Natasha wiped the damp cloth across her cheek and down her chin. She leaned further over the sink to get a closer view of her work while she cleaned off her makeup.
Her ears perked up once she heard a soft knock on the door of her room. Far too gentle for average ears to pick up on. Her focus shifted briefly, turning back to check her eyes.
Romanoff heard the door creak open steadily, using the bathroom mirror to watch her guest take a nervous step inside.
"Hello. I'm sorry Miss Romanoff, you just left your sweater on the chair. I just wanted to return it."
She grinned politely;
"Thank you Doc."
Bruce nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets, feeling awkward for lingering and turned to leave;
"Sure. No problem."
"Do you want to sit down?"
He tilted his head, watching the red head from behind and glanced through the mirror to see her eyes. As usual, they stayed vacant and hardly helpful.
Banner shrugged, taking a step behind him. Natasha didn't seem like the type of person to begin a casual conversation, though that even ing had proved Bruce wrong. She was more talkative then usual. Well, talkative for Romanoff. He stuttered, unsure of how to handle her remark;
"I um."
She answered abruptly, turning on the sink one final time;
"I have the results from the lab test I want to give you while you're here."
"Oh."
He breathed steadily, calmed by the thought of her conversation being work related. Even though Bruce was beginning to think he wouldn't mind a casual conversation, if she did those things.
Natasha stepped into the room, sorting the papers on her desk to locate the results to hand the physicist;
"Here. You might enjoy reading that over later. It's not exactly a bedtime story but I think you'll find it interesting to look at before we're called to battle again."
He brushed his fingers over his cheek, debating on reaching for the glasses in his front pocket and reading at that moment:
"Was I right about their cellular build and blood type?"
She shrugged, smirking casually;
"I don't know Doc. You're the one interested in alien blood. For the fun of it?"
He lifted his head, hands moving expressively;
"Curiosity."
"Like every other scientist."
"...yeah. Like everyone else."
He mumbled, reaching for his glasses to check the print out.
She stayed beside him to look on, resting her elbow over his shoulder.
Bruce flinched slightly, regretting his action while she pulled away;
"Something wrong?"
"No not at all."
"Oh, that's funny. Something wrong with your shoulder?"
Bruce sighed pushing his glasses up further on his nose after giving her a cryptic expression;
"No, why?"
Natasha nodded, crossing her arms while she looked at the quiet and yet mysterious doctor.
"You flinch every time I touch your shoulder."
He lowered his head after feeling his cheeks go warmer, working at his poker face while he glanced back toward her;
"I guess I do it subconciously."
She rolled her tongue over her cheek;
"So it has nothing to do with me?"
Bruce shook his head;
"No. You're um. You're a good teammate. I trust you."
Natasha held her grin, turning to put her folded clothes into the drawer;
"No you don't. And you're wise not to."
Banner crossed his arms, looking at her as of he was aware he was using the mirror in front of her to see him;
"You shouldn't be too offended Miss Romanoff. Something is telling me that you don't exactly have full confidence in me either."
Her fingers went about her work, "You're right doctor, I don't."
He nodded, making eye contact once she turned to face him;
"More so the other guy?"
She froze for a minute, stern veneer breaking for only a moment while she focused on his deep brown eyes;
"Not necessarily. You're the one who stuttered through your comment."
He bit his cheek, huffing out a laugh. She made him stutter. Bruce lifted his stare;
"Hm. But you're the one whose frightened."
"I'm not frightened."
"My mistake. Your face just changed a bit over mention of, the other guy."
"Your other half."
He smirked wider, seeing the slight hint of fear in her eyes. Bruce felt slightly accomplished to have flipped the table. And remained proud as the only other avenger who held a certain power over the invincible Black Widow. Though slightly discontent with the thought of his alter ego. He removed his lenses;
"It's getting late. You have a goodnight Miss Romanoff."
Natasha shifted her focus, inwardly uncomfortable while she sorted the rest of her belongings;
"Yes, you too Dr. Banner."