"Empty." Wanda whispered.
"Desolate." I agreed.
"Do you think he is okay?" Wanda asked.
"He has seven PhD's... one of them is bound to come in useful eventually." I sighed, sitting down on the nearby bench.
SHIELD had invested the time and money to haul the jet out of water.
"Sorry I should have thought before I opened my mouth-" Wanda apologised.
"Don't worry. If Bruce needs saving he better hope it isn't me saving him. He wouldn't be to happy to see me if I find him." I said.
"It's been a month ______." Wanda whispered softly, sitting beside me.
"And each passing day hurts more than the last." I sighed, refusing to cry again for Bruce.
"It will get better I promise." she said, hugging me to her.
I could only hope.
- - - -
Bruce's POV
I looked at the crumpled, water damaged photograph of _______ for the seventh time that day.
Not a day goes by when I didn't think about her.
Her voice.
Her smile.
Her laugh.
They plagued my thoughts.
But not once did I wish for them to leave.
I begged them to stay.
I-
I was pulled out my thoughts at a familiar voice.
"We should at least try some of the local food before we head back home."
My heart stopped.
It jumped.
It flipped.
It skipped several beats.
I rushed to the door of the small shack I was residing in.
Solitary.
It's the best for me.
"______?" I spoke when I opened the door.
The woman turned around to face me but it wasn't ______.
Her two friends gave me odd looks before turning and continuing on their way.
My mind truly was playing tricks.
"It won't harm to have a little look around, scope out the place. You'll feel better knowing this place is safe for Br-" the familiar Sokovian accent played out but it was halted when they rounded the corner.
"B-bruce?" came the angelic voice.
"______?" I asked, walking at a quick pace to reach her.
I didn't care about escaping.
I didn't care that it was best I was alone.
I didn't care that I had come here to escape myself.
She was here.
______ was standing right in fron-
A sharp pain seared through my left cheek.
My hand recoiled straight up to hold my cheek.
"How could you." she cried, her eyes flooding with tears.
"I-" I started.
"You left me. You broke all communication. You abandoned the team. You left. You-" she stopped herself, pacing in a small circle.
"I'm a danger to people. To you." I said, my hand falling to my side.
I deserved the slap.
"You didn't have to abandon everything. We could have worked through it all together. I could have hel-" she stopped again.
"______-" I started.
"You broke my heart Bruce." she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
And that's what broke my shell further.
"Don't you dare do it Bruce! I know that look! Don't you dare turn away and into yourself. Don't push me out anymore than you already have!" she cried desperately.
I couldn't leave her again.
But I couldn't go back.
I needed some time.
I need to make sure I'm safe.
I can't put her in harms way again.
"I can't come home... at least not yet." I said, when greeted by a harsh gaze.
"If you think your a danger to me your wrong. I can protect myself Bruce." she said.
She knew me so well.
But she had grown so cold and so distant.
"I will come home... I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep." she laughed dryly, almost sarcastically.
"I intend to keep this one. I will return home... I don't know how long it will take but I will come home to you... if you will wait for me that is?" I spoke, uncertainly.
"W-" Wanda started but stopped when _______ rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around me.
"Promise me you'll come home." she whispered.
"I promise with all my heart." I replied, kissing her forehead softly.
I will return home to you my love... eventually.
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(I really hope you like it! Sorry for the long wait in the request!
Love,
Phoebe xx)