Bruce hadn't been kidding when he'd mentioned chocolates - somehow the larger basket just made the situation worse. Because that massive treasure chest of candy meant he understood just how upset she was - Bruce understood what he'd done had in fact hurt her. God, if he'd just wandered back in like nothing had happened it would have been easier. She could just assume he was a complete idiot and Dr. Banner would never have to have known how she'd really felt. Natasha wasn't used to people knowing how she felt - it was unnerving.
Before he'd arrived she'd nearly hid the tissues, she'd contemplated drying her face... but it seemed futile. Bruce would have just found his way back in, he'd had her number since the first time they'd met. And on cue he did exactly the right thing to get her in the feels.
When he extended his hand, Natasha, well, she stared at it for a moment, and then placed her used tissue into his palm. "Thanks." She added, then quickly snatched another from the box between her crossed legs and lightly dabbed her cheeks. She was careful not to look directly into his dark, over-sized eyes. They tempted her more than anything in that bundle of store-bought Godiva confections. Like Medusa in reverse, one solid shot from his deep wells of emotional expression could wake Black Widow from her four months trapped in stone.
"Why now - why four months?" She wondered out loud, not that it mattered - she probably just wanted him to put his foot in his mouth. Bolster her position of anger against Bruce's withering offense of pity and adorable self-loathing. If he said something stupid she could get mad all over again. But honestly, she did want to know why. Why had his self-exile come to a close now? Why hadn't he just dropped her a line and asked her to come to him? Somewhere warm, away from the bullshit around here.