"So I found this thing,"
Bruce had never felt so concerned over the start of a phone call. "'A thing?'" Her vagueness had him very worried.
"Yeah. A couple's thing, actually," she corrected herself. "I think it'll help with relaxing."
"This isn't couple's therapy, is it?" Bruce questioned.
"Banner," Natasha continued over the phone, "if I told you, you might not agree."
"Your saying that is only making it worse," he hinted with a dry laugh.
"Yeah. But we could use a little worse."
Bruce could picture a sideways smirk across her face.
"One thing," she added. "Embarrassment won't trigger anything, right?"
The ultimate red flag waved in his face. "Natasha…"
"Wear something comfy, Doc!"
"I'm still concerned that this whole thing is staying a surprise." Bruce readjusted the yoga mat he kept secured under his armpit.
"It should help you relax," Natasha promised. "You'll thank me."
Bruce held up a hand as he continued walking alongside her. "But I'll be embarrassed," he reminded her.
Natasha laughed as she exhaled through her nose. "This will be between you and me."
"I'm beginning to wonder if this is worth a free lunch," he sighed.
She gave him a loving pat on the shoulder before guiding him up a small set of steps leading into their destination.
The building was chilly and smelled like lavender. Bruce followed Natasha down a carpeted hall and followed her past the second door on the left.
"We're early, so you can stretch without worrying about looking like an ass." Natasha claimed a spot by the window and watched Bruce lay out his purple mat before sitting.
He crossed his legs, feeling like a child in a classroom as he glanced around. There was a whiteboard towards the front with "breathing techniques" written in a black Expo marker that he could smell from his spot. He readjusted his glasses when his eyes spotted a bookcase at the farthest end of the room. The titles all seemed generic: biology texts, and multiple copies of some "How-to" and "Dummies" guides. He heard Natasha manage a quick laugh just as a couple walked through the door. Whatever was amusing her failed to reach Bruce. The two seemed perfectly normal, both presumably around Natasha's age. Bruce noticed the man wearing a pair of jeans and he began rubbing his fingers against his grey sweatpants. Part of him started to wonder if his own attire was the big joke. The woman looked to be dressed for yoga, though. Bruce couldn't help but stare at the happy couple and as they stole a spot close to the front, he spotted a golden ring on the woman's left hand. Happy and married… He finally tore his gaze away when the man began rubbing his wife's swollen middle.
"Should start in fifteen minutes," Natasha murmured as she toyed with her phone.
"You're positive this isn't couple's yoga?" he whispered.
"Something like that," she mentioned, smirking down at an e-mail.
Another couple entered, and another shortly after. The women in both couples had distended stomachs like the first one to arrive. "Natasha?" The fourth couple to enter only fueled his suspicions. "Are you sure this class benefits me?" His eyes flickered from the expecting women to Natasha.
She smiled smugly. "Is it so bad that I assumed labor and Hulking out can work hand in hand?"
"Natasha…" Bruce lowered his head and buried his face in his hands.
"It's really all about the breathing," she hinted. "And if I'm wrong, then you have my permission to publicly humiliate me."
Bruce continued to groan and hide his face as he heard more mothers-to-be enter. He finally stopped hiding his face in shame when he felt Natasha gently elbow him in the ribs.
"Alright everyone." A perky light-haired blond clapped as she sat at the head of the classroom. "Today, we're focusing on breathing techniques."
Bruce wasn't one for dirty looks, so he hoped Natasha felt proud of herself when she saw the glare he was giving her.
"Moms, let's start by getting relaxed. Your partners will help you through the first exercise," the teacher instructed.
"You're not mad, are you?" Natasha winked as she pat his knee.
Bruce's mouth formed a thin line. He glanced away from Natasha and as he saw the women around him getting situated, his face grew hot.
"Focus on me, Bruce," Natasha coaxed, her voice gentle as she knelt before him.
Bruce shot her a questioning stare. She wouldn't even spare him by pretending to be the mom.
"Start with a deep, cleansing breath in through the nose," the instructor began.
Bruce sharply inhaled, his narrowed eyes fixed on Natasha.
"And exhale through the mouth, releasing all the tension."
Bruce begged to differ.
"Inhale through the nose. In, two, three, four…" the instructor slowly counted. "And exhale. Out, two, three, four."
Bruce did as he was ordered while Natasha began keeping count for him. Not once did his partner bother to crack a smile. Natasha remained focused, and after several four-second repetitions, he felt as if they had the room to themselves… Until the instructor mentioned "contractions." That made Natasha's cool demeanor completely fall apart as she lowered her head to stifle a fit of laughter. It brought a smile to Bruce's face, and he couldn't help but laugh along with her.
"I counted one dirty look, six confused ones, and one person whisper about us being Avengers," Natasha proudly stated as she and Bruce were the last to leave the classroom. "What about you?"
"I really tried to avoid eye contact." He rubbed the back of his neck and kept his head low. "How did that class even cross your mind?"
"I Googled 'breathing techniques,'" she shrugged. "Thought it might work for you." She turned to Bruce, awaiting the final verdict.
"Useful…" He gave her a sheepish grin. "I'll let you have this one," he agreed. "So long as we never do that again," he sternly warned.
"Just don't forget how to breathe when labor starts," she teased.
"I'll try not to," he laughed. "How about my reward for going through with this?"
Natasha nodded. "Pick a place and order whatever you want. But I'm sure you're more eager for a drink," she teased.
They settled on a café with outdoor seating. Bruce ordered a coffee and quinoa salad while Natasha chose a burger and water.
"So you were a doctor in India," Natasha began. "Where else have you travelled?"
"Well." Bruce added some cream to his coffee. "Mexico, South America, Alaska…"
"Business or play?" she countered.
"A bit of both."
"You've doctored. Do you keep track of lives you saved?"
Bruce smiled. "I've lost count."
Natasha arched a brow. "That many, huh?"
"You're making me sound a little too impressive," he chuckled. "The count's probably in the twenties," he guessed. "But I do know that I delivered four babies."
"Wow," Natasha breathed. "So that Lamaze stuff wasn't new to you."
"That was actually a first," he corrected with a chuckle.
"Then you're a natural at deep breathing," she complimented. Natasha raised her glass.
Bruce lifted his mug by the handle and let Natasha clink her glass against his. "The real test lies in how well it works when I'm angry."
She took a small sip of water. "How about we test it out?"
Bruce's face paled at the idea.
"Somewhere remote in the mountains," she suggested. "We can take a jet and I'll observe you from the sky."
"No. No, Natasha, no," he repeated, shaking his head. "I can't. You can't. If I don't change
back-"
"What if you don't change at all?" Natasha challenged.
Bruce emptily stared into the dark contents of his mug. "Regardless, I don't feel ready."
"When you do, then."
Bruce remained silent until their lunches arrived. He watched Natasha as she added ketchup to her burger and fries before taking her first bite. "I really appreciate what you're doing, Natasha."
She shook her head and wiped her lips with a napkin. "I'm pushing you-I should stop."
"Regardless, I honestly appreciate it."
Natasha swirled a fry around in a heap of ketchup. "Fury's made the Hulk my mission," she admitted, eyes focused on Bruce's face.
Bruce pursed his lips and pretended to straighten the napkin in his lap. "You said yourself that it would be your mission. What does he need me for?"
She brought the fry to her mouth and shook her head. "There's no mission. Not yet, at least. But it's best to prepare now."
Bruce dipped his fork into his bowl and admired his lunch's lively colours. She had a point.
"You have every right not to trust me," Natasha continued.
"It's really not that," he promised, his eyes above the frames of his glasses. "A lot's happened. And I have a lot on my mind." Natasha was quiet, so he began to eat.
"You know we're here for you, Bruce. All of us," she promised after a pause.
He swallowed and offered her a smile. "I'm grateful."
"You know," she mentioned after taking a bite out of a fry. "I find dancing relaxing."
"Ohhh," Bruce droned. "No. No dancing for me."
"You sure?" Natasha laughed.
"Positive." He took a bite of his quinoa. "I didn't know you danced."
"Occasionally. You could say I traded my tutu for a gun."
"Ballet, huh?" he grinned.
"In my younger years."
"I would hardly call you old," Bruce replied.
Natasha smiled to herself. One day, she'd tell him.
Bruce made a mental note to check for anything from The Nutcracker. That would be perfect relaxation music. "How long have you worked for S.H.I.E.L.D.?" he delved, scooping up bits of tomatoes and cucumbers.
Or maybe he would find out now… "Twenty-one years."
He shook his head, eyes growing wide in disbelief. "They wouldn't let a child join." He was certain she wasn't a day over thirty-three.
"Rogers has me beat by a decade."
"You're joking!" Bruce gasped.
"Ever study the Super Soldier Serum?"
He rested his fork against the edge of his plate. "Steve was the only candidate."
"Until the Russians made their own serum. But that's all I'm willing to share," Natasha warned with a grin.
"You're a woman of many surprises, Natasha."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
On the walk home, Bruce made a game of quizzing her. His questions were primarily technology based. "So I have access to a C64?"
"I'm pretty sure there are a couple gathering dust in storage."
"How about the first Macintosh?"
"Got 'em," Natasha answered. "We keep tabs on all our old equipment."
"I take it Fury's sentimental?" Bruce guessed.
"Yeah, something like that," she smiled. They neared Bruce's building and Natasha accompanied him to the entrance. "I hope today wasn't too much for you."
"If this gets out to Clint or anyone else, Natasha, you and I will have a problem," he lightheartedly groaned.
"It's between us," Natasha vowed in a sincere tone. "I'm here to help you, Bruce."
He swore he was hearing Betty's voice as she spoke. His mind began to fog as he unintentionally gave her an empty stare.
"Bruce?" She knew he wasn't acting this quiet to spite her. "Hey," she nudged. The blank look in his eyes told her that his mind was somewhere far away. She reached for his hand and he flinched beneath her touch.
The warmth of her hand took him by surprise, but it was enough to snap him back to reality. Dwelling on Betty was bringing him more hurt than he bargained for. "Sorry," he breathed. "I'll let you go."
Natasha lowered her hand, but she was still concerned by the loneliness that lingered in his dark eyes. "You sure you're okay, Bruce?"
"Fine," he mouthed, bowing his head. Bruce turned and let the automatic doors welcome him back home. It wasn't until he was standing outside his front door that he noticed Natasha hadn't left. She silently stood by his side with an unwavering gaze. "Natasha," he whispered. She acted as if she couldn't hear him. "Natasha, please go." He reached for a key ring and pushed his house key into the lock. Natasha still didn't budge.
"Na-"
"I'll leave once I know what's wrong," she stubbornly announced.
"I'm tired," he hollowly lied.
"We both know that's bullshit, Banner. Open the door."
Bruce turned the key and allowed her to enter first. He closed the door behind him and went straight for his couch. "It honestly isn't anything you did," he swore. "I just remembered something I had to do."
"You're distracted," she observed, plopping down beside him.
He hunched over and let his fingers run through his hair.
"Tell me what's bothering you," she calmly urged.
He began shaking his head, fingers clenching around his curls.
"Let me help."
"You can't help!" he snapped. His body jerked forward until his face reached his knees.
"Bruce."
"Leave!" he begged in a broken whine.
Staying was probably the most foolish move Natasha could choose, but she couldn't abandon him like this. Especially if something were to happen. Sadness had a funny way of turning into anger…
"Go. Go home," he whimpered.
Natasha ignored the plea while her eyes explored her surroundings. A picture frame teetering on the edge of a TV stand held her gaze. Despite not being able to see what the picture was, Natasha had a vague idea. "Do you still think of her, Bruce?"
His response came as a series of sniffling.
She had dealt with crying men before-crying out in pain, crying out of frustration… Never had she dealt with a grieving man.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, his voice muffled and hardly audible. "S-sorry…"
Natasha wasn't sure if he was apologizing to her or Betty. Comforting words were likely to further upset him, so she settled for rubbing circles against his back.
"Please," he croaked. "Go." His body heaved as he sucked in a deep breath.
"In through the nose," she whispered, massaging his shoulder. Natasha wasn't able to distinguish his next noise as a broken laugh or a choked sob. Assuming he was calming down, she decided to attempt talking him through his breakdown. "Let it out…You're okay… You're ok, Bruce." Her calming words had an opposing effect on the doctor.
What started out as stinging eyes turned into a stream of hot tears and ragged breaths within seconds.
"There you go," Natasha soothed. "Don't hold it in." She spoke as if consoling a child.
He shook his head as embarrassment kicked in. Here he was, a grown man falling apart in front of a near stranger. Bruce removed his glasses to wipe his bleary eyes with the back of his hand. "Ah… I'm so sorry. So sorry…" He straightened his back before slowly standing to his feet.
Bruce strayed from the couch without a word. Natasha assumed he left to go to the bathroom. A deafening silence was broken as she overheard Bruce attempt to relieve his blocked nose. She knew this incident was on her. She triggered something, but she didn't dare bring it up. Having him break down right in front of her felt almost as awkward as dealing with the aftermath of his helicarrier Hulk-out. Natasha withdrew her phone and began checking her e-mail. Two minutes passed and Bruce had yet to re-appear. "Hey, Bruce?" The sound of a running faucet guided Natasha towards the bathroom down a narrow hall. She stopped in the doorway and stared at the doctor's reflection in the mirror. "This is between us."
Bruce lifted his chin, face dripping with a mix of cold water and salty tears so he could meet her gaze. "I didn't mean to do that."
"Could've been worse," she shrugged with a hopeful smile.
Bruce did his best to fake a smile before dabbing his eyes with a washcloth.
Natasha folded her arms across her chest. "I'll let you go, okay?" She noticed him give her a nod. "And Bruce…" She waited until he lowered the towel to stare at her through the mirror. "Easy with the hormones. You know it's not good for the baby." Natasha caught him laughing and she knew that he would be okay.