Natasha felt relief, standing near Grand Canyon, surrounded by old and new friends. They had Thanos lured out here to avert further damage. Nevertheless, cities were destroyed, people were dead. Somehow the Avengers and their new allies survived, not unharmed though.
The next days go by in silent. The dead were buried, the living started making plans how to continue after all.
"This ain't the end" Thanos had said. Maybe he was right. Could there be a greater thread somewhere? Earth was still turning like nothing happened.
They gathered at the tower to have some drinks a week later. Natasha found herself playing bartender when Bruce joined her. He sat down in front of her, waiting for a drink like years ago.
"You dyed your hair." Natasha finally looked at him. "They say blondes have more fun." She replied and poured him a drink. "I see….you and Steve, then?"
She shook her head. "Being on the run with Steve is no fun. Always the gentleman but at the same time I felt like a teenager on a roadtrip with my mother." Even after all this years, talking with Bruce felt difficult and she could tell, he saw right through her attempt to hide her broken heart.
"I-I know you feel betrayed because I pushed you off that edge and I'm sorry I did! but….leaving the planet? Really, Bruce?"The way he looked changed from fatigue to guilt. "It's not like I had a choice, Natasha. The other guy took over and the next thing I remember is being a gladiator on another planet."
Natasha sighed. "At least one of us had fun on a roadtrip."
"The other guy did, for sure. Got to smash a lot of things" Both smiled but kept silent. After what seemed like eternity, Bruce cleared his throat. "Thor keeps telling how much fun it was to run with me. You want to give it a try?"
Natasha took her drink, smiling at him. "Never say never, Dr. Banner."
