gammagoddess

[gammagoddess]

“Fine.  I just thought you ought to be powering that brain with something.”  She quipped as she stuffed the almonds back into her bag.  She got that he didn’t like people fussing over him, but she also didn’t understand anyone intentionally allowing their health to suffer.

Instead of arguing, she pulled out what she had brought for the ducks, a sandwich bag full of grated carrots.  Bruce had lectured her early on the water fowl’s inability to properly digest bread.  She tossed an amount of the carrot out for the ducks as she listened to him speak.

“You know everyone’s happy to have you for as long as you’ll stay.”  She said before she answered his questions.  “Well, Tony, Steve and I are finally off the back foot.  We have heroes coming to us now, rather than us having to go hunting every time.  I’m putting together the final arrangements to purchase a property we want to turn into a school for the younger ones we pick up though, if we can encourage them to finish school while we also train them to be out there with us like they want to be, it’s a whole lot of risk to the public and to the kids that we’ll be averting.”  She tossed some more carrot out onto the grass, “It feels less like damage control and more like we’re building something in that tower now.  I’ve been living and working there, my legal practice shares a floor with the psychiatrist.  It helps now that I have my two jobs working in the same framework -- my secretary knows exactly when she needs to start rescheduling appointments.”

Fly North || Jen & Bruce

“When will people stop trying to feed me up? You can keep your almonds, regardless the logic. I’ll eat when I’m hungry.” Bruce grumbled but Jen was by far the best with it, she didn’t nag or harp or talk about how terrible he looked. Thankfully, though, he’d shaved or she’d really have something to comment on. It was easy to see she cared and surely so did the rest but it was a tired, old song, the record well played out. 

Looking forward towards the ducks, intentionally not making eye contact, Bruce allowed himself to be lost in the pond and dedicate the minimum of effort towards the conversation. It helped keep him level. “I’ve been around. Stayed a few places, worked on some things. Nothing all that different.” He spoke quietly, Bruce often did, he never was fond of loud voices. 

After a brief moment of contemplation, Bruce tackled the rest of his cousin’s question. Something he wasn’t sure the answer of but he gave what sounded best. “Right now? I think staying in the City might be the best choice. We both know I’m not good at staying in one place long but I’ll be here as long as I can stand it. I certainly haven’t missed this place. But, this is all tired, old information. What’s new with you?” As much as Bruce cared what she was up to he was far more eager to turn the attention off him. 

[gammagoddess]

“I was always a painfully shy kid.  Bruce too, actually.  He was a little younger than me though.”  She said as Clint talked about his brother.  “We were both only children, but after I turned ten and he went to live with our aunt, we spent our summers together.  We helped pry each other out of our shells a little bit.  It’s not the same as your brother learning to sign for you, but having someone to look out for you means the world when you’re a kid.”

She was actually grateful when he didn’t make a fuss about her ‘origin story’.  She was usually as flippant about it as possible.  “I favour a good cheesy portmanteau.  Gammazon would have been on the short list if anyone had asked.”  She chuckled, “I suppose you’ll be offering the young lady running around with your codename ‘Hawkette’?”  She asked with a smirk.  She wondered if he was going to ask again about the difference between her and Bruce, about why she could control this, be at one with it, when he was constantly at odds with the Hulk.  At least now she had some experience in explaining it without giving out the whole, horrible truth.  Bruce would hardly like it if Jen was going around telling everybody and their mums about the roots of her cousin’s anger.

A Choice Offered || Clint and Jen

Clint felt genuinely happy, a big smile appeared on his face, “that’s awesome” he said with an excited tone, “when we, when I was little uhh my folks didn’t have the money for my aids for a while, so uhh my brother Barney taught himself ASL to help me…” he said shaking his head, Barney was never brother of the year, but he cared for Clint when their parent’s wouldn’t. “It makes me happy to know people take the time to you know learn things and stuff…” he shrugged. 

Clint nodded when Jen started her story. He let out a whistle when she mentioned prosecuting serious guys. Jennifer Walters was a badass before she even got gamma radiation on her veins. “I’ve been shot and hit by car, but never in one day…” he tried to make this less serious, it was his MO when things got grim. After that all he did was nod, take in every word she was saying, trying not to wonder how SHIELD had managed that, another Hulk lose in New York. “Mmh I really regret not being there, I would’ve pitched Hulkette” he said with a small laugh, “I’m glad it worked, the transfusion…” he didn’t know it yet, or maybe he did, but Jennifer Walters had saved his life. Had saved him from himself, from wasting away his life hiding out of fear. She had given him a second chance. And he would always be grateful for it. 

[gammagoddess]

When Jen sat down there was a momentary calm that washed over Bruce in having something so familiar. Reaching up to tip his hat backwards, stop blocking his face with it, Bruce gave a smile that looked more genuine than fake. “Can’t complain. How about you, kid, everything going well?” he didn’t take the offered donut, unable to remember the last time he’d had food, Bruce knew better than to start with something like that.

It was good to see him smiling at least, it reached his eyes just enough to crinkle at the corners.  “I’ve never been better.”  She replied, her white teeth were prominent in her green smile, the current trend of odd coloured lipsticks meant that she too could achieve the “nude” look.  She wasn’t having much luck with green foundation, but she also hadn’t had a break-out in four years.  I woke up like this, et cetera.

Beneath the baggy clothing, he was rake thin.  He hadn’t been taking care of himself, and Jen knew from her own experience that their particular medical condition needed to be fed.  She realised what he did, that donuts were not the appropriate fare for him right now, and remembered another thing that was in her bag.  She fished around in her bag, and pulled out a paper package of dry roasted almonds.  “Low GI, healthy fats and protein, no sugar crash attached.  Eat.”  She put the bag in his hands, with that caring sternness that both her mother and Aunt Susan had perfected.

She took one of her own donuts, pulled it apart in her jade fingers, and took a surprisingly dainty bite.  She was entirely at one with this form, the same hands that could crush cinderblocks could also type affidavits and handle bone china.  She brushed a little cinnamon sugar off of her white pencil skirt.  “Where have you been?  Are you staying long?”  She asked.

Fly North || Jen & Bruce

These days, Bruce didn’t believe in friends. He didn’t have any nor did he want them. If he’d stopped to think there were be people who counted him as a friend (even a few unexpected choices) but Bruce was too blind to see that. Back when he was young and hopeful and the word ‘friend’ really held some weight, he had Jen. 

Sure she was his cousin, her mom probably told her to be nice to Brian’s boy. Words like ‘weird’ and ‘too quiet’ were most likely used, and everyone thought he could use a friend. In Bruce’s eyes, though, Jen was his friend. Arguably the only person who knew him before the death of his mother, when he was happy, timid but happy. Bruce always felt a strong connection to Jen and coming back out into the real world again she was on the top of the contact list. 

Arriving almost an hour before he’d asked Jen to, Bruce too the time to get himself used to the city again. This was a good way to ease back into it. Still in the city but tucked away in a quiet area he watched the people go by, he watched the ducks, and even fed them from a bag of oats he’d brought along to do just this (bread wasn’t good for ducks and he had to fight to not explain that to the man on the pond opposite). 

Dressed like he always was when on the run, baggy sweats, a tee shirt with a logo on it he didn’t understand, a sweatshirt big enough to fit two guys Bruce’s size in, and a ball cap pulled down low. It wasn’t sunny enough for the addition of sunglasses today. 

When Jen sat down there was a momentary calm that washed over Bruce in having something so familiar. Reaching up to tip his hat backwards, stop blocking his face with it, Bruce gave a smile that looked more genuine than fake. “Can’t complain. How about you, kid, everything going well?” he didn’t take the offered donut, unable to remember the last time he’d had food, Bruce knew better than to start with something like that. 

[gammagoddess]

Fly North || Jen & Bruce

Jennifer slid her shoes off before she stepped off the path and onto the cool lawn.  She walked across the grass, a large handbag over one arm, a pair of cream-coloured Louboutins held by their tapered, red-lined heels in her other hand.  She never got flowers anymore.  Maybe people thought that once you gain the ability to bend utility poles, you lost your admiration for lisianthus blooms.  The presence of the small purple flowers amongst the lilies and irises of the arrangement gave Jen an inkling of who was back in town even before she got to read the card.

Hey kid, meet me at Donald’s place.

Jen and Bruce had met once or twice in their early childhoods.  The Banners were invited to Christmas every year, whether it was at Susan’s house, or Jen’s family home.  Elaine, ever the optimist in spite of how fraught their early lives had been, really wanted to look forward into a brighter future, to create new family traditions.  Unfortunately, Jen’s mother didn’t know that her older brother had very much taken after their father.  Whether or not Jen got to play with her cousin at Christmastime was entirely based on her uncle’s mood in the leadup to the day.  

But when tragic events led to Bruce living with their Aunt Susan, Jen began to spend every summer at their home.  Sometimes, that meant a week or two in Manhattan, and there was a spot they visited almost religiously.  It was a small duck pond, it had far less traffic than a number of the others in Central Park.  Nine year old Bruce was far smarter than his years, but all ducks were still called Donald. Now, years later, it still felt like this little area of the park was like an epoch frozen in time, a chunk of their childhood seamlessly transported into their thirties.

Jen sat down on the bench next to the unmistakeable figure of Bruce Banner, it was reflexive for her to wait for him to initiate any hugs or physical contact.  She set her shoes down beside her on the ground, and pulled a paper bag that smelled of cinnamon out of her bag.  “It’s not one of Aunt Susan’s picnics, but I could smell the stand for half my walk.” She said as she offered him a hot cinnamon donut.  “How have you been?”  She asked by way of a proper greeting.

[gammagoddess]

“I remember my dad used to say something similar.  He was a county sheriff upstate before he retired.  Lots of cold, a lot more crime than you’d think.  He’d solve a case and come home and say, ‘Now if people would mind not doing anything illegal for a few months, I could use a break.’”  She chuckled and sipped her tea.

She laughed at the thought of Tony’s industrious behaviour towards branding.  “You should have heard the conversation where I had to convince him not to call his new coffee chain ‘Starkbucks’.”

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

He gave her another smiled and reached for the biscuits, taking two. “It’ll be nice if it could stay saved for a while this time once we’re done.” he chuckled. He took a bite of one of the biscuits, thinking how nice it would be to be able to take a vacation of sorts.

Steve laughed and nodded. “I agree.” he said. “I think Tony would too. Hell, he hears that idea and he’ll probably have the shirts made by that evening.”

[gammagoddess]

“People expect me to go in for the squish, but I’m actually more of a ‘use a cup and a bit of cardboard and take the little guys outside’ kind of girl.”  Jen dusted her hands off, the fire escape really needed a clean.  Her white suit and purple shirt complemented the green of her skin, she was pleased that things seemed on the quiet side today so she wouldn’t bust the outfit apart if she got the adrenaline flowing.

She moved up to the ledge, “I come up here a bit, actually.”  She pointed down to the construction site below, “I used to work in that building, it was levelled by the Chitauri.  They’ve finally started building on it and I dunno, I guess it gives me a little perspective to watch it grow into something new.”  She was human back then.  On the day itself, she had been at a job interview with the District Attorney.  She wondered what the outcome would have been if she hadn’t told her boss she was sick so he wouldn’t know she was moving on.

There is a small sigh that comes from the webhead as he perched on the ledge rooftop in his typical crouched position. “You know I’m really worried that someone is going to try to some after me with a can of raid one day.” He mumbled to himself, “Or worse, come chasing after me with a can of hair spray and a lighter.” Assumed with his own humor, Peter grinned under his mask before pause as he heard footsteps behind him.

”— Huh? Isn’t this a bit too high for you? Or do you like waiting on rooftops in hopes of seeing little ol’ me?” Peter then turned to face the newcomer, “I mean I would say I’m flattered and all if you did.”

[gammagoddess]

Jen’s cheeks shone a darker shade of green, and she seemed to shrink a little, but she recovered quickly, picking up her teacup.  She pushed the biscuits closer to him in offer.  “Well, maybe I’ll just focus on saving the world for a bit.”  She concluded, trying to ignore the resurgence of pre-hulk Jennifer.  Shy, easily embarrassed, far from the qualities she prided herself on these days.

“I feel like we need an equivalent of the ‘ain’t no party like a Gatsby party’ t-shirts in honour of Tony’s Avengers parties.”  She joked, agreeing that there was certainly a level well beyond the term ‘party’ that needed to be assigned for Tony’s dos.

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

“Well, you’re very beautiful, and you’re a wonderful person. So I believe you’ll find someone who’ll love that about you too, Jen.” he said, giving her a warm smile. He watched her as she moved over to the cupboard, smile staying on his face. He had always admired the strength Jen possessed, and not just the strength that was physical.

“I fell like he would be insulted at them simply being called parties.” he laughed, shaking his head. “There has to be a better word to describe his crazy shindigs. Though most of the time, they are a lot of fun.”

[gammagoddess]

“Right?  It’s not as if I can actually get drunk anymore.  And my whole ‘happily divorced’ situation has sort of been tainted by the fact that anyone I want to have sex with sort of needs to have superhuman durability now -- that was probably slightly more information than you needed, but my point is that carbs are my greatest joy beyond punching bad guys real hard.”  She pursed her lips thoughtfully, “Which now makes me wonder if I have cookies.”  She set down her tea and stood to go back to the refreshments cupboard, and tried not to think about the fact that she had disclosed her disappointing sex life to Captain America.

That was more of an Iron Man conversation topic.

“Well, I think we all know that Tony throws the best parties.  Be they Avengers parties or otherwise.”  She pulled open the bag of biscuits and slid the tray out of the packet, setting it down on the table and choosing one.

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

“That we do.” he said, nodding. “It would always worry my mother though. But she always worried about everything when it came to me.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone here who doesn’t want to see him.” he said. He shook his head, “I haven’t, but I can try to contact her.” he said. “I know there are a few who have been in touch with her, I could ask them as well.” Steve nodded in agreement, “I think so too, but it could take a while.”

[gammagoddess]

“Huh.  And here I thought fear of the dread sugar addiction we all suffer was a new thing.  I have a good five former colleagues on facebook raving about how they quit sugar.  Personally, I don’t think I could do without potatoes or booze.”  She sipped her tea, “And bread!  Bread is the best.”  Since becoming an indestructible green amazon, Jennifer had a much more substantial appetite.  With the increased metabolism and the fact that she was trying to improve her human fitness levels in order to be more effective in Hulk form, she had some strong inclinations towards carb loading at the moment.

“Oh of course, everything takes time.  He’ll need time to come back out of that shell he seems to have confined himself in before too long, though.  I can tell that he wants to.”

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

“That we do.” he said, nodding. “It would always worry my mother though. But she always worried about everything when it came to me.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone here who doesn’t want to see him.” he said. He shook his head, “I haven’t, but I can try to contact her.” he said. “I know there are a few who have been in touch with her, I could ask them as well.” Steve nodded in agreement, “I think so too, but it could take a while.”

[gammagoddess]

She chuckled, “I suppose we all have our vices.  There are far worse things than sugar.”  She sipped her tea.  She had seen the photograph of little Steve Rogers in his helmet and uniform, but looking at the man in person, it was impossible to imagine how he would look in those small proportions.  

Although she imagined most would have trouble picturing her as the 5′2, mousy little lawyer whose voice only ever carried when she stepped into her lawyer shoes.

“I think he especially needs to see people from before, be sure that nobody hates him.  Have you heard anything from Natasha lately?  Maybe you can find out if she’ll send messages to him too.”  she suggested.  “But forming new bonds will likely also be helpful.”

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

Steve chuckled softly, “What can I say? It was one of the few unhealthy things I was able to eat.” he said, leaning back once he was done stirring his tea. “Still have a soft spot for it, I guess.”

He nodded, “Well hopefully we can all help remind him of that.” he said. “He was a good man to have on your side, and not just in a fight.”

“You and me both.” he said, giving her a smile. “I can only hope that the silence doesn’t mean something bigger and badder is on it’s way.”

[gammagoddess]

“Oh yes, I will agree there.”  She smiled, taking the honey when he set it down.  She watched him reach for the sugar next, “Though I don’t think I’ve ever been as much of a sweet tooth as you.”  She smirked, crossing her legs as she finished stirring her tea, and leaning back to take a sip.

“I think familiarity is what he needs.  To remember that he really did have value on this team.”  She said, stretching slightly as she settled down on the couch, her muscular body elongating.

“Well, in that case, I guess I’ll rest easy tonight.”  She smiled and took another sip of her tea.

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

“I’m sure he did.” he said, chuckling softly. He smiled and sat up so he would be able to mix his tea. “It’s nice to pretend we need it though sometimes, right?” He reached for the honey, wanting to pour a little into his cup.

“I’m glad he came back, he’ll be nice to have around to help with everything.” he said. “He’ll relax soon enough, he always seemed to bounce back quickly from things.” 

He put a teaspoon of sugar into his tea before stirring, “Not too much.” he said. “A few more people have showed up wanting to help, but nothing else so far.” He looked up at her, “Unless we’re both out of the loop on something, things were pretty quiet while you were gone.”

[gammagoddess]

She arranged everything on the tray, setting out two cups, a small jug of milk, a sugar bowl, a bottle of honey, and set the teapot down among them.  “It all went fine.  He did panic when he first opened the door and saw a hulk on the other side.”  She set down the tray on the coffee table and took a seat next to Steve.  “Rooibos,” she nodded at the teapot as she poured them each a cup, “Good for the immune system, asthma, allergies, strong bones -- all those things neither of us have any trouble with anymore.”  She wrinkled her nose, “It’s lovely with honey though.”

“Clint came back with me on the jet.  He’s jumpy, but part of that is just that he hasn’t been around people for four years.  But physically, he’s fit; and he likes the idea of helping to train the new recruits.”  She offered him his cup so he could add whatever he liked to it.  “Did I miss much?”  She hadn’t been gone more than a day, but things happened fast in this town.

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

“Thank you.” he said, stepping inside. He gently shut the door behind him before moving to sit on one of the couches. “Tea would be great, thank you.” He leaned back, watching her as she moved. “I’m glad you’re back, and seemingly in one piece.” he said, giving her a smile. “Not that I ever doubted that you’d be fine. Everything went well I take it?”

[gammagoddess]

<I learned ASL in college.>  She signed to him with a grin, then turned the key in the ignition.  “I’ll stop once we get past the fence so you can lock up the gate and all that.”  She said out loud now, making a turn so she didn’t have to reverse up the driveway.

She pulled out onto the dusty road as he asked the question, “I suppose I did say I’d explain.”  She gave a slight laugh.  “I mentioned that Bruce is my cousin?  We also share a blood type.  When I was an ADA in New York, I was prosecuting some serious guys.  On the way to court one morning they tried to have me killed, I don’t particularly recommend getting shot twice and hit by a car, in case you were curious.”  She grimaced, “Bruce was working in the Tower with Tony, so he was nearby enough to get to the hospital just when they ran out of blood for me.  Bruce had to make a call between doing nothing, and me certainly dying, or giving me his blood, and probably dying.  Turns out whatever makes a person compatible with gamma radiation happens to run in the Banner side of the family.”  She flexed her green fingers before putting her hands back on the wheel.  “I initially did the stereotypical Hulk-out.  Wrecked some buildings, got shot at a lot, which is so helpful.”  She gave a sarcastic laugh.  “By the time I evened out and learned to coexist with my Hulk side, the internet had all ready named me ‘She-Hulk’.  I would have gone with something a little less derivative, but I’m sort of stuck with it now.” 

A Choice Offered || Clint and Jen

Clint was glad that flying back with Jennifer was part of the plan, if he had to do it by himself, he wasn’t sure he would’ve made it past the driveway before he turned around and locked himself in the room. He was also glad that she was … well that she was the Hulk, if anything were to still be wrong with him, well she could certainly take him out to prevent he endangered anyone. He felt safe. Whoever thought of this was truly a genius. Buckling up his seatbelt Clint said, “as long as I have the aids on I can hear almost like the average person, and as they run out of battery it decreases, if I don’t have them then I most definitely need to read your lips or ASL if the person knows it. I got some custom made from SHIELD, enhancements all around, from the range to the battery life… for when I went on missions and stuff, mainly so I could no longer say that they ran out of battery when I didn’t pay attention during meetings” he said with a small laugh. “So this whole Hulk thing…?” he asked with curiosity. 

[gammagoddess]

Jen got out of the car to help put a few things in the boot for Clint,  she knew this had to be tough.  He had cocooned himself in this house, now he was emerging to see how the world had changed while he slumbered.  She slid back into the car to give him what time he needed.  When he finally joined her, she asked, “I just want to be sure of how much your hearing aids help you.  Do you need to see my mouth to follow what I’m saying?  I just want to be sure of whether you’ll understand me if I’m looking elsewhere.”  She had a colleague once who required full view of someone’s lips so that she could read lips as well as hear the vague sound of what they were telling her.

A Choice Offered || Clint and Jen

Clint heard the car come to a stop outside and grabbed some of the things he was bringing, he walked to the car and set them next to one of the back tires. He went back to grab the rest and did the same. After he had moved everything he was taking with him, he did a quick mental checkup of everything to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. You can do this Clint, he told himself, get in the car, go to New York, help your friends. He took a deep breath and grabbed the keys, he locked the house and wished he could do the same to memories. But now it was not the time for those thoughts. He walked to the car to put the things in the trunk and didn’t glance back. It was easier that way.

[gammagoddess]

Jen pulled her keys from her bag as she stepped out of the house, the heels of her ankle boots crunched in the gravel as she walked back up to the fence.  She pulled back the bolt that secured the gate and swung it out of the way so that she could bring the car down the drive to park outside the house.  She set her bag on the back seat and moved the jacket she had left on the passenger seat before she drove down the gravel path and pulled the sedan to a halt.  She sat in the car a little longer so she could send a message to Tony that they would both be coming back in the jet today.

A Choice Offered || Clint and Jen

“I’m not bringing much, so you can go ahead and bring the car if it’s not too much to ask…” Clint said with a smile. After collecting his things he just had to make sure the house was safe from any potential disaster. As he collected the things he was to bring he put them at the bottom of the stairs, he had a few pieces of clothing, his equipment, and a few books. He wanted to bring some of his favorite mugs too. When he finished lining up his belongings, he made the trip to the basement to close off the utilities. He was going to miss this place, but he certainly hoped he didn’t have to come back any time soon. It had been a safe place to hide, but each passing second only made him realize how wrong he had been. He had brought so little to begin with, and had hardly made any purchased while he stayed here, he was all packed and ready to go. As he waited by the door for the sound of the approaching car he turned around for one last look.

[gammagoddess]

She-Hulk by naratani

[gammagoddess]

Jen looked up from her musing, and smiled at the blond walking through her door.  “Not at all, take a seat.”  She gestured at the two couches that sat on adjacent edges of a immaculately polished coffee table.  A fair portion of preparing a case for trial was hosting, she liked to get comfortable with her clients.  She kept a meeting room down the hall for when things needed to be a little more formal.  “Tea?  I made more than enough for two.  Or I can put coffee on if you prefer.”  She reached up to the shelf above for a tray so she could easily bring over cups and other items.

Tea and mission reports || Jen & Steve

Steve walked through Stark Tower, smiling and giving a nod to the people he passed. He had heard Jen had arrived not that long ago and was curious to know how things went with Clint.

He made his way up to her office, pausing to chat with Felicia for a moment. She waved him through with a smile and he stepped up to Jens door. Giving it a quick knock, he peeked his head in, giving the brunette a smile. “Heard you were back.” he said. “Mind if I come in and join you?”