⁀➷

Bruce watched Beth and Sam train S.H.I.E.L.D. recruits through a window. Kasia was perched on top of his head, tail swishing behind her as she watched Beth.

"Meow."

"I'm not going to ask her out," said Bruce.

The feline ignored him completely, choosing to berate him in his mind instead. She was invested in his relationship with Beth and she was not going to let Bruce ruin a chance at a healthy relationship because he was too afraid.

Beth waved goodbye to Sam and the recruits, slinging a towel over her shoulder as she drank from a water bottle. She was covered in sweat that was no doubt combined with other sweaty people she had been sparring with.

She wasn't an Avenger back then, and still wasn't because she claimed there was too much pressure. She could hold her own in fights, but being known to the public wasn't ideal for her.

Beth walked through the door, stopping in place when she felt something soft around her legs. She looked down, cooing at the sight of Kasia.

The feline purred.

"Hey, Bruce, what are you doing here?" asked Beth.

"Uh..." He was awkwardly standing by the window. "Nothing at all."

"So you weren't watching Sam and I train?" she teased. Noticing his flabbergasted face, she shook her head. "Hey, I was teasing you. Don't worry about it. Wanna get lunch? Promise it'll be something other than tacos."

Bruce glanced down at Kasia who said something to him. "Sure, that sounds good."

Beth smiled. "Great! Is Kasia coming?"

"No, she says she's gonna stay here," answered Bruce.

Beth bent down and scratched Kasia's head. "I'll bring something back for you."

"Meow."

"Give me ten minutes to change. Is that cool?" asked Beth.

"Yeah, it's...cool. Wait, who says cool nowadays?" retorted Bruce.

Beth shrugged, a sheepish smile on her face. "Clint's my brother. Do I need to say anything else?"

"I guess not. How is Clint?"

"He's coping. I think if he didn't have Laura and his kids, he wouldn't be. We all cope in different ways. How do you cope?"

They began walking toward Beth's room unconsciously.

"If I didn't have Kasia, I wouldn't be able to," be answered.

Beth smiled, resting her hand on Bruce's arm. "That's all it really takes."

He glanced down at her hand on his arm. "Uh..."

"Sorry," she said, taking her hand off. "I have no concept for personal space."

She wasn't Natasha, but she was someone he felt comfortable talking to, and that was a rare thing to find in a recovering economy and relationships.