To The Sun [3] Endgame

Six

Chapter Six:

Turns out, Bruce Banner was the Hulk. And yes that was a fact before, but now he really was the hulk. The man was big and green but remained all his composure as Bruce Banner would, and he even wore glasses. And a full outfit, a change Hazel was glad to see.

They all sat in a booth at the café while Bruce had pulled up a chair and sat on the end of the table. Hazel slipped her drink from a straw as Natasha and Bruce chatted, and Steve listened quietly.

"Want some?" She asked Steve, pointing at her drink. He made an odd face as he looked into the cup, "What is it?"

"Lemonade iced tea."

"What?"

"You've never had it before?"

He shook his head, glancing at the other two who were still in full conversation.

She slid the cup over to him and he stared at it before bringing it to his lips and taking a big sip, he placed it back on the table and made another face.

"You don't like?"

He smacked his lips deciding to take another sip, he looked at it in his hands and shrugged. "Maybe."

Hazel snorted taking it back, "Maybe isn't really a good answer."

He looked at her, "I paid for that you know."

She shrugged, "Your loss."

He leaned back, slowly easing back into the conversation between Natasha and Bruce. Hazel watched as his hard exterior slid back into place, and his Captain America it's all about business here! voice as he addressed the problem.

The girl enjoyed when he let himself be, well, himself. When Steve would, even if it was just for a moment, forget about his place in the world and act like a normal person. She knew he wasn't, and that none of them were. Hazel figured that if they were all normal, none of them would've met and Steve would've lived his life out with his best friend back in the 40s and she would never of existed. But she would've preferred that than having the world face problems that should be impossible, of seeing people she loved disappear.

"Hazel?"

"Yes!" She looked between them all, "What is up?"

Natasha hid a smile, yet another person who seemed to be forgetting how to live. But so we're the rest of them, along with the world.

"You really don't know anything?" Scott questioned, staring at Bruce.

The large, green man shook his head, his glasses sliding down his nose. He pushed them back up with a sad smile, "It's out of my reach. Why don't you ask Tony?"

"He won't help." Hazel pouted, "Says it's to dangerous. Not to mention a stupid idea."

"My idea isn't stupid. And the idea is called a Time Heist."

Hazel looked over at him and raised an eyebrow, "You're not helping your case, you realize?"

"Who are you again anyways?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I'm the one that could kill you within seconds without lifting a finger." His eyes widened and a satisfied grin settled on her face, "And I could do it 100 different ways."

"She's not wrong." Steve snatched her drink, finishing it in a swig. "Now, Bruce—"

He was cut off as three kids found themselves inching towards Bruce, all giggling between themselves.

"Excuse me, Mr Hulk?" The girl asked, "Can we get a photo?"

Bruce looked back at the group and gave an apologetic look before focusing back on the kids, "100% little person."

He grabbed the girl's phone, "C'mon, step on up." He handed the phone to Scott who sat on the other side, "Do you mind?"

"Oh, no problem." Scott grabbed it, turning it on its side he pushed himself into a sitting position and raised the device.

"Say 'Green'" Bruce hummed.

"Greeeeeeeen." The kids replied, smiles stretched on all their faces.

"Did you get that?"

"That's good." Scott went to hand the phone back, "Don't you want one with me? I'm Ant-Man."

Hazel snorted, earning a warning look from the man. The kids all shared their own look which made Hazel cringe as she watched. Steve shifted uncomfortably and Natasha only stared down at her lap.

"They're Hulk fans. They don't know Ant-Man." Scott rambled, "They don't know me, it's fine. Nobody does."

Bruce looked guilty as he talked between them, telling Scott that they did want a picture yet the kids continued to shake their heads. Eventually, Scott managed to give the girl her phone back.

"Take the goddamn phone." He said.

Steve sucked in a breath and picked up his own plastic water cup, taking a long drink from it.
He placed it back down, "Bruce. About what we were saying."

"Right." He smacked his lips, "The whole time travel do-over? Guys, it's all outside my area of expertise."

Natasha looked up at him, "Why? You pulled this off." She pointed at his transformation, one that was quite confusing but very interesting. "I remember a time when that seemed pretty impossible, too."

The man pursed his lips, and with a shake of his head he pulled himself up and tossed a pile of bills onto the table.

"What does that mean?" Hazel asked as they all filed from the booth, "Are you going to try?"

Bruce grinned at her, placing a green hand on her shoulder and guided her out. "Yes, that's exactly what it means."

Hazel beamed, his hand fell away and he waved at them, saying he'd meet them back at Headquarters.

Steve, Natasha, Scott and Hazel all got back into their car. They sped from the parking lot and down empty streets, Scott complaining about how nobody knew who Ant-Man was, all the way back. It felt like forever before they pulled up to the familiar building, and Hazel hadn't been happier to depart from Scott and his complaining.