The Best Method, 1/1
Title: The Best Method
Rating: K
Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or The Incredible Hulk
Word Count: 558
Summary: Harry Potter / The Incredible Hulk (2008) Oneshot. Adopting Harry Potter was perhaps the best thing that had happened to Bruce Banner.
Bruce Banner sat cross-legged in the middle of the apartment. Eyes closed, he breathed in and out in deep, but quick breaths. He struggled to get his heart rate down, his wrist monitor beeped frantically as a result. Unbidden, thoughts came to him about how he ended up like this and how he’d hurt people when he became that green… monster. His wrist device beeped even louder and his heat rate soared to disastrous levels.
Just as Bruce was getting ready to take precautions, he heard light footsteps approach from the second bedroom. He opened his eyes and saw his son approaching. The boy’s hair was a mess, even more so has he had just gotten out of bed. His almost ten year old son yawned widely before he became alert.
Bruce watched silently as the boy walked right up to him in the middle of the room.
“Daddy?” the boy questioned. Concern was written all over his face. Bruce sighed inwardly. It wasn’t fair to his son, being on the run and moving every so often. But he couldn’t however, let the kid get taken by the government. His son was the only good thing in his life at the moment and Bruce was very hesitant to give that connection up.
“I’ll be okay, Harry,” Bruce murmured, hoping he sounded comforting.
Harry shook his head and closed the short distance between them. Harry hugged him tightly, arms going around his neck. “I love you Dad,” the boy whispered.
After several long moments Harry let go of his neck and settled onto his lap. Automatically, Bruce’s arms pulled Harry to his chest. Bruce placed his chin on top of Harry’s head. He took a deep and shaky breath in and absorbed Harry’s comforting scent.
The watch stopped beeping within the next few minutes as Harry’s presence calmed him down. He continued to breathe deeply just to be sure. A quick glance at his heart rate watch revealed that it had gone down to acceptable levels.
“Are you okay now?” Harry asked softly. He peered up at Bruce with worry.
Bruce nodded encouragingly. “Yes I am, now. Thank you Harry,” Bruce said softly.
Harry yawned once more and snuggled into Bruce’s chest and closed his eyes, soothed by his father’s now steady heart beat.
“Go to sleep,” Bruce coaxed gently. Bruce listened silently as his heard his son’s breathing slow as he drifted off into sleep once again.
Bruce knew that he would have turned into a monster again if it weren’t for Harry. Ever since he had adopted Harry over five years ago, the boy had brought a new light into his life. And when he was exposed to the Government weapon and transformed into the green monster, Harry was the only one who the monster didn’t hurt and who could calm him down - turn him back into Bruce Banner.
Harry was a great kid and didn’t even flinch when he’d come face to face with his father’s inner demon and he still insisted that he didn’t want his daddy to leave him. It was that kind of bravery, that kind of innocence that Bruce wish he’d possessed.
Harry was his light in the darkness. Harry was what was keeping his life worth living.
Adopting Harry Potter was perhaps the best thing that has happened to Bruce Banner.