Marvel: Life is Good

We arrived fairly quickly, about forty minutes tops. Storm was with us in the cabin, but when we boarded, she was already dozing in her seat. She snored softly through the entire flight.

Logan and I had a solid chat along the way. I gave him the rundown on Banner's situation—her struggles with the government, issues with aggression, and all that jazz. I made a point to emphasize that her alternate personality wasn't just some mindless beast, but a sentient, albeit extremely aggressive, individual. With the right approach, you could reason with her—so long as you didn't strike first.

I kept talking, pouring on praise about Banner's brilliant mind and genuinely pleasant personality when she wasn't stressed out of her skull. I even made a case for her non-confrontational nature. Honestly, I was laying it on thick, mainly for Charlene, who, I'd bet my last dollar, would sift through someone's memories for a faster resolution. Hell, she might even be Cerebro-texting right now.

Logan just grunted, gave me a pat on the shoulder, and said, "Got it, kid. I'll talk to Xavier. Don't lose your nerve over your girl."

Well, not bad. Sure, he'd misinterpreted my intentions, but that actually worked in Banner's favor. If everyone thought I had a thing for her, it might nudge their decision-making. They'd figure that if she left, I might do something reckless out of heartbreak. Not a bad setup at all.

As for how the mutants would treat her, I wasn't too worried. She didn't realize how young I was, but Jean and Charlene would pick up on that from her mind. And, honestly, mutant justice tended to be way more just than human laws, thanks in large part to Xavier.

Still, winning over the pro-humanity faction wasn't enough. I needed someone on Erika's side, too. The moment we landed, my eyes zeroed in on Mystique, who was part of the welcoming delegation. She'd been spending a lot of time at the school lately, presumably overseeing security measures.

After a quick round of greetings and assurances that I was totally fine (Jen blushed a little at that), I pulled Mystique aside for a private chat. I gave her the same spiel I'd tested on Logan, but with a twist—focusing on Banner's value to the community, the persecution she faced, and the potential of her alternate personality as a fighter, provided Hulk could be reasoned with. I stressed that pressure wouldn't help in this situation.

Mystique listened, nodded thoughtfully, then looked at me with this oddly respectful expression, as if appreciating my willingness to contribute to the mutant cause. And then—slap! She patted my bald head in approval.

Are you freaking kidding me?! Tobias SMASH! I'll tell Hulk about this—we're practically buddies now! Let's see her slap everyone else! Damn mutant tricksters. And she was totally laughing at me in her head; I could see it in her smug, blue face. Oh, she'll get what's coming to her—just not right now.

We weren't rushed into anything immediately. They gave Jen a guest room, some spare clothes, and an hour to rest and freshen up. On my way to my own room, I got intercepted by a group of concerned students, including Rogue, Pyro, and Iceman. That meant I had to give a watered-down version of recent events: how Hulk and I had been hopping across the country, then wandering the wastelands with Banner before the professors picked us up.

Rogue needed a little extra reassurance. She was upset, thinking she'd failed to protect me. I spent ten minutes explaining that with Hulk, aggression was a dead end. The best Anna-Marie could've done was absorb some of Hulk's endless power, which would've resulted in two massive, angry, green, naked destruction machines. They'd have leveled the place for fun.

I wrapped it all up with another quick speech: "Banner's like us—just not a mutant." Then I excused myself to clean up.

By the time I hit the bath, I was feeling pretty good. The information was out there, and with Jubilee present during my little talk, it would spread through the school faster than wildfire. And she'd probably exaggerate the hell out of both the story and my "feelings" for Jennifer. Perfect.

Once I was done with my bath and changed, I decided to check on Jen. Leaving her alone in unfamiliar surroundings felt wrong. I knocked on her door and got invited in. The room was almost identical to mine. Jen was sitting on the bed, looking thoughtful, but she gave me a warm smile and patted the spot next to her.

We didn't get to talk for long. I asked how she liked it here, and she politely said she appreciated the hospitality but hadn't decided whether to stay. Fair enough—she noted that without the approval of the mutant leaders, her decision wouldn't matter much anyway.

I left her my email address—didn't have a cell phone yet, and the number would change when I did. I asked her not to lose touch and to write, even if she didn't stay.

Jen was quiet for about ten seconds before smirking, flicking my nose, and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. Was that a yes? A no? No clue, and I didn't get to find out. A knock at the door summoned Dr. Banner to a meeting with the local leaders—tea with Charlene and Erika, mutant-style.

And so, we parted ways—Jen to the meeting, escorted by Jean Grey, and me to the lounge.

Jennifer Banner, after her meeting with the mutant leaders:

The day had been packed, but all things considered, not a bad one. Lying on the guest room bed now, Jennifer could finally relax. For the first time since the Hulk incident, she felt a surprising sense of freedom from the tension that had been choking her.

She had to admit—abducting green Tobias was one of the few things she genuinely owed Hulk gratitude for. The kid was… something else.

Jen smiled, her cheeks warming as she recalled their initial meeting. Sure, she hadn't been in her right mind when she woke up, but the warmth, the embrace, the not-so-innocent dream she'd been having… That very compromising position and the distinct pressure against her thigh…

Mff… She squeezed her legs together, shaking her head to clear the sudden rush of heat. God, what a mess. She was turning into some kind of cougar, pining after a barely legal guy. Though honestly, who could blame her? The kid kissed her. Handsome, fit, obviously into her—and in that position? Any lonely woman would've melted.

Especially considering how long it had been since she'd had any action. And with a man? Never. So yeah, her conscience was relatively clear. She hadn't seduced him on purpose, hadn't forced anything, and he seemed to enjoy it.

But enough of that.

Her reception at the school had been cautious but kind. They gave her time to recover before bringing her in for a discussion. And the meeting itself… If not for Tobias's glowing praise, she'd have been suspicious. Even now, she was on guard, but only out of habit. The actual conversation with the senior mutants had been… promising.

"Dr. Banner," Charlene Xavier began, once introductions were made and Jennifer had taken her seat. "We're glad to welcome you, both to the mutant community and to our school. I'm pleased that everything has resolved peacefully enough for us to have this conversation."

"Thank you, Ms. Xavier. I'm happy to meet you, and you as well, Ms. Lehnsherr. I've heard much about mutants but never had the chance to meet any of you before," Jennifer replied with a polite smile.

"I can only imagine what you've heard," Erika said with a smirk. "At least now you'll see firsthand how far off the mark people are with their assumptions about us."

"Uh… yeah, I get it. I've been on the run myself ever since my… accident," Jennifer said, gesturing helplessly.

"On that note, Miss Banner, we'd like to offer you a place here, if you're open to it," Charlene said directly. "We're aware of your situation with Hulk and believe we may be able to help you. At the very least, we could assist you in finding some understanding or balance with your… other self. Our student, Tobias, spoke highly of you. Even regarding Hulk, he described her as, "Aggressive, but reasonable enough to talk to." The boy… he's remarkably mature for his age. And he seems quite fond of you."

At this, Erika let out an amused chuckle, which clashed with her usual composed demeanor, drawing a sharp look from Charlene. Meanwhile, Jennifer felt an uncomfortable twinge. Tobias had been so earnest about keeping certain things private…

"You're being too hard on Tobias right now, Miss Banner," Charlene sighed, shooting Erika another warning glance. "The boy only had good things to say about you and didn't mention any… specifics about your initial meeting. I'll ask you to remain calm as I explain something. I don't want to deceive you, so I'll share a small secret. It's something you'd learn eventually if you stayed, but I'd rather clear the air now.

"Jennifer, you see, Tobias is one of our students, and after the recent events, we were naturally concerned for his safety. When our teachers first encountered you… your memories were read. Not deeply, just the moments of your meeting with Tobias. Both Jean, who greeted you, and I are telepaths. That's how we learned about your… unconventional introduction. But please don't worry — that information won't leave this room, and no one is judging you for it. In fact, I want to thank you. The boy experienced a lot of stress last week, and thanks to you, those events will not weigh as heavily on his mind. First close contact with the opposite sex always leaves a significant impression, after all."

Jennifer was… well, stunned, embarrassed, and a bit unsettled. Telepaths were…

"I know what you're thinking, Jennifer, and not because I'm a telepath," Charlene added with a wry smile. "It's just something I've encountered in conversations like this. You see, I'm a psychologist by profession. People often tell me things they wouldn't share with their closest friends. You don't need to worry — Jean and I don't read minds unless it's absolutely necessary. I can't prove this to you, of course, so I'm just asking for your trust. And I sincerely apologize for this situation. Please understand that we were genuinely concerned for the boy. He may be a strong mutant, but Hulk… well, she's stronger."

"I… I understand. It's just… unexpected news. I'd also like to apologize for…"

"Oh, come on, Miss Banner," Erika interjected with a snort. "Did you see the kid's face? He looked like a cat that just devoured an entire tub of cream. I wouldn't be surprised if he not only lunged at you but tried to climb into Hulk's lap too." Ignoring Charlene's soft cough, Erika pressed on. "And don't give me that look. You should've seen how he stared at Victoria when he thought no one was watching. If looks could impregnate, Creed would've given birth to triplets. That kid's a menace. Give him a couple more years, and we'll be drowning in his harems and love triangles. Seriously, there's nothing for you to apologize for."

Shifting to a more serious tone, Erika added: "The real question, Jennifer, is what do you think of our offer? Your situation isn't much different from many mutants struggling with self-control. Power that goes unchecked can be dangerous. We've worked with people in similar positions, helping them find stability and purpose. We could offer you protection, guidance, and a place in our large, occasionally dysfunctional family. So, what do you want?"

"And why would you want to help me?" Jennifer shot back, her tone direct." Are you really offering this out of pure altruism? I don't mean to sound cynical, but…" She gestured vaguely, signaling her skepticism.

"And you're right to question that," Erika replied with a grin. "Our mutant community operates like a commune… inside a capitalist society. Most of us don't work for companies or corporations or mainstream organizations. Instead, we contribute to our enclave in different ways. Some run businesses that fund the community, others handle security, and still others manage daily logistics. You, Jennifer, could join our scientists. Mutant scientists are rare, but their contributions are invaluable. Dr. Henrietta McCoy, for example, has saved countless lives by helping mutants survive their own powers. She's given many a chance to live without fear. Charlene, sitting right here, has done the same with her telepathy and counseling.

"What we're proposing is a partnership. Work with Dr. McCoy — Beast — who has her own experience with self-control issues. She could offer guidance. Our telepaths would be here to help calm your 'other self' if needed. And Tobias, well, he spent hours with Hulk and lived to tell the tale. That has to count for something."

"I'd also like to ask if you'd consider giving lectures to our students from time to time," Charlene added with a warm smile. "Someone with your expertise could offer them a wealth of knowledge. And don't worry — we're not the mafia. If you decide this isn't for you, you're free to leave anytime."

"Can I think about it?"

"Of course," Charlene replied. "How much time do you need?"

Jennifer hesitated. What were her alternatives? Endless running and hiding? Submitting to the authorities and risking the creation of more Hulks? Becoming a weapon for someone else? Finally, she met Charlene's gaze with determination.

"I've already thought about it. I accept."

They assigned her a room, gave her a quick tour of the school, and introduced her to Dr. McCoy, who turned out to be a very pleasant woman despite her rather striking appearance. They agreed to meet tomorrow for a briefing in the science wing and to bring her up to speed. After that, Jennifer was left to her own devices. Tomorrow, she'd be formally introduced to the rest of the mansion's residents—adults and teenagers alike—and would begin her work.

It was a whirlwind turn of events she couldn't have even imagined that morning.

Yuriko Oyama. Lady Deathstrike.

The young onryō had surprised her again. First, he'd angered her. Then, he'd amazed her. And once again, he'd left her deep in thought. The moment he'd stepped outside the school grounds—and she hadn't followed—he'd gotten himself kidnapped. By who? By Hulk. The literal embodiment of unrelenting rage and chaotic fury. Yuriko had already resigned herself to the fact that it was over for the kid. She was furious. She'd promised herself she'd keep an eye on him, repay her debt, but the very first moment she looked away—he was gone. Just like that. Snatched by a monster and most likely crushed to death the moment that behemoth landed.

So imagine her surprise when the mutants brought him back to the school not only alive but completely unscathed. And with Hulk herself in human form. What utterly shocked her, though, was the scent coming off the two of them. They reeked of each other. They reeked of sex. And that face of his… Yuriko caught herself thinking she wanted to force-feed him a few lemons, just to wipe that ridiculously smug grin off his face.

It was almost poetic. The young spirit of vengeance, playing the role of the good boy Toby, had found himself the embodiment of fury disguised as the quiet scientist Jennifer. Yuriko had heard they'd wandered the wasteland together… She wondered, did they use protection? And if not, what would their children be like? Oh, she would love to see what kind of offspring vengeance and rage could produce.

Her sudden barking laughter startled a group of students passing by. Yuriko briefly considered apologizing but instead let out another eerie giggle, watching with amusement as the teenagers hurried their pace to get away from her.