Chapter 1: Well, This is Awkward
"I think you look great."
Bruce stepped out of the shadows with his eyes trained on Natasha, his lips curling into the slightest smile. Natasha's jaw slackened, causing her mouth to gently gape as her eyes lit up like two bright green stars.
A tense silence filled the room as Bruce looked around at the others.
"Uh, yeah… I'm back." he said shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Nat shook herself mentally, and allowed her shoulders to relax.
"Hi Bruce."
Bruce glanced at her briefly, longing in his eyes, memories of their first kiss flooding his brain, and recalling the feel of the small of her back on his hands as he wrung them out of nerves.
He nodded curtly before replying, "Nat."
Her name tasted sweet on his tongue, like honey mixed with that flowery perfume she wore at the farmhouse. The one she borrowed from Laura…
"Well, this is awkward." Sam mumbled, looking off to the side.
Vision, Wanda, and Steve all glared at Sam as he shrugged defensively. Natasha's face turned as red as a black widow's underbelly as Wanda gave her a sympathetic smile. Vision's eyes darted back and forth between Bruce and Natasha, curious to see what would happen next. Steve cleared his throat, causing the lovers to flinch.
"We can give you two a moment, if you need it."
Their responses overlapped,
"Sure, that'd be…"
"No, that's al…"
which just caused them to blush even further.
Natasha finally mustered the courage to speak again, albeit with her voice an octave higher than normal.
"You can come this way, doctor. We'll get you briefed."
She began walking towards the laboratory, grateful to have her back turned to Steve's knowing smirk.
'Right. Um, thank you." Bruce stammered, as he went to follow her.
About an Hour Later….
"Romanoff, are you almost ready?" Steve called, knocking on empty laboratory door. "The Quinjet leaves in an hour."
Steve rolled his eyes, and turned the handle. As he walked in the room, he began to speak.
"I figured I'd find you here with…OH."
In the corner of the room, Bruce had his free hand cupped gently around Natasha's cheek as he ran his fingers through her hair. Nat had her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if she was afraid of losing him. They were engaged in a passionate kiss.
They broke apart upon hearing Steve's voice, but Nat still reached over to grab Bruce's hand.
"You saw nothing." She said, pointing a teasingly accusatory finger at Steve while her cheeks stayed bright red.
Steve threw his hands up innocently and dramatically turned on his heels. As he walked away, he looked over his shoulder at Bruce and gave him an exaggerated wink.
Bruce gave him an embarrassed thumbs-up and a weak smile as Natasha brought her free hand to her forehead.
"It's good to be back." he said, giving Natasha another quick kiss.
