usedshield:
“you might not need it, but you might want it. this isn’t a good time to be alone.” bruce was smart, strong — he was everything he needed to be to survive. but there was something more than survival to be found, even if he couldn’t see it at the moment. steve reached out, resting his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “we were on the same team once. i don’t just forget something like that, pal. let’s just talk for a few minutes, alright? then i’ll leave if you want me to.”
bruce’s remark earned a grin, and steve crossed his arms over his chest, giving a half-shrug. “i’ve never been much good at that — used to frustrate the hell out of the commandos.” and while he certainly had gotten better at it, he was never meant to have the subtlety of a spy; there was a time, a place, and a person for that. sometimes the best approach was more direct. “i’m not a part of shield anymore,” he explained simply. “besides, i’ve showed up at more than one spot thinking i’d find you and found nothing at all, so i’d say you’ve done a damn good job of it. but you can’t run forever, doctor. none of us can.”
Well...it was too late to say ‘No’ at this point. Bruce sighed as he nodded, he walked along side with Steve. “Steve-” Bruce opened his mouth to shut it quickly. “-I know you don’t work for shield anymore- but right now i think i’ve done pretty good from running.”
“why- why are you looking for me? if this is about joining some kind of ‘resistance’ or trying to bring me back to the whole freak show thing then i’m not interested.” He said clenching his fists that were tucked inside his coat. “I’m not you’re monster guy who cleans up your messes anymore- im done with that captain and i’m not going back to that anymore, okay?” Banner was done being everyone’s tool to get him to do what they wanted, often times in battle- Bruce never wanted to Hulk out, but of course it was never his choice. It was always either Save the mission or Let people die or get hurt. Bruce hated it, He never wanted to be a tool- a soldier; he wasn’t Steve Rogers. Steve chose to be a soldier...Bruce didn’t really have a choice.
He was just a guy with the WORST amount of luck, nothing ever goes his way and usually the danger often leeches onto him, risking the lives of innocents for even associating with him. His father always told him he was a monster from hell, that he was the reason why his own mother died trying to save him- that every bad thing that ever happened in this world was because of his own miserable existence. Was it selfish of him? Selfish to not want to join in on any battles? Maybe.
of course, he tried to fix it by trying to be a hero with the Hulk, but even then...the Hulk didn’t want to be someone’s tool either so neither of them got what they wanted during their time with the Avengers. Though Bruce could hardly figure out the Hulk, he wasn’t exactly an easy book to read but at least now they both reached an understanding.
“If that’s why you wanted to find me then- i wish you happy trails captain.” With a forced smile and small wave Bruce started to walk the other direction.
