Paradise - for angryinsecret

[kick_ass_curls]

What had happened at dinner was still bothering Natasha in subtle ways. She knew Bruce was a cautious man, hiding behind all that sarcasm and joking nature. She too was extremely guarded, never letting anyone close for fear she'd damage them, they would damage her, or both. The two of them together? That was asking for trouble.

Yet here she stood, waiting for him to take her to the ballet of all places. Natasha  couldn't deny the fact he'd actually agreed shocked her. What shocked her more was that she'd suggested it. The dancing, that part of her questionable history, really was something she didn't hate about herself. It made her feel like something worthwhile and beautiful came from such a shattered and bloody past.  Still she knew being this close to it again would make her uncomfortable. Which in turn could make Bruce uncomfortable, which could...

Oh, she didn't want to think about it. Natasha couldn't think about it. The whole reason she was dealing with setting up the date was to keep Bruce as relaxed and calm as possible.

She plastered on a smile and leaned against the limo, wondering how Dr. Bruce Banner would look in a suit. Just the thought of it made her smile a little more real. 

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[angryinsecret.livejournal.com]

He nodded, seeing the logic in it over the emotional difficulty it caused.

"Sometimes I wonder if I would have changed and done something completely different if I didn't need the knowledge I already had to try and cure myself. I struggled for a long time searching for a solution in science. The answer ended up being in my heart, not my mind." He wasn't even trying to be subtle with her any more.

"You're doing it too, using what you used to hate to try and do good instead. Just make sure that's the only reason to hang onto it, okay? Life's too short to hang onto things from the past that make us unhappy." He drew his index finger along her jaw, tempted to kiss her again.

[kick-ass-curls.livejournal.com]

She can appreciate that, more than anything. That's what makes Bruce so damned attractive. He doesn't lie, he doesn't try and protect her from the truth. She knows, very well, that deep down he's fighting a terrifying force inside himself but even so he owns it. He doesn't pretend the Hulk doesn't exist. He deals with his mistake, any way he can. He's the bravest man she's ever known for doing that.

"I..." Natasha closes her eyes a moment, weighing if she truly is happy. Now, in this moment she is. She hasn't felt this...safe in longer than she can remember. It would be funny really, considering what happened on the Helicarrier. She presses her cheek against his hand again before turning to press a soft kiss to his lips. It doesn't last long, just enough to show him how much she appreciates what he's saying. "Thank you." Tasha pulls back slightly, unsure what to do now.