⁀➷

Even with Hulk at bay in his mind, Bruce felt angry at times. He was angry at himself for letting Natasha go. He couldn't believe she was gone. She was the smartest, capable woman he knew. That was why he knew she did what had to be done, but it didn't make it any easier on him.

A soft purring snapped him out of his daze. He looked up from his notes that had barely been touched since he stepped foot into the lab at the compound.

The compound was the last piece he had that reminded him of Natasha, so he choose to stay there.

"Hey, Kasia," he greeted as the feline jumped onto the table.

She meowed, nudging her head against his hand. She purred, eyes closing at their contact. She leaned away, sitting on her butt and blinking up at him with her large yellow eyes.

"Up to anything new lately?"

She came and went as she pleased, but she spent most of her time with Bruce. She was often there to snap him out of a daze whenever he began to blame himself. She was always there whenever he fell asleep, which was rarely. He was used to staying up for multiple hours or even days, and wouldn't even realize how much time had passed.

He had only seen her human form once, and it was when he first summoned her. Marigold congratulated him, smacking him on the back as she said, "A cat! That makes perfect sense."

Kasia didn't speak out loud unless she was in her human form. Most times, she didn't have to say anything because he could understand her based on feeling alone. Their souls were connected now.

She blinked and her head fell to the side.

"Chasing Pixies again?" he questioned. "That's dangerous."

A beat.

"Game or not, one day, they may sprinkle a little dust on you and you may go flying."

Kasia tilted her head back up and gave him an unimpressed face.

"Oh - come on, don't give me that look," he retorted, tapping her head with the ballpoint pen in his hand.

"Meow."

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "I'll eat when I finish this paper."

"Meow."

"Hey, it's very interesting. It's about enhanced mutants. I even have a contact at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngers," added Bruce.

She hissed quietly.

"Fine, I'll eat a snack."