Evermore

Chapter 22

Natasha had been packed since the day she injured her foot. As she sat on the bed, ankle elevated, she wondered if it was a good idea to try and walk home with a sprain. She could get Fanny home at least if she let her loose, but that might give Yelena the wrong message.

She knew she still had time to think it over before giving Bruce an answer. The petal fell hours ago, but time was of the essence.

Natasha sighed and turned her head to the dog. "Fanny, do you want to go outside and play?"

The dog leaped off the bed and waited by the door.

The redhead thought that maybe some fresh air would do her some good as she figured out the best way to get home without injuring herself further. She found the coat that Pepper gave her and put it on.

As she carefully made her way down the stairs, Fanny way ahead of her. She heard footsteps approach her and looked up to see Bruce heading straight towards her.

"I got it," she told him, knowing what he was about to do.

Bruce smirked. "And miss the chance to annoy you one last time. Never."

She rolled her eyes at him but nodded to give him permission to lift her up. The two bickered all the way down the stairs. When they reached the door she asked, "Where's Fanny?"

"I saw Tony take her out," Bruce answered while opening the door with his foot. "See?"

Tony and Clint were throwing Steve's shield like a frisbee with Fanny eagerly watching.

Clint said, "Fanny, fetch," and threw the shield to where she could get it.

Bruce called out, "What are you doing?"

"Playing frisbee with Steve's shield," Tony replied smiling, while Fanny attempted to get the giant object back to Clint.

Natasha couldn't help but laugh. Then she noticed that just like last time, the place looked the same. As if the storm never happened.

Bruce must have seen her looking because he explained, "It doesn't matter how many storms hit. It always reverts back to the way it looked that night."

Natasha looked at him and noticed the sadness in his eyes. Before she could say anything to him the wind began to increase, blowing the snow in all directions.

"Ground blizzard," Tony yelled, carrying Fanny and running as everyone rushed to get inside the castle.

Bruce still had a hold of Natasha and they were the first ones in. He gently put her down as she clung to him. Her mind raced a million miles an hour wondering why this always seemed to happen when she was about to leave and a hint of panic knowing that she won't go home yet.

When everyone was inside all eyes turned to Natasha as Tony put Fanny on the ground and Morgan and Pepper came running in from the other room.

Natasha didn't want anyone to see her get emotional, so limped as fast as she could to the training room.

Once she reached her destination, she wrapped her hands and let out her anger, sadness and frustration on the nearest punching bag. When she was done and her injured foot had protested enough, she started crying.

Natasha felt a presence behind her, but she didn't stop her tears from flowing as she looked at who entered.

Bruce didn't say anything, he just hugged her when she allowed herself to collapse and cry in his arms.

Note: Poor Nat. :(

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