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The Maker is an enigma.
He appeared out of nowhere, gracing their planet with his inventions and his wisdom. Pioneering science to great lengths that no one even conceived to be possible.
He led the way for humanity to reach the moon, to even further beyond the stars. He
protected humanity from threats that they didn't even know existed! He really inspired Hulk. He wishes to move the world like he does, to change the very essence of the world by his sheer presence.
Knowing the Maker is different from knowing about the Maker of course. If you hear his name, the words that will enter your mind are: innovator, the pioneer of space exploration, leader, the defender, hope, and the future.
But if you met him like Hulk did? If you actually get to know him as he is? He's... different, to say the least.
The Maker is cynical, sceptical, rigid, unpredictable and pessimistic.
He believes that the world should be run while assuming the worst about humanity, and although Hulk disagrees, he himself saw the results. The Maker is even kind enough to show him a world where the 'bigger men', like them, don't hold the world in a firm grip. The stagnation and destruction such unpredictability brings is... devastating and disappointing to witness.
Despite that, Hulk still wishes to change the Maker's mind. To find a way to shift the world while seeing the best humanity has to offer. This change wouldn't be possible if the Maker himself doesn't believe in such notions though, so Hulk takes his time to visit him often in The City. To maybe perhaps change the outlook of the Being against human nature, or just perhaps to understand him and his visions for their universe.
The Maker indulges him of course, even telling Hulk that he appreciates his company. The Maker is a very busy man but he makes time for their little meetings. Hulk asked him all kinds of things, trying to get to know more about the Maker himself and his creations.
The Maker is secretive however, only answering the questions he doesn't feel necessary to not disclose. He never even shows Hulk, or anyone else in the council, his face. Always appearing wearing his spandex and clad with a helmet that obscures his features. A scar on his right cheek is still visible however and Hulk, on one of his visits, asked him about it.
The Maker touched the cheek marked with the scar and replied. "This is a reminder of my beginnings, Banner. I came to your universe fully formed but even I was once born too."
It was the first time The Maker has shown him vulnerability.
Hulk craves for more.
In one of his meditations, he chants in his head of how such desires are unbecoming of him. But the notion that such Being, as the Maker, is starting to trust him is addictive.
To him, to their world, Maker is a deity. A harbinger of change. The knowledge that he was once tangible just like everybody else elated and saddens him.
It would mean that whatever experiences Maker has attained before he became God changed him to the very core, made him view human nature as a vile factor that needs to be caged and controlled.
Hulk desires to show him peace.
To teach their God serenity.
The next occurrence that the Maker showed him vulnerability was on a day of urgency.
At times, despite the intricate control the Council has over the structure of their world, unpredictability still occurs. As such they do their best to keep such matters as a secret from the world. One of those instances occurred on this day.
Hulk was in deep meditation when one of his disciples interrupted him, informing him that he is being called for an "important matter" that needs his immediate presence. He gave a nod to his disciple and followed the child out of the halls, down to the private offices in the monastery.
The child told him that she is unaware of who his audience will be, but she has informed him that the guest has asked for the meeting to be discreet and is of utter most importance. The information made Hulk frown, as this would mean that the visitor is most likely from the council and although he would love for them to visit his territories, he knows that such visits of other Council members only occurs when matters pertaining to their territories and personal businesses are in dire need to be discussed.
As the child opened the door to one of the secret lobbies, Hulk was confused to see the presence of a young man.
The man has dark brown hair and is clothed in a dark fitted suit. He is sitting on the couch that was facing sideways, encroached in reading on whatever contents are displayed on the tablet he holds.
Upon hearing the creak as the large door fully opened, the young man raised his head and turned to look up towards him.
Hulk was greeted with the most bright amber eyes that he had ever seen. He was so enraptured by it that he didn't notice the large scar on the right side of the young man's face.
Scar..?
Hulk eyes widened in realisation but before he can speak, The Maker cuts him off.
"Oh good. Banner, you're here." The Maker stood up, straightening his suit before walking towards him.
"I apologise for requiring you on such short notice, but I need your help for a threat that I am not sure how to 'deal' with." The Maker stopped in front of him. He gazed up at Hulk, brows furrowing on the lack of response from him.
Hulk wonders if he does that often when they talk.
"Hn." Maker tilts his head, scrutinising Hulk's expression before looking down at himself, eyes widening upon the realisation of Hulk's stunned reaction.
Maker looked up at him again, clearing his throat. "I...Sorry for looking a bit unusual. I was attending a private matter when this situation was brought into my attention. I didn't intend to make you uncomfortable."
Hulk was broken away from his trance from the Maker's statement and promptly shook his head. "Not at all, I was just under the impression that you wish to keep your identity a secret."
Frankly, Hulk wasn't even aware Maker has a secret identity to begin with, much less "private matters" that he attends to with said identity. He and the others were all under the impression that Maker's life revolved around The City and the Council, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
"I do not mind if you wish to wear more comfortable clothes around me however. We are acquaintances after all, Maker." Hulk added in.
He wishes for it even. Him and the Maker had been acquainted for years now, in a way Hulk even considers him a friend. He wishes that Maker is comfortable to be himself around him even if their relationship primarily revolves around their duties on the Council and the territories.
Maker frowned at that and looked Hulk in the eyes. "I find my usual outfit comfortable." He stated, confused about Hulk's suggestion.
It's now Hulk's turn to let out a cough to clear his throat, as he is starting to find their line of conversation to be incredibly awkward. "Anyway, Maker, what is the matter that you wish to request my aid in?"
Maker handed him the tablet and went to his side, leaning on Hulk as he scrolls to the very top of the file.
The Maker's body always felt cold to the touch, not as cold as a corpse, but cold enough that it's sometimes hard to believe that he is even alive.
“There. His name is Robert Reynolds, not that it matters really. He ingested an experimental serum from an illegal research team-” Maker waved, his right hand, dismissively.
“-don’t worry I sent H.A.N.D. to deal with them already-”. Maker straightened up and crossed his arms “-but their desired outcome has already been produced, at least I would assume so.” He shrugged.
Hulk watches the Maker as he begins to aggressively tap his right foot in annoyance, the sneakers that Hulk didn't even realise that he was wearing, creates an echoing sound around the room as it rhythmically makes contact on the tiled floor.
Despite how difficult it is to read or assume Maker's thoughts are, he was always such an expressive speaker. Always moving and gesturing with his hands as if he physically and mentally cannot stay still.
Not that Hulk minds it, he actually finds it quite amusing that a being as smart as Maker still succumbs to such habits. Before the explosion, Hulk remembers having similar habits himself, especially when he was discussing his findings to his peers.
“Anyway, Robert started acting as a vigilante, using his powers, in the American Union and Stane has reached out to me to deal with the matter.” Maker sighed.
“I, however, am at a stump. I already sent H.A.N.D. and even my Children of Tomorrow after him but he effortlessly eradicated them both.” Maker looked at him waiting for his response.
Hulk frowned. This matter does not concern him or his Children of Light. “Shouldn't you ask Stane to deal with it himself? This happened in his territory after all. I fail to see how this should concern me.”
Maker frowned, clearly disliking his response. He didn't reply though, knowing that Hulk is correct.
It is not that Hulk doesn't value his relationship and his good rapport with The Maker, since his dismissal of him will surely affect and most likely plummet both, but matters such as this are truly none of his concern.
It's an unspoken rule among the Council that every member should not touch or mendle amongst each other's affairs, as long as they don't conduct anything that will negatively affect neighbouring territories that is.
It is also no secret amongst all of them that Maker has an obvious bias towards the North American Union, contributing to a lot of the security, technology and even the structure of rule running it. Oftentimes even risking The City’s resources to patch whatever issues arise within its borders.
That bias, of course, caused a lot of the others to be reluctant in aiding the American Union because they saw how much the Maker was micromanaging that territory already. Although the other members in the Council are powerful in their own rights, the aid of the Maker is still highly valued, in a mundane man's terms, perhaps it can be called jealousy, but in their circle as fellow businessmen? It is a way for them to earn a favour from the Maker.
It is not that Hulk needs it at the moment. He is quite content with the standing of his Children’s of Light. He doesn't really desire to pursue any monetary ventures either like the others, especially since most of his goals now are for the control of his own being and self enlightenment.
“...”
He does have a goal he wishes to achieve regarding The Maker though, perhaps…
“Dine with me.” Hulk said, staring right at the Maker's eye which is now squinted further.
Hulk turned to face Maker and to further clarify his terms. “You can pick the venue and the time but you have to wear something casual, like what you are wearing right now. Promise me that and then I'll help you.”
“That's your price? A date?” The Maker scoffed.
“Calling it a ‘date’ is a bit childish don't you think? I just wish to get to know you more.” Hulk laughed. Frankly, it didn't enter his mind that his terms does come off as if he is asking Maker to, well, a date.
The decision is on the whim, created because his mind is stuck on the fact that Maker looks younger than a man who has been around since the 1940s.
The helmet and the suit made him look untouchable.
Unreachable even.
But right now? The Maker looks similar to your average man. Someone that Hulk could crush within just one of his hands.
“We have that type of meeting already, Banner, several times per year by the way. I enjoy your company but-” Maker paused. He looked away from Hulk.
He looked lost, Hulk observed.
Maker sighed and shrugged. “Well whatever gets the task done. I promise I'll call you when I pick a venue and when I'm available.” He walked past Bruce and walked towards the door.
Maker paused in front of it and looked back at Hulk with a small smirk on his lips. “I'll wear something casual too.”
Hulk gave the Maker a small smile. It made the Maker look away, clenching his teeth as a blush creeps in his face.
“Let us go. We have a ‘hero’ to stop.” Hulk said as he walked beside the Maker.
Maker looked up at him, scrutinising him with a blank expression on his face before nodding. “Follow me then.”
“I always will.”
2 weeks later
“You looked surprised.” The Maker said, smirking as he leaned back against the backrest of the Café he picked.
“I apologise for picking Latveria for the venue. You know, I have lived here for years but I never got to try the food. I also hadn't had coffee in a very long while, so I hope you don't mind indulging my craving.” He added tipping his chair to further lean back.
Hulk remained standing in front of the Café, baffled at the sight before him.
The whole street that the Café resides in is completely blocked off and devoid of people, except for the servers that Hulk can see within the establishment of the Café through its windows. Maker's Children of Tomorrow guards the whole perimeter, isolating the two of them on this little outdoor table of the Café, where Maker is seated…wearing a bright turquoise sweater a couple of sizes larger than him and pristine white fitted jeans.
“I-” Hulk cleared his throat as he sat down on the chair, wondering if it could hold his weight and being pleasantly surprised that it managed to.
Leave It up to the Maker to ensure that everything will be perfect. He thought.
“I must admit, I did not expect to see you wear something 'that’ casual. I almost didn't recognise you.” He added. Hulk didn't mention how seeing him in anything other than his usual attire is still quite unbelievable to him.
He also noticed that Maker is wearing round glasses that make his amber eyes seem larger.
Hulk looked away, a treacherous thought entering his head.
The Maker looks…adorable.
Hulk swallowed the lump in his throat.
Maker shrugged, leaning forward and setting his chair upright with a loud thud when the front legs made contact to the ground.
“I didn't expect to be wearing blue ever again either, but considering the nature of this meet, I'll gladly show you a glimpse of the person I long buried behind rubble.”
Hulk looked at Maker, his gaze meeting Maker's blank and almost distant eyes. It looked duller today, despite the sunlight enhancing its color.
“My name used to be Reed.” Maker laughed and smiled. A mischievous glint finally gave life to his eyes.
Hulk watched him, not knowing what to say. He collected his thoughts and dared ask. “What made you change it?”
“Well, it's for a different reason at first. I just thought The Maker sounds cooler and more fitting to me.” Maker shrugged before placing his right elbow on the table and resting his head on his hand. The expression on his face turned somber.
“That name means so much, don't you know?” Maker laughed, shaking his head.
“Not here, no offence. This universe is a speck of dust on the grand scale of things. ‘He’ probably doesn't even remember this exists.” The Maker gritted his teeth, audible enough to make Hulk nervous.
“I forgo that name now because, as much as it hurts me to admit, I can't ever live up to it.” The Maker looks up at Hulk again with a determined look on his face.
“So I'm taking my own path. I changed the tides of fate and made my own destiny.”
Maker placed both of his hands on the table and stretched his upper limbs towards Hulk, closing the proximity between them until they were face to face. “I changed your's too Banner. The question is will you accept my gift to you or let the shackles of your name bind you to a life of anger?”
Hulk held his gaze against The Maker's intense ones. With an unwavering voice, he answered. “I accept it, I always will.”