Chapter 8

Later that night, the Hulk lumbers into the private quarters that have been assigned to him aboard the Watchtower. He pauses, sniffing the air with distrust at the unfamiliar surroundings.

 (grumbling) "Stupid space house better not try any funny stuff while Hulk sleeps..." Hulk said

He eyes the large bed suspiciously for a moment before simply ripping off the mattress and tossing it into the corner with disdain. The jade giant then unceremoniously plops down onto the bare boxspring, back against the wall as he settles in for the night.

"Way too soft anyway. Hulk sleeps like a rock!" Hulk yelled

No sooner do his eyes drift closed than a tentative knocking comes at the door. The Hulk's eyes snap open, a feral growl rumbling in his throat.

" Who's there?! Hulk don't like stupid surprises!" Hulk said

The door slides open and the small, scared figure of Erin cautiously pokes her head in. She's clutching her little teddy bear tightly, eyes wide.

(meekly) "H-hey Mr. Hulk... It's just me" Erin said

" Oh. Stupid puny girl. What you want at..." Hulk said

He pauses, realizing he has no concept of time aboard the constantly orbiting station.

" ...This late?" Hulk said in a confused tone

Erin shuffles in, bare feet padding across the floor as she hugs her bear close. She looks down at her feet, avoiding the Hulk's intense gaze.

 (mumbling) "I...I had a bad dream. There were these rrrreally big monsters attacking and..." Erin paused

Her voice cracks slightly as tears well up in her eyes. The Hulk's face contorts, seeming unsure how to react to the frightened child.

"So? Tell the stupid heroes to go smash 'em then! What Hulk gotta do with--"

Before he can finish, Erin scampers across the room and hurls herself into the Hulk's surprised arms, burying her face into his immense chest as the tears start flowing.

 (muffled) "I w-was so scared! They were gonna get me for sure!" Erin said

 "Uh... there there? Hulk not... good at this..."

He wraps his massive arms around Erin in an awkward attempt at a comforting hug, looking utterly out of his element. With a sigh, he rumbles out in a gentler tone.

"C'mon, puny girl... you know Hulk wouldn't let anything happen to you, right?" Hulk said, trying to comfort her

Erin sniffles, looking back up at him with tear-streaked cheeks and trembling lips.

"R-really? You'd protect me no matter what?" Erin said

 (snorts) "Course I would! Stupid monsters wouldn't even get close before Hulk--" 

He pauses, suddenly realizing the implications of what he's reassuring her about. A grimace crosses his craggy face.

"Uh... what Hulk means is, you got nothing to be scared of! Not while big dumb Hulk is around" Hulk said

Despite the gruff delivery, Erin's eyes light up and she seems to calm down, snuggling in closer. New tears form, but this time from relief.

"Th-thank you, Mr. Hulk..." Erin said

The gentle moment between the towering goliath and the little girl lasts until Erin looks around and realizes where they're sitting.

"Hey, how come you're not sleeping on the regular bed?" Erin said

(scoffing) "Stupid soft mattress thing was like a cloud! Hulk needs a sturdy surface, not dumb fluff!" Hulk said

With surprising shyness, Erin starts fidgeting with her teddy bear bashfully.

"Well... maybe I could sleep here with you? You know, to make sure you're not lonely?"

The Hulk blinks, tilting his head quizzically at the request. After a long pause, a rumbling sigh escapes him.

"If it'll get puny girl to stop crying like a baby, then fine... you can bunk with the Hulk tonight" Hulk said reluctantly 

Erin beams, quickly nestling into the crook of the Hulk's immense arm. Despite himself, the faintest of smiles tugs at the corner of his lips.

"But no snoring! Or kicking or anything! Got it?" Hulk said

(yawning) "Got it, Mr. Hulk. Promise..." Erin said, drifting off

Within moments, her eyes have fluttered closed, cuddling up to the gamma-spawned goliath like the most dangerous, powerful teddy bear in existence. The Hulk lets out a long sigh, resigned to his strange new role.

"Puny kid's making Hulk go soft... guess she ain't THAT bad though" Hulk said with a smile

With that, his own eyes drift shut, knowing that no matter what terrors might fill her dreams, Erin will be safe and sound cuddled up in the Hulk's protective embrace.

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( A little short and cute chapter before his first mission next chapter)

(746 words)

(What is yalls favorite game right now? Mine is Roblox)

(Can someone put a picture of Erin in this paragraph comment? I'm too lazy to put a picture in there. The most liked picture will be her!)