Hushed Willows furnace

wrap up..? :D <3

"You're worth the effort."  Now there was a sentence she'd never tire of hearing.  Stark spent a lot of time reassuring her, but hearing such sweet words from someone who wasn't related to her by blood gave them more meaning.  Buchanan's teasing words caused her to puff up her chest a touch and she turned her nose up at him in a show of faux-haughty playfulness.  They'll weep for days, she said with a huff.

It only took a fleeting moment for her mask to crack and her features were smoothed by a winning smile.  You can take 'em.  Hell, I can take 'em, she joked, not really knowing who "them" was.  Most likely it was anyone - or anything - who tried to get in between them.  Banner was incredibly proud of the man Buchanan had become and she knew she'd done quite a bit of growing herself.  Emotionally, of course, because there was no way the small female would grow another inch in her life.  She found she didn't mind being short, though, especially when she had nothing to fear here among the willow trees.

But for now, you can take me.. she trailed off, taking a hilariously inopportune moment to think if this was a good time to tell Stark or not.  The Alpha's reaction would be joyous, no doubt, but Banner selfishly wanted to have some time just for the two of them to enjoy their newfound status.  Hm.  Maybe.. oh!  It was then that her unfinished sentence suddenly clicked in her mind .. for a stroll! she rushed, eyes going wide in embarrssment.

Ah, some things would never change.