#🐺 * 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄⠀:⠀heroes or monsters

[monmuses]

For the time being, he kept himself in the kitchen, hiding himself from the doorway. The stress from this realization was building up, sweating to himself. She knew of her? A girl trying to kill him? And to risk fighting him again in this house? He knew if he thought about it more, the transformation would happen again. He couldn't let it happen again. His heart was pounding, terrified to peek for just that moment. For now, he had to calm himself down. Slow and easy breaths ... just like how he practiced.

Silence. They had stopped shouting at one another. It was oddly comforting, peeking around the doorway once again with one of the blankets around his shoulders. The stress seemed to hang on his face, pinching his fingers against the bridge of his nose.

" ... then, I suppose you know a thing or two about sharing a brain," he joked painfully with a winced chuckle. "I ... I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but I need to know ... how she was able to find me. Or what kind of business made her come for me. I ... live under the radar for a reason, as ... neither of us want to be found again." He referred to Hulk in that endeavor; something they actually agreed on.

"So, is she ... a split personality?" He asked.

"I dont know her- I do- LOOK LONG STORY!" Rockelle yells back and yanks Roxie by the hair farther away from the house. "If you dont let me- FUCK OW!" Roxie screeches as shes pushed against a tree, promptly picked up by the collar by her counterpart. "Is this the assignment you were talking about Roxie?" Rockelle growls and Roxie tries to argue, which gets a shake from Rockelle and a push farther into the tree. Roxie winces, holding the other womans arm.

"Fuck! Yes yes it was! How was I supposed to know the bastard was your friend?!" Roxie protests and Rockelle huffs. "You live in my head. You see everything I see. You KNEW he was someone close to me and you go out to kill him?! If you needed money THAT badly I would rather you have stole it!" Rockelle barks in response, Roxie rolling her eyes. "Oh please, I do that for stress relief, the money is a bonus."

And with that, Rockelle puts Roxie back in time out. Aka back in her head. After a bit, Rockelle came back into the home, keeping her distance from Bruce. "Hey love...Shes gone. Look, I can explain. For the record, I am not going to hurt you, nor do I ever want too. That was my opposite...An evil version of me who lives in my head." She taps her head and takes her shoes off before coming in.

"I should have said something earlier but I had NO IDEA she would attempt to hurt you. That isnt fair to you." She said, pinching her forehead as a migrane started due to Roxie throwing things around and having a tantrum. "And we arent the same person. Kind of. She just lives in my head and throws bitch fits when she doesnt get her way. I keep her up here for a reason."

[monmuses]

@lettherebemonsters continued from here

He fumbled over his words for a second, " ... o-oh, well, I've only seen ... green variations. In photos, and the other guy I had met." It was almost sickening to see it turn him in the mirror, and witnessing it happen in another who wanted to hurt others; it was a polar opposite to David's own morals.

The story, though, held much more sympathy in his eyes than what David had done to himself. A guinea pig experiment that had gone horribly wrong, costing his previous life and a friend. A frown crossed his face, aching his heart for a moment.

" ... I don't blame you for going that route. Just to try and live," he spoke with empathy. "I'd say it sounds ... scarier. For the transformation to be affected by rising blood pressure rather than an adrenaline rush." Much like his, in its own weird way.

"And I'd believe the size. I can't recall what happens to me from time to time, but I've ... seen myself in reflections. Or in photographs. I almost want to know with a size comparison."

[monmuses]

An exciting day for snow! Winter was truly one of her own favorite seasons, solely because of rolling in the snow piles and tasting the snowflakes that fell from the clouds above. Her excitement was truly genuine, wanting to bring new friends for her joy of snow days!

"Come, come! Cosmo has found sled!" Eager, she rushes out with high ears and swaying tail, prancing and balancing between her paws before rushing out to bring out the sled she had found. An old but firmly built sled, barely used with a lead still attached to it. "A new ride for new friend!"

{➹} – IT WAS AN ODD turn that their day had taken but the couple didn't mind it. Their daughter was happy, overjoyed really, and that was really all that mattered. They would be tagging along, of course, just in case but nothing could have stopped the little hybrid from waddling inside with her mother to grab her skates and some heavier clothing.

Once back outside, Lyra wasted no time going up to Cosmo, practically hopping in the snow at that point. "Let's go, puppy! Follow Daddy!"

After she pointed to the blue hedgehog who rolled his eyes in amusement, and yet he made a gesture for Cosmo to do just that. Luckily the four of them wouldn't have to go far. There was a lake just a half mile from the house.

[monmuses]

For once, he had found peace in the base they had been located to. For once, after years of running, he found some method of controlling the anger he once feared to come loose in an area where it could be handled. To be reigned on a leash and have a controlled space of damage for it to run wild. And, in his own way, he could work to find a cure on his own ... if there was one.

Though, there was an anchor beyond the madness of becoming a creature he had feared in the back of his subconscious. Erina, amid the anger and pain, had become some kind of grounding for his emotions; the fear, the rage, and the confusion each time he came in and out of this nightmare and he further trusted that sense of security more and more. And, to his surprise, even his beast found some solace in it all.

What came to test that was unexpected, and unplanned, really. The doors had been ripped apart and ransacked the lab by gamma-fied dogs ... where the Hell did they come from?

David quickly noticed the abnormal changes upon spotting them arrive in the lab, putting Erina behind him before they engaged in an attack. It was in his nature to protect her by any means (he was in debt to her to some capacity for helping him in this endeavor). It was like the blink of an eye that time had passed so quickly; he sent her to the emergency exit, and two dogs managed to latch themselves onto him. That pain only seemed to burn further and further ... until the dread began to settle among the screaming.

His own pained screams began to shift and change among the snarling dogs, and the vocals deepened with a snarl. In minutes, he was no longer himself once more. The beast had returned for a better purpose this time.

Whatever the plan was for her, all that really mattered to them was that she was gone from the base. The Hulk's rage against the dogs was long-lasting, destroying the glass dome that covered their lab with tossing them around like ragdolls, sending them to the hard stoned floors. Not much that he could remember aside from the anger and pain from the canine bites and claw marks that ran across his form, but what felt like seconds was hours. It wasn't long before he picked up the van that he recognized was missing, chasing after the tire tracks.

He was quick in his jog, occasionally launching himself hundreds of feet to cover as much ground to follow her. With each leap was a roar echoing out to the sky, exhausting his rage from the fight with the dogs; it held him with such fury that he wanted to go back. As much as he wanted to annihilate the threat entirely, he wanted to be left alone ... with her. The real concern was Erina, and he didn't want to lose her.

The van itself had stopped, finding themselves at an older cabin that belonged to her. It was quiet, remote, and away from people - a perfect getaway for him. The whistling within the trees and cold atmosphere were slowly cooling him off, attempting to skid to a stop on all fours. Steam was rolling off of his body, still snarling with anger as the heat from the fight was barely cooling off from him. It was an odd feeling, and yet ... he couldn't find any words. Not like he could speak, but with Erina, he could muster a couple words here and there.

He was desperate. His heart was pounding, feeling the stinging wounds still attempting to seal themselves up as he approached her. Gruff, heavy breaths escaping through the cold were quick, but seemed to slow themselves down little by little, watching her with his careful yet powerful eyes. They say that eyes spoke more in feeling than words could, and the rage was there. But he found some kind of comfort in seeing her again. It calmed him to some degree as he glanced at her ... wanting to know she was okay.

And she read him. Her arms reached out, and it brought a curious hum out of him. Slowly, he brought himself down to his knees to get a better look at her, face to face but with a little pinch of a height difference. Their foreheads met, and for once, he felt a calm sense of safety that let him close his eyes, taking in that moment. A low, quiet rumble came from him, akin to a purr for Hulk. He was safe with her once again. With some care, a large hand was brought around her, resting against her back and shoulders with some care; a hug, in his mind, for her.

Gently pulling his head back, he acknowledged her with a quiet grunt. They were safe here until they could go back ... or Banner came in once more. Selfishness held his wants, and he wanted to stay. At least until those dogs were no longer a threat.

"Eri ... going inside?" He managed to muster to her in a soft, gruff voice.

@monmuses asked: [ PRESS ] for the shorter muse to take hold of the taller one’s face to pull them down so they can press their foreheads together. - for hulk and erina; he needs some comfort :( — 'TOL AND SMOL' PROMPTS.

ERINA WAS ALWAYS FASCINATED by a good mystery. Though the ones she often involved herself with tended towards the scientific, history wasn't without its equal contenders. 'What happened to Emilia Earhart?' 'Who was Jack The Ripper?' 'Where did Australium come from?'

Ah, and another two for that evening: 'Who the hell didn't leash their dogs on this side of the park grounds?...and how were there so many?'

The clearing she and David were in that night was not wide or open enough for them to see their assailants. Not that the pair exactly knew what they were, only that—

One, the commotion they heard sounded like some varieties of canine, and... Two, from all the barking... the amount could not seriously be wrangled by one person.

Actually— three. Birds were flying from nearer and nearer trees. The rustle of disturbed foliage was getting louder. They were being sought out.

Amidst the rush, and in what felt like record time, Erina fell into the nearest camper van reserved for personnel, and made for the farthest safe reach of the park she knew.

For the ensuing moments, her only guides were her own knowledge of the grounds (drilled in under the care of her good Captain) and a bright and full moon, whose light shone in from above. Past the rumble of the engine and the bumps in the road, she could hear great impacts following her in the distance— she took it to mean Hulk was following the sound of her driving, which she was able to confirm once the two reached their destination.

After about a quarter of an hour, she'd made it to an older-looking cabin— from what the doctor remembered, it used to serve as an open research center, but its condition left it as an auxiliary lodge, devoid of any important tools and wares. Given how worn it looked, she was surprised that the retrofitted lights were still on.

Anyhow... any shelter was better than the biting cold of the valley air. She pulled the fur of her jacket's lining closer with gloved hands, and carefully slung her laser-repeater over her shoulder before closing the van's door. She made sure to be gentler with the motion; her shoulders were already getting sore from being so harsh with the steering wheel. As her gaze met the moon, she breathed a silent thanks to it, her breath misting beneath its continuing radiance.

It wasn't long until she noticed Hulk jogging in to meet her, too. His form towered over hers, yet: easily twice her size, so about ten to twelve feet, if her diagnostic experience told her anything. Contrary to the way he ran here, kicking up dust the whole way, he'd finally slowed down... and she managed to get a good look at him.

The bluish moonlight had reflected back into his eyes, as did a bit of the amber from the cabin's emergency lights... but through them both, in his irises, an almost-electric green burned low through the shadow of his height. Despite the intensity that lay dormant in them, she could sense worry in his easing breaths, his gentle frown.

Without words, he was asking how she was. To that, she smirked apologetically— it was good, to be considerate.

She offered her hands, raising her arms up, to which he had offered his chin. She closed her own eyes, dipping her head forwards… and he followed suit. Their foreheads met in silence.

Without words, she gave her thanks... but also she made sure to do the same with them, to ensure he got the idea.

"At ease, friend… you have been good help as it is," the doctor whispered. "We've a long night ahead, but we can do this. We have each other's backs, yes?"

There was time yet, to make a stand here... against whatever or whoever was on the chase for them tonight. Erina had a feeling she would need a bit more than The Hulk to assure their survival.

He'd done enough work for her already, and she knew more than enough on how to return favors the combative way.

[monmuses]

She had found herself wandering in after picking up Rocket's scent leading inside. Work had been somewhat finished outside and inside was focused on repairs and reworks with the foundations of certain buildings. Cosmo, of course, was passing by on her little personal inspection, checking on everyone in Knowhere and making sure they were okay. For the most part, she was reasonable! But only wanted to check on everyone to see how they were doing.

When she meant target practice, she truly meant hitting the big targets they had in the practice range. They differed from the firing range cutouts to other little metal pieces that stood for projectile accuracy and other methods of aim, and Cosmo had her ways. Aside from being a literal dog, she could use anything she saw fit as a big weapon or something as small as a pebble.

Which was exactly what her plan was, levitating a small handful of various rocks with a soft, blue glow.

"Cosmo need no gun," she grinned, tail wagging with a happy pant, tongue hanging out. "She has rocks! To throw at big targets like this."

To show, she gently knocked one of the metal pieces with her pebble, watching it fly and turning back to Rocket with a happy smile. "Does Rocket want to practice with Cosmo? She will play nice this time!"

@monmuses asked: "(generic fantasy prompts) "how about a little target practice?" cosmo to rocket"

From: Generic Fantasy Prompts || Accepting!

The raccoon gave a quick glance over his shoulder as he watched Cosmon wander into the area that Rocket was working on fixing. This time it ended up being the shooting range itself, which was something that hadn't really been used a whole lot by the people of Knowhere, but he knew that it was at least something he and the rest of the Guardians used from time to time. But seeing Cosmo walk in while he was working on fixing some of the targets and the range itself was a bit odd to him.

Not that it was odd to see Cosmo, in any fashion, but it was more so the fact he didn't think the dog had a reason to come back into the shooting range, as far as he could tell. Maybe it was something Cosmo actually had the ability to do, to be able to use some sort of weapon or other powers to attack enemies more than just her ability to move things? Maybe, that was a possibility, but he still didn't have a concrete answer.

But, as he finished getting everything set up, he heard her voice from behind him and he turned his head fully to face her now. A curious look crossed his face as he stood up and walked back to where eCosmo was standing and he gave her a quick grin as he pulled out a blaster from his holster and began to get it ready to fire at the newly fixed targets downrange.

❝I'm already a few steps ahead of you on that front,❞ he chuckled, ❝But is this somethin' ya' can even actually do? Shootin' targets, I mean. I was under the assumption that wasn't something you actually had an ability to do and all you could do was lift stuff and move it around a bit.❞

It was more so curiosity was getting the better of Rocket now, because he really didn't know why Cosmo had brought something like that up. If she could shoot some sort of blaster at targets, then that made her even more deadly in battle now, because he knew for a fact moving things around could injure people if she played her cards right. But... he was always willing to learn more about the companions around him, so why not find out if she could actually do it?

❝Ya' know what? I'd be willing to do that with ya', if ya' can actually do it with some sort of blaster. I've never actually seen you use one, so if that's some sort of ability, then ya' might as well pull it out,❞ he nodded, ❝Because I'm sure there are plenty of secrets yer still hidin' from all of us even after all these years. Seems like everyone still does...❞

[monmuses]

gammaragee​:

❝ Wait, I can explain! ❞ @monmuses​ / sc / for or whoever

     “Wait, wait!” He held his hands up as well, hoping he wasn’t a cause for alarm. “You can... explain, I’m not here to cause no harm. I’m... I’m sure there is a good explanation for this! The problem is, well... I’m not entirely sure.”

[monmuses]

Oh, did he now? Sounded about right. The wounds seemed to heal up quickly, but from what he remembered, they stung horribly. His arms and hands were at their weakest points, sore from swinging and shielding his own face. All he could recall was the pain and anger that erupted from him in that attempt. It was sudden, but all that really mattered was he was still standing.

He sighed to himself, shaking his head, " ... he heals fine. This was ... only from mere hours ago. Not a surprise that he didn't want you to. I still can't get used to the soreness coming back from this ... "

Though, upon hearing her question, he stiffened a bit, " ... I don't want to make any comparisons yet. But ... she looked much like you. Just different attire, and--"

A pause. That voice brought back what he was doing seconds before Hulk brought himself out of their body. For a moment, he felt his blood run cold. Jerking his head back, fear was all that he could express in that moment. No ... no, no, no, she can't be here. Not right now.

Immediately, he brought himself away from the two, putting as much distance between them as he could. His heart began to race again, begging for the stress not to set it off again. He knew what could happen if he wasn't careful.

"Wait ... you do know her!" He called from the back. "Please ... keep her away from me!"

Rockelle sat with him and listened closely. She did remember Roxie was out for the day and was talking about how she had another assignment to complete. She never specified what it was and Rockelle was too busy to check in on her. She hoped it had nothing to do with this....right?

She watches him as he stands up, standing up with him just in case she has to catch him. "Hulk didnt want me to heal him up so its all you! I gave him cookies to soften the blow a bit but I know healing sucks. Oh? Do...do you know whay she looked like? Hulk gave me a deer in headlights look when he came in and I might know who did it." She lets out a deep sigh.

"Absolutely you can. In the fridge my love. There should be some water in there." She reassures, standing up to pick up some of the pillows from the ground and putting them on the couch. "UGHHHHH!" She hears a yell from outside and gets up as Bruce goes to the kitchen.

"THAT GREEN GIANT SON OF A BITCH! UGH! MY FUCKING BACK HURTS!" Roxie screeches as she comes in, covered in blood and other substances, cracking her back. "Hey hey hey quit yelling, we have a guest." Rockelle said, gently pushing her to keep her from coming in and track blood into the house. Roxie shoves her off and Rockelle promptly shocks her making her fall to the ground.

"OW! I was in the middle of healing you little shit!" Roxie yells and Rockelle huffs. "Dont track blood in the house and wait out here. I have a guest and you WILL be polite." Rockelle warns and Roxie grumbles before sitting up and looking over at Bruce. "Wait a damn minute..." And just like that it began to click for Rockelle, she freezes not knowing how to handle this. "BRUCE STAY INSIDE!"

"THAT MOTHER FUCKER-"

[monmuses]

That bitterness from the question seemed to crawl itself back up from her memories, voice crackling from her collar with a low growl at the thought. Even now, she held a bitter grudge for what they had done to her. A poor and lowly street dog, used for a project that they knew would kill her in the end. How space felt like such a more welcoming home than her own planet ever could.

Though, the venom dissipated from her mind for a moment, perking up and watching Rocket, hearing his muttered whispers. He too felt the same way? She didn't need to use her psionic powers to know the answer for that question. She did feel guilt in hearing that familiar pain. Despite how they crashed heads together, they had their own familiarities in story, didn't they?

"Rocket knows?" She asked curiously, ears raising high. "Cosmo will not ask, but can see why. Betrayal hurts. Humans are... very, very scary."

That was all she could say on the matter. They had the tools of bringing comfort and bringing pain. A human mind was capable of much destruction, all while bringing peace to their homes. She had witnessed it in Russia, how they were turning against one another during that cold, cold war. But there were ways to bring some happiness, despite what they had gone through. Her tail began to wag, continuing to hold up the sheet for Rocket with a smile on her face.

"It has been many years," she said. "Many of them get what comes to them. Cosmo knows that better than anyone. And we won't see them again anymore!"

Rocket was always someone who enjoyed the company Cosmo was able to provide, especially while he worked. She wasn't pestering him nonstop with questions about how something worked or one of the other random people that came by asking the raccoon if he could fix their ship or something, she just sat back and watched, having some nice conversation with him while he got everything sorted and working. It was rare for him to be upset at her in any capacity, but he imagined there were quite a few others around that he didn't enjoy seeing nearly as much as her. After all, who could someone not enjoy having Cosmo around?

Sure, she had been called bad dog and such in the past by a lot of people, but quite a few of them had gone back on their words and ended up apologizing for the rude words, as a lot of people just said what was on their mind at the moment and didn't actually think about the fact Cosmo could understand what they said perfectly with no issue. Rocket himself had been someone who had never done that and he refused to do it in any sort of way, not after all the help she had provided to him over the years. Even now, by just helping him get lifted up to fix something, there were a lot of people who couldn't do that nearly as easily as she could.

After he screwed in a few more bolts, he glanced over his shoulder down at her as she began to explain the thought process she had with not wanting to go back home. As he listened, he couldn't help but feel there was a bit of similarity between Rocket and Cosmo... Both had been experiments by others to test stuff and then they had done something or another that would have usually led the person to die without a second thought. In a way, both of them got a second chance at life.

And Rocket honestly wouldn't have wanted it to be any other way.

❝I can relate to the feeling...❞ he muttered with a sigh as he turned back around to continue working on the broken parts continuing to talk over his shoulder to her otherwise, ❝Some of my oldest memories are of me when I was livin' on a planet called Halfworld. Planet was full of crazy people that were testin' on us animals and tryin' to see what came outta' it. Ended up turnin' me and everyone else on the planet into what ya' see now... Walkin', talkin', animals with a hatred of those who did this to us.❞

Reliving some of his old memories from when he lived on Halfworld were never the most pleasant ones. He didn't fully expect anyone to know anything about the planet he came from or all the different things they did to him and his friends, but it seemed it had all led to this moment, talking to Cosmo about their hatred of their home, at least to some capacity for Rocket, and the disdain they had for those who sent them out without a second thought. It was interesting how things worked out like that sometimes...

❝I'll make sure to keep that noted in case we come across any Terrans that recognize ya',❞ he commented, ❝I don't think any of the people that ended up doin' what they did to me are even alive anymore. I think they all ended up dyin' when they tried to leave the planet and return back to their home... Suits them right for messin' with us like that.❞

[monmuses]

He was sweating. Barely able to keep his voice persistent from the lack of thirst, he took one hand to wipe across his eyes, trying to get a better look at where he was. He was safe in a house ... around softer plushies and blankets. What an odd way to wake up back to this place. Being conscious was such a strange thing.

"If ... it doesn't sound true, I ... think I still have the wounds," he muttered. "If they haven't ... healed yet, but ... " Slowly, he sat back up on his knees, showing one of his arms that had nearly sealed up perfectly. "I ... can't remember much, but there was ... uhm, another woman. I don't think I'm in the same neighborhood, but ... someone went after us. Tried to kill me, and ... "

A harsh cough escaped his throat. It was strange, but he felt some sense of security staying with her. She was oddly open to accepting his truth, and it was ... weird. In a confusing way, really.

Slowly, he managed to bring himself back to his feet, pressing a hand to his throat, " ... I'm sorry, I can explain myself better, but ... could I get something to drink?"

Rockelle was crouched down by where Bruce sat, not wanting to make herself seem bigger as a way to scare him. She knew all to well about the issue of transforming from one form to another. It can be crippling and often scary to switch so easily.

Her eyes widened when he claims to say he was the Hulk. What?! They were one in the same? Her expression was confused but she stayed calm for now, knowing a loud reaction wouldnt help much. "Oh! Well its nice to meet you again this way. I would have never known if you told me." Her voice was still calm, snapping her fingers to make a bottle of water appear, which she handed to him.

"Hulk came to me. All bruised and battered. Poor baby." She said, her eyes softening. "I dont know what happened before you came..but you were bloody and bruised. Hulk sat where you are laying, we enjoyed each others company. He had a cookie and here you are!" She explained, sitting down on the ground by him.

"Did you need anything?"

[monmuses]

It was like time had completely left his mind, barely able to remember what had happened mere hours ago. All that he could recall was a moment of peace ... and pain. Throbbing pain. Looking down at his knuckles and arms, those wounds were scars now, almost completely healed. It was a miracle that he harnessed this curse, though he found it to be a very inconvenient burden ... like now.

A hand was brought to his eyes, rubbing around the edge of his nose. They felt heavy for the time being, but he was hoping it'd wear off very soon.

The lady's voice seemed to sudden, almost pounding to his head before he took a look up towards her. For a moment, his heart skipped a beat; that wasn't the same woman, was it? His mind was smearing its memories again. Desperately, he grasped for a blanket around his feet, pulling it over his shoulders. His mouth was ... very dry. It was straining his voice to speak, but managed to muster up something to answer her question.

Wait ... she wasn't serious, was she?

" ... I'm afraid you're looking at him," he spoke in a sore tone of voice. "I ... don't remember what happened. How did I ... find my way here?"

Rockelle while in the kitchen had the water on and hummed to herself. She knew Hulk was at ease, so she wasnt concerned about him doing something or breaking anything. She would be surprised to even see him awake with how relaxed he was.

Putting the cookies away in the fridge for when he wanted some more, she brought some food for him that she made earlier in the day. "I brought you some real food! I dont want you to get sick from only eating sweets! How do you like sp...icy...stuff?" She spoke as she walked out the kitchen, freezing upon seeing Bruce.

"Oh my goodness! My love!" She sets the food down on the coffee table and rushes over to him, holding his face. "Hey...I didnt expect you to come by today! And...And why are you naked?" She asks, looking around for Hulk, being oblivious.

"Did Hulk pass you on the way out? Thats odd to see him leave without saying goodbye." She continued, paying attention back to Bruce. "Did something happen to you? Oh my darling.."

[monmuses]

It was delicious. He hadn't eaten anything like it before and carefully reached for another to eat singularly. He hadn't been fed like this before in such a long time that it was invigorating; assuring in an odd way. To him, it was unknowing that this was cooling him down from what had transpired hours before. Much like a child, he was content with the food, giving a quiet grunt as his way of saying, "Thanks".

Quietly, he was humming to himself, alone in his thoughts as the kind lady seemed to leave before taking the tray with her. He had enough for himself to feed on his own time. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen for a minute of silence ... until dread. Ah, the sense of control was losing him now. With Rocky out of the room, his anger had depleted, and Banner was coming back. He struggled with a grunt and groan, pulling himself forward on all hands, dropping against the floor.

That pain began to resurface into him once more, shrinking him back to that old and familiar puny Banner, groaning and grumbling to himself before the green tint on his skin began to fade rather slowly. Once more, the monster returned to the depths of his mind, leaving him to the hands of David.

A hand slowly came across his face, groaning to himself while glancing around him. Where ... was he?

Watching as he looks over at the plush and holds onto it with his one palm, she clasps her hands together, admiring the fact that he accepts it. Despite his size, she was happy to know he was still like anyone else, being able to enjoy the little things in life.

As he twists his arm, she briefly let go of his hand since she thought it brought him discomfort but was surprised to see he responded well to the kisses. She gently plants even more kisses on his knuckles, looking up at him. She smiled to see his shoulders relaxing, gently rubbing a thumb on his larger hand.

She observed him munching on the cookie, her heart warming as she seen his face light up at the taste. She had another plate for him, so she left some cookies on the plate for him to enjoy and took back the pan to put in the kitchen. "Feel free to have some more! Theres plenty." She makes a motion for him to come closer. When he did, she plants a kiss on his forehead and cheek before she stands up.

"I will be back, okay my love? Feel free to get comfortable." She chirps, standing up to go to the kitchen, carrying the tray of cookies away.

[monmuses]

The side effects seemed to click in his mind; moodiness as a result of the red skin and heat buildup, long period uses, and more. To stay that long in that form for too long would personally drive himself crazy. It was more of a personal fear to not know of what he'd be doing while not in control, but to be in control during all of that was ... a dream come true; a form of a cure. To at least know what he was doing would ease his mind.

" ... I envy you on that," he chuckled in response. "I suppose we can relate on that fear. I'm ... well, always afraid of what I might do. I don't know what I'm doing when I'm not in control, and at times ... it feels like possession. Jumps in time and I have to ask what happened."

The envious feeling wasn't entirely personal, but God ... he wished to have that kind of control one day. Maybe further research could find him the answer. "You'd have to teach me how. If you know, really. Or if there's something to pre-meditate that anxiety of losing control."

" Eh, not really. At first it was like that but now it's more like a boost. Except I can keep it up for longer periods.

I get more moody though. Lots of jokes about me being red and a grump right there."

".....Yeah, Sam's....a good guy. We butted heads before since I was one side of politics and he was on the other, but besides that.....he's genuine. It's rare you get a guy like that anymore. "

As for the fear...

" I'm not really scared of changing. It's changing against my will that scares me. It's like someone controlling my body and I'm just the puppet. It's scary seeing shit happening and you can't scare it.

If I turn, I choose to turn. And I try doing good with my....I guess Hulk? Yeah...Red Hulk."

[monmuses]

The exhaustion was slowly settling in on his eyes. That was always one of the first things that really took affect aside from the wounds pulling themselves back together. Letting his head hang low, he just needed a moment to rest them. Just for a second while she left for that short time, soon bringing a hand to rub his eyes before noticing that she returned to offer him a plush.

" ... hm?" was all he seemed to rumble from his chest. With some care, he took the large bear plush into one palm and kept it by his side. In an odd way, it reminded him of himself. Its shape, and yet ... it was comforting. Hulk's glance held towards the bear before returning back to Rocky again.

He twitched his arm for a moment, not expecting a gentle kiss on his knuckles. He grumbled a warning for a second. It only lasted for a second before his shoulders relaxed once more. He simply wasn't ready for that yet. He needed it, but ...

He blinked for a moment, eyeing the broken-in-half cookie offered to him. Another grumble came from him, but of curiosity, carefully taking it from her with two fingers. It looked good ... and he knew what a cookie looked like. He took it in his mouth, chewing a couple times and soon came a content hum. It was good! She was right!

Laying his head down seemed good right about now, though ...

His silence she was quick to pick up on. She knew he was a man of few words but the silence seemed to fill the air and it deafened her. It broke her to think about how someone treated him so badly, he was lost for words. Deciding to grab something, she holds up a finger to signal that she would be right back. Rushing upstairs, she comes back with a rather large plush bear. She sets it down next to him, pushing it closer to the bigger man.

She sits back down with him, hearing the grunt of disapproval when he seen the first aid kit, seeing the wounds begin to heal. A nod and a soft hum left her lips. "I may not be able to help with what you are going through...so I wanted to give you Mr. Bear. I would give you mr. fox but you cant hug him, hes too small. Hes just right for you! It will give some relief...I hope." She said, gently taking his hand to plant a kiss onto his wound.

When he grunts at the cookies, she nods frantically. "Yes of course they are! I made them earlier today." She pick up a cookie, breaking it in half. She munched on one half and held up the other half for him. "See? No bad things here. They are chocolate chip! I made it with some specialty chocolate I found from France and I have been addicted ever since!" She gushes, smiling up at him.

[monmuses]

He couldn't recognize the friend in the video, but surely it was someone that was close with Ross. Somebody familiar with his work and person to calm a creature that size down. He hadn't felt that kind of calmness in years ... not with having some anchor to keep him from going crazy.

David recognized that confusion. The creature didn't know what he was doing, and looked more scared than angry; unsure of where he was. Though, he was surprised at the concept of being able to stay that way forever. That had to have kept some negative effects, surely.

"There's gotta be some fear of ... losing track of time like that. Amnesia, exhaustion ... an unquenchable thirst," he noted. "If you're spewing fire like a mythical dragon of some kind. There would have to be some lasting effects to stay that way for long periods of time.

"I guess ... in a way, there'd have to be some anchor. I can't recall what happens to me, but there's a sense of dread. Like ... impending doom. Then the pain hits like nothing else ... and I wake up to needing lots of water.

" ... Sam seems like a good man to you. I hadn't found someone who could help calm my transformations until a couple years ago. What do you do about ... the fear?"

Ross was quiet through the video. He barely remembered what happened, it was just burning pain and a voice that was driving him insane.

Forcing him to smash and lash out in rage and fear, like a wounded animal.

Though thankfully the video showed something else....a hero. Dressed in patriotic armor and metal wings.

Talking to the behemoth, calming him down. The raging monster slowing down and settling on the ground, looking....so bewildered.

Like he didn't know where he was.....

Ross spoke up.

"..... A friend helped get me out of the rage. Sam. Turns out the process that turned me into...well...a Red Hulk...also programmed me with a kind of MK Ultra mind control.

He was able to break me out if it."

As for the fire....

" My blood pressure triggers it, but I'm almost at a point where I can turn into that thing whenever I want. I can stay like that forever if I wanted to.

The heat....if I get mad, I burn things. That was me only kind of mad.....before that video, I destroyed several monuments. I saw the wreckage....it was like a bomb blew up."

[monmuses]

He was quiet ... too quiet. Thinking to himself, he hadn't reserved much energy after escaping what was a rough awakening. An assassination attempt ... on his own life. What could've brought them to this point where somebody was out to hunt them again? This was worse than the news, or the military. Something more than that, and he couldn't understand why. He growled to himself, his frown intensifying for a moment at his own thoughts while he slowly brought himself inside.

It wasn't an intention to come off as scary, but he knew of this place ... and thought of it as the only safe haven. Hulk was hoping that lady wouldn't follow.

The wounds that ran across his arms and chest were caked in blood, already healing rather quickly from the jagged blades and bullet wounds that came before he was pulled into the picture. Confused, he grumbled with a sense of curiosity; a first-aid kit? Why? He was fine. He didn't need it.

He managed to find the seat that she had put together for him to rest against. How ... kind of her. The rumbles in his chest continued, hearing her and acknowledging what she was doing. For the time, he sat quietly, arms resting in his lap with one of his roughened thumbs dragging across the wounds.

Perking up, he heard her question, almost wrinkling his nose with anger in remembering that girl's face. He remembered it ... and directed his grumbles towards his wounds. Nothing much he could say, but he was harmed. No name he could recall but a face; not one he could etch on paper.

For now, he watched her carefully, glancing over at the cookies she brought for him. Tilting his head, the rumbles in his chest continued again, voicing his notice of the food. Was it for him?

"You can come in my love! Just stay low and have a seat, I dont want you to hurt yourself." She kept her tone soft, gently leading him in and having him take off his shoes before coming in. She snaps her fingers to make a comfortable pillow set up by the empty wall for him to sit. Rockelle hands him some cookies she baked with some almond milk she had on hand.

"Looks like you are hurt lovely...Did you need help with cleaning the wounds or anything?" She asks, grabbing her first aid kit, setting it in front of him to show she was going to use that if he liked. "If I may ask...What happened? Was someone messing with you?"

[monmuses]

A general once? President? God ... life seemed so different to what Ross seemed to under-go. He knew that feeling all too well; losing your work and what felt like a purpose in one's life because of an experiment gone wrong. In that, David could empathise.

" ... I know what that's like. I was a doctor before. I did extensive research on ... the human body. How could one unlock the fullest potentials of human strength?" He said. "In the long run ... it costed my life and a good friend. It's scary ... and scarier to be hunted by someone that knows of your creature's existence."

Though, a pause in his words. He took a glance towards his phone at a video. Noise erupted from the speaker to spot what his hulking beast seemed to look like. Red ... and on fire. He wasn't kidding.

" ... I almost think you could set fire with a touch of your hand," he muttered with a near-speechless tone of voice. "How do you ... control it-- I mean, there has to be something that can pull that back, wouldn't it?" He couldn't answer that for himself. Destruction was something he knew of.

" I'm glad I'm alive, but....shit....it cost me everything. Fuck, I was a general once! Four-stars! I was on the way to being president!

But then....I changed. I couldn't stop it. It was like my brain was burning and I felt so much pain. I didn't know what was going on.

I was angry, scared....I wouldn't even believe it was real."

Ross took out his phone and pulled up a video. It was from a news bulletin and the video.....something shocking.

A titanic flaming-red monster. Eyes glowing red as the thing let out roars that sounded like a blast of fire.

It wasn't just a creature....it was a monster.

A monster with his face.