The next morning Steve had made a feast for breakfast and piled on the food on the biggest plate he could find for the Hulk. The green giant had woken up a few hours ago and had silently checked on Bruce to make sure he was still there before climbing up the side of the building to the common area to find Steve up with a cup of coffee and reading the paper. The blond had been startled but smiled warmly and only grinned with a shake of his head at the now broken window.

"How do you feel?" Steve asked him kindly.

"Hulk ok. Good sleep."

Steve nodded. "Good. I'm glad. Does Bruce know you're awake and up here? Don't want him to worry."

Hulk shook his head. "Bruce sleep."

Steve smirked. "For a change."

Hulk grinned knowingly.

"Now if we can get Tony to sleep like a normal human being…"

"Don't count on it."

Clint came in and walked over to the two before ruffling Hulk's hair with a grin. "How did Bruce get any sleep? You snore Jade Jaws! Loud!"

Hulk scowled at him. "Hulk no snore! Spider Lady say Cupid snore wake up the dead!"

Clint scowled! "I do not!"

Steve watched the exchange with a smile. "Hey Clint. Tell Bruce where Hulk is will you? I have to talk to Fury."

Clint looked at him. "About Hulk?"

Hulk looked up.

Steve nodded. "Yeah." He looked at Hulk. "Who's General Ross?"

Hulk growled. "Hunts Hulk. Bruce love Ross daughter. Treat her good but Ross no like Bruce." Hulk looked down. "Betty like Hulk and Betty love Bruce but Bruce had to run away."

Steve frowned. "Poor guy. I'll see if I can't get in contact with her."

The green man looked at him. "Captain do that for Bruce?"

Steve smiled. "I'll do anything for everyone I care about. It's my job to make sure they are happy and healthy."

"It is not your job to take care of us Steven. We take care of each other," Thor said coming in.

Clint nodded. "Yeah!"

Steve just chuckled before heading to the door. "Wish me luck!"

"You'll need it!" Clint said.

Once he left Hulk looked at Clint. "Cupid think Darkman will hurt Hulk?"

Clint smiled at him. "Not on our watch. Fury's not stupid. This place is like Fort Knox."

"Hurt Bruce?"

Clint smirked. "You would be the least of his worries if he tried to lay a hand on Bruce."

Hulk smirked as well and nodded.

()()()()()()

Steve stood at parade rest as he told Director Fury about Bruce and Hulk's separation and how it was so far affecting them.

Fury raised an eyebrow. "That thing belongs in a cage Captain."

Steve bristled. "With all do respect Sir. Hulk has shown no reason to keep him locked up. He sticks close to Bruce and he's going to teach the Hulk how to read and write."

Fury narrowed his eye. "Do you think Hulk can learn? Do you think Bruce can integrate him into the world?"

Steve smiled. "Yes sir I do. Hulk has already established friend from foe and even in battle his damage has minimized. He's not mindless. He's like a child. He only needs to be taught."

Fury looked at him in thought. "How does Banner feel about all of this?"

"Well sir. From my observations it seems that Bruce has taken it upon himself to take care of Hulk much like a father would."

That caught Fury off guard. He then smirked a bit. "Good."

Steve nodded. "Sir…General Ross…"

"Will be forced into retirement should he try to attack either of them. His Hulkbusters have already been disbanded. I reassured Dr Banner after the Chitauri invasion that the hunts were over."

"Is there any way to contact Miss Betty Ross?" Steve asked.

Fury raised an eyebrow. "There is a restraining order against Bruce seeing her. Ross made sure of that."

A flash of anger crossed his face. "Force him to take it off. Hulk believes they belong together. Love…"

Fury softened as Steve looked down. "I'll see what I can do Captain. True love is a rare thing. No matter where…or when…you are."

Steve nodded. "Yes sir. Thank you."

He nodded and dismissed him before going to perform this mission himself.

Steve arrived back at the tower and stopped at Bruce and Hulk's level to check on them. He found Bruce teaching Hulk the alphabet using large letter cutouts and a picture book. He smiled as he let them be.

After a few days Bruce had developed a routine. He'd teach Hulk his lessons in the morning after breakfast for about an hour or so and then use crafts like painting to find something to entertain Hulk. In the afternoon after lunch he'd go to the lab and the others would work on training the Hulk and training with him. After dinner they'd all relax together in front of the television with Hulk sitting on the floor beside the chair Banner occupied. At night Bruce would read him a story from a large fairy tale book he found before singing him to sleep.

Hulk learned at an average pace and was able to figure out the lessons. Bruce often praised him for his good work and his patience never waned. He began to discover different feelings within him and the anger he kept on reserve for battle.

He felt happy. He felt safe. He didn't feel like a monster here. No one called him a beast or a monster and he was treated fairly. He cared for his fellow Avengers.

At night when Bruce was reading and singing to him he felt something foreign and strong. He felt protected as well as protective of the genius who by all counts should hate him the most and want him caged more than any other human.

That feeling confused him and at one time caused a panic. He had had a nightmare about Bruce being killed and had let out a roar in his sleep before shooting up. Bruce had come running as did the other Avengers who thought he was being attacked. The second he had seen the disheveled man he had leapt out of his bed and grabbed him in a protective hold startling Bruce as well as the others. Still half asleep Hulk had growled at them to leave them alone. Only Bruce's voice was able to cut through the angry and frightened haze and calmed him down. The others watched in amazement as Bruce shushed Hulk and got him back to bed. He didn't let Bruce go though so the man just lay down beside him and nodded to the others that he had it under control. Needless to say Bruce felt like a teddy bear with the way Hulk was cuddling him but he didn't mind.

The next morning Hulk had woken up first and watched the human sleep. He raised a massive hand and brushed the curly brown and grey hair away from his forehead. He felt that feeling again. A warmth that spread throughout his large frame. He didn't understand it. Would Bruce know? Bruce was smart. He would know.

Bruce groaned a little as he stirred and his eyes fluttered open. He sat up and rubbed them. "Hey Big Guy. You feeling better? That was some nightmare last night."

Hulk winced and nodded. "Bad dream scare Hulk."

Bruce looked at him in concern. "You want to talk about it?"

Hulk looked at him. "Bruce dead."

Bruce frowned and put a hand on his arm. "You dreamed that I was dead?" At his nod the man looked at him in the eyes. "No wonder it scared you. I'm fine Hulk I promise. I'm not going to leave you anytime soon."

"Hulk won't let you."

Bruce chuckled. "Oh I know that."

"Bruce…Hulk feel strange sometimes. Hulk feel warm when you're around. Hulk feel…protective. What is it?"

Bruce blinked and looked up at him in thought. He smiled a little. "Its called love Hulk. It's the strongest bond in the world."

Hulk blinked. "Like Bruce love Betty?"

Bruce winced. "Sort of." He looked at him. "To be honest Hulk I'm not sure what we are. I…I care a lot about you and would protect you with my life."

Hulk nodded. "Hulk know."

"I'm glad. Come on. I'm starving!"

()()()()()()()()()()

An old man in an Army uniform sat in Central Park looking at the photos his spy had taken. He glared in absolute hate.

Betty had completely disowned him and fought against the restraining order. She had said that the second it was gone she was going to come to New York, track down Banner, and marry him. She truly loved him.

That monster had stolen his daughter from him and he was going to make damn sure that Bruce Banner would be gone before Betty arrived so he could tell her he was dead…and not be lying. He was going to protect his baby girl.

Ross just had to wait until the time was right.

()()()()()()()()

Hulk grinned as he sparred with Thor. The Asgardian always put up a great fight and was one of few that could match him in sheer strength.

Steve smirked when they got into another headlock. "Alright time! Great job both of you!"

Thor grinned. "Hulk you are truly a mighty warrior!"

Hulk smirked. "Hulk smash!"

Tony grinned. "Yeah! Make a great club bouncer!"

Clint snickered. "Yeah Banner would have a conniption!"

Natasha rolled her eyes as she approached the Hulk. "Don't mind them. I noticed something. You were more…intense today. Something on your mind?"

Thor turned to him and nodded. "Yes my friend you seemed more aggressive."

Hulk sighed. "Last night Hulk had bad dream. Bruce dead. Scared Hulk."

They looked at each other in concern as Natasha put a hand on his arm. "That would scare all of us. We all love him."

Hulk looked at her. "What love?"

"We may need to get Bruce in here," Tony said. He was about to call Bruce but Steve stopped him.

"This has something to do with Bruce and once Hulk gets this explanation than that four letter word will mean more coming from him to Bruce than him trying to explain it." Steve looked at him. "Love can be complicated but it's simple too. I'm going to ask some questions ok?"

Hulk nodded.

"Do you enjoy being around him?"

The green head bobbed. "Yeah."

"Do you want to protect him?"

Hulk glared at the wall. "No bad happen!"

Steve smiled. "Do you feel safe around him?"

Hulk softened and nodded.

"We've seen him feed you and teach you. Do you like the stories he tells? The songs he sings?"

Hulk smiled and nodded. "A lot."

"Hulk, he may not realize it yet. Might be starting to but somewhere between the separation and now he went from only caring about you to outright fathering you. We've seen it."

Tony went over. "Yeah pal. Bruce will put you above the rest of us. Just like a dad would."

"He's real proud of you and how far you've come in such a short amount of time," Clint chimed in.

"The way he talks about you is nothing short of love," Thor said. "His eyes sparkle when you learn something from him."

"He always talks about what you did that day and smiled when he does it," Tony said. "His research and work now is focused on more pleasant projects and he's helped a lot of people. He wants to make the world a better place…for you."

Steve nodded. "He loves you Hulk. You may be physically stronger than him and you will outlive him but this is the happiest we've ever seen him. He wants to take care of you."

Hulk listened. "Hulk feel warm around him. Is that love?"

Thor nodded. "Aye my friend. It is. The love a child feels around their parent."

They watched as Hulk digested what he was hearing.

"Hulk…I have no doubt in my mind that if he was given the choice between your life and his own he would gladly lay down his life for you to protect you," Steve said.

Hulk's eyes widened at that and he took a step back before looking down. "When did that happen?"

Tony smiled. "After the first Avengers first battle. I'm not sure if you saw this but one time I watched him staring at a screen that had several equations and scientific notes on curing himself. From you." He put a hand on the green man's wrist. "He stared at it for a long time before shutting his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose…you've seen him do it."

Hulk nodded. "Bruce stressed."

"Yeah. He was about to make a big decision and being Bruce he looked at it in several different ways. He pulled up a few more screens and replayed your part in the battle and even replayed the past five years. He watched your movements closely and finally…finally saw what I had known all along. He smiled and shook his head calling himself an idiot for not seeing it sooner. He deleted it and wiped it clean so no one else could see it. Said that you weren't the monster after all and did a bit of soul searching. He said he reached out to you."

Hulk nodded. He remembered that meditation well. He had sensed the change in the human and began to think that Banner wasn't so puny after all.

Clint grinned. "You gonna tell him Jade Jaws? If so I have an idea on how you can."

Hulk looked at him. "Cupid?"

Clint went over. "Ok his birthday is coming up in a few weeks. There's time to figure out how you want to do it. Make him something. We'll help get you what you need and to hide it. It can be anything but it has to be made by your two hands."

Hulk looked at his hands. "Hulk's hands big."

Thor chuckled. "Yes but they can be gentle as well as protective."

"Think about it ok and get back to us," Steve said.

Hulk nodded. "Hulk will. Hulk not know what Bruce would like."

That night during the movie Hulk glanced up at Bruce as the human watched the movie with his hand absentmindedly playing with Hulk's hair. What could he do to show Bruce what he thought of him?

That night a storm rolled in and Hulk whimpered in fear. It was the one thing he was afraid of: thunderstorms. The sounds just reminded him of gunshots. He shut his eyes and covered his ears to keep from hearing the thunder.

He looked over when his door opened and Bruce stepped in and went over. "Hey Hulk…you ok? I know you don't like storms."

Hulk looked over at him. "Scared…"

Bruce sat on the bed and looked at him in thought. He smiled gently as he slid beside him and gently moved the giant's head to his chest and Hulk found himself listening to the beating of the human's strong heart. He felt Bruce's arms wrap around his neck.

Hulk just lay there as he focused on the heartbeat and less on the thunder that raged outside. His eyes slid shut as he drew comfort from Bruce. The man's whispered assurances were more than enough to relax him as the storm passed.

Once it passed and Bruce thought Hulk was asleep he gently eased out of the bed and covered him up. He then quietly crept to the door and left.

Hulk had watched him go in thought.

The next day had gone smoothly.

Until about midafternoon when Bruce left the tower to run an errand.

He didn't come back.