Chapter 5

Natasha's POV

  I'm truly enjoying myself here in this foreign place with Bruce, having very little worries, being the most at ease I'll probably ever be in my entire life. This same aspect also applies to Bruce of course. We've never known what peace is like, but now, we finally get a small taste of it. Bruce and I are going into the village tomorrow to explore and do a little bit of shopping. It'll be a nice day out with the guy that I adore. Bruce and I are currently cuddling up on the couch watching some Italian soap opera, laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Ugh... how do some people stand to watch soap operas? THEY ARE HORRIBLE AND THE ACTING TENDS TO OVERALL SUCK IN THEM. 

 "Hey Nat, can I ask you something?" I look up at him and nod. "Are you okay with us only having a limited amount of sex, possibly none at all?" I look at him seriously. "Bruce, sex doesn't define a true relationship, love does. I would love to try to have sex sometime to see whether or not we could continue doing so, but if we couldn't, I'd still love you." I cover my mouth with my hands as I come to realize that I just said the words aloud, far too soon if you ask me. 

   Bruce looks at me in shock before smiling softly, biting his lip in a super sexy way. "Nat, you l-love me?" My heart melts hearing his adorable stutter. It doesn't come out often but when it does, I'm a puddle of feels. I know I don't sound like myself but I'm not. I truly become a different person on the rare occasions that I fall in love with someone, which happens to be Bruce now. I nod and smile at him. "I do love you Bruce." Without another word being exchanged, Bruce pulls me close to him and presses his lips on mine, leading to us sharing a gentle kiss. When we pull apart, Bruce leans his forehead against mine. "I love you too Natasha."

   I laugh nervously. "I never thought I'd utter those words again. I never thought I'd end up dating again, let alone falling in love. Those are two completely different things in my book." Bruce nods in agreement. "Well if it's any consolation, I never thought I would either. I thought that my disaster relationship with Betty was the defining point of my love life. It's still one of my demons that haunts me, but having you eases my demons quite a bit."  I squeeze his hands gently, indicating that he does the same for me as well.

 Two hours later...

   We decide to shower together and test the waters a bit in terms of seeing what Bruce and I are capable of doing without him Hulking out. I know Hulk wouldn't hurt me, but he would certainly destroy the place given his size and strength. A sad and guilty Hulk would be just as bad as an angry Hulk. Bruce and I are able to successfully do various sexual acts of pleasure, everything that is but regular sex itself because I saw green spots all over Bruce's body, but he didn't realize it. I want to tell him, but he's going to be shattered. I'm going to though because I'd rather be honest than lie, especially about something serious like sex. Most people wouldn't take it seriously, but we aren't most people. 

  After we get dressed, I take the advantage to summon Bruce over. "Bruce, I need to tell you something. It's something you're not going to like, but you need to know." Bruce frowns but sits down beside me on our bed. "What is it Nat?" I frown and sigh. "Hulk showed his colors a bit when we were... experimenting in the shower." Bruce frowns deeply. "I should have known this was going to happen. Hulk needs to accept that in addition to being his, you're also mine, mainly mine. I know he wouldn't hurt you, but the last thing I would want is for him to take over, destroy the place, and hurt you during sex due to his size and strength."

  I nod in agreement. "I have those same worries too." A moment of silence passes before Bruce looks at me sadly. "I'm sorry that we won't be able to have real, passionate, loving sex. I wish I could please you in the way that we both truly crave, but I can't risk it. I refuse to allow you to be in the path of potential destruction. Even though you're a strong woman and can fend for yourself, I'm still going to protect you because I love you Nat." 

  I pull him in for a hug, something I don't often initiate first. "Bruce, I don't need sex to be happy, I just need you. I love you. As long as we're together and still be romantic, that's all that matters to me." Bruce nods and hugs me back, though a little bit tighter than before. In the end, love is truly all we need to survive, even despite the hardships of it that can occur.

Hoped that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary