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[Giving Hulk a wary smile and his voice his light.]

Hey there big guy, whatcha doin?

[The Hulk isn't mad exactly but he isn't happy as he thumps the ground in a rhythmic pattern.]

Hulk not monster.

I know that, you're part of the team, big guy! A monster wouldn't save my life over and over, we're buds, right?

[Betty tries to smile up at Hulk, but her eyes are still worried. She always worries about Bruce. Hulk can almost never speak, so she's hesitant before replying, taking a step closer.]

Hulk?

[Should she even be encouraging this split personality?]

Yeah, you said it, big fella.

*Clint is very unconcerned with being around Hulk. He's not afraid of him, that's for sure, and he treats him like any other part of the time. Not exactly how he treats Bruce, but Hulk is different. And he's saved Clint's life on more than one occasion, so he's earned his trust with that.*

Someone saying you're not?

[Hulk is thumping the ground as gently as he can nodding along with the beat.]

Little man hear people say I bad guy, I monster. I not monster I helped.

[Hulk would never hurt Betty since in his part of Bruce's mind he know Betty is good and would never hurt him. He turns to her and his voice is softer and slower.]

Hulk monster?

[Hulk blinks at the other, taken aback but only for a moment. It's not the first "him" he's seen, but it's never something you really expect. At the other's words he shakes his head, expression hardening with resolve.]

No, you're not.

[Hulk nods.]

I know I not monster other people not know though that makes little man angry.

Humans say I am. I help and they call me bad guy....monster

[The Hulk studies this smaller version of himself thoughtfully.]

People just need time, buddy. The little man didn't know how to co-exist with you, but he does now, you guys share things, right? It's not like it used to be, where he tried to keep you shoved down so you lashed out and went all crazy when you got out. When people tried to hurt you when you got out? You're with us now. We'll keep you safe, you keep us safe, and the little guy is happy and so is the big guy, right?

Doesn't matter what they call ya, 's long as you know different.

[Hulk is pleased this encounter seems to be going peacefully, but he makes sure to keep his movements slow and non-threatening. The last time he met another Hulk it ended violently.]

[Poor Hulk, her heart goes out to him, quickly replying]

Oh, no. Not a monster. [Her smile softening] You're...you help other people. [Like in New York. Or when he's saved her so many times before.]

Edited 2013-09-27 00:55 (UTC)

*He looks up at Hulk, watching him thump. He doesn't interrupt it, he lets the big guy do whatever he needs to to feel comfortable.*

You know that's not true. People say bullshit. You're not a monster, okay? You're one of us. *He holds his fist out to him. That was trust. Hulk could easily toss him across the street and then some, but Clint knew he wouldn't. Wouldn't be a normal fistbump though, if Hulk went for it.*

[The Hulk nods thoughtfully.]

Still don't like people saying monster. But people will stop someday.

I know....just like you and me are different. You smaller I bigger. Still the same.

[The Hulk looks sad and his voice is gruffer then normal.]

I help....and they still say monster.

[The Hulk looks at Clint's fist then nods and lifts one hand. Instead of bumping Clint though he wraps his larger hand around the smaller one for a few seconds before letting go.]

Why people have to be mean?

[Hulk cocks his head to the side. That's an interesting way of putting it. He gives a slow nod.]

Yep. And that's how I know you're not a monster. You just gotta prove that to everyone else. It'll take a while, but they'll come around. Just gotta keep doin' what you know is right.

One day they'll just see you as the hero you are, big guy. People can stupid with their puny brains and all.

[She puts both of her hands on his big green hand, looking up at him.]

What they say doesn't matter. [She believes in you, Hulk, to do the right thing. Because she knows what a good heart Bruce has. It's still under that green chest somewhere, every now and then a flicker of an expression that looks like Bruce surfaces.]

[He looks down at her hands in his one big one.]

Betty not think I monster?

[Hulk thinks about this.]

You're brain not puny.......little man's brain not puny.

[The Hulk nods at himself.]

Puny Banner says same thing, he say we work together better now then before.

I guess I mean that some people don't think so well, they just see the big scary green guy and not the Big Guy we see. After a few more missions, they'll see you don't mean anyone any harm, that you're just helping us fight the bad guys. Then you're going find pictures of you on T-Shirts, just like all the Iron Man T-Shirts. It'll be okay, buddy, I promise. We've got your back, remember?