Bennett Banner

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...

-

“Yeah, you know, like the royal we,” Ginny said, grinning at him. “Except in this case it’s not the personal self and the royal, quasi-divine self, I’m just using ‘we’ as a shorthand instead of saying, most of the insufferable ignoramuses that live on this planet.” Ginny actively tried not to think about her childhood – not out of any intended disrespect to Bennett, but because it hurt too much to remember when she’d innocently thought her father would be around forever. It didn’t matter that most kids thought that, and that she wasn’t the only child in the world – probably not the only person at this school – who had been proven wrong by the fell clutch of circumstance. It just mattered that it hurt. “Listen, we’ve both met Thor, who is literally a Norse god, so I feel like the concept of the Tooth Fairy being a reality isn’t crazy,” she pointed out, grinning at him. “Or Santa, for that matter.”

“Ah, so you wouldn’t include yourself in the ‘insufferable ignoramus’ category?” Bennett teased, playfully implying he would include Ginny. Grinning at the mention of Thor, he couldn’t remember ever growing out of calling him uncle, though at some point it had inevitably happened. “Yeah, I suppose once upon a time, a school like this would have sounded impossible.” He considered a time where superhumans weren’t integrated as a part of society, a world that either didn’t have them, or didn’t know it had them. It was a strange concept, given the adults who had played a major role in his childhood. He probably knew more people with abilities than without. “Are you saying Santa could be a Norse god?” He intentionally misunderstood her in an attempt to make her laugh. He missed hearing her laugh. Ever since losing Tony the sound had become incredibly rare. “I believe it, honestly. I’ve heard far stranger theories.” 

-

Ginny frowned in response. She hadn’t meant to say anything hurtful to Bennett, but she was definitely guilty of speaking before actually thinking about what she was saying. And she was already irritated over this whole assignment, which didn’t help. “I didn’t mean you,” she said. “I meant we as in, you know…the hypothetical, metaphysical we, or whatever.” She hadn’t, but she also hadn’t meant to upset Bennett with what she was saying. Ginny gave a little shrug. “We did the Santa thing for a few years, but it wasn’t really a big deal,” she said. “They wrapped the presents from Santa just like they wrapped presents from them.” She wrinkled her nose. “That’s horrifying,” she said. “And I hate it. Now I’m thinking of a whole little fairy country that is just full of castles built from baby teeth. That’s some Labyrinth shit.” Ginny thought about it for a minute, but shook her head. “No, they just said the Tooth Fairy was coming, but we abandoned that whole thing pretty quickly because it freaked me out. Understandably, I think.”

Bennett smiled, unsure why Ginny’s comment had felt so personal. Her clarification allowed him to brush off his worry though, and focus on the conversation at hand. “The metaphysical we?” He echoed, his smile growing. “That sounds far too deep for a casual study session.” Thinking back to the childhood he had shared with Ginny, he was hit by an onslaught of memories. Opening gifts together in Tony and Pepper’s expensive homes. Swapping their toys because they could. Working alongside their parents in the lab, or the garage, with plastic tools and pretend chemistry sets the adults always insisted were real. He missed the simplicity. The lack of responsibility he felt for the mutation in his genes. The older he grew, the heavier the burden became. It wasn’t something he allowed himself to consider very often, but it was true. “Yeah, if that’s true then it’s a little unsettling.” He agreed. “I get why a tiny magical person sneaking into your bedroom to steal your teeth might have freaked you out. Honestly, I’m surprised it doesn’t freak out more children.” 

-

“Yeah, it is,” Ginny said, without skipping a beat. “You know why? Because we’re lying to ourselves constantly, Bennett. Everybody has shit buried in their subconscious like their brain is storing away trauma nuts for the winter. Sometimes it’s so down in there that you don’t even realize it’s there anymore. And it’s better that way. Otherwise, we would all be drooling in assless hospital gowns while burly nurses watch As The World Turns on a TV mounted in the corner.” She gave him a look. “Right, because there’s nothing healthier than getting graded on my innermost feelings,” she said dryly. “You got me there.” She shrugged. “At least Santa leaves you a bunch of presents,” she said. “The Tooth Fairy gives you, what, a dollar? If you’re lucky? That’s insane. And what the hell does she want with the teeth, Bennett? At least Santa doesn’t take bits of enamel fallen from your mouth back to the North Pole with him.”

Bennett frowned. He knew he wasn’t perfect. He struggled with anxiety, sometimes the easiest of daily tasks felt like a battle he was never going to win, but for the most part he considered himself to be a relatively a well rounded person. He wondered if, in spite of the programme Ginny had been enrolled in, she felt the same way about herself. “I’m not lying to myself.” He said, a frown creasing his brow. He hated the fact that he didn’t sound certain, but he decided that could only be because of how concerned he was for his friend. He only ever wanted her to be okay and he felt so helpless to offer her support. “I wouldn’t know...” He smiled, only half teasing. He was obviously familiar with both concepts, he just didn’t have first hand experience with them. “Mom and Dad didn’t do anything like that. I’m pretty sure there were a few dinner table discussions about the psychology of why people tell stories to their kids though.” A laugh escaping him, he shrugged, wondering why that particular part of the fairy tale hadn’t been elaborated on. “I feel like someone told me the fairies build their castles out of teeth?” He tried to sort through his memories, to recall what other children had told him when he was young, though he hadn’t met many people his age. Not until arriving at Uni. “Didn’t your parents come up with something to explain that?” 

“It’s bullshit,” Ginny grumbled, glancing over at the person sitting next to her. “We might as well sit around the campfire and sing Kum Ba Yah if we’re going to be getting homework assignments like this.” She folded her arms over her chest, a soft huff leaving her lips. “I mean, write a letter to someone you miss? What the hell does that have to do with Solving Turmoil Without Violence?” Ginny scowled, turning her gaze down to her shoes. “I don’t even miss anyone,” she said, which was a blatant lie. “Who am I supposed to write about, Santa Claus? He used to bring me some really neat presents. I don’t feel that verklempt over the Tooth Fairy, though. What a creepy concept that is. What the hell is she doing with my baby teeth?”

@lkustart​​

Bennett offered Ginny a quiet smile. It felt good to be talking to her again, though he couldn’t help feeling a little concerned that if he answered her question honestly, they might not be talking again for very much longer. They were on different programmes, so they received vastly different homework, part of him thrived on being intellectually challenged, but part of him was intrigued by the prospect of rehabilitation. What were people being taught? How were they being encouraged to grow, change, and learn? “I don’t think being self aware is bullshit.” He admitted, doing what he could to tread carefully. She was the closest thing he had to a sibling, and he didn’t want her to withdraw from him for a second time. “Mental practices are important... in ways you might not always understand. Exercises like this can be healthy, you know?” Tapping his pen against his notepad, abandoning his own homework on anti-electron collisions, he laughed at the mention of the tooth fairy. “And an immortal man breaking into your home via your chimney isn’t creepy at all?” 

-

Peter smiled softly as the other guy laughed. “Some people find it hard,” he said. “It’s not always so easy to shut your mind off.” He definitely understood that, although he had to wonder how many people would realize that about him. He was so consistently sunny and upbeat, in part because that was just his natural disposition — but he also didn’t want to give anyone cause to worry about him. There were more important things in the world than Peter Gordon’s problems. Or so Peter Gordon himself thought. His eyes widened slightly at the guy’s response to his question. “Why not?” He said, frowning a little. And then frowned again, this time at himself. Was it rude to ask? “If you don’t mind saying, I mean. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t feel like it.” He gave a little laugh as Bennet spoke. “It’s just a type of kick in taekwondo.” He smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Bennett.”

“Some find it impossible.” Bennett corrected, offering Peter a smile to let him know he was teasing. He did find it impossible, but he wasn’t trying to earn pity. It was easy to make light of certain situations when everybody attending the university had problems that could only be considered far from normal. As if Peter was able to read his thoughts, which was a genuine possibility, all things considered, he asked about why he wouldn’t be welcome on the superhero programme. He faltered, debating whether to be honest, or to take a few more minutes to enjoy the anonymity. Eventually deciding it was only a matter of time until Peter found out who he was, he shrugged, feeling suddenly self conscious. “I’m Bennett Banner...” He explained. “A single mistake on my part and the world’ll be stuck with two Hulks instead of just the one... my job, I guess, is to keep that from happening. Otherwise I’m... kind of a liability.” Brushing off Peter’s comment, he didn’t mind being honest. Not really. If anything, it felt good to know there were still people in school who didn’t know him. “It’s nice to meet you too, Peter.” He grinned sheepishly, hoping his sincerity would be obvious. 

Azari couldn’t sleep and needed to get out of his dorm. It wasn’t anyone’s fault he was feeling restless but he just felt like he wasn’t meant to be here. He should be studying and training alongside his father if he was to be king but everyone kept telling me he had time. It was eating at him inside how he was being to let loose but felt like he couldn’t.

He tried meditating but it didn’t seem to help his nerves and rather than worry about his powers manifest and causing a power surge or some unnecessary cloud coverage that wasn’t in the forecast he chose to go for a run. He loved going on long runs back in Wakanda through the fields and the trees but here they had a track and that was the best choice. He didn’t notice there was someone else here too wondering if they had the same idea as him. he watched as they slowed down before making his way over to leave his water bottle near where the other was.

“Oh you could keep going if you want. The track is big enough to share.” Azari said. he knew a bit about who he was thanks to the slight connection of the Avengers. “I wasn’t actually. I didn’t know there was someone else using the track this early in the day.” He admitted. “How are you though?”

Bennett grinned, more than happy to pretend his body didn’t choose when he needed to exercise and when he needed to stop. It was nice to imagine a world where he could keep going simply because he wanted to. “Maybe in a minute or two.” He agreed, hoping that would be enough time for his heart rate to return to its regular BPM. Offering a sheepish smile at the mention of being awake so early, he couldn’t help feeling a little guilty. It hadn’t even crossed his mind that Azari might have ventured outside in the hope of finding an empty track. Maybe he didn’t want the company. “I’m sorry... cardio is a part of the whole...” He gestured vaguely with his hand. “Routine. I’m getting by.” He added, appreciative of the question. “I feel like I should probably be asking you that. Do you usually work out this early in the morning?”

“Maybe I’m just a little more sensitive to it on this empty stomach of mine then” he joked, drinking more of his smoothie before he chuckled softly. “Yeah, maybe…ah, so that’s where the line is then? I’m like a gremlin you have to keep fed at all times or else?” he teased, smirking widely. “I’m no hero, man” Rocky had a good heart, but he knew that he wasn’t perfect by any means. He wasn’t trying to be either. “It’s not about comparing…I just really don’t think that I could make getting my ass beat look good on me” he teased, shaking his head. He appreciated his friend’s concern, but Rocky had always felt at home in his body. Nothing was going to change that.

“Hm, maybe.” Bennett teased. “Haven’t you noticed I never feed you after midnight?” Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he still wasn’t sure he believed in the concept of heroes, and villains, but he didn’t say that. He listened to Rocky instead, playing off his words as something casual. He knew his friend was perfectly happy with who he was, and he didn’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be. So what would they gain from exploring certain nuances? “You know, if you didn’t get into fights you wouldn’t have to worry about getting your ass beat.” He pointed out. “And then you wouldn’t need to worry about making it look good on you.”  

-

Peter smiled softly as the other guy spoke, sensing that he was nervous. Not that it would take a mind reader to get that vibe from this guy, but Peter wasn’t judging him for it. Sometimes people just had a hard time talking with others, or just meeting new people. “Sure, sounds good,” Peter said, smiling at him again when the other agreed to join him. He smiled again. “Yeah? I’ll have to keep that in mind,” he said. “Everybody needs ways to relax.” Running definitely wasn’t his favorite activity, but he did it to keep fit. It was going to be part of the job, for sure. And he would do pretty much anything he had to do for this job. “Are you in the superhero program?” he said. “That’s probably why we haven’t bumped into each other much before. I’m on the agent track.” He smiled thinly. “Just an average guy over here. Who just happens to know how to downward roundhouse kick.”

“Hm, yeah...” Bennett laughed in response to the statement. It was true, everybody needed a way to relax. But more often than not he felt as though he was forcing it upon himself. “I wish relaxing was my way of relaxing.” He admitted. “But I’m kind of used to doing this now...” Sometimes he wondered what it would be like if his warped version of self care didn’t take up his mornings, and evenings. But there was no point in dwelling on a type of freedom he would never be able to enjoy. Another laugh escaping him at the mention of the superhero program, he shook his head, running a hand absentmindedly through his hair. “No, they really, really don’t want me there.” He assured his new friend. “I’m Engineering. And I have no idea what a downward roundhouse kick is so I guess if I ever find myself in trouble, I’ll give you a call.” Finishing the water left in his bottle, he set it back down again, satisfied with the number now displayed on his watch. “I’m Bennett, by the way...”

·         “good news benny o’pal. I AM looking for you.” Webz said now moving forward. He’d waited until Bennett came out of the zone enough to notice him.  The last thing he had wanted to do was surprise Bennett. He’d been on the receiving end o that once and he had swore never to let that happen again. He sat on one of the other benches, Spinz on his shoulder as always. “I need to go into to city for some things. Wanna come?” he asked. “And by want to, I mean follow me we’re going. You gotta help me find a merlin costume.”

Bennett raised his eyebrows, a grin lighting up his expression. He couldn’t say he had been expecting anything less from Webz, but it still felt good to know somebody was actively seeking his company. Especially when his company set so many people on edge. Watching as his friend took a seat, he collected his water bottle from the side of the track, making an effort to finish its contents before speaking again. “You want me to go to the city with you?” He echoed, unable to hide the spark of anxiety that ignited within his chest at the thought. Large crowds, big buildings, noise, and danger on almost every corner. If he was as smart as he claimed to be, he would say no. But he had a feeling that was why Webz wasn’t giving him an option. He appreciated the push. He wouldn’t have done half as many interesting things without Webz holding his hand through them, convincing him there was nothing to be afraid of. “Wait- a Merlin costume?” He laughed, momentarily distracted. “You couldn’t think of anything more original?” 

-

“You okay, man?” Peter said, looking over at the younger man with a slightly puzzled little smile. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen someone circling the track over and over again like that, like a hamster on a wheel – or in a more poetic way of putting it, like Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill. He had come down to the track to limber up before football practice, and had seen the guy looping around repeatedly. He’d heard the beeping of the watch as he got closer. He wasn’t entirely sure off the bat if it was just a normal fitness tracker thing, or if maybe there was some kind of medical concern going on here. Looking at him, the guy didn’t seem like he was about to collapse or anything, though. Not that Peter was a medical expert by any means.

He smiled softly again. “Well, yeah, I was gonna run a few laps,” he said. “But maybe you should take a breather. If you want to keep going after you rest for a minute, there’s plenty of room for the both of us.” He offered him another smile, holding out his hand for a shake. “Sorry if I bothered you or got you out of your rhythm, or anything. I’m Peter, by the way. I think I’ve seen you around before.”

Bennett took a moment too long to process the question, feeling a strange swell of happiness when he realised he was talking to somebody who wasn’t aware of his parentage. “Uh, yeah... I’m okay.” He hurried to insist, wishing he was wearing long sleeves so that he could tug them down and cover his watch. Smiling at his company, Bennett wandered past him to pick up a water bottle he had left on the side of the track. Taking a long drink, he brushed off the concern. He appreciated it, but he also appreciated the opportunity to be normal. To be seen as normal. “I can join you.” He enjoyed the prospect of a running partner, and maybe even a potential friend. Meeting new people was something he never managed to grow bored of. “I like to keep my resting heart rate as low as it can be, so... cardio helps.” Reaching out to shake the stranger’s hand, he shook his head, trying to make it clear he wasn’t being a bother. “You didn’t, honest. It’s nice not to be stuck out here all alone... I’m Bennett. You probably have, I’ve been here for a couple of years now.” 

-

Ginny had been keeping to herself ever since term started. She knew there were plenty of other Avengers kids here, kids that she had essentially grown up with, and she didn’t really want to see any of them. She knew no one had expected her to end up the way she did, which was one of the reasons she’d done what she did. People expected things of Tony and Pepper’s daughter, and she didn’t want to be those things. Those things got you killed, and in return, the world memorialized you with action figures and murals. As if that could knit the hole in your family together. 

When she saw Bennett on the track, she almost avoided him. She’d been smoking under the bleachers (she had watched The Breakfast Club the other day, and it seemed a very John Hughes thing to do) and once she heard the repetitive pounding of his feet, she almost skedaddled then and there. But when she heard the beeping, she knew it was the heartrate monitor on his watch. “Yeah, it’s your cue to stop,” she said, frowning at him. “Did you even bring water with you? I don’t thin it’s gonna help the little jolly green problem you have if you’re dehydrated.”

Bennett rolled his eyes at Ginny’s question, unable to help himself. Even now, he saw her as a sibling. They had spent so much time together as children it was difficult to name anybody who knew him in the way she did. But after she had chosen her path, one very different to the path he chose for himself, a distance had grown steadily between them. He couldn’t help but feel as though she avoided him when she was able to. “Yes, I brought water.” He insisted, brushing past her to pick up a bottle he had set down before starting his workout. “You’re the one not helping my stress levels.” He smiled, letting her know he was joking, despite the element of truth behind his words. He worried about her, how could he not? Taking a long drink, it was only as he lowered the bottle that he noticed the lingering smell of smoke. “Wait- were you smoking?” He asked, curious rather than judgemental. “Surely there are better places to do that than the running track?” 

It wasn’t often he was able to just be a twenty one year old. Somebody with issues, but somebody undeniably whole. Each exhale of breath was sharp, and rhythmic, and he focused on the sound until another sound distracted him, pulling him out of his enjoyable reverie. Slowing to a halt, he begrudgingly silenced the alarm of his smartwatch, warning him that his heartrate was beginning to climb. He only realised he wasn’t alone when he finally looked up from his task. Offering his company a sheepish grin, he worked to catch his breath, glancing back down to ensure his BPM was going down. “I guess that’s my cue to stop.” He admitted, gesturing vaguely to the now empty track. “It’s yours if you want it... I mean- unless you were looking for me?” 

“You’re sassy today” he teased lightly, shaking his head. It was a valid point, though. Not everything had to have some deeper meaning. Some things simply…were. “And hangry, and nobody wants that. Honestly you’re just a saviour all around, Bennett” he grinned. His tone was teasing, but he genuinely meant what he was saying. Rocky appreciated the other more than he was likely to ever put into words. He wasn’t the best at expressing his affection a lot of the time, but it was certainly there. “Ouch. You got me there, though. I can’t be slacking…these kids are the real deal” Rocky rose his brows, shaking his head. He had been expecting talent, obviously, but he still found himself amazed at what some of the students were capable of. Powerless, he had no choice but to work harder to keep up. 

“I wouldn’t say any more than usual.” Bennett grinned. “Maybe it’s the mango, maybe I went a little too wild this morning.” Laughing at his own joke, he finished what was left of his smoothie, setting the empty cup down beside his feet. “Well, obviously it’s self preservation then. I don’t think my patience could handle a hangry Rocky.” His grin fading to become an affectionate smile, it wasn’t the first time his friend had expressed his gratitude. And he certainly made a habit of expressing his own right back. Rocky had such a good heart, sometimes he forgot he also had a habit of getting himself into trouble. “You saved me first...” He admitted, thinking back to how nervous he had been to finally attend an academic institution. “You don’t need to compare yourself to anybody else.” He added, hoping Rocky didn’t solely visit the gym to try and keep up with those who had more obvious abilities. He knew first-hand how dangerous it was to compare yourself with other people.

“Bennett” Rocky grinned as he turned into the room, his friend coming into view. “A mango and pineapple day, huh? I guess we’ll find out what that means” he chuckled gently, taking the offered smoothie before taking a sip. “Thanks, man. Where would I be without you?” Hungry, for one thing. That was for sure. Rocky had always been a free spirit, flying by the seat of his pants and never planning too far ahead which often meant that he could get too wrapped up in whatever he was doing to remember the basics like stopping for lunch or to drink water and that was where Bennett was a blessing. He always made sure that he was taking care of himself and Rocky actually really enjoyed that this had become their morning routine. He usually hated anything rigid like that, but there was something comforting in knowing that it wouldn’t change. “It’s also leg day, so that’s super fun…not. How’s your morning been so far?” 

“It means,” Bennett started, handing over the smoothie the moment his friend was close enough to take it, “that I wanted mango and pineapple.” Raising his eyebrows pointedly at the following question, he couldn’t help feeling a satisfied sense of validation, even knowing it was rhetorical. “Severely dehydrated?” He teased, his voice playful, and soft-spoken. Dripping with an affection that came naturally to him. He enjoyed being in the presence of others, but Rocky, was particularly welcome company. “Leg day, huh?” He wrinkled his nose. “Sounds painful... I’m so glad I get to sit here on this bench and simply observe in your suffering. My morning has been pretty uneventful so far, and I get to spend the rest of it not giving my body a build up of lactic acid... so I think it’s going better than yours.” 

@rockxtquill​