Marvel Cinematic Universe, Natasha Romanov/Bruce Banner, 5 recs
In celebration of the Marvelous Month of May, I bring you recs for my favourite Marvel rare pair: Natasha Romanov (Black Widow) and Bruce Banner (Hulk).
All of these stories were written before Age of Ultron.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Superpowers
Author: websandwhiskers
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Word Count/WIP?: 4,113/no
Special Rec: 4 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: A very early Natasha/Bruce fic, this is the lead in to a great series of stories about their relationship. It's from an outside POV (Darcy, master of snark), yet it captures so well their common darkness and the connection it creates.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Com Limon Y Sal
Author: Lacina
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Word Count/WIP?: 12,018 /no
Special Rec: 5 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: One of the very best Natasha/Bruce stories, a truly gorgeous take on their relationship, with a side of Clint that's achy and lovely. In a slow burn, it builds through a three stage evolution, from fear to trust, to affection, to love.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Take the Risk
Author: Closer
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17 (mentions of abuse in background story)
Word Count/WIP?: 14,346 /no, but it is part of a larger multi-ship series
Special Rec: 6 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: I love MCU stories with lots of TEAM! feels. I also love sweet romantic feels. This story has both. It's a very enjoyable Bruce PoV story of his connection with Natasha... two people who don't feel worthy of a relationship, yet who suit each other so well.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: i will follow
Author: dustbear
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Word Count/WIP?: 7,178 /no, but it is part of a larger multi-ship series
Special Rec: 7 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: The “Bruce runs; Natasha follows” trope is one of the classics in this fandom. Dustbear does a great job with it, creating a very cute story of Bruce on the run. Natasha follows and he falls. Sweet and realistic fluff, considering their issues.
Bonus Rec:
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Heart for the Status Quo
Author: inalasahl
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Word Count/WIP?: 2,787 /no
Why This Must Be Read: A departure from my previous recs, this is an AU - teen!avengers. I don't usually go in for AUs, but inalasahl has scrafted a wonderful tale imagining that Bruce and Natasha met through a mission as teens and won me over completely.
All of these stories were written before Age of Ultron.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Superpowers
Author: websandwhiskers
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG
Word Count/WIP?: 4,113/no
Special Rec: 4 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: A very early Natasha/Bruce fic, this is the lead in to a great series of stories about their relationship. It's from an outside POV (Darcy, master of snark), yet it captures so well their common darkness and the connection it creates.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Com Limon Y Sal
Author: Lacina
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Word Count/WIP?: 12,018 /no
Special Rec: 5 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: One of the very best Natasha/Bruce stories, a truly gorgeous take on their relationship, with a side of Clint that's achy and lovely. In a slow burn, it builds through a three stage evolution, from fear to trust, to affection, to love.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Take the Risk
Author: Closer
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17 (mentions of abuse in background story)
Word Count/WIP?: 14,346 /no, but it is part of a larger multi-ship series
Special Rec: 6 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: I love MCU stories with lots of TEAM! feels. I also love sweet romantic feels. This story has both. It's a very enjoyable Bruce PoV story of his connection with Natasha... two people who don't feel worthy of a relationship, yet who suit each other so well.
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: i will follow
Author: dustbear
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Word Count/WIP?: 7,178 /no, but it is part of a larger multi-ship series
Special Rec: 7 of 30
Why This Must Be Read: The “Bruce runs; Natasha follows” trope is one of the classics in this fandom. Dustbear does a great job with it, creating a very cute story of Bruce on the run. Natasha follows and he falls. Sweet and realistic fluff, considering their issues.
Bonus Rec:
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Natasha Romanov / Bruce Banner
Title: Heart for the Status Quo
Author: inalasahl
Link: here @ AO3
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Word Count/WIP?: 2,787 /no
Why This Must Be Read: A departure from my previous recs, this is an AU - teen!avengers. I don't usually go in for AUs, but inalasahl has scrafted a wonderful tale imagining that Bruce and Natasha met through a mission as teens and won me over completely.