Lawyer? I Hardly Know'Er!

“Huh. Strong little buggers aren’t they?”

‘“If I see those demon cat people one more time, I will hurt something.”

Bruce smiled apologetically, raising a shoulder in a half-shrug. “Maybe.” He admitted. “But maybe I know you better than most…” His smile grew as he felt himself beginning to relax in Jenn’s company. Even when he was so far out of his comfort zone, his cousin was a calming presence. “You don’t have to apologise.” He assured her, his smile fading to be replaced by open concern. “Feels off… how?” He asked carefully, knowing her words could mean a thousand potentially problematic things. “You know… if you aren’t enjoying yourself, I don’t think anybody would be offended if we disappeared for an hour? Sometimes you just need a little time.” 

“We were never really good at hiding our hurt from each other,” Jennifer conceded as she took another sip of her drink, scanning the room before she turned her eyes back to her cousin. She hoped the sadness wasn’t too evident to everyone else- the last thing she wanted to do was bring down the mood, at a Tony Stark party no less.

“I don’t want to totally bail, but... maybe it’d be nice to get some air. I’m sure there’s a balcony or twenty overlooking the city.” Jenn tilted her head and gestured for Bruce to walk with her. “It just... Well, last year’s party was so much fun. It felt special. My first one in town, and... that was the night Clint gave me my Avenger ID card. It feels wrong to be celebrating without him this year.”

“Glad to know I’ve got official legal backing for my actions…technically this isn’t what diplomatic immunity is for, but what T’Challa doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” 

Bruce was tired. Tired of making awkward small talk with people who didn’t know who he was, tired of making small talk with people who did know who he was, and tired of pretending to enjoy making small talk. He had long since reached his two drink limit and was feeling more anxious as time passed and he had nothing to do with his hands, nothing to occupy himself with. He didn’t want to drink anything further, knowing he would fall into a habit of drinking it slowly and potentially triggering a placebo effect. He was very likely being paranoid, and that was very likely due to the alcohol he had already consumed, but it couldn’t be helped. It was only as he made his way back to the bar, his favourite place to avoid conversation, that he noticed Jen. He hadn’t had the chance to speak to her tonight, she always seemed to be in the company of somebody he wouldn’t want to interrupt. But now she was alone. Alone and… almost seeming to be upset. A frown creased his brow as he ordered a drink, making his way over to where she was standing the moment the bartender handed it to him. He approached her slowly, wanting to make sure she wasn’t also attempting to avoid attention, offering her the glass with a hesitant smile. “Jen.” He said, by way of greeting. “I’m sorry, you… looked a little lonely.” @savageshehulk​

In some ways, it was nice not to be responsible for the superhero holiday party this year. It did win her some good will with the local community, and they made a good amount of new contacts at the firm, but... Jennifer’s heart wasn’t in it this year. Hell, she hadn’t even shown up to Stark’s party green in an effort to hide a little bit better among the crowds.

She couldn’t stop thinking about how well last year’s party had gone, and now things were much different than back then. Less innocent. And most of all, she missed Clint. Jenn flicked her Avengers ID card back and forth between her fingers, watching the holographic lenticular text shift between her civilian identity and code name. She stood in the corner, having had a few rounds of ‘let’s peel off the wall and make small talk’ but as the night wore on, there were fewer people she wanted to check in with.

Chalk it up to seasonal depression and grief, but she was feeling a little more blue than green this year.

“Yes, that is my drink. Your laws are stupid, so I’ve decided to ignore them.”

When the doors to the elevator opened, Bruce nearly knocked over his mug of tea. He had been prepared for Jennifer, not this version of her, the version he was ultimately responsible for. He had saved her life, both of them knew that. But he had also permanently altered her genes, the very same way his father had altered his. She had assured him on many occasions that she was comfortable with the changes, and despite believing her, that didn’t make it any easier for him to see. “Jen-” He broke off, righting himself and catching his mug, green tea slipping over the sides to pool on the countertop. He laughed breathlessly, still staring as she stepped into the room. “I- yes, of course. I always have time for you.” He brushed himself off, clearing his throat, struggling to tone down his surprise. “It’s- it’s okay. I’m okay. You’re okay. I mean-  is everything okay?” He asked, the question falling from his lips as he stumbled over his words. As much as he enjoyed the thought of his cousin visiting him for the sake of visiting him, it was always possible there was a reason and always possible that reason was not a good one. “The city isn’t on fire, is it?”

“Oop, watch the m-” she stammered as Bruce stumbled and caught his mug. Jenn pulled a face, slightly apologetic. “Sorry, didn’t meant to surprise you like that.”

Jennifer knew how Bruce did with surprises. But shouldn’t he be used to this by now? She had been in town over a year now- amazing how time flew. She stepped into the room properly and removed her suit jacket, folding it over a chair.

Jenn chuckled, “Yes, everything is okay. No, the city isn’t on fire. At least, not last I checked.” She shook her head at his concern. It was sweet, and such a strange contrast to his green persona. She didn’t come over to visit the Hulk often, that was for sure. But it wasn’t fair of her to think like that- the Hulk was the reason she was standing here today, green or not.

Well, Bruce was the reason. But the Hulk had played a role in it too.

Bruce stared at the kettle as it boiled, letting the white noise drown out his thoughts, if only for a moment. He had intentionally chosen one of the fewer frequented kitchens, attempting to avoid anybody who might be residing in the tower. Sometimes he genuinely enjoyed the company, and he wasn’t feeling particularly anti-social right now, just a little distracted. He was longing for somewhere quiet. He pulled a chrome mug from the cupboard above him, along with a box of green tea. As he began to pour the water FRIDAY’s voice rang out. He used to jump each time he heard it, but now he didn’t need to check his heart monitor to know he was used to the sudden sound of her voice. “Dr. Banner, a visitor is on their way to your floor.” He glanced towards the elevator, wondering who might possibly be coming to see him. Surely not Tony, today was one of Pepper’s days off. And everybody else he could think of who might actively seek out his company was away on business. He could feel a frown creasing his brow, but picked up his mug, making his way over to the kitchen island where he placed it down beside the book he had been reading. “Uh- thank you, FRIDAY.” He said quietly, closing the book and watching the light above the elevator signal it’s steady ascent. When it finally reached his floor, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of worry. Hopefully nothing terrible had happened while he had been hiding away in the lab. Though it wouldn’t be the first time, of course. @savageshehulk​

Cousins didn’t need a specific, world-ending reason to visit with one another, right?

Jennifer hadn’t spent much time in the tower since moving out to New York- for one, she wasn’t even part of the team until recently. But then there was the issue of her routine- Jenn had a habit of getting extremely comfortable doing the same things over and over. Especially in a place like New York, there was almost too much to do. She needed the assurance of consistency.

Still, Jennifer loved Bruce. Growing up, he’d always been her favorite cousin. They protected one another. But how often did they get to visit when there was no pressure? No need to protect one another? Just something casual.

As if the Hulk cousins ever did casual.

FRIDAY announced the arrival of the elevator to Bruce’s floor- Jennifer hadn’t even considered having the AI tell her cousin that it was her in the lift. She figured that wouldn’t give Bruce the chance to come up with an excuse as to why they couldn’t visit today. Though the elevator, and really the whole tower, was built to accommodate the Avengers themselves, it still felt a bit unprepared for the arrival of a more delicate breed of Hulk. No matter how tall or strong. At least it supported her weight.

“It’s a cool costume. You look great.” It makes Trish wish she could have dressed up for Halloween. She’s never gotten too excited about the holiday, but she had dressed up before and enjoyed it. This year was just different than the others. Her mind was somewhere else constantly.

Except now. Right now, all it was on was Jenn.

“Thanks, I’ve been trying.” Yet it doesn’t seem like it’s enough. “I guess it’s been taking up a lot of my time.” She smiled sheepishly at Jenn, still feeling guilty for not having tried to make more of an effort to keep in touch. “We should go get coffee sometime. If you’re not to busy with Avenger duty.” She teased, hoping Jenn had been kept busy too, whether through lawyer work or superhero work.

“Aw, thanks. I try to put some effort into these things since I feel like the green is a good head start,” she shrugged. Wouldn’t it be a change of pace if Jenn went in a normal, not-green getup some year...

“Well, it’s good to work hard at something but I hope you’re giving yourself time to rest,” she nodded. “Avenger work is keeping me on my toes, but so is legal work. The two seem to go hand-in-hand. More villains to fight, more superhero lawsuits to process.”

“Oh—thank you.” She ducked her head, reddening slightly. She hadn’t really considered it anything impressive. Just needed something that could loosely fit the theme without looking too out of place. Looking back up at Jenn, she gestured to her own outfit. “I love the costume. It’s really cool.” She reached up to touch one of the neck bolts, laughing gently at it. Of course Jenn would be Frankenstein. It was an awesome sight to behold nonetheless.

“I’ve been really busy.” She said, hopefully explaining why any contact between them had been short. “I was really hoping I’d run into you here.” Between Jenn and Jessica… there was hardly anyone else she’d be looking forward to see. Jessica had been busy with mom duties now and she loved Jessica but there was also some apprehension that Jessica wouldn’t approve. Needless to say, Trish had been alienating herself from everyone and it was a huge relief to just see someone she knows. “I’ve missed you.”

Jennifer laughed and tilted her neck closer to Trish so she could feel the bolt. “Thank you. I suggested this to Bruce one year, but he didn’t find it as amusing. Green guy doesn’t like to dress up as much,” she shrugged, actually grateful she got herself under enough control to appear at the party like this. Shulkie had been surprisingly volatile lately. Better keep her from the mead. “It always feels a bit like cheating, using my green skin. But if you’ve got it, flaunt it!”

@savageshehulk​

The relief that washed over Trish when she realized that Frankenstein was Jenn was parallel to the relief she felt when Jessica would show some sign of still being alive after a long period of silence. “Jenn,” she called out, reaching out for her. “Hey.” She put on one of the most genuine smiles she’s had all this week. “How’ve you been?”

“Trish! I didn’t know you’d be here,” Jennifer smiled, facing the other woman as she reached out. The blonde woman was dressed in impeccably goth fashion. “I love the look. Very spooky, very appropriate.”

She scratched at the back of her neck, careful to avoid the neck bolts she’d affixed with costume glue for effect. It really was easy just to plan costumes around the green- was that cheating?

“Savvy.. Oh, uhm. A word I wouldn’t put on the list of my personal attributes, but I appreciate the gesture.” Bobbi let out a little chuckle, readjusting her glasses. “Me? Probably, I sometimes accidentally let things happen.” 

“Logitech.. I know some people are just trying to make a sale or whatever, but I stand by this baby. Got me through a ton of spilled coffee and wine.” moving around the blonde quickly took hold of the box and held it out to the other woman. A polite smile on her lips.

“Wow, you sound like you know how to have a party,” Jenn said, grabbing the box to take a look and study its branding. While she did like to indulge in the occasional glass of pinot, she rarely did it while typing. No, it was more for watching baking tutorials on YouTube. Maybe she should ask if these were flour-proof...

“Well, I trust your endorsement. Hoping I won’t need to get another replacement any time soon after this. Thank you,” she said. A pause.

“I know my parents would be, a little bit, if they were around to see it,” he admits. “But I took the SATs and everything while I was Xavier’s. Those scores will still be good if I decide I want to do college down the line. But I know what I want to do. I’ll be okay. I’m set.”

“I’m sure your parents are proud of you for following your instincts,” she said. Jennifer understood the pressures, though, of unrealistic expectations from guardian figures. She sighed a bit, putting a hand on Teddy’s shoulder.