I'm back with a new chapter. Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter like the rest.

Starting from today, my time will be limited to writing chapters. I'm still on the hunt for jobs, and I'm trying to find a car. On top of that, school is starting soon. Once everything is settled, I'll be back with another chapter.

Bruce watched as two countries walked over and sat with him on the couch. He recognized Canada immediately, though the scientist was surprised when he didn't see the bear with the man. It was probably for the best, considering Thor's strange obsession with the creature. The other man with Canada was no clue to him, though given his appearance, Bruce guessed he represented one of the Asian countries; which one was beyond Bruce's knowledge.

"H-hello," Canada greeted.

"Hello Canada. It's nice to see you again," Bruce greeted back. He then turned his attention to the other country. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Dr. Banner. You can call me Bruce."

"Hello," Japan said with a bow of his head. "My name is Japan."

"Nice to meet you," Bruce responded. "So, I guess you were chosen to talk to me?"

"America thought it would be better if we three were to speak with each other," Japan answered. "I am curious about you and the other Avengers."

"You can ask me anything," Bruce said. "I'm just as curious about you countries."

"I was wondering what it felt like to turn into the Hulk?" Japan asked carefully.

Everyone had been warned during the travel over to the Tower that Bruce was sensitive about the Hulk topic. Bruce resisted the urge to flinch at the question. He was getting better when it came to the Hulk, and he was coming to terms with the other him. Reading works of fiction were helping him humanize the creation, rather than demonize him like he had done before.

"It's not painful," Bruce began. "It's a strange sensation, losing your body to another being yet still able to see what it saw. Feel what it feels."

"Can you control it?" Canada piped in.

Bruce shook his head at the question.

"No, not completely. I can sometimes nudge the cr- Hulk in an intended direction, but for the most part, we're separate of each other. I control myself when I'm human, and he controls himself when I change," Bruce responded.

Japan was listening intently, nodding his head as Bruce spoke.

"How interesting," Japan commented.

"That must have taken a while to get used to," Canada added.

Bruce nodded with a light-hearted smile.

"Yeah," he responded. "I'm getting better at it. It's beginning to feel natural."

Japan nodded once more.

"Thank you for your answer. What question do you have for us?" The Asian nation asked.

"There are a few, if that's alright?" Bruce questioned beforehand.

"I'm okay with that," Canada responded, growing used to being acknowledged.

Japan nodded his head in agreement.

"How long have each of you been on the Earth?" Bruce asked.

"Almost 2000 years," Japan responded.

"Almost 300," Canada answered. "America and I have been around at the same time."

Bruce nodded his head with a hum.

"Do many people know you exist in the physical form?" Bruce asked cautiously.

"No," Japan responded with a shake of his head. "Only our bosses know we exist, or anyone of great importance."

"People used to know who we were," Canada answered, "but since our population has grown, some of us have lost touch with our citizens."

"With more people becoming violent, it was safer for us to keep our true selves a secret," Japan added.

Bruce gave a slow nod in agreement.

"That makes sense. It's like how heroes hide their identities, to keep themselves and their love ones safe from people who'd want to harm them," Bruce articulated.

Japan nodded.

"In that way, we are not so different," the older man said.

"Does it get...lonely?" Bruce asked cautiously.

"Sometimes," Canada responded with a nod. "We keep each other company...but even we get lonely."

"I know that feeling," Bruce said, taking off his glasses to rub his bridge.

"We have had years to cope with the feeling," Japan commented solemly. "But friends help deal with the pain."

Bruce nodded his head in agreement, reflecting on his past with the Avengers. Without them, he may have lost his mind.

"Would I be imposing if I asked to strike up a friendship with you?" Japan asked, pulling Bruce from his thoughts.

"With me?" Bruce asked in surprise.

No one had asked to be friends with him before; everything just sort of fit. Having been asked was a great surprise. Japan was staring at him seriously as he nodded his head.

"If that is alright," Japan stated.

Canada was smiling nervously at the scientist.

"If it's alright, I would like to be your friend as well," Canada said. I don't have many was left unsaid.

Bruce smiled sincerely, though he felt a little nervous. He had never faced this sort of situation, so he was a little unsure of himself, but he nodded.

"I'd like that," he said.

Canada smiled in relief, and even Japan gave him a smile. Bruce felt himself smile back, feeling at ease around the two nations. They were like him, and easy to get along with. He was all too happy to be friends with them.

My endings never come out right.

Also, I'm not sure how old Canada and Japan are, so I made rough guesses. If anyone knows, feel free to correct me.

Next chapter will be of Tony and Prussia & France.