against time.

CHAPTER TWENTY || gather the forces

CHAPTER TWENTY, gather the forces

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

NATASHA, STEVE, AND Scott sat at a table with large helpings of food and Bruce sitting at the head. Only he was no longer Bruce, but rather a mixture of Bruce and Hulk together. It was a surprise to Steve upon seeing Bruce, but they all settled in the cafe and continued on with their plans.

"Come on, I feel like I'm the only one eating," Bruce pushed a plate forward on the table, Scott watching in bewilderment, "Try some of that. Have some eggs."

"I'm so confused," Scott mumbled, ignoring the plate completely.

Bruce remained oblivious to Scott's confusion, "These are confusing times."

"Right. No, no," Scott shook his head, watching Bruce and then glancing toward Steve and Natasha, "that's not what I meant."

Bruce began laughing, confusing Scott further, "No, I get it. I'm kidding! I know. It's crazy. I'm wearing shirts now."

"Yeah!" Scott grinned, then the lost look returned on his face, "Wh...How? Why?"

"Five years ago, we got our asses beaten," Bruce explained the obvious to the group, "Except it was worse for me. Because I lost twice. First, Hulk lost, then Banner lost. Then, we all lost."

"No one blamed you, Bruce," Natasha shook her head and watched Bruce softly.

"I did. For years, I've been treating the Hulk like he's some kind of disease, something to get rid of. But then I started looking at him as the cure. Eighteen months in a gamma lab. I put the brains and the brawn together. And now look at me," Bruce gestured at himself proudly, "Best of both worlds..."

Their conversation became interrupted when three children tentatively approached the table of ex-avengers. Steve watched curiously as a girl stepped forward.

"Excuse me, Mr. Hulk?"

"Yes?"

"Can we get a photo?"

"100%, little person. Come on, step up," Bruce took the phone that was provided and held it toward Scott, "You mind?"

"Oh, yeah," Scott nodded and took the phone.

"Thanks," Bruce turned back to the kids and Steve busied himself with his drink. Say "green!"

Steve became preoccupied, no longer wanting part or involvement in the current exchanges at the table. He focused on the clear liquid in his glass, and Natasha seemed to suddenly become distracted as well. He let Bruce and Scott interact with the three kids, and only paid mind when Bruce seemed to be ending the conversation.

"Hulk out!"

"Bruce," Steve finally interrupted, lifting his gaze to the giant green man at the head of the table.

Bruce awkwardly did something with his arms, "Dab!"

"Bruce," Steve repeated in annoyance.

"Listen to your Mom. She knows better," Bruce continued with the kids which only drove Steve to further annoyance. Bruce eventually turned to them, a smile on his face.

"About what we were saying..."

"Right. The whole time travel do-over? Guys, it's outside my area of expertise," Bruce finalized and returned to his plate of food.