Seven Wishes

B-Ex 109

5 Years Ago...

"I have never seen you shut your browser so quickly.' Natasha starts, louder than intended, 'Not even for my engagement ring."

She crosses her arms in their hallway amid a bit of floor construction.

It's dark, the lights are out except for the lingering small blue dot that signifies Bruce's computer is still on.

He's still facing his desk. He reaches to rubbing hands tiredly over his face when he mumbles;

"Tasha...I thought you went to bed?"

Her mind is suddenly racing in a million different directions over his words. Her heart is pounding with a thought for an ex.

With nothing but suspicion she steps forward and tugs at her sweatshirt, reaching to switch his screen back on.

"Natasha, wait. Wait, wait wait," he blocks her with a firm grip over her wrist that softens once she drops her hands.

"You've been hiding something from me for months,' she snaps over his defense action, 'I've been patient, I've given you space. I've waited for you to open up and respected your privacy!"

Natasha is mad and he knows it.

Bruce prepares for the worst and tugs at his hair, "Nat-."

"Move. Banner."

"Just. Let me explain," he tries to block her once again.

Her head shakes with sad eyes, "This isn't like you to hide things from me."

"Natasha."

"You're sneaking around, you stay at work late, and then you're down here in the basement after until 3am- so what the hell is it?"

"Natasha-."

"Most wives would worry about porn or another woman coming into the picture right about now- is that what's going on? You are talking to Betty again. You want out of this marriage because I'm not good enough..."

"No. That is not and will never be the case," he stands at his desk, shaking his head rapidly and practically ready to turn green over her comment.

Natasha pauses over the rage in his eyes for only a moment before continuing, "Is this about the hulk? You're conveniently 'sick' on mission days lately."

"Please stop accusing me and let me explain."

"Even Tony is covering for you and we both know he's a terrible liar. Talk!"

She tries to reach over his shoulder but Bruce catches her wrist, "I'll talk when you calm down-!"

"I am calm! I've been calm,' she frees her own wrist and hits the screen, '...kakogo cherta!"

Multiple browsing tabs are organized by color. It's an analysis of stem cells, blood components, a tab on the hulk, a tab on Dreykov, Super Serum, and a page on Roslin Institute covering most of the bottom portion. An image of a lamb in the bottom right corner causes a tremor to roll up Natasha's spine.

She stumbles backwards as the air is taken from her and falls into the chair.

Bruce releases a heavy sigh over her plopping, crossing his arms and shifting his weight from right to left in rapid succession.

"What, is going on," Natasha asks slowly.

Bruce tucks a hand into his back pocket, toying with the seam. He grips his fingers next, wringing and tugging thoughtfully.

He takes a deep inhale and speaks up meekly, "Can I, explain?"

Romanoff looks up tearfully with a hint of fear, "...Tell me."