The Silence Between Us (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Part Three

           

Found Banner.

The text from Natasha sends a bolt of lightning through Steve's heart. Banner left over a year ago and he knows how to hide. With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s network destroyed, the Avengers had lost track of him.

Natasha hadn't "found" him so much as she had heard whispers. With her skills, that was enough. Three days, two dead ends, and four safe houses later, Steve stands in a meager apartment, more functional than comfortable, with a bare mattress, duffle bag, and nothing else. He thinks of the room Banner had occupied at the Avengers' Tower, abandoned now, but filled with the things he loved.

Intellectually, Steve knows why Banner felt he needed to exile himself. Emotionally... things are more complicated. Steve doesn't want to feel the sting of betrayal—Banner had his reasons. The damage in Johannesburg, the body count that came with it, Banner had to deal with that in his own way. To do something so terrible, to have so much power, but have it entirely out of control... His mind flashes to Bucky and then... to you. But, Banner went AWOL, abandoned his friends and took off on his own. The soldier in Steve takes that personally.

Banner doesn't seem shocked to see Steve when he arrives. He startles a little, but then looks resigned. "Figured you would show up sooner or later."

"You didn't make it easy," Steve says.

"I didn't want to be found."

They keep their distance, uneasy glances taking up the space that camaraderie had once filled. Steve was never good with awkward silence. "Something came up."

Banner gives a half-smile. "Something always comes up."

He hasn't come completely into the apartment, but he hasn't moved to leave either. Steve takes this as a good sign. "It's important."

"It's always important." Banner fiddles with a notebook on a desk by the door. "And never worth the risk. The world knows about the Hulk now, the real one. That's not something I can come back from."

"You saved lives in Sokovia. You're a hero."

"Tell that to the dead in Johannesburg." Banner's voice is sharp. "I never should have gotten involved in this. In any of it."

"I'm not asking for the Hulk."

"That's what Fury said too. I don't care about whatever mission you're after, Steve. I can't care anymore."

"What about someone who survived a lethal dose of gamma radiation? Can you care about that?"

Banner stills. Car horns blare on the road outside as the bustle of human life continues. Inside, the refrigerator whirs to life. Banner's teeth tug at his bottom lip. "How much radiation?"

Steve crosses the few strides between them. "We have all the paperwork back at the compound. Bloodwork, scans... You've never had any comparison data before. She could be the key that you're looking for." Steve studies his face, watches as a myriad of emotions go to war over his features.

Banner shifts his weight from side to side and runs his hand through his hair, mussing the already untidy locks. "Does she...? Is she...?"

"Not like you, no." Steve answers the question that Banner can't voice. "She has powers, but they're different. She can't control them. She needs your help."

Banner's face scrunches. "If I do this"—at Steve's look of hope, he cuts off—"if I do this, the other guy isn't getting involved. At all."

"Of course."

"Ever."

Steve holds out his hand. "Nice to have you back on the team."