Emily Thompson and the Beast // Bruce Banner

Prologue

A man sat in the back of a cafe. He wore a hat that was lowered over his face and a jacket that he pulled closer to him before he looked around. He was hoping that no one would recognize him. Everyone thought that he had disappeared. Well, everyone except for Emily Thompson.

At that moment, a blonde haired beauty walked through the door. Her blonde hair fell down to a little below her shoulders and her dazzling green eyes scanned the cafe for the person that had invited her here. As soon as she spotted the man in the corner, her lips spread into a smile that made her eyes sparkle and her dimples pop out on her face. The man couldn't help but smile at the sight.

The girl walked over to the man and slid into the seat across from him. She quickly took off her black overcoat revealing a green sweater and jeans. She placed the coat on the back of her chair while the man slid a mug of hot chocolate to her. The man smiled and said, "Interesting color choice, Thompson." Emily Thompson smiled again as she shrugged, "Reminded me of someone." A mischievous glint flashed through the man's eyes.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Banner?" Emily asked. Bruce Banner stiffened a little and Emily noticed the action. She frowned and took a sip of her hot chocolate. She watched as the man's eyes scanned the cafe. It was almost as if he didn't want anyone to see him. Emily's eyes widened in realization and she took another sip of her hot beverage. "You're leaving aren't you?" Emily whispered. Bruce watched as Emily's mood changed from happy to sad. "Look, Em. . ." Bruce started.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Bruce," Emily told him. Bruce watched her curiously and Emily gave him a reassuring smile. But Emily knew Bruce and she knew that he was going to explain anyways. "I just have to get away. The other guy. . .is dangerous and I need to learn how to control my anger," Bruce explained.

"You're not dangerous, Bruce. What you did was the right thing to do. You stopped your father from harming a lot of people," Emily protested. She hated when Bruce talked bad about himself. "That wasn't me. That was the other guy and he is dangerous," Bruce argued. "You and the other guy are the same person! You are both Bruce Banner and you both look out for the people you care about!" Emily argued, her voice raising a little in the process.

A flash of green in Bruce's eyes made Emily shut up. Her mouth hung open a little and her eyes widened as she stared at Bruce. When Bruce saw Emily's frightened expression, he calmed down. Bruce sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "See what I'm talking about. I-I even scare you now," Bruce whispered. The last thing he wanted was to harm the girl in front of him, so he added, "Let's not argue. I don't want this to be remembered as our last moment together."

"So that's it then? You're just going to leave? We've known each other since we were kids and you're going to leave just like that?" Emily asked on the verge of tears. She didn't want Bruce to leave. He was her best friend. Her first love. Her everything.

Bruce's eyes locked with Emily's tear filled ones. He felt tears of his own, but he tried to act strong. He couldn't act weak in front of Emily. He had to be strong for her. Bruce reached across the table and took Emily's hands in his own.

"I don't want you to leave," Emily whispered. She sounded so vulnerable and Bruce felt his heart break. He had to leave her before he could even admit his feelings for her. If only this whole incident with the other guy hadn't happened. Maybe things would've been different. Maybe he would have confessed his feelings to her. Maybe they could have ended up together, but now that was not possible. Not with the other guy always on the verge of breaking out.