𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑?

PART 2: The Hoodie

INT. AVENGERS COMPOUND - GYM - DAY

NATASHA ROMANOFF stands alone in the gym at the Avengers Compound, her fists rhythmically pounding against the punching bag. The gym is quiet except for the steady thuds of her punches and the distant hum of machinery. Sweat drips down her brow, but her focus is elsewhere.

It's been a few days since the last time she saw Hulk on that screen, since he abruptly hung up on her. Since then, she's heard nothing. The silence is deafening. Her heart aches with every unanswered question. She punches harder, hoping to drive the pain away, but no matter how many times she hits the bag, she can't get him out of her head.

She replays the moment in her mind over and over—why did he end the call? Did he do it on purpose? Was he trying to disappear forever? The more she thinks about it, the more confused she becomes.

After what feels like hours, she's still in the gym, drenched in sweat and mentally exhausted. Her punches slow down, her arms heavy with fatigue. Just as she's about to stop, the gym door opens. CLINT BARTON leans casually against the doorframe, watching her with a sympathetic gaze.

CLINT
(teasing)
"You know, sparring's a lot more fun when you've got someone to punch back."

Natasha glances over, seeing Clint standing there with his usual laid-back attitude. She offers a weak smile, pausing her workout.

NATASHA
(sighing)
"Oh, hey, Clint. I thought you were headed to your family by now."

Natasha begins unwrapping the tape from her knuckles, putting away her boxing gloves while keeping her attention on their conversation.

CLINT
(grinning)
"Yeah I was... but I'm on my way to sign my retirement papers."

His words hit her harder than any punch could. The idea of Clint retiring—their team shrinking even more—makes her heart sink. She manages to keep her emotions in check, but the sadness is evident in her eyes.

NATASHA
(quietly)
"Right... well, say hi to little Nathaniel for me, will ya?"

Clint raises an eyebrow and smiles knowingly.

CLINT
"Why don't you say it yourself?"

Natasha looks up, confusion flickering across her face.

NATASHA
(skeptical)
"What are you saying?"

Clint steps forward, speaking with the warmth of someone who knows her better than most.

CLINT
"I'm saying... you need to get away from here for a bit. Take some time for yourself. This place... it's not helping you right now. Come to the farm with me."

Natasha's brow furrows, her first instinct is to resist. It feels too much like giving up.

NATASHA
(slightly defensive)
"So you're saying I should just give up?"

CLINT
(shaking his head)
"No. I'm saying it's just for a couple of days. Clear your head, get some space. It'll help."

Natasha leans against the punching bag, her mind racing. She knows he's right, but it's hard to admit. After a pause, she lets out a small laugh, shaking her head.

NATASHA
(sighing)
"You know... I hate it when you're right."

Clint grins.

CLINT
(playfully)
"So... that's a yes?"

Natasha chuckles lightly, nodding.

NATASHA
"Give me a minute, I'll pack my stuff."

Clint taps his fingers excitedly on the doorframe, his grin growing.

CLINT
"Sweet! I'll be outside."

INT. AVENGERS COMPOUND - HALLWAY - LATER

Natasha walks through the hallway, her bag slung over her shoulder. She's ready to leave, but as she passes a familiar door, she freezes. The nameplate on the door reads: BRUCE BANNER.

For a moment, she just stands there, staring at it. Her heart aches. She takes a deep breath, then makes a decision. She steps forward, turning the doorknob and slipping inside Bruce's room.

INT. BRUCE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

The room is mostly bare now, boxes stacked neatly in the corner, filled with Bruce's belongings. It's like he was never really there. The sight stirs something deep inside Natasha. The emptiness of the room matches the emptiness she feels in her chest.

She kneels down beside one of the boxes and lifts the lid. Inside, she sees familiar items: books, lab notes, and on top, a dark blue HOODIE—one that Bruce used to wear all the time.

Her fingers linger over the fabric, and she finds herself grabbing it before she can stop herself. Just as she slips it into her bag, she hears a car horn blaring from outside, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Natasha zips up her bag, her mind still lingering on Bruce as she leaves the room.

Natasha steps outside, blinking in the sunlight. CLINT is sitting in the driver's seat of his car, waiting patiently. He waves as she approaches. Without a word, she climbs into the car beside him, her bag resting on her lap.

Clint glances over at her, noticing the tension still lingering in her posture, but he says nothing. He knows she needs time. With a quiet smile, he starts the car, and they drive away from the compound, the weight of the past few days heavy on both of their minds.

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