Vulnerability isn't a display of weakness. It is an endearing quality that some people stuff away and not allow anyone to view. People like herself. Natasha woke before Steve to find she was tucked up securely against his powerful frame. He was curled around her protectively, a shelter for her to feel secure and safe in. His soft breath was warm on her neck. As she gently extricated herself from his arms, he rolled onto his back completely open and guileless as he slept.

She quickly dressed and looked around for something to write a note on. A drawer in his desk rewarded her with a sketch book. Flipping through it she was amazed at his talent. Who knew that America's Golden Boy was an artist? Not wanting to rip a page out of his hard work, she rummaged around until she found a note pad.

'Back soon. Always, N.'

She left it on the kitchen table where she hoped he'd find it and scooted out the door. Her apartment wasn't too far from his and it was still early so there was little traffic on the streets. Getting back into her home surrounded her with a familiar feeling of comfort. This was her haven, her quiet place. Even Clint had never been here. She quickly showered, dried her hair, put a minimum of makeup on and got dressed into a pair of slinky skinny jeans, a scarlet top that hugged her curves and displayed her assets via the draped v-neck to their best advantage. Sitting on the edge of her bed she slid on a pair of black leather knee high boots with no heel. Looking at her reflection in the full length mirror, she decided she looked acceptable.

On the way back to Steve's apartment, she stopped and ordered two breakfasts and coffees. He liked his black, she chose a flat white with a pump of vanilla for herself. Getting back in to the apartment was no problem for the spy. She balanced the bag on her hip and reached for her lock pick when the door swung open. Steve stood there in jeans and a white tank, barefoot. He smiled and took the bag from her then swooped her up in his other arm and kissed her thoroughly.

Natasha squirmed in his embrace when he let her come up for air. "I brought breakfast. Lemme go, I'm starving."

He set her down and she booted the door shut with her foot. Grabbing his free hand she pulled him into the kitchen. When they got there, he set the bag down then wrapped her in his arms, pulling her back against his chest. "Coffee cups." she murmured in her smoky voice, hugging his arms as they wrapped around her waist.

"That cabinet," Steve's deep baritone sent shivers down her spine.

She pulled away and reached up for the cabinet door then yelped in surprise as he grabbed her hips and lifted her up, turned her and sat her on the counter. Even sitting up high she was smaller than he was.

Steve bent his head and bestowed a soft, sweet kiss that was as gentle as it was demanding. "When I woke up and you were gone..."

"You thought I'd left?" Natasha offered.

"Then I found your note." He nodded in response. "Thank you for coming back, Nat."

She took his face gently in her hands, lifting his eyes to hers. "Hey, I told you I wasn't going anywhere, remember?"

"Yeah," he said in his delightful Brooklyn accent.

Turning in his arms she retrieved two coffee cups complete with saucers. She made a mental note to buy him some mugs. Pushing him back gently she hopped down from the counter and busied herself pouring the coffee and setting out the waffles and bacon she'd bought.

Steve pulled her chair out for her once again and she smiled at his graciousness. It pleased him to do little things for her so why not enjoy it.

They chatted as they ate. Natasha interjected as many amusing stories into the meal as she could. A spy's life was full of surprises. Not all of them dire and not all of them terrible. Steve didn't have enough joy in his life. As crappy as most of her life had been there were happy and even joyful moments in it. She kept him smiling and even laughing through breakfast.

When she took him to bed for a little early afternoon delight, she made sure that was joyous and fun as well. Steve was a little scandalized at first, sex in broad daylight was not something he'd considered. Having Natasha to introduce him to the wonders of the flesh was an incredible experience.

Afterward she took him horseback riding in Central Park. They rode, stopped for hot dogs and at her insistence had an impromptu dance by a street quartet. Steve felt a little awkward and clumsy but she did all the work, spinning around him and finishing with a dramatic dip in his arms. Joy. It was the only thing she could give him besides her body. If he wanted her heart, he could have it but she wasn't sure it was much of a prize.

She liked his casual look. He had a plethora of plaid shirts, khaki trousers; his old dress uniform complete with his Captain's bars and medals was stored in the back of his closet. Leather jackets, blue jeans and comfortable shoes and boots made up the rest of his wardrobe. Even without the Captain America uniform he was handsome and dynamic. Being desired by men was something she was very used to. Being desired by this particular man was something very special.

Over time, Steve's natural humor and wit had begun to reassert itself. Natasha laughed at his jokes and stories and seemed delighted to spend time with him in or out of bed. An adult sexual relationship was completely new to him but so was having a real friend who happened to be a woman and he'd handled that okay. He seemed to have a type: strong, independent, fearless and beautiful. Natasha checked all the boxes that Peggy had with the exception that Natasha saw him as a man. Peggy had seen him as an awkward kid and as a science project. He felt the difference in romanticizing Peggy's time with him and her kiss as opposed to Natasha's determination to make him rejoin the world of the living with her passion.

She excused herself for a few minutes to take a phone call. Steve took the moment to look around at the brave new world he was now willing to be a part of. He wanted to keep this thing, whatever it was they had just between the two of them for awhile longer but that hope was dashed when she came strolling back to him with a mischievous grin on her face. "Party tonight at Tony and Pepper's. The whole gang will be there. We should go. Team building and all that."

"What's the occasion?"

"My birthday!" She took his proffered arm and guided him to the Central Park Zoo.

Steve's mind was a whirl. "Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?"

"It's not important," She said, trying to brush it off. "I try to hide out every year but somehow Tony and Pepper always remember and make it a big thing. They love making everything over-sized and flamboyant."

"It is important." He stopped and turned to her, taking her by the shoulders. "Natasha, everything about you is important to me. Of course I want to know when your birthday is, or any other day that is special to you."

She looked up at him, squinting a bit in the bright autumn sunlight. His eyes were a shade of blue unlike anything she'd ever seen. Much like the man who held her now: Unique, one of a kind. "Steve, when you're raised like I was, the only thing birthdays were good for was a reminder that you'd survived another year. It really isn't a big thing for me. It just makes Tony and Pepper and the rest of the gang happy to do something for me. They do it for each of us."

Steve pulled her close, "I'm so sorry you had to live like that. I wish I could make it better for you; take away some of the bad memories."

She hugged him back. "You already are."

That seemed to please him. He tucked her under his shoulder as they walked. A tall, powerful, handsome presence with protective instincts on overdrive. She allowed it, knowing now how much it was important to him to feel as though he were needed. He belonged on a battlefield where his size, strength and skill were a benefit to his troops. Outside of wars, missions and crises, Steve felt he had no purpose. She let him feel like he had one with her. It was such a little thing to do.

"Do we need to change or bring anything to your party?" Steve asked suddenly.

"Nope. Just us. And we're fine just like we are. This is casual."

They stopped for coffee at a shop. The line was long so Steve handed her some money – he insisted – and left her to purchase their drinks. While she was busy navigating the line, he hustled to a jeweler he noticed down the street. He didn't want her to not have a gift from him on her birthday. Minutes later, her gift wrapped and secure in his inside jacket pocket, he waited for her on the sidewalk.

They walked, drank their coffee and chatted. It was amazing to her how naturally comfortable she felt around him. She felt no stress, no anxiety that he was judging her. It had literally taken years for her to fully trust Clint and he had saved her life. To a spy used to trusting no one, Steve just seemed to radiate truth and security, to her at least.

Natasha hailed a cab to take them to Stark Tower. When they arrived, JARVIS opened the door at her voice command. They entered and took the elevators up to Tony and Pepper's apartment. The music wasn't on deafening so people could actually converse. At their arrival everyone came to hug Natasha and welcome Steve to the festivities.

First was dinner. Pepper had pulled out all the stops and had a great Mexican spread for all of them. Clint joked about only being able to eat tacos and barbecue with friends since he was managing to get it all over himself. Bruce had made his special guacamole which was rapidly disappearing from everyone's plates. Thor showed up with his long blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail. He brought some Asgardian ale that got passed around with a warning not to drink too much of it. Steve tried it and found that like most alcohol, it just couldn't affect him anymore.

After dinner, Tony insisted on Natasha opening presents. Clint gave her an arrow symbol on a necklace. Thor gave her an Asgardian sword which she could barely lift. Bruce handed her his gift, a wooden bear beautifully carved out of larch wood. Tony and Pepper gave her a karaoke machine much to the delight of all. Steve shyly handed her his gift. Natasha opened the small box to find a pair of exquisite gold and ruby earrings.

"Steve!" She was breathless that he had thought of her and bought her such a beautiful and obviously expensive gift. "They're beautiful! I can't thank you enough!" She reached up to kiss him on the cheek. It wouldn't do to give everyone a show. When she caught his eye, she gave him a wink that promised a lot more thanks in the future. She put them on and they sparkled through her red hair. He was beaming, delighted that she loved his present to her.

Karaoke was next. Steve became more relaxed as the evening progressed. They were all there for Natasha but he felt very included in their fun and camaraderie. Natasha's singing voice was sultry, smoky and just plain sexy. He couldn't say the same for everyone else. When they handed him the mic, he tried to decline. Natasha urged him on. "Go ahead Steve, it's all in fun."

Pepper showed him how to select a song after he whispered to her. Steve managed to get through Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable", trying not to let his gaze linger too long on Natasha who was blushing furiously when his eyes did land on her. When he finished everyone applauded.

"Well, Capcicle, if you ever decide to give up Avenging for a living, I think we could get you some concert dates." Tony grinned and shook Steve's hand.

After everyone had a turn, Tony stood up. Pepper poked him in the side and shook her head but he ignored her and barged on. "So do we want cake next or Nat's birthday spanking next?"

Natasha turned several shades of pink and laughed her ass off, along with everyone else. Steve smiled and raised an eyebrow at her, his mouth quirking up at one corner. "Well, I did promise you a spanking for your birthday."

He looked like he might just carry through with that promise and Natasha gulped. The blue shirt he was wearing brought out his eyes. He'd rolled the sleeves up as he usually did, his muscular forearms in full view. The jeans he wore were tight enough to define his thighs and butt beautifully, as she'd noticed earlier. The boots he wore were soft and scuffed. He crooked his finger at her, beckoning her over and patted his thigh.

"Come here, honey. Let's get this over with." Steve's rich baritone held a thread of command and it made her shiver.

Everyone was in full scale hilarity mode, watching to see what Natasha would do while Steve waited patiently on the couch. Almost shyly, she locked eyes with him and slinked over to where he waited. He held out his hand to her, she took it and he gently pulled her down, bending her over his knee and pulling her waist securely against him with his other arm.

"I'd better be able to sit down after this," she whispered.

Leaning close, he responded, "Don't worry, I could never hurt you."

Natasha braced herself on the couch and looked up at him over her shoulder. Her voice was soft and smoky, "I've never been spanked before so this is a first." He gave her a brilliant smile, his eyes sparkling with fun.

She found herself trembling. In her life she had been beaten, tortured, humiliated; she'd had her emotions stripped raw but she had never been in the position she was in now. This tweaked a few issues about vulnerability she thought long buried. She trusted Steve so she forced herself to be still.

Steve's palm connected with her backside with a resounding 'POP', making her jump in surprise. The rest of the room started counting, 1...2...3…, as Natasha realized quickly he was cupping his hand to make the noise louder but not actually whaling on her. When he got to 29, he paused, "How old are you again?"

"Old enough to kick your fossil ass, Rogers," Natasha growled at him as everyone laughed harder.

"Oh really? You think so?" Steve teased her, patting her bottom gently, holding her tightly. "You may have to wait until I let you up."

"Steve, I swear to god," Natasha squirmed, laughing.

"And one to grow on," Pepper yelled, clasping her hands and leaning into Tony.

The 'one to grown on' SMACK stung a little. Natasha supposed it was because of her mouthing off while she was already over his knee.

Steve lifted her up and sat her on his lap, "Happy Birthday, Natasha." He pulled her mouth down to his and gave her a proper kiss, then a tight hug as she buried her face in his neck and hugged him tightly. She was a little embarrassed after feeling very, very vulnerable in a room full of people. She'd trusted him and he hadn't betrayed her trust. Maybe this was all a good thing.

Clint walked over and handed Steve a one hundred dollar bill. "I owe you that, brother. You're braver than I thought, spanking the world's deadliest woman. She must really like you because you're getting off with all your limbs intact. Buy yourself a steak on me."

Natasha flipped Clint off but her grin was friendly. "Sorry, Nat," Clint chuckled.

Steve grinned at him, pushing the money away. "I'd rather have dinner with a friend, if that's all right Clint."

Clint grinned back, "You've got a deal, Cap. We'll do it soon."

"See? Now I have proof that she's his favorite." Tony pointed dramatically to Nat and Steve. "Total favoritism, right there."

"Natasha? Would you mind getting up for a minute?" Pepper asked sweetly.

Natasha hopped up and let Pepper pull her aside. Pepper reached under the couch near Steve and retrieved a wooden paddle. Reaching back, she grabbed Tony and pulled him forward to Steve.

"Here," she said, handing Steve the paddle, "Spank him. I don't care what for, he needs it." Steve's face registered his surprise but not more so than Tony. "But Pepper, it's not my birthday," Tony sounded discomforted.

"I don't care!" Pepper exclaimed. "You've been a giant pain in the ass for forever and after that stunt with the nuke...Spank him, Steve, he respects you."

To Steve's utter surprise, Tony agreed. "It's true. I do respect you, I always have. You were what I aspired to be because my dad was so proud of you. I'm proud you're on our team too, Cap. Really I am."

Steve stood up and handed Tony the paddle. "Thank you, Tony. It really does mean a lot to me that you feel that way. If I hadn't gone into the ice, your dad wanted me to be godfather to any child he had when and if he got married. With Howard everything was speculative."

"So, no spanking, godfather?" Tony asked. Everyone else groaned.

Steve looked Tony right in the eye, took the paddle out of his hand, braced his left boot on the coffee table and dragged Tony over his raised knee in the space of a heartbeat. SMACK The noise reverberated in the large room.

That time, it wasn't a tempered hand, rather a wooden paddle with the super soldier's muscle behind it and Tony squawked. Steve stood Tony upright, put his foot back on the floor then handed the paddle back to Pepper, "Keep it. You may need it."

He turned back to Tony, "Still want that on your birthday?"

"No, no, I think I'm fine. Natasha can be your favorite."

After everyone stopped laughing they sat down to cake after Natasha blew out the candles.