The confusion on Banner and Blonsky's faces turned into sheer disbelief.
Banner adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, wondering if he had just misheard something.
A demolition squad? With paid leave? Social benefits and insurance?
That didn't sound like recruitment for two people who almost leveled Manhattan — it sounded more like a Fortune 500 company's campus hiring campaign.
Blonsky's reaction was far more direct. The hardened layer he'd just suppressed on his skin looked like it was about to reappear.
He was a warrior, a soldier.
He could accept orders.
He could accept battle.
He could even accept death.
But this? A "job" with great benefits? That was… insulting to his dignity as a soldier!
Of course, the main thing bothering him was that he thought this was just free labor in exchange for not being handed back to Ross.
But now... this actually sounded kind of good?
"You're joking, right, Mr. Stark?" Banner asked carefully, trying to catch a hint of sarcasm on Tony's face — but failed.
Tony's expression was dead serious.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" he spread his hands casually.
"I, Tony Stark, never talk nonsense — especially when it comes to money. What I'm offering is the most generous employment package in America… no, in the world. Tell me, Dr. Banner — where else can a eight-foot-tall, green-skinned guy who loves knocking down buildings get such a comprehensive benefits plan?"
Banner opened his mouth but couldn't find a single rebuttal.
He thought about it.
Yeah… no, there really wasn't anywhere else.
"We're not mercenaries," Blonsky finally said, voice low. "We're soldiers."
"Oh, come on, big guy. Don't be so stiff." Henry leaned back in his chair, lollipop in his mouth, legs crossed lazily. "Soldiers? You mean like General Ross — the guy who turned Banner into a lab rat, pumped him full of mystery chemicals, and then tossed him out like garbage? Or maybe like the kind who gets locked up in a cage and shown off to the world like a zoo exhibit?"
Blonsky's face darkened instantly.
Henry's words were a knife — cutting right into the wound he least wanted to acknowledge.
If not for the Stark brothers stepping in, he would be floating in a jar of formaldehyde right now.
"That's different!" he forced out between clenched teeth.
"How's it different?" Henry shot back mercilessly.
"You were being used either way. The only difference is — working for Ross, you get a lousy paycheck and a medal that'll be taken back the second they feel like it. But with us…"
He paused, then smiled confidently.
"You'll earn enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life — and you'll get to personally send every bastard who used you straight to hell. Oh, and we offer free therapy and trauma recovery sessions. My brother runs that department himself. Though, between us, I think his mental health might be worse than both of yours combined."
"Hey!" Tony protested.
"I'm perfectly sane! JARVIS, pull up my psychological report from last week! Let's show our new recruits what a healthy mind looks like!"
Banner stared at the two brothers bickering like no one else was in the room. His brain was struggling to keep up.
This was not how he expected this day to go.
"I just don't get it," Banner finally said, rubbing his temples. "Why go through all this trouble? You said before you believed in that whole superhero theory of yours — you know what I mean. You two already have power that could flatten anything in your way. Why do you even need us?"
That question made the lab fall silent.
Henry's joking expression faded.
He took a sip of wine, eyes deep and steady.
"Because…" he said slowly, his voice low. "Some things can't be done by just the two of us."
He turned toward them, his gaze firm.
"HYDRA is like cancer — it's everywhere, eating away at everything good in this world. And we're the surgeons who cut the tumors out."
He paused.
"But even the sharpest scalpel needs a steady hand to guide it."
"I need your strength, Banner. You need a place where you don't have to fear the other you — a place where you can see him as a comrade, not a monster. You need a purpose, somewhere to channel all that anger into something right."
Then he looked at Blonsky.
"And you — soldier. You need a real war. Not one for killing, but one for protecting. You need a commander who won't use you as a disposable weapon, but as a teammate."
"And us…" he smiled faintly. "We'll be your strongest backing."
Tony, who'd been watching quietly, couldn't help but give Henry a thumbs-up.
Damn, this guy missed his calling. He could start a cult tomorrow and people would sign up happily.
Still — most of what Henry said wasn't wrong.
That was just how he was — he'd say "recruit employees" instead of "build a team," just to sound more casual.
Banner and Blonsky fell silent.
Henry's words struck deep.
Banner remembered the years he'd spent running — afraid of hurting others, afraid of hurting himself. He wanted peace but could never escape the green nightmare that haunted him.
Blonsky remembered the blood-soaked battlefields, the betrayal, the humiliation of being thrown away like trash. He had craved strength and recognition — but when he finally gained power, he lost everything else.
They were both outcasts — monsters walking the edge between light and shadow.
And now, someone was reaching out to them.
That someone… looked unreliable as hell, sure. But still.
"I'll need time to think," Banner finally said hoarsely after a long silence.
"Of course," Tony nodded understandingly. "You've got a day. Feel free to explore the villa — just stay out of my bedroom and wine cellar. Oh, and there are two new housemates here, but I'd recommend not bothering them, especially the redhead — she's got a temper."
"I'll join."
The deep, firm voice cut through Tony's words.
Everyone turned toward Blonsky.
The man who'd been silent and tense the entire time now stood tall, his posture straight, his gaze unwavering.
"What's my mission?" he asked simply.
Henry blinked, then grinned.
"Welcome aboard, soldier."
He extended his hand. Blonsky took it, their grips firm — unshakable.
Banner looked at the scene, then at Tony, who wore a "told you so" expression. He sighed and smiled helplessly.
With benefits this good, how could he possibly refuse?
He adjusted his glasses and said softly, "Alright. I'm in. Though I'd prefer something more on the technical side."
"No problem," Henry grinned even wider.
"The position of Head of the Technical Department was reserved just for you. Name your salary."
***
69 stones for 2 bonuses guys please throw some stones 🙏
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