Bruce awoke early in the morning; his internal clock waking him to make sure he started his day. Usually, he would get dressed and go straight to the lab until Tony forced him to appear at the breakfast table and choke something down, but today was different. Today, he decided to get dressed in a pair of relaxed fit jeans and a button-up shirt that was just tight enough to show the biceps he had, and make his way to the lounge for a breakfast he would choose for himself. Making his own choice was his motivation.
Or was it the fact that there was still a chance he could see Natasha this morning before she left?
Bruce wasn't sure why he thought she might be there - she had said Fury wanted to ship out early - but Bruce had always been an optimist even knowing he was basically a nuclear bomb. As he exited the elevator, he found himself searching for her. The need to see her was killing him because everything he felt last night was something he never imagined feeling again. Somehow she had brought him back to life and he would spend the rest of it trying to repay her. When he entered the lounge he found her along with Clint and Fury going over paperwork, preparing for their mission.
"Goodmorning, Dr. Banner," Natasha was the first to notice his presence.
"Goodmorning, Miss Romanoff, Barton, Director." He walked toward them, but stayed out of their space at the table.
"Dr. Banner, you're up rather early." Fury noted.
"Couldn't sleep any longer I guess." Bruce smiled, Fury was unamused.
Feeling the tension, Bruce turned to the counter where the coffee machine sat idle against the wall. He poured the grounds into the filter and set the machine to brew his favorite flavor to start the mornings with. The conversation behind him was lead by Fury, whose voice remained quiet with the doctor still in the room. "Coffee already? I thought you started your days in the lab until Stark came calling." Natasha stated from beside him.
"I decided I could change my schedule. See some new faces if they still happened to be in the building." Bruce could see her smile out of the corner of his eye. He didn't turn to face her, but saw she was wearing her skintight cat suit with her gun holstered to her hip. "Are you going to point that at me today?" Bruce joked.
"I don't have to. I can take you down without a weapon." Natasha answered, rolling an orange between her hands playfully.
"Is that so?" Bruce faced her.
"Yes it is." Natasha crossed her arms in defiance as she turned to face him. She couldn't help noticing how close they were standing now that they were toe-to-toe. Bruce looked down at her, his eyes crinkled in the corners because of his smile. He felt her crossed arms lightly touching his chest.
Bruce was about to continue the playful banter when the alarm for the coffee sounded and his attention was drawn elsewhere. Turning away, Bruce poured himself a cup and turned back to find his companion was back at the table with Clint and Fury. Feigning disapointment, Bruce took a sip of his fresh coffee. Natasha glanced at him, holding back a smile because she knew Clint was watching her.
The sun was rising higher into the sky as Bruce made his way to the balcony window to watch the everyday miracle of the sunrise. As always, Tony was heard before he was seen entering the room. Fury looked up annoyed that his meeting was once again being interrupted. "Goodmorning everyone! Shipping out early are we?" Tony went to the coffee machine first and finished what was left of Bruce's pot. "That's a good idea, Nick."
"Thanks, Stark," Fury frowned, "let's get going." He said to the spies standing around him. Clint and Natasha began to pack the papers and folders from the table while rearanging their bags in the process. Watching them from the window, Bruce could see that this was a routine they had done many times in their lives. They moved in sync to a silent rhythm that only they could hear, like a dog whistle to a dog.
Fury started toward the door first, walking past Tony without uttering a word. Clint followed next with Natasha behind him, stepping to the same silent drum the way soldiers would. Both men left the room without so much as a goodbye, but Natasha stopped at the door and looked at Bruce. She was so used to faking her happiness that she didn't realize she was doing it now as she studied Bruce's face. He was never one to hide his emotions and he hoped she could read the concern that he felt for her. In return, Bruce could read her forced smile and knew that she was upset leaving after the events of last night.
A silent conversation passed between them in the few seconds that Natasha waited in the doorway. He was asking her to come back; no matter the cost. She was attempting to convince him that she would.
Clint called her name from the elevator.
Her time was up.
Taking a breath, Natasha moved away from the door and disappeared inside the elevator. Bruce watched helplessly at her striding away, taking his heart with her.
