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Beth and Bruce went to a local diner for lunch, where children awed at the size of Bruce's body and parents sent apologetic glances to him as they wrangled their children away.

"You're pretty popular," teased Beth.

Bruce shrugged. "I manage."

She rolled her eyes. "So modest."

They took a moment of silence to look over the menu before ordering. The waitress seemed to be a fan of the Hulk, and Beth could tell by the way her eyes widened all over his large body.

"How are you today?" asked Beth.

"I think I'm good today," he answered. "It's weird not having Kasia with me, but she thought I was ready."

Beth hummed. "Must be nice."

"You could always summon one."

She shook her head. "I don't know. I don't think it's the right move for me. I'm getting by, and I think that's enough. I have dinner with Clint and Laura and the kids once a week, and it's always refreshing to see them. None of us realized just how bad Clint was after we... Well, you know. I train recruits every other day with Sam, and I consider him my friend now. I see you often, so that's a plus. Can't forget about Kasia either. I love her. Sorry, I'm ranting."

"It's okay," he reassured. "I don't have many people to talk to in a relaxing way. Kasia is constantly in my mind, so she can just say whatever she wants and I'll hear it. The Avengers are practically gone. The originals, at least. You're like the last remaining member."

"Honorary," she corrected. "But yes. The Avengers, huh? The originals will be missed. In the end, Thanos got what he wanted, right? In a sense, he wanted the world to change, and it did. We're all survivors, but we're not living. It's hard to find a reason to live."

"Have you found a reason?"

She smiled weakly. "I think I found a reason to try, but not quite live yet. I try for Clint and Laura, but I think I'm mainly trying for Natasha. Don't tell Clint. But, God, the years she spent trying to just live without guilt. It was hard for her. All she wanted was a family, and she had that with the Avengers, but she really wanted a kid. I love her, Bruce, and it hurts to just not have her. I put her through shit by disappearing for five years."

"Not like you had a choice."

"No, I didn't, but still. I never even got to see her one last time." Beth cleared her throat, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "All I can do is try my best to make the world a better place."

Bruce and Beth smiled at each other. It was a weak, soft smile, but it said enough for the two of them. They had both lost a lot. They wouldn't move too quickly with their relationship because they barely had one. Their time together would be slow and hesitant because they were once more attempting on finding out who they were after losing so much of themselves.

She wasn't expecting him to love her, and she was all right with that. She didn't need a man to love her, but she would welcome it if it was from him.

He wasn't sure how to love. It had never worked out in the past before, but he knew there was something there in his heart for her. Whenever she wasn't paying attention, he'd look at her until she noticed and then he would look away shyly.

Yes, there was something there for the both of them once they were ready.