Marvel Imagines (Requests: ON HOLD)

Hulk!Bruce - Eye Of The Storm

The flames roared and the people screamed as the battle ensued. The buildings were barely distinguishable, collapsing upon each other due to the sheer force of the chaos around them, and the sky was alight with orange.

It scared you.

This was your job, to defend earth with its other heroes, and yet this was perhaps the most frightening thing you'd ever seen. You had fought aliens and robots and some of the freakiest looking agents imaginable, and yet it all amounted to nothing when compared to this.

It wasn't the enemy that shook you, they were just stupid goons with far too much tech, but the dilapidation of the town.

As you stood in the midst, your skin covered in dusty debris and your suit stained and torn, it was like staring into the mouth of hell. You could only hope to whatever higher power there was that most of the civilians were safe, that they had been evacuated in time.

You ran through the rubble almost hopelessly in an attempt to find lingering enemies or people that might need help. You didn't know how long you were at it but by the time you took out a pack of the goon-techs the fight seemed to have calmed down somewhat. At least the screams had stopped and the crashes and roars were silent.

"All clear." You finally heard Steve announce.

You almost collapsed out of relief, backing against a fallen streetlight and lowering your gun. Sometimes you really hated this job. You believed the team needed to be controlled in times like these or things would get out of hand more often than not, the prime example being what remained of the town around you.

This was just the eye of the storm. The fighting was done and this was the calm before the worst possible backlash. The government. They were in the same mindset as you at least, wanting more controlled circumstances for times like this, but by god did they bore the ever living hell out of you. The lectures lasted hours on end.

"(L/n), you wanna take care of the jolly green giant?" Tony asked.

You closed your eyes for a second, taking a deep breath, before putting a hand to the comm in your ear. "I got it."

You tried to take another breath before forcing yourself to stand properly again. Everything seemed to ache.

You navigated the broken streets, looking for a particular person. It wasn't hard, you just had to follow the occasional roar and loud bang, and what remained of the enemy running away with their asses on fire. You were perhaps the only one who showed no fear when face to face with the Hulk.

After all, you believed he was not a monster, but a victim. He emerged in protection of Bruce but the sheer rage and power made the world hate him, and when the world becomes afraid, people attack. Your team thought you had some magical power from being the only one to calm him down but that wasn't it at all.

You had to show compassion. And care. No guns, no armies, no aggression or threats... Just comfort. Perhaps your face had become a shelter from the storm of hate all around him, your voice a calming melody to reassure him. Maybe you were even a safe place for him. All you knew was that your presence worked.

And then you saw him.

The Hulk was breathing heavily and stood between two fallen trees, what remained of a car crushed in his giant hands. You sighed, being careful as you removed your gun from its holster and lowered it onto the ground. You did the same with your knives, knowing they'd only aggravate him.

"Hey, big guy." You spoke up in a gentle tone.

Hulk turned, prepared to attack, but hesitated upon recognizing you.

"It's okay." You continued, taking a small step forward. "It's over. No more fighting."

The car dropped from his hand and shook the ground. You kept balance and slowly extended your own hand.

"The sun's getting real low." You told him.

You could see the conflicting emotions pass over his face until finally he took two large steps towards you. You just smiled at him and ever so slowly he reached out. Your hand was barely big enough to cover his finger but the contact worked.

"It's okay." You repeated. "You're okay."

Hulk growled in response but seemed to calm anyway. He looked at your hand and his and then into your eyes.

There was no hostility, only kindness.

No one was trying to hurt him anymore.

He began to change back, stumbling a little and gripping the fallen tree closest to the pair of you. You exhaled slowly and backed up a bit to give him space. As he turned back into Bruce, you took off the trenchcoat that was part of your suit and waited until it was over.

Bruce lay on the ground, confused and disoriented, feeling nothing but the sharp twigs and the dirt on his skin. He couldn't process much at first but that was how it always went. He only remembered seeing your smile and the kindness of your eyes, the feeling of your touch.

He felt a sudden warmth from the harsh cold of the wind as you wrapped a coat around him.

"Hey." You smiled again. "You okay?"

He took a moment to look around at the mess of the town. "Did we do it?"

"Yeah. Everyone's safe."

He nodded, looking down again. You knew what he was thinking and carefully wrapped an arm around him. Without a word, he leaned into your touch, relieved.

You were alright.

A/N: Sorry this one was a little late, I've been having Internet troubles recently and can't post much. I hope it was still good :)