"Easy, easy," Newt murmured, remaining perfectly still while making gentle downward gestures with his hands. His voice carried the same soothing cadence he'd use with a frightened Bowtruckle. "Breathe with me, Hulk. In... and out."
The Hulk's massive chest rose and fell as he followed Newt's rhythm, his rage gradually subsiding like a storm passing over.
"Banner didn't know about you before," Newt continued, choosing each word with careful precision. "He didn't understand your fear, your anger, your pain. But now he does. I'd like him to say sorry to you, and then you two can talk. Would that be alright?"
Hagrid beamed and delivered another enthusiastic pat to the Hulk's shoulder—though this time he moderated his strength to merely bone-jarring rather than potentially lethal. "That's my good lad! We all need to be proper gentlemen so people will want to be our friends. Have a nice chat with Banner, eh? He's not a bad sort, just confused. And if he gives you any trouble..." Hagrid's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Well, Uncle Hagrid knows how to sort out bullies, doesn't he?"
The Hulk twisted around to study Hagrid's imposing frame, his expression growing thoughtful in a way that was almost heartbreakingly childlike. After a long moment of consideration, he spoke with reluctant honesty. "Hulk no like dark place. Hulk want to play, want to see things."
"Of course you do," Newt agreed with genuine understanding. "That's perfectly natural. We can work all of that out with Banner—together. The three of us can find solutions. How does that sound?"
The Hulk wrestled with the decision, his massive hands fidgeting like those of a nervous child. Finally, he nodded with obvious reluctance. "Hulk will talk to Banner. But Hulk cannot see Banner now. Hulk only see dark."
Newt glanced toward Harry, who responded with a subtle nod of confirmation. "Then Hulk needs to sleep for a little while," Newt explained gently. "When you wake up, we'll arrange things so you can see Banner properly. You'll be able to talk face-to-face and work everything out together. Does that sound fair?"
The Hulk's brow furrowed with genuine confusion. "Hulk doesn't know how to sleep. Hulk just... goes away."
Newt's expression softened with profound sympathy. "Don't worry about that. I'll help you have a proper, peaceful sleep. No going away—just rest."
The Hulk's entire demeanor brightened, and he fixed Newt with a look of absolute trust. "Hulk likes Newt! Hulk likes Newt very much! Newt is good friend!" The declaration carried the pure, uncomplicated joy of a child making their first real connection.
Newt felt his throat tighten with unexpected emotion. "Thank you, Hulk. That means more to me than you know."
Newt raised the Tranquil Tree leaf to his lips once more, producing a melody so gentle it seemed to drift on moonbeams. The Hulk's eyes grew heavy, his massive frame relaxing as true, restful sleep claimed him for perhaps the first time in his existence.
Harry carefully withdrew his binding chains, watching as the Hulk's form began to shrink and pale. Within moments, Banner lay unconscious on the grass, vulnerable and entirely human.
Tony immediately positioned himself to shield Gemini's view while Hagrid looked down at the transformed figure with obvious disappointment—though he still roused Banner with surprising gentleness.
After Harry provided a comprehensive briefing on the Hulk's revelations, Banner sat in stunned silence, wrapped in Hagrid's generously donated coat like a man seeking shelter from a storm.
"I had no idea," Banner whispered, his voice breaking. "I never realized my actions were causing him such agony. He's saved my life more times than I can count, and I've been... God, what have I done to him?"
"The important thing is that you know now," Harry said with characteristic directness. "The question is: are you willing to have that conversation? Because we can't mediate this for you. It has to be between the two of you. But Banner..." Harry's tone grew serious. "The Hulk's emotional development is that of a young child. You'll need patience, gentleness, and absolute honesty. Any attempt at manipulation or deception will backfire catastrophically."
Banner met Harry's gaze with newfound determination. "I'll talk to him. In a way, he is my child, isn't he? My responsibility. I owe him that much and more."
Tony and Gemini exchanged glances that spoke volumes about the complexity of the situation, while Hagrid abandoned all pretense of composure. He produced a handkerchief the size of a small tablecloth and began weeping openly, the sound echoing across the clearing like a foghorn in distress.
Harry cleared his throat diplomatically. "Right then. Let me outline what we can offer based on Hulk's expressed needs, and you two can negotiate the specifics."
Banner leaned forward eagerly as Harry detailed the possibilities: a soul-vision sharing artifact that would allow the Hulk to see through Banner's eyes, ending his imprisonment in darkness; transformation-limiting devices that could be crafted in consultation with Newt; and most importantly, scheduled periods where the Hulk could emerge safely to experience the world directly.
"That would be..." Banner's voice caught. "That would change everything. For both of us."
"One final warning," Harry said, his tone carrying the weight of absolute seriousness. "Whatever agreements you make with the Hulk, you must honor completely. No exceptions, no renegotiation, no clever loopholes. His soul has grown incredibly powerful through years of suppressed rage. If you betray his trust, he could very well destroy your consciousness entirely and take permanent control."
Banner nodded with the gravity of a man taking sacred vows. "I understand. Whatever we agree to, I'll honor. I give you my word."
Harry studied Banner's face for a long moment, then seemed satisfied with what he saw. "Very well. I'll send you to him now. If you reach an understanding, you'll wake naturally. If not..." He left the alternative unspoken, but everyone present understood the implications.
Before Banner could steel himself for what was to come, Harry's wand erupted in brilliant purple light. Banner's world dissolved into darkness.
When awareness returned, Banner found himself in a void so complete it seemed to swallow light itself. Yet somehow, impossibly, he could see his own form as if illuminated by some internal radiance. The realization hit him like a physical blow—this was the Hulk's reality, the prison of darkness where his other self spent every moment of Banner's conscious existence.
"Dear God," he whispered, understanding flooding through him. "No wonder he's so angry."
The thought of the Hulk seemed to act as a compass. Banner took a tentative step forward and found himself instantly transported to where his other self waited.
The Hulk sat in the absolute darkness, head bowed, producing soft snores that somehow managed to sound peaceful despite their volume. For the first time since Banner had become aware of his existence, the Hulk appeared truly at rest.
"Hulk?" Banner called softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hulk, can you wake up? I'm here."
The Hulk stirred slowly, massive eyelids fluttering open to reveal eyes that widened with genuine surprise and—was that hope?
"Banner!" The Hulk leaped to his feet with the enthusiasm of a child seeing a long-absent parent. "Banner came! Banner really came to see Hulk!" He began circling Banner with obvious joy, his movements careful despite his excitement.
Banner felt his throat constrict with emotion. "Yes, I came. I'm here to talk to you, Hulk. We need to have a real conversation."
The Hulk's expression immediately sobered, and he settled back into his sitting position with dejected resignation. "Hulk knows. Banner no like Hulk. Banner want Hulk to stay quiet, stay in dark. Banner no hurt when Hulk stay away."
"No!" Banner's response was immediate and fierce. "That's not—Hulk, I need to apologize to you. I need to say I'm sorry."
The Hulk tilted his head with genuine confusion. "What is 'sorry'?"
The simple question nearly broke Banner's heart. How do you explain concepts like apology and forgiveness to someone who's never experienced either?
Banner wiped his eyes and tried a different approach. "Hulk, I want to make things better between us. I want us to share—to take turns. How about this: every year, you get to come out for two whole months. You can see the world, meet people, have adventures. And when I'm... when I'm in control, I'll wear something special that lets you see everything I see. No more darkness. Would you like that?"
The Hulk's eyes lit up, but then uncertainty crept in. "Will Queenie be there? Will Newt be there? They are Hulk's friends."
Banner felt a smile tug at his lips despite everything. "I'll talk to them. If they're willing—and I think they will be—we can visit them every year. We can make sure you get to spend time with your friends."
The Hulk broke into a grin that transformed his entire face. "Hulk likes friends! Hulk wants more friends! Hulk agrees to Banner's plan!" But then his expression grew serious again. "Banner, can you fix the dark? Hulk is tired of dark."
Banner looked around at the oppressive void surrounding them, his mind racing. If this was indeed their shared soul space, then theoretically...
"I'll try, Hulk. I don't know if I can, but I'll try my best."
Banner moved to sit beside the Hulk, placing a gentle hand on his massive arm. "Can you help me? Can you think about what you'd like this place to look like?"
The Hulk considered this with the intensity of a child presented with an impossible wish. "Hulk wants... Hulk wants green things. Growing things. Like where Queenie played. And sky! Hulk wants to see sky!"
Banner closed his eyes and began to concentrate, pouring his will into reshaping their shared reality. He thought of meadows, of endless grasslands under open skies, of places where a being like the Hulk could run free without fear or constraint.
Slowly, impossibly, pinpricks of light began to appear in the darkness above them.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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