Chapter Text
When Black Widow first met Captain America, she said playfully, "It was quite the buzz around here, finding you in the ice. I thought Coulson was gonna swoon."
After checking out Steve Rogers carefully, Natasha Romanoff couldn't help but think, I can understand why.
.
Prologue
.
Captain America was a natural-born leader and inspired everyone to be better simply by being around him. Besides being an expert tactician and an experienced field commander, his enhanced abilities gave him unmatched advantages — all valuable skills when navigating through the intricacies of government agencies like SHIELD and the Army. Those same qualities made him the one able to guide the Avengers — definitely not an easy group to handle. It was his job to ensure that they worked as a team, and he cared about them, so the Captain watched over the Avengers.
Steve Rogers was a man from the past, struggling to find his place in the present. Unsure about modern relationships and behavior, the living legend lived a very solitary life. However, from the first time they met, he couldn't help but watch Natasha Romanoff. The artist in him had been captivated by her hair shining like fire under the sunlight. Looking distant and confident, the Redhead gave him a glance that could have made a lesser man falter. Not that he would ever brag about it, but the Blond was used to being admired. Yet, somehow, her scrutinizing eyes made him feel… different.
She sure knew how to use her words and said nonchalantly, "It's going to get a little hard to breathe." More than any woman that had passed through his life before, Natasha took his breath away. With the grace of a ballerina, she moved ahead, guiding him to the Helicarrier's bridge. Steve couldn't deny that every movement, every gesture, drew him in.
Black Widow was in action, spreading her web to catch Captain America and observe him, to understand him better. Then, for a brief moment, she turned to check on him, as if unsure of the effect she had. A tiny chink in her perfectly well-fortified armor was enough for him to notice a different side of the Spy. A glimpse in her eyes combined with a pulsing vein on her forehead — a flash of… Curiosity? That was truly unexpected and made him pay Nick Fury ten bucks — not that the Director of SHIELD would ever know the actual reason. The old spy had bet the Soldier would be surprised by the modern world, but anyone who had the chance to know the man behind the hero would learn that it was the people, not the things, who marveled Steve Rogers.
Besides being different from anyone he had met before, she was also beyond fascinating. Working together, he quickly learned that Agent Romanoff was exceptional. Her skills had been accurately described in her file, but it was the woman inside — the one she fought so hard to conceal — who captured his interest and invaded his dreams. Attractive as she was, Natasha was far from the cold persona she projected, and that was what drew him in.
A former top member of the secret KGB Academy, the Red Room, Black Widow was also a legend, but for very different reasons. She had made an impressive name for herself by the age of 21, before being recruited by SHIELD in 2006. The master Spy, unmatched in covert operations and equally adept at hacking, quickly became Nick Fury's number one agent and later the only female Avenger.
However, Natasha Romanoff lived under the shadow of her infamous moniker. A professed loner, she had little interest in social interactions, except with fellow SHIELD Agent Clint Barton — her partner and best friend.
Until the Avengers.
Until she met Captain America.
Despite his sweet awkwardness around her, Steve Rogers was a mystery she couldn't decipher. The Super-Soldier had been the first straight man who seemed immune to her charms and respected her as a person. That was why he caught her attention, and, frankly, she found herself wanting to be near him — working, sparring, and learning from his vast experience. The Spy also saw him dealing with other people with absolute class and professionalism. But still keeping everyone at a certain distance, the Soldier remained alone. While everybody fancied the superhero, she was interested in understanding the man behind the shield — a far more complex fish-out-of-water than she had been when she came from Russia.
AVENGERS TOWER – DECEMBER 2012
The first opportunity for a closer look came after a team meeting.
When Tony Stark asked everyone to attend a ball to benefit New York victims after the battle with the Chitauri, the nearly imperceptible tension in Captain America's body did not go unnoticed by Black Widow — who always paid close attention to their leader.
As soon as the others left, she approached quietly. "What's wrong, Cap? Don't you like parties?"
Her directness caught him off guard, and he blurted it out before he could stop himself. "I don't know how to dance."
"I can teach you," she offered, neither pitying nor teasing.
BLACK WIDOW'S FLOOR
Sometime later, Natasha invited Steve to her private dance space.
"Just one flight of stairs," came her voice from above, light and inviting.
After the Battle of New York, Iron Man had envisioned the five founding Avengers sharing a common floor. On paper, it was perfect — collaborative spaces, open living areas, sleek and efficient. But reality hit fast. One late-night incident involving yet another of Barton's forgotten quivers and a very angry Bruce Banner left the living room in ruins. Strong personalities and volatile abilities made the shared-floor plan unworkable.
Since money and resources were never an issue, Stark pivoted. Each Avenger was given the front half of an entire floor, facing Park Avenue. The rear sections housed training decks and team facilities — keeping work and private life balanced, and the superkids safely out of each other's blast radius.
At Romanoff's suggestion, the floors were organized alphabetically: Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, and Thor. Her reasoning for placing herself at the top? Proximity to the hangar — the quickest escape route if needed. Absolutely nothing to do with having Rogers' floor just below hers. Not at all.
"JARVIS, please, play Michael Bublé. Be right back, Cap."
Intrigued by the shy and respectful Soldier, the Spy couldn't miss the chance for a test.
The music filled the ample space, and he admired the suave melodies when she returned, wearing a pin-up dress she had used at a vintage-themed party some time ago — a navy-blue taffeta evening gown, with a low heart-neck, puffed sleeves, and a merry-go-round skirt.
His jaw dropped in awe, and he couldn't find his voice, unable to stop himself from looking her up and down. She's a knockout.
The Spy was pleased to be the one who finally got a reaction out of the always-collected Captain. He's a red-blooded man after all…
Her gorgeous green eyes seemed to hold him captive as she stared and asked candidly, "Anything wrong with the dress?"
Visibly ashamed, he clarified, "No! Wow! It's… You're beautiful, ma'am."
"Thanks. And it's Natasha. You need to learn it the right way. Shall we?"
"I… Thank you." After a brief hesitation, he followed her to the center of the room as she explained what she was going to teach him. He tried to concentrate on her words, but her proximity sent his heart racing. She's a rare dish… all dolled up… Thoughts he couldn't stop — though he wouldn't cross any line. Don't be a meatball, Rogers. She's a teammate, doing me a favor. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I hope I don't embarrass myself too much in front of you."
"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She smiled mysteriously.
Waiting for instructions, he stood uncertain, but she knew exactly what to do. "JARVIS, start with the slow dancing songs." She placed his hand on her waist while speaking to distract him. "Do you like the music?"
Although he was still tense, he didn't feel uncomfortable. "Yes, it sounds almost familiar."
"Classic songs with new arrangements. Clint calls it cheesy."
Working more closely with the Avengers, the Soldier quickly had seen that the Archer and the Spy were like siblings — contrary to the nasty rumors around them. A small laugh escaped him. "Knowing his music taste, I'm not surprised."
Graceful and skilled, she was patient and encouraging. "Feel the movements. It's like a choreographed fight, just slower."
Once he got past the initial clumsiness, he focused on the lessons, revealing himself to be a quick learner — not a real surprise, given his coordinated athletic body, a spy's smoothness, and an artist's soul. Visibly more relaxed, he praised, "You're such a cloud walker."
She frowned with a smirk. "A what?"
"Sorry," he chuckled, a little embarrassed. Realizing that a modern woman like her wouldn't understand his outdated expressions, he added, "I mean… you're a great dancer."
"Ah, thanks."
They laughed, danced, and talked for hours, stopping only for drinks and snacks. Slow songs meant romance, and it felt like the respectful, normal first date neither of them had experienced before.
Keeping her usual cool façade, Natasha was secretly surprised at how at ease she felt with Steve. He was the perfect gentleman, and she couldn't recall meeting one, especially with his godly body and deep blue eyes. She couldn't help being charmed by this sweet side of him, realizing she had never seen him so relaxed. Above all, she was caught unprepared for the feelings he evoked inside her. For the first time, Black Widow allowed herself to see him as someone other than the icon called Captain America.
Steve Rogers is a very handsome young man. Be careful, Natalia Romanova… You're thinking some very dangerous thoughts.
It was quite late, and he was finally comfortable with the rhythm, so she asked, "One more before we call it a night? Lead away, Captain."
Smiling softly, he nodded. "Please, call me Steve."
Turns out that having Natasha in his arms was almost natural for him — they fit together. He tightened his hold on her as they got carried away by the beautiful song.
Interestingly enough, some words resonated more than others.
"…only fools… falling in love… shall I stay… with you…"
The melodious voice filled the room, and Natasha's eyes slowly fell to Steve's full lips. Even for the aloof Spy, it was hard not to feel affected. It had been a long time since she had anyone this close, but she cast her eyes down discreetly.
"…darling… meant to be… take my hand… my whole life…"
Everything was just perfect, and the Soldier realized he was in deep trouble. He had been attracted to her before, but after today, he was hooked without any escape… or hope.
"…I can't help… falling in love… with you…"
The song wound down, leaving the room tenderly quiet. He knew he had never seen anyone more beautiful. They separated, and the Blond said sincerely, "This is a swell song."
"A hit from the 60s by Elvis Presley," the Redhead explained. "Now that you're a pro at slow dancing, I can show you other ballroom styles. We can try again tomorrow if you're free."
"Ah… Yes, I'm free. Thanks for helping me, Natasha."
"You did a good job, Steve."
With more lessons, by the end of the week, he had learned a few simple dance styles, and they were more comfortable around each other.
Proud, she praised him, "You're a natural."
"I have the best teacher," he replied with gratitude, kissing her hand.
This time, Natasha could feel a faint pink color rising in her cheeks. Without missing a beat, she teased him, "Ready to face the ladies at the gala?"
It worked like a charm. Steve blushed instantly, and she smirked, "Don't worry, you'll be fine."
STARK MANSION – MONDAY, 31 – NEW YEAR'S EVE
To have the boys all dressed up appropriately, Pepper Potts, Tony's partner and CEO of Stark Industries, had called tailors to make customized tuxedos, and jewelers to bring cufflinks, tie clips, and watches. For the ladies, they provided luxurious pieces of jewelry and haute couture gowns. That was one of the privileges of living under Stark's shelter — they didn't need to go shopping. Stylists arrived with clothes, models, and everything else. The ultimate celebrity lifestyle.
On the gala night, Natasha wore a black, off-the-shoulder satin gown with a curve-accentuating style. Her hair was arranged in soft waves, and her makeup highlighted her striking green eyes and full lips. The overall effect was classic, glamorous, and utterly captivating.
"You look beautiful." Wearing a classic black set, Steve offered his arm.
"Thanks. The tux fits you perfectly, too."
They were heading to the group table when the band started to play a lovely tune. He asked, "Would you do me the honor of allowing me this dance?"
She nodded with a smile, and the Avengers duo made his first public dance more than memorable.
As the night progressed, Stark and Barton teased that the Captain was getting all the older ladies' attention. Back in her unapproachable state, Romanoff observed everything from a safe distance. With his polite, chivalrous manner and movie-star looks, Rogers danced the whole time, making the Avengers New Year's Eve Charity Ball a huge success.
2013
From then on, Steve and Natasha's relationship changed completely.
They ended up working together more frequently, learning to trust each other as partners. The similarities they shared made it easier — both private people, always putting work first throughout their careers. Their differences, however, were what made their bond unique. The Soldier and the Spy had complementary skills that strengthened one another.
As an unexpected result of their partnership, they began questioning their own lives and what they truly wanted.
Steve's quest was simple — he wanted to know the real Natasha.
Used to being feared, the Redhead was taken aback by how easily the Blond was opening up to her, trusting her. Gradually, she started to break down her barriers, learning to trust him in return. Although the Russian woman could mask her emotions perfectly, she worried about him being lonely and decided to help the Brooklyn guy adapt to modern life.
Despite appearing an odd duo, they found surprising relief in relying on each other, realizing that their well-oiled working relationship had blossomed into a more intimate friendship.
During a mission, they were on board the Aven-jet approaching their target.
Steve was about to jump when Natasha asked, "Did you do anything fun Saturday night?"
He looked surprised, unsure what she meant. "Well, all the guys from my barbershop quartet are dead, so, no, not really."
She teased, playing matchmaker. "You know, if you ask Kristen out, from Statistics, she'd probably say yes."
Trying to hide his disappointment, he was straightforward. "That's why I don't ask."
Black Widow kept pressing, "Too shy or too scared?"
"Too busy!" he answered, skydiving into the ocean — without a parachute, because Captain America didn't need one.
After another successful operation, the Avengers duo was leaving SHIELD when he took a chance. "Are you doing anything fun tonight?"
"Just thinking about relaxing and catching a movie." That was her way to unwind after a tough day. He looked so handsome and… lonely that she couldn't resist. "You can join me if you're not too busy," she offered, winking playfully.
"I'm never busy for you, Nat," he replied with a broad smile.
Jumping on his bike, Steve followed Natasha's car back to Avengers Tower for their first movie date.
.
NEXT MOVIE: Sunshine (2007)
.
Author's note: Thanks for reading!
Steve and Natasha's journey through Chris Evans' movies is just about to begin.
But don't worry if you haven't seen them — you don't even need to remember every MCU film. The Avengers (2012), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), and Iron Man 2 (2010) — the foundation of the Chris Crush Universe — will come up when it matters, along with a few others, and I'll always give you the context you need. But if anything ever feels confusing, please let me know — I'd be glad to fix it!
I had such a blast watching all of Chris' movies while putting this story together. Maybe it'll tempt you to check out a few yourself. And if you've seen any of them, please tell me if I did it justice.
This story was first inspired by San Diego Comic-Con (2013) interviews about Captain America and Black Widow's relationship in the upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). As a huge Marvel fan, I wanted to pay homage to the incredible writers who created and developed these characters over decades. Whenever possible, I drew from comics, cartoons, and movies — the richest sources of inspiration I could ask for. If you're interested, you'll find references at the end of each chapter.
A heartfelt thanks to my dear friends and beta readers — Winterbeauti, who started this journey with me back in 2013, and Lovedrr, who has been helping me since 2014! Please take a moment to check out their amazing stories.
And finally, your feedback is what keeps me going. So if you enjoyed this, please leave a comment — they truly mean the world to me.
Love you all,
~Mari
Writing is a solitary labor of love. Please support our authors by leaving a review!
Chris Crush (main) is the first installment of the series, which includes Love Scenes, Avengers, Family, and more. Its sequel, Can We Hear It Again?, and the prequel, Steve Rogers: Through the Seasons of Christmas, are already underway.
P.S. Updates: This chapter was originally posted in August 2013 (950 words), expanded in January 2014 (2,920 words, adding the dance and Quinjet scenes after the CA:TWS trailer) and in October 2014 (with Natasha's thoughts about Steve from the comics). It was later revised in April 2020 (3,340 words), July 2022 (3,370 words), and September 2025 (3,830 words) to include details of the Tower layout and refresh the notes as I posted the final chapter.
2020: Pandemic times. Whatever happens tomorrow, this story is my humble contribution to the Romanogers fandom. I returned to finish it, revising the entire series while also working on the final chapter and bonus scenes. Before, I only kept background notes to support the scenes. Now, I've included every detail exactly as I always imagined it. I'm also making the story more accessible for screen readers — for instance, acronyms like SHIELD are written without dots. With these changes, expect the chapters to be nearly twice as long.
2022: Why am I still revising my stories? Because it's like climbing a ladder. Every time I fall — when depression or stress forces me to stop writing — I have to climb all the steps (chapters) again. And I always find something new I hadn't mentioned before, while catching mistakes. It's a comforting and healing process. My hope is that once I finally finish this story, I'll feel whole. Fingers crossed it won't take much longer.
September 2025 (NEW): And it's finally done! Two new chapters have been posted, including the wedding. The story is now complete, with 114k new words added.
To everyone who read, waited, and walked this path with me — thank you.
All chapters have been revised and expanded, so please consider giving the story a fresh read.
To the future: Will I ever stop tinkering with this story? Probably not. Now that it's finished, I'm rereading to make sure everything fits together. Nothing major, just a few lines here and there. But it makes me feel good, so it's worth it, right?
