He didn’t say anything more, just pulled her back into his arms, and Natasha thought that maybe they would be okay. He was willing to be there for her, to do whatever she ultimately thought was best, so she had to be willing to do the same. She had to be willing to consider other options, and to not let her fear make the decision for her. This doctor would be able to give her a completely unbiased opinion, unlike those in the past, and that could be worth everything.

For what felt like a long time they just stood like that in silence before she finally stirred in his arms. Leaning back she looked up to him, trying to convey with that look just how grateful she was for him, how much she loved and appreciated him. Stepping up on her tip toes she placed a brief kiss on his lips before finally releasing the death grip she had had on his shirt.

“I’m going to get a bath. You can join me if you want,” she said. It was an offer if he wanted to, if he wanted the close comfort, but not a request if he would rather continue his training or do his own thing. “But afterwards we are both going to eat something.”