#thread: mutantmuses01 (Natasha)

[marvelforged]

for @mutantmuses, continued from here

ㅤㅤㅤ"Ah" Bruce huffs a laugh, self-deprecating smile curling at his lips, "C'mon, Nat. Did you forget? The Other Guy won't let me die. I might freeze, but--" He shrugs, "I'll Hulk Out before it kills me."

ㅤㅤㅤAs if that's meant to be reassuring. Bruce shoots Natasha an apologetic look as he stands, brushing the lingering rubble-dust from his tattered pants. "--I'm fine, really. Don't you have a communicator hidden somewhere on your person? You're by far the most prepared Avenger I know, and that includes Steve."

[marvelforged]

ㅤㅤㅤIt takes a herculean effort for Bruce not to flinch when Natasha reaches to take his hands in her. It's not personal, it's just… well. A kind touch has always been something of a rarity in Banner's life. Even more so, now that he's become something for people to fear.

ㅤㅤㅤBut Nat takes his hands without hesitation, not a shred of uncertainty in her eyes or her posture. The Widow's touch is warm and assured, like a bright light in darkness, and Bruce can't help but look at her as if she is rare and remarkable. His breath catches when Natasha presses a kiss to the back of his palms, rendered wordless until she hands him an actual blanket.

ㅤㅤㅤ"…And people call Steve the boy scout." Bruce quips lamely, drawing the fabric to his chest. He remembers belatedly to unfold it, handing off one end of the blanket as Nat returns and bundles them both within its warmth.

ㅤ"That's not-- ..we don't…ah." This certainly isn't how Bruce expected this day to conclude. Clearing his throat, he quirks a crooked smile, watching Nat from his peripheral vision. She seems… perfectly at ease. "….Thank you for doing this. And for.." He hesitates, casting about for the right way to speak his mind, "…for being someone the Other Guy will listen to.."

" Bruce... " Natasha said softly as she sat down in front of him and took hold of his hands. Her smile was soft and warm as she looked at him. She wondered if he knew, knew how she truly felt about him. There was always going to be some part of her that would want to speak it out loud. But she feared that with everything that was wrong with her he wouldn't want her.

Natasha then pulled his hands to her lips and kissed the back of them as she nodded her head slowly. "I do have something that will keep us both warm." Letting go of his hands she moved to her backpack and pulled out a blanket. "Hold this." She said then handed him the blanket. She then took out a flare gun.

" Here's to hoping we are seen. " Natasha said then moved a few feet from Bruce and shot the gun in the air. Hoping that someone from their team would see it. "In the meantime." She said while walking back over to Bruce and wrapping them both in the blanket. "We need to keep each other warm."