Evermore

Chapter 14

TW: Mention of abuse.

Normally storms didn't bother her, but this one was different. Natasha was in a huge castle and too far from home for her liking.

Her foot was bothering her from the pain. It was wrapped in tight cloth since they didn't have a boot, but according to everyone else, Bruce knew what he so doing. She didn't argue. Her one window to go home was gone.

She gripped onto Fanny's fur as another clap of thunder was heard. The dog whined as she lay next to Natasha, not liking it any more than she did.

Natasha knew she wasn't going to get any sleep, so she got out of bed and hopped on her good foot toward the door, using it for balance as she opened it. Fanny walked past her.

She put a hand on the wall for balance as she continued hopping. When she reached the stairs, she grabbed the railing with both hands and carefully went them down one by one. She was almost at the bottom but lost her balance. She thought she was going to hit the floor until a pair of arms caught her and helped her down the last few steps.

Natasha took a few seconds to catch her breath. When she looked at the man's face and saw it was Bruce, she didn't know whether to be thankful he helped her or annoyed at herself for falling.

Fanny circled the pair. Natasha realized she must have gotten him.

"Fanny found me a few minutes ago, and started barking and circling," he explained. "Is she a service dog?"

"No. We just trained her to get help or find one of us. She probably sensed my tension when I couldn't sleep, or she thought I would fall flat on my face." She looked at the dog who was lying down. "Traitor."

She turned her attention back to Bruce, who looked apologetic in the low light. "I'm sorry."

"For what, she asked confused. "You didn't make the steps icy or change the weather."

Bruce swallowed then said, "There's something you need to know, but it's easier to explain if I show you. Is it okay if I carry you there?"

"I'd rather walk."

"You want to walk up several flights of stairs with an injured ankle?"

"Yeah."

"You're very stubborn. I'd feel better if I could at least carry you up the stairs. Please."

Natasha couldn't deny him when he looked like a kicked puppy. "Fine."

He lifted her off the ground in bridal style, and walked toward the other side of the castle, the one Steve said only Bruce was allowed at.

When he started going up the steps Natasha noticed this side was darker than she thought. Then Bruce turned a corner leading into a hallway, where a few more candles were lit leading to one room at the end of the hall with the door open.

The room was clean. It had a desk near the door, a bed in the center, and a couch in front of it. But near the balcony's doorway, was a floating rose in a glass container with several petals surrounding it.

She unwrapped her arms from his neck when he set her on the couch. He grabbed his desk chair to sit near her and began to fiddle with his hands as he asked, "Do you remember when you were asking me about the weather, and I told you it was complicated?"

"Yeah."

Bruce nodded to the rose. "That's why."

"The rose?"

Bruce nodded. "When I was cursed I was given two things. A book that allowed me to see into the outside world without being noticed, and that rose. When the petals began to fall it was just small things. The snow got a bit heavier, the wind would pick up, and the temperature got colder. Then we started getting freezing rain, rain and snow, blizzards, and now ice with thunder. When a petal falls during one storm, the worse it gets."

"Is that why everything looks the same after a storm too?"

He nodded as he said, "Yeah. Part of the 'enchantment.'"

"What happens when the last petal falls?"

"I turn into the Hulk for good."

"What about everyone else?"

"There's an invisible barrier at our border so that anyone who lives here can't get out. The kingdom will continue to forget me, but this place will probably crumble and everyone with it It's like a ticking time bomb."

"Is there a way to break the spell?"

"Nothing that I can control, and it's nothing you should have to worry about. But lately, during the full moons, I've been in Hulk form longer during the day. That's why Yelena was in the cage for so long, but I guess Tony already told you that. Everyday feels like a constant reminder of what I'm becoming."

Natasha hesitated for a few seconds then asked, "What's it like? Turning into him?"

Bruce took a breath before answering. "It's hard to explain, but I feel like I lose all control over myself, and any emotion I feel is pure rage and anger. When I come back, it takes me several minutes to regain all of my senses and I'm always so tired that I can barely function. I don't have any memories of what I did. I get flashes, but I don't fully remember everything."

"Are you afraid that you'll permanently become him?"

Bruce nodded. "Yeah. But I'm more afraid for the people I care about and the kingdom. I know the people aren't doing well, but I didn't know how bad it was until you told me. I don't want them living in poverty. But more than anything I'm worried about everyone here, especially Morgan."

"You're a good person and if given a second chance, you'd make a great ruler."

"Thanks," Bruce smiled at her. "So, Tony said you managed to 'de-hulk' me. How?"

"I don't know. I just raised my hand and he seemed to mimic my action. He wasn't threatening. He seemed... concerned for my safety. By the way, what made the big guy appear today?"

Bruce's face went a bit red as he answered, "Um, I just- I heard you were in trouble, and I sort of blacked out after that.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you for the past several hours," he continued. "It's just that... when I look in the mirror sometimes, my eyes remind me that I'm not truly human anymore. I don't- I don't want you to be afraid of me now that you've seen the Hulk."

"If I was afraid of you, I would have left by now." She hesitated before asking, "What were you like? Before?"

"I was-" he paused a few seconds before answering. "I was arrogant, conceited, and a jerk. Do you remember when I said that I did anything to please my father? Well, that included drinking and being the best at everything from science to other subjects. He was abusive and I did what I could to dodge him. When he died, the damage was done. I had a terrible temper and I could snap at any given moment. I had this attitude that I'm not proud of anymore. I was a monster, just like he was."

"You're not a monster, Bruce."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because I see the man you are now. You're kind, gentle, and a good friend. Everyone here trusts you, and I've seen the way you are with Morgan. All of that work you did to improve yourself... I didn't even know you then and I'm proud of you. The big guy isn't bad either."

Bruce nodded tears in his eyes. "Thank you. I try to remind myself of how far I've come, but sometimes..."

"Your father was the monster Bruce, not you," Natasha said. Then as she was shifting her weight, she winced when she put too much pressure on her foot. Bruce was at her side in a second to take a better look at it.

"Sore?"

"Extremely."

"I'll find something to take down the swelling tomorrow," he said as he looked back at her.

She nodded. "Thanks for being a good friend."

"You're welcome. Thanks for being one to me."