’s told he can find one Hank Pym.

Amazing stuff. Really. But Steve still didn’t know how this would end, as he clears his throat softly, pushing into the lab.

“Mr. Pym?” he queries, despite knowing the face from his research into his studies. “Hello. I… don’t know if you ever got that email I sent you? If it didn’t go through, it’s probably my fault for trying to send it in Russia wildness, but my name is Steve Rogers and I just was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment.”

[amongants]

Surprise Guests | Open

The lab was a cluttered mess, lit by dim fluorescent bulbs that bathed everything in a sickly orange light. Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers, pens and yellowed notebook paper lay strewn across the floor, cracked, shattered, and torn. Anything in use was organized neatly in rows across several tables, their contents undisturbed.

In one corner, hunched over the sturdiest of the tables in the lab, was Hank. He murmured quietly as he wrote down new additions to his notes, glancing up to keep an eye on the ants trailing along and down the leg of the table. Blind they may be, but they were nothing if not curious.

“Cell structure begins to break down at seventy-thousand rads, significantly fewer than several parasitoid wasp species…” He mumbled something like sacrifice, followed closely by not very happy. Ants were notoriously sacrificial if he could convince them, and their numbers replenished within weeks. 

When finished, Hank shoved the notebook to the side and pulled towards him another set of notes. Most of his chicken scratch depicted detailed descriptions of anatomy, habits, and society-- things nobody but himself would find an interest in. But their anatomy and habits had been invaluable to his studies, and Hank couldn’t leave any detail forgotten.

Had anyone decided to pay him a visit, they most likely would have been met with a flurry of papers and a very, very excited Hank.