Bruce shook his head a little, still breathing hard as he slipped his glasses—somehow still hooked to his pocket—back onto his face. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking, not just from being tired, but from what Hulk had said. Not a monster.
He swallowed, his voice uneven. "I... remember pieces. More than I usually do." His eyes turned to Alex, like he was trying to understand what just happened. "He... spoke. Not the same broken things. Real words. Real... thought."
Alex’s smile softened, steady and sure. "That’s because you let him. For once, you didn’t push him out—he didn’t have to shout just to be noticed. That’s why it worked."
Bruce’s mouth opened like he wanted to disagree, but no words came. He looked down at his shaking hands, then slowly made them into fists and opened them again, like he was checking if they still worked. His voice lowered, shaky and uncertain."...Do you think he believed you? That he isn’t a monster?"
Alex stepped closer, the faint glow in his crimson eyes reflecting off the dusty floor. He didn’t answer right away, choosing his words carefully."He wanted to believe. That’s enough for now. And next time, you won’t have to handle it by yourself."
Bruce frowned slightly, confusion mixing with his tiredness. "...Why are you even helping me? You could’ve left me to deal with him. Everyone else would have."
Alex tilted his head, a small hint of amusement on his face. "Because most people don’t know what it’s like to live with something inside them that everyone else is scared of." His voice stayed calm, but there was weight in it Bruce couldn’t miss. "You and Hulk? You’re not a curse. You’re proof you survived."
Bruce stared at him for a while, not sure what to say. Then, slowly, a laugh slipped out—tired, almost bitter, but real."You know, that’s the first time anyone’s ever told me that. Usually, it’s just..." His voice trailed off, heavy. "...monster."
Alex’s smile stayed faint but steady. "Then it’s about time someone told you the truth."
Bruce lowered his eyes, lips pressed tight. His shoulders still looked heavy with what he carried, but the air around him felt lighter—like something had loosened. He let out a deep breath and looked at the broken warehouse doors.
"So... what happens now? Do we just walk out like nothing happened?"
Alex turned, already walking toward the exit with calm steps. His voice carried back over his shoulder."No. We walk out of here knowing what happened. And knowing it didn’t break you."
Bruce stood still for a moment, looking at the cracked floor where Hulk’s fists had left deep marks. His jaw tightened, but his face looked different now—less fear, more determination.
Finally, he followed Alex, dust trailing from his clothes as thin sunlight came through the gaps in the rusted doors. For the first time in a while, Bruce didn’t feel like he was running away.
Alex placed a small card on the table before heading toward the door."Here’s my card," he said with a grin. "If you ever feel like you’re losing control again, call me. And when things get hard, go somewhere safe—meditate, breathe, maybe even try yoga or something spiritual, like in India. It helps more than you’d expect."
Bruce picked up the card, staring at it like it weighed more than it should. His hand trembled slightly, though his face showed a small sign of relief. "You make it sound simple."
Alex chuckled. "Simple doesn’t mean easy. But you’ve already taken the hardest step."
Bruce nodded a little, though doubt was still in his eyes. "And what about the other step? The part where the world never stops coming after me?"
Alex paused at the doorway, hand resting on the frame. His voice was lighter than before, but it carried meaning. "That’s when you stop running from it. You face it. Not as the monster they all fear... but as Bruce Banner, who’s smart enough to make even the monster listen."
He gave a slight nod goodbye and left, the sound of his steps fading down the hall.
That night, Bruce sat on the rooftop of the safehouse, city lights spread in the distance. He sat cross-legged, the card resting on his knee, the words on it reminding him of what Alex said.
For a while, he just looked at the horizon. His thoughts wouldn’t settle—memories of battles, destruction, and always running. But then he remembered Alex’s words: "Go somewhere safe, meditate, breathe."
He let out a slow breath.
At first, it felt strange. His breathing was uneven, his shoulders tense. But slowly, with every breath in and out, the storm inside him began to ease. Not disappear, but ease—like a fire burning down to coals.
The Hulk moved inside, restless.
"Why sit? Why not smash?!" The voice rang in his head, loud and strong.
Bruce didn’t push it away this time. He answered in thought. Because not everything needs to be smashed.
The voice rumbled, not pleased but listening.
Minutes passed. For the first time in years, Banner felt something other than fear when Hulk pressed against him. He felt... possibility.
When he opened his eyes, the card was still balanced on his knee. His hands weren’t shaking. His heartbeat was calm.
He whispered softly, almost to himself:"...Maybe this could work."
Down below, unseen by Bruce, Alex leaned against a lamppost in the shadows. A faint smile touched his face as he watched Bruce begin to find his balance.
Then Alex turned and disappeared into the night.
Later, Alex sat back in his office chair, the sound of the city faint through the window. The monitors lit half his face in blue, leaving the other half in shadow. A glass of amber liquid sat untouched on his desk.
On the screen, Fury’s single eye stared at him, steady and unreadable.
"So," Fury said flatly, "you took care of our Hulk problem—for the time being."
Alex shrugged slightly, lips curving into a small smirk. "Yeah. Banner’s steady, calmer than I’ve seen him in years. Not cured, but he’s managing. Which is more than you ever got from keeping him locked in cells."
Fury didn’t react to the comment. He shifted a little, his hands folded behind his back.
"Your payment will be sent to you," Fury said. His tone was short, all business, though there was a faint hint of respect.
Alex nodded once. "Good. Always a pleasure doing business, Director."
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