N.R. One Shots

Not what I expected..

Before y'all read this, I don't have any hate against Bruce. He's a great guy, and I ship Brutasha with all my little heart.
Whatever u read in this one shot is just for the sake of this story. Don't come at me, please.

You always knew this would happen. You knew it from the moment you held Nat's shivering form, tears streaking her face. You knew it the first time you both kissed. You knew it when she started sleeping in your bed.

You had known, from the moment you loved her, that her heart always belonged to Bruce. No matter how much he'd pushed her away, no matter how long he was gone. Even through the lies and the cheating, the ups and downs, you always knew she'd go back to him.

What you hadn't know was that it would always feel too soon.

It was a beautiful fall day, the day the inevitable happened. You were coming home from the shops, having brought Nat's favourite cereal because you were out. You had been staying together for a few weeks now.

Through the three years of Bruce's absence, the three years you both had been together, the thought of him returning had always been there, etched into the back of your head. But nothing could have prepared you for what was to come.

The moment you stepped into the house, you knew something was up. Nat stood there, a beaming smile on her face, alongside a disheveled Bruce, sporting a few cuts, bruises and his unmistakable boyish charm.

The grocery bag fell from your limp hands as Nat turned, and you tried to plaster a smile over your pain.

"Y/N! Look who showed up!" Nat squealed like a child. Behind her, Bruce smirked at you, only waiting for what you both knew was coming. You wouldn't have been surprised if he was already picking out the new curtains in his mind.

"I- I can see," you say unsteadily.

"Hey Y/N.. I know you just got here, but mind if I take Nat for a quick catch-up?" Bruce says, not really asking.

"Oh, she won't mind, will you Y/N?" Nat asks you, with the puppy eyes you both know you can't say no to. Like you ever denied her anything....

"Of course. I'll... I'll get dinner ready. You'll be staying?" You direct the question at Bruce.
"No, no. I have some things to look after."

Nat and Bruce veer around you, going out the door and you hear Nat going on about the ice cream parlour around the corner before the door shuts with a bang, leaving you alone.

(.....)

Nat walks in, late, and collapses on the sofa, immediately talking about Bruce. The rambling you always find adorable, now feels heavy, like a weighted blanket around you.
"Y/N?"

She sees you looking stonily at her, and her smile drops.
"What?"

"Can I talk?" You snap without meaning to, making her pout. "Of course!"

"Tasha. Let's not pretend we don't know the history between you and Banner."
"Y/N, what are you-"
"Let me finish."
She falls silent.

"Ever since I met you, you were in love with Banner. You were always wanting to be with him, and I knew he liked you too. Of course, I was content with watching from afar, even though I knew what a tool he was.

Then he cheated on you, with that ditzy from accounting, and I thought, maybe Nat will get it now. Maybe she'll move on. You came to me for comfort, and I provided it. I loved you then, Nat.

But then he waltzed back into your life, demanding you, and you went back to him. You have no idea how much that broke me. I spent nights upon nights, wishing for you. Not that you'd come back to me, no. But that you'd be happy. That he wouldn't break your heart again.

But he did, didn't he? He broke you over and over and then some more, and each time you turned to me and I was always here. You never cared about the pieces of me that you were never here to pick back up.

All you wanted was someone to momentarily distract you while Banner played around with someone else, and someone weak enough to let go each time he wanted you back.

Well, that ends now. I can see it, Tasha, I see it in your eyes, you're still not over him. And it hurts me to do this, but I'm asking you to choose. If you choose me, I promise you I will never leave you. I love you, Tasha. So damn much, but you will have to get over Banner.

Or you can choose him, in which case I will walk out that door, and I swear to god you will never see me again."

You take a deep breath. Nat's eyes are glazed with tears as she processes what you just said. Her eyes flicker from your set jaw, to your already packed suitcase in the door and you see her make a decision.

You feel your heart crack as she walks to the door, and stands there. You can't talk, can't breath. That's what she chose, and you won't blame her.

"Its gonna take time to unpack. Wanna eat first?"

Your head shoots up, not comprehending. For a second you think she's talking to Bruce behind the door, but then she turns back, pulling your suitcase with her, and all doubts vanish from your mind.

"If you think I'd ever lose you voluntarily, you must be mad. I know I've hurt you plenty of times, but," she looks up at you, a wobbly smile in place. "I'd love a chance to make it all up to you."

"Tasha.." You whisper, now crying as your lips connect, igniting a fire in you. Its okay. She chose you. She loves you.

"I love you so much," you mumble against her lips, tasting the salt from her tears.
"I love you too, baby," Nat confesses, tangling her fingers in your Y/H/C hair to deepen the kiss.

"I always will."