Incredible Hulks #619
That’s my girl. Glad to hear you’re doing well. Aside from, you know, whatever the hell seems to be going on around here.
Well unfortunately even the short version is inexplicably long. But if you ever have the time to spare, I could get you up to speed over a cup of coffee.
And Amsterdam before that. Those were good times. But I’m back now and ready to save the world. Again. What’ve you been up to?
Oh, you know. Protecting the innocent, fighting for justice, et cetera, et cetera. And the occasional punching and smashing.
[he makes himself a drink as well, which is weird, he rarely drinks but he wants one aggressively right now, maybe because it’s a depressant, it keeps the heart rate down despite everything else] I’m just surprised this many people would agree to come to my house, to be honest.
[She scans the apartment, realizing it’s the first time she’s been there since they moved in.] Well, Tony does know how to pick a welcoming place. I just wish we were all here under better circumstances.
[he laughs weakly as she pulls away, shaking his head] Don’t be sorry for me. [he looks at her and just shrugs, rubbing at the back of his neck and loosening his tie, wearily surveying everyone] This is messed up.
[she turns and starts to hack at the block of ice on the table] What? The idle chatter between casual acquaintances while h’ordeuvres and crudites are munched and everyone is painfully aware of yet refuses to acknowledge the giant elephant in the room?
[the ice starts to break into manageable cubes] Yeah, it’s messed up. [she shrugs to herself as she makes herself a stiff drink] But we put on a mask and act like nothing’s wrong. [a sip] Then once we’re alone we can mourn.
[he basically melts against Jen, feeling slightly more secure than he’s been for a bit (having a lot of people in his private space- less of a kosher idea than he anticipated), and having Jen there just makes it seem safer, better. He could count on her when Betty died, and he could count on her now] God, I’m glad you’re here.
[A long sigh leaves her as she holds Bruce. She starts to feel this bitter sensation of deja vu. A free hand patted his shoulder and gave his arm a reassuring squeeze as she pulled away.] I’m so sorry, Bruce.