Bruce could see the bright green color in her expressive eyes the second she entered his lonely laboratory, wringing at his fingers with a nervous grin over his features. There was no doubt in his mind that she was about to lecture again; attempting to address his tendency to sneak out from his quarters to view the last few moments of a battle that his alter ego had not been invited to. It made the protective doctor feel better to know his team was okay despite the risk of an unnecessary explosion should his nerves over react. No matter what, it was nice to have company aside from Tony Stark inside his personal space.

"Dr. Banner?"

He kept his grin, nodding toward his Russian teammate;

"Hello Miss Romanoff."

The physicist turned his body back towards his work, his own eyes viewing his project through his glasses while he cautiously watching her movements through his peripheral vision.

"Director Fury wants to talk with you about upgrading some of your equipment. But you'll have to meet him in an hour to tell him what you want."

He nodded, thrown off guard by her choosing not to scold him;

"Okay. Thank you."

His tongue rolled up along the roof of his mouth in the brief silence that followed, watching Natasha scoop up his latest papers full of research to hand in to the director.

"Oh. And doctor?"

"Hm?"

He slowed down his pace, eyes flicked up towards hers while he waited for her to speak.

She grinned, her expression sending off a hint of sarcasm;

"Next time you want to watch the show, make sure you stay behind the hulk proof glass. We don't need you burning yourself out unnecessarily."

His head lifted, eyes roving over her delicate features and dirty cheek from the battle;

"Right. I'll try to remember next time."

Natasha lifted an eyebrow, "Next time you're hitting the pavement with us. Cap had a hard time controlling things out there today. You were almost missed Doc."

He grinned sarcastically, "Almost? I also know for a fact Barton wasn't the only one having a little issue out there today. Are you alright?"

"Fantastic. Hurry up and finish what you're doing. I'll run this research down for you."

He lifted his head once she turned, taking her time to head back out towards his exit. Bruce tugged back at his fingers, recalling the bruised he had briefly noticed over her neck, watching her slight uncharacteristic limp. He pulled in his lips, aware of her stubborn nature but chose to speak up anyways;

"I'd see a doctor about that injury-"

"I'm fine thank you."

Her slender fingers wrapped around the door handle, closing it behind her with a soft click.

Bruce rested his palms over the desk, eyes still fixated on the closed door.