Their first public appearance is, oddly enough, at the Academy Awards. After the events of New York, a documentary had been put together, and now over a year later had been released and nominated for several awards. As a result, all the Avengers had been invited, and when Bruce had mentioned it (a little hesitantly), Donna had jumped at the chance to go. And, Bruce had to admit, as he watched her walk towards him, her hair sleek and shining, her dress rippling around her like water, flowing, her smile radiant as the sun, his heart skipped a beat. It was worth it to see his girl like that.
Walking the red carpet was a flurry of camera flashes, as the reporters hurled questions at the duo, trying to suss out whether or not they were a couple. At first, Donna walked at his side rather quietly, a little dazed, awed smile on her lips (“It’s bloody Meryl Streep, Bruce! I am breathing the same air as Meryl Streep!”), but it didn’t take long before she noticed the way his arm was tight around her waist and the way his jaw was clenched nervously. She smiled and leaned in, pecking him on the cheek, causing the flashbulbs of hundreds of cameras to go off as the photographers hurriedly clicked away to capture the moment.
“Doctor Banner! Doctor Banner! Who’s your lovely lady?”
“What’s your name, miss??”
“Are you a superhero too?”
Donna paid no mind to the reporters as she and Bruce shared a small, private smile. This was just for them. But the reporters refused to be ignored, and Donna took a deep breath and smiled, planted solidly at Bruce’s side, his warm hand a gentle anchor on her back, ready to face whatever was thrown at them. After all, she was beside him, and that was where she belonged.
