"I've never seen a flower like this."
"It's an awesome feeling, you know? When you can make something that could help hundreds of people."
"Even when you do not receive a thank you?"
Tony Stark sat up on his couch in his workshop, holding his body up with his elbows, "If I did everything I did expecting a thank you each time, I'd be sorely disappointed. What about you?"
There was a man sitting on one of the tables, smiling like he had no care in the world as he absentmindedly patted Dum-E's head, "I do not care for thanks. That does not mean it is not nice to hear them, Anthony."
"I guess you'd get it more being a doctor from Asgard," The genius flapped a hand in the other's direction as he flopped back on the couch. "Hey, Percy, do you still take care of the flowers?"
Percy blinked in surprise at the sudden change in topic, "No, I do not."
"How come?"
"I have a task to complete and I cannot return to Asgard until Odin permits it."
"So, you were kicked out."
"If that is how you perceive it, my little scientist. Now, why don't you tell me your problems? That is why you've summoned me, is it not?"
Tony looked at the god, "To be honest, I didn't think the stone would still work." The Stark held up said stone, a red and gold marble object about the size of a fifty-cent coin that he had received on a particularly bad day at home when he was just seven years-old.
"Of course it will still work," Percy almost looked offended. "I did say that, should you ever need me, to simply twist it. Is this why you did not call me when you were in Afghanistan? Did you not believe that I would rescue you?"
The scientist shrugged, "I got out fine."
The god sighed and walked over, kneeling next to Tony by the couch. He gently ran a hand through the Stark's hair, "Anthony, I have known you since you were just a small child. You will always be important to me. I know you have nightmares and I am sorry that I could not prevent them."
"It's fine. They're not as bad as before. I got people helping me."
"Ah, yes, Miss Virginia Potts. Did you tell her that you still wake up screaming when she is away on business trips?"
"That's a low blow. Are you spying on me?"
"My scientist, fear is not a thing to be ashamed of. I, too, still receive nightmares from many battles fought on Asgard before I retired to assist my mother. Please, ask for help- if not from me then from your comrades."
"Comrades? You mean my friends?"
Percy gave a secretive smile, "Sure, those, too. Now, when was the last time you have eaten?"
Tony perked up, "You cooking?"
"That is why I asked."
"Sassy."
"Come, child, before I decided not to cook anymore."
"Not a child but, yeah, I'm coming."
There was a small garden in Calcutta.
Bruce discovered it when he was walking around the area after assisting some of the sick there. It wasn't much, just a couple types of flowers in an area of the smallest bit of green. Bruce could take three strides next to it and reach the end in two. They were pretty though and he wondered how Calcutta had green grass in the first place.
"May I help you?"
The scientist turned at the voice to see a man with kind green eyes looking at him. He was probably around twenty-four, maybe older with the gaze he held. He wore a simple black shirt and loose khakis over worn brown boots. He had his hands in his pockets and his head tilted, like he was fascinated about Bruce.
"I'm sorry, I was just looking and- How did you get the flowers to grow?"
The man gave him a small smile, crouching down next to a yellow flower that almost shimmered gold. When his hand came close, it waved in the wind, almost like it was trying to reach for him, "Everything has a right to live, whether we like them or not. Not many people like flowers but there are some that do and that makes all the difference." He stood up and faced the doctor, "My apologies, I haven't introduced myself." He held out his hand, "My name is Perseus but you may call me Percy."
"Bruce," He shook the man's hand, silently wondering about the man's way of speaking. It was formal but kind and not at all pushy. "How do you water them?"
Percy glanced at the flowers before shrugging, "I spare as much water as I can. Do not worry, Bruce, both I and the flowers get plenty of nourishment. You worry about your patients."
"How- Oh, you probably saw me around," The scientist said and relaxed when the man nodded, green eyes open and honest.
"Yes, I must say I am impressed with your skill. I am also a doctor should you need any help," He offered before shrugging. "In any case, I must go now. It was a pleasure meeting you, Bruce."
"Ah, you as well, Percy."
It was another week before Bruce actually found time to go over to the garden. When he arrived, Percy was standing next to the flowers with a calm expression. The scientist noted that there seemed to be more of the plants and they looked healthier and happier.
"So, how often do you come out and tend to the flowers?" He asked when he got close enough.
Percy lifted his head to look at him, an eyebrow raised in surprise, "Three times a week- four if I must. When I am not here, I am in town assisting where I am needed."
"Huh," Bruce nodded. "Have you ever thought about bringing the kids around? I bet they'd like that." He came up with the idea when he went to bed the day he met Percy. The town was small and rundown and the kids didn't really have much to do when they weren't fighting off the illnesses that always seemed to plague the people.
"Yes but not now," The man smiled at him, something that soothed the brunette somehow. "They are not ready. Soon, perhaps."
"It's your call," Bruce said, pushing up his glasses. "When, do you think, would the garden be ready?"
Percy pursed his lips in thought, "Come by in two weeks time. That is when you may bring the children."
"Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Percy."
"My pleasure, Dr. Banner."
It was only when Bruce went to bed that night did he remember that he didn't actually tell the man his last name.
Two weeks came and went and Bruce found himself leading five children down a dirt path to the garden, their parents a few feet behind. They were excited at the prospect of seeing flowers but the adults were a bit skeptical on whether or not the plants would be real. It seemed unlikely in a place like Calcutta.
"My friend, Percy, takes care of them," Bruce told a little black-haired girl holding his hand. "He is really nice, you'll like him."
"Are we close?" A blonde boy asked, his hair slightly dirty from the air around them.
"Yes. In fact, we're here." He led the kids around the corner and nearly gasped along with them. The garden wasn't two strides long anymore. It was probably the size of a nice house in the U.S. and Bruce knew for a fact that some of the flowers were really gold. Percy was standing in the middle surrounded by the plants, silently whispering to them kindly.
"Hey, Percy," Bruce called and he couldn't really contain the awe in his voice.
"Oh, hello," The man smiled, waving at the children. His expression softened at them and he made his way over to them, carefully stepping on some stones Bruce noticed that he put on the field so he did not step on the flowers.
The children looked at him in awe, like he was some god, and Bruce figured he must be if he made such beauty grow in Calcutta. "Mister, where did the flowers come from?" The blonde boy asked, gaping at him.
"I made them," Percy said, his wording sounding odd to the scientist among them. "What is your name, young one?"
"Ja'nek," He said shyly, offering his hand.
The man shook it politely, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Ja'nek. My name is Percy. Who are the other children with you?"
Once the others were introduced; there being Kate, Ne'ran, Devin, and Sophie, the green-eyed allowed them to walk by the flowers, patiently explaining what each were called and what they meant.
"I've never seen a flower like this," Bruce knelt by a green flower with spikes on its petals but had a velvet-soft stem the color of warm caramel.
"Mm, yes," Percy was suddenly standing next to him, looking at the flower with fond eyes. "It does not have a name yet. Would you like to give it one?"
The scientist was silent for a moment, biting his lip, before speaking, "Hulk. It's name is Hulk."
"A wonderful choice, Bruce Banner. Come, there are more flowers I must show you."
