A/N: I've been procrastinating putting this story up for months because it's my first foray into the Marvel Universe and it always feels weird starting in a new fandom. Plus I know a lot of people hate this ship, but when I saw the movie I thought, "I could work with that."

Most people have an idea where Bruce wound up after Age of Ultron, so this is AU after that. The truth is, my uncle wrote a beautiful novel about an ex-con on the run finding redemption in upstate Maine and that somehow inspired me to write about the Hulk chopping wood.

May he never find this. (lol)

Prologue

"Thanks so much for the photos, Laura." Natasha had her cell phone cradled against her shoulder as she flipped through the stack of snapshots, mostly of little Nathaniel who was getting fatter by the day. "And the cookies. I'll have to hide them from Tony and Steve or I won't get to taste a single one."

Laura's laugh echoed through the speaker. "They almost didn't make it into the package. I had to threaten Clint with a spatula to keep him from sneaking a few."

"He probably still managed to snag one."

"Probably." Laura laughed again.

Natasha glanced around, looking for a place to put the photos down, settling for the end of her bed.

The rooms at the newly christened "Avengers Academy" were decently sized, but still a far cry from the large apartments Stark had given everyone back at the tower. Natasha didn't bother to keep many things here, just the bare minimum. Her bed, a desk and chair, a couple lamps. A small chest of drawers. Other than her clothes and toiletries, that was all she needed.

Natasha was currently sitting at her desk with the box Laura sent placed on her lap. Even though she and Laura were of similar ages, their experiences had left the two miles apart emotionally. Laura couldn't seem to help to mother her, as if Natasha was another one of her children. She sent her little care packages each month like Natasha imagined she would do someday when Cooper left for college.

There was usually baked goods included in the package, because clearly Natasha couldn't be trusted to feed herself, and physical pictures of Cooper, Lila, and little Nate because Laura hated everything being digital. Cooper and Lila usually included drawings and letters, sometimes a leaf or a flower or a rock of some kind.

"Hey, um, I wanted to warn you about Lila's drawing," Laura said. "I know it's kind of a touchy subject."

Natasha could see the edge of a picture peeking out from underneath the tin of cookies and slid it out. The stick figure on the right was recognizable as Natasha by the red hourglass on her dress and a red scribble of hair. The other figure was large and green and unmistakably the Hulk. Right in between them was a bright red heart.

Laura was apologetic. "I tried to talk her out of sending it but she was really insistent."

Natasha sighed as she stared at the drawing. "It's fine, Laura. She's just a kid. It isn't a big deal. I'm over it."

"Not sure I believe you," Laura said finally.

Natasha really hated that, how well Laura knew her. Clint knew her as well but would keep his mouth shut most of the time when it came to serious things. He just tortured her about the small things, like an annoying little brother.

"Laura, I'm fine. Bruce made a choice and I respect that. I've moved on. I have things to do, teaching the new recruits, etc. Of course, I wish he was around sometimes, if only to keep Stark quiet, but I'm not pining. I just miss my friend."

"I still think you're in denial."

"And I still think having all those kids has scrambled your brain."

Laura laughed and Natasha leaned back in her chair. Whenever she talked to Laura she felt strangely normal. She'd never had a girlfriend before, not a real one. Hadn't thought she ever would.

She genuinely wasn't mad at Bruce anymore. Natasha had grown to know him well enough over the past couple years to not be shocked at how everything ended. When Bruce didn't know how to deal with his emotions, he didn't. He held everything inside and ran until he could figure it out.

She really should have expected it. It had just been too fast for him. Their friendship had grown and after the 'lullaby' started working she'd thought maybe Bruce was ready.

Apparently, he wasn't.

If his running was only about her, Natasha wished she could have told him it wasn't necessary. She was used to disappointment and could take a hint, being

perfectly capable and willing to simply being his friend.

"Tell Lila I love the picture," Natasha said abruptly, getting up and sliding the box onto the desk. She dug through a drawer for a thumbtack and stuck the picture up on the wall across from her bed.

"I will," Laura promised.

The door burst open and Tony stumbled in. He was panting and his eyes were all wild. "GUESS WHAT I FOUND?"

Natasha heaved a sigh. "Laura, I have to go. Tony the Toddler needs to be reminded about knocking before entering."

Laura laughed. "Talk to you later."

Natasha ended the call and crossed her arms. Tony was bouncing back and forth on his feet like a toddler who needed to urinate. "I don't suppose it was your maturity," she deadpanned.

"Better. I found Banner."

Natasha's facial expression didn't change, but inside her stomach began twisting. "Where?" she asked. Her voice betrayed nothing. She wasn't sure what she was feeling.

"Some nowhere town in Maine." Tony flopped down on her bed. She would kill him later for that. "And you're not going to believe what he's asking for."