Friends With the Monster

Redemption

Natasha is trying her hardest not to completely reveal her every thought when Clint calls to ask how the mission is progressing. Had she been indoors and circumstances a bit different, she'd spill more.

The redhead holds her phone to her ear and bobs her red beanie covered head;

"No sign of mister Hyde," it's one sentence and she's ready to move on. "How's Lila?"

"Oh my Lila,' Clint starts at the opposite end, 'Thanks to Lila, we all got a whopping five hours of sleep last night."

"Improvement."

"Did Fury check in yet?"

"Mm. Twice."

"He hasn't left his office. Ross is relentless."

"Trust me, I know. We're barely outrunning him," Natasha looks off in the distance as she slowly circles the vicinity of a quaint Main Street.

The posts are lit, hand painted store signs swaying gently with the wind. There's a potted dried up plant underneath each one. Dusted over with just a hint of frost.

"We're working on it. You shouldn't have to babysit for much longer."

"I've got to go," Romanoff is quick to end her call once Banner comes out of a shop, meeting up with her on the curb.

His focus makes her uneasy, eager to hide her phone call. He knows she's a spy working with her agency for his sake but Clint Barton adds another element. Her 'brother from another mother'. For his sake, she can't reveal a friendlier side.

Maybe she does have an attachment...

And now she's nervously shifting. Bruce's words fail to improve the situation;

"So! She does have friends."

The spy steals and goes digging in his brown bag to snatch up the requested bagel.

"I'm working," Natasha spats with her mouth now full, "Where's my change?"

The physicist's hand is in a pocket with a tilted upper body in response to the digging;

"How much longer am I stuck with you, Miss Nina?"

The spy holds her bagel in her teeth and takes an inhale. Her hands are now busy counting her change as they slowly step forward.

She's surprised to see him return all of it down to the cent. Maybe she shouldn't be at this point in the mission. Maybe one or two good men exist in the world.

He hits the button for the crosswalk and after removing the napkin, small salt packet and a mini coupon, discards the brown bag with a rustling crumple.

"You should've bought two," Natasha remarks, savoring her next bite just to troll him.

The presumed glimmer of play in her eyes would appear to be working once she confirms the intended response; His eye roll will suffice.

"You gave me $5 and placed an impossible order. It didn't leave me a whole ton of time to check the menu."

He's discouraged and now refusing food.

What a difficult asset!

She takes a piece with her fingers once they cross, extending her loaded up two inch mini sand which of a bagel.

Bruce takes it with a lift, once they reach the opposite side of the road, already wiping the sausage, eggs and bacon off with the napkin.

"Picky," Natasha states pointedly.

"I'm vegan."

It's her turn to roll her eyes, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

He shrugs, "You knew so much about me; Assumed you knew."