Intro to Bennett Banner:
Knitted sweaters, the colour green, hair falling into your eyes, impatiently pushing your glasses up, burning rage, a pounding heart, gritting your teeth, crying in frustration, clinging desperately to your other half, hastily scribbled notes, handwriting only you can read, obsessively following a routine, anxiety stealing the breath from your lungs, vegan junk food, dad jokes, a goofy smile, science puns only you can understand...
BASICS FOR CHARACTER:
Name: Thomas Bennett Banner (goes by Bennett) Alias: He doesn't have one yet because he's working to keep his Hulk genes dormant. Age: 21 Face Claim: Deaken Bluman Pronouns: He/him Parents: Bruce Banner and Betty Ross-Banner Are they biological or adopted: Biological University Year: Second Year University Subjects: Bennett is studying Mathematics, Medicine, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Biophysics, and Engineering (with a focus on Medicine). Full Biography: Can be found just here.
After a year of experimentation, Bruce and Betty discovered a way to repress the Hulk’s consciousness, meaning he could no longer make an appearance or speak inside Banner’s mind. Believing the change to be permanent, they settled down and tried to start a family. Dubious that Bruce would ever be able to father a child, even with the Hulk in a dormant state, they were both incredibly surprised (and incredibly happy) when Betty finally became pregnant with a son.
When Bennett was two, during temper tantrums, the pigment of his skin began to show a hint of green, Bruce stopped working with the Avengers to become a full time father, watching Bennett for further signs of the Hulk gene, teaching him anger management techniques before he was old enough to speak in sentences.
When Bennett was three, the same worrying signs began to show in Bruce. He and Betty quickly realised what they had done to repress the Hulk was slowly being reversed and his body was actively rejecting his treatment. They attempted their experiments again, but they were unsuccessful. The Hulk was back, and seemingly for good, which meant Bennett would remain an only child.
When Bennett was five, his anger issues became more apparent. The first time his parents saw his eyes flash a bright, and all too familiar green, they made the difficult decision to run some tests on him. It didn’t take them long to realise the same genes Bruce had were lying dormant in Bennett, and that if Bennett became angry enough, or was caught in a situation that might cause a sudden rush of fear or adrenaline, he could trigger the gene and be left with the same problem as Bruce… his very own Hulk.
At the age of six, Bruce and Betty sat Bennett down and did their best to explain his condition to him. He took the information seriously and became dedicated to controlling his rage. In an attempt to do so, he would study with Bruce every morning, spending hours learning which techniques worked for him, and how best to utilise them. Unfortunately, he began to pick up on Bruce’s fear of the Hulk. And eventually came to start fearing his own abilities.
Throwing himself into his schoolwork as he grew up did nothing to dull the ache in his chest that being home-schooled left him with. He felt cut off from the world, and also from other people his age. During his teenage years, his anger became more prominent and, unsure what else to do, Bruce and Betty began the search for an appropriate academic institution, eventually deciding he could attend university when he was ready.
It took him the entirety of his first year to settle at Lee-Kane University. It was his first experience with any kind of public education. But he eventually came to enjoy his new routine. Now that he is in his second year, and 21 years old, things feel like they might be finally falling into place. His father largely has the Other Guy under control, and his mother works as a lecturer at an esteemed university. Bennett is studying: ADVANCED ROBOTICS ANALOG/DIGITAL ELECTRONICS BIOLOGY/ANATOMY IMMUNOLOGY & SEROLOGY CELLS, MOLECULES, & GENES BIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, & COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Powers and Abilities: Bennett struggles with anger issues inherited from his father. The Hulk genes are dormant within his body which means despite the familiar green eyes and patches of green that can be seen on his skin when he gets too angry or frustrated, until he actually triggers the gene by letting go of his control, or finding himself caught in a situation that causes a severe spike of adrenaline, he doesn't have any abilities beyond his genius IQ. Headcanons: In an attempt to control his rage Bennett would study with Bruce every morning as a child, spending hours learning which anger management techniques worked for him and how best to utilise them. He eats entirely plant-based and does his best to avoid stimulants such as caffeine, and processed sugar. He also wakes up early every morning for yoga. He is not an early riser and absolutely hates doing so but recognises the routine helps him to manage his issues.
Tony Stark was a close family friend and Bennett came to know him as Uncle Tony. He spent entire weekends with him when his parents needed a sitter, and came to discover his love of engineering by helping him in his lab or garage whenever he was able to. Science is his favourite subject. He is more than adept when it comes to physics and chemistry, but is also a very talented engineer.