The first time Natasha Romanoff noticed you, you were covered in engine grease and arguing with Tony.
"Dad, if you reroute the arc stabilizer through the auxiliary drive, it'll overload in less than three seconds."
Tony Stark blinked. "I built that stabilizer."
"And I rebuilt it," you shot back.
From the doorway of the lab, Natasha crossed her arms, silently watching.
You were nothing like she expected.
Not spoiled.
Not delicate.
Not distracted by the fame.
You were focused. Brilliant. Dangerous in a way that didn't require weapons.
And Natasha noticed everything.
Later that night, you were still in the workshop long after everyone else had gone upstairs. Music hummed softly from your phone. Sparks flew as you adjusted the repulsor gauntlet prototype.
"You're going to burn yourself."
You jumped, nearly dropping your wrench.
Natasha leaned casually against the doorframe, black tactical suit hugging her frame like a second skin. She looked amused.
"You spy on everyone, or just me?" you asked.
"I observe assets," she corrected smoothly.
"Asset?" You smirked. "Is that what I am?"
Her eyes darkened slightly. "You're Stark's greatest vulnerability."
The air shifted.
You stepped closer. "Or maybe I'm his greatest weapon."
Silence.
Slowly, Natasha pushed off the doorframe and approached. Close. Too close.
Up close, she smelled like gunpowder and something softer — vanilla, maybe.
"You shouldn't be in this building during missions," she said quietly. "It's not safe."
You held her gaze. "You don't think I can handle myself?"
"I think," she murmured, eyes flicking to your lips for a split second, "you don't know what kind of enemies Stark has."
You swallowed.
"And you do?"
She stepped even closer, her voice dropping.
"I am one."
Your breath caught.
But instead of stepping away, you leaned in just slightly.
"Then why are you still here?"
For the first time, Natasha hesitated.
And that's when you realized—
The Black Widow wasn't immune to you either.
