Guys! I promise you that we're almost there. Just hang in there with me okay?

And can I have a review like the previous chapter too. Pretty please :)

23 : NATASHA BIRTHDAY**

Steve was waiting for everyone on the rooftop. Everyone except Natasha because she was the main subject of this discussion. Finally, everyone in the gang had arrived.

"You should stop telling us to meet you up here, Rogers" Tony complained

"You should work out more, Stark because it is clear that you almost had a heart attack from climbing stairs" Steve shot back and everyone laughed so hard.

Tony muttered something that no one could catch. Steve didn't mind and got straight to the point.

"It will be Nat's birthday in a week. I think we should throw her a party. What do you guys think?"

"Throwing a party right here" Clint suggested "She loves this place"

"What about the bar?"

"Nay, we spend almost every day at the bar. It won't be so special" Thor said

"Should we invite anyone or just us?" Maria asked

"The whole dorm" Tony suggested "Or the Captain wants only cool people to join in"

Steve frowned "Phil, invite everyone in the dorm but keep the weird ones away, okay? Tell them to keep it a secret too"

"You got it, Steve" Phil said and noted down.

"Pepper and I will take care of the alcohol and decorations" Tony volunteered

"Darcy and I will take care of the music" Clint told

"Me and Bruce will take care of the cake" Maria said

"The rest of us will make sure we have enough food and snacks" Thor boomed

"What about me?" Steve asked

"Rogers, you have to most important task of us all." Tony said "You have to distract little Red for us the whole day"

Steve had been thinking about the distraction plan for a day now. He had to come up with a perfect and subtle plan that his little Red would not know what he was doing.

He asked Jane for some help and the girl was a real genius when it came to help him with finding the right thing to distract Natasha. Jane gave him a wild suggestion but Steve could grab some of the idea to plan a perfect distraction.

The day of Natasha's birthday had arrived and Steve got up way earlier than usual. He had something to pick up before he went to her room. Steve made sure he was wearing the best clothes he had. Everything had to be perfect even it was just a distraction.

The Captain slammed his fist on her door to let her know it was him with his signature rhythm. The door swung opened a minute later and his little Red was fully dressed. He gotta say that she really does dress to impress.

"Wow, Nat. You're absolutely beautiful" He said while his blue eyes roamed all over her body.

"Thank you, Steve" She tugged her red curl behind her ear. Now that her hair was long and she applied some curliness too.

She is absolutely beautiful indeed

"I got this for you, beautiful" He said as he presented her with a vase of roses. "Happy Birthday, Nat"

Her green eyes widened and accepted the vase.

"Thank you but how did you know that I like roses?"

"It…just a lucky guess"

"Well, you guessed right, Mister" She said and hugged on the vase before taking a whiff of the roses.

She was smiling as she put the vase in her bedroom. Steve smiled too because what makes her happy makes him happy too. Actually, he didn't guess her favorite flower. He punched the answer out of Matt Murdock, her ex-boyfriend who he still had not forgiven the bastard from breaking her heart.

Well, he wanted to impress his little Red and he has do everything right.

"Shall we go, Steve?"

"We shall" He replied and offered his arm. She linked her arm with his as they began to walk away.

Pepper peeked over from the door before dialed Tony's number. "They're gone, Tony. Initiating whatever plan of yours!"

"Where are we going?" She asked

"I never brought you this place before. It's one of the most delicious bakeries in New York City" He told "And since this is your birthday, we gotta do it right"

"Aww, man you're gonna make me fat" She groaned

"I know you have a weak spot for dessert" He said before he turned and grinned at her "And me—Ouch!"

Natasha pinched him for his teasing and smiled because of his adorable face. Finally, they reached the place and had to wait in a short line.

"This one looks nice" She pointed to a chocolate soufflé and then she noticed a strawberry mille feuille "Oh… this one too!"

She definitely had a weakness for dessert, he thought to himself and smiled "You can order anything you want, princess"

She turned to him with a bright smile of a kid that makes him smile too. Whatever she wants, she will get it from him with that smile of hers.

She picked six desserts for them and Steve looked at her in shock because he knew it was too much for them to eat it all.

"Red…Is it a little too much?" Steve whispered

"You say it is delicious! Aww, I really want to try it all." She begged him with her puppy dog eyes and grabbed his hand "Come on, Stevie"

"Okay, little Red" He's not surprised at all that he couldn't resist her at all.

"You two are adorable" The middle age lady at the cashier told them "Are you guys here for some celebration?"

"Yes, my boyfriend and I are here to celebrate—" Nat lied

"Her birthday, ma'am" Steve continued and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Are you Steve Rogers that called us yesterday for special cupcakes…" The lady said. Steve's eyes went wide and signaled the lady to stop talking. Nat chuckled as his face turned red. "Oh, I'm not supposed to say that. I'm so sorry but I got to ask, is this young lady your little Red?"

Steve didn't make eyes contact with Natasha or the old lady and mumbled, "Yes"

"You two really are cute together." She said "And sweetheart, he's a keeper. Keep him close."

"I know" Nat replied

Steve paid for the desserts and they headed to a secluded corner of the bakery.

"You could have just told her we're just friends" Steve said

"She will not stop if we said we're just friend" She replied "The conversation would end faster"

"Now every hot girl in this bakery will think that I'm not available" He pouted before Nat pinched him real hard. "What's that for?"

"It's my birthday and you're mine for today, Rogers" She said

Steve smiled, "Yes, ma'am"

The desserts were really delicious as Steve bragged. He watched her taste the cake with pure happiness on her face. He couldn't help but snap a picture of her.

"You should try this" She pushed the spoon in front of him. He ate it but it lest some cream on his chin. Nat reached her finger out and wiped it for him.

His body tensed up and he didn't know why but the gentle and soft touch of her finger sent shiver down his spine. She didn't notice it and continued the desserts in front of her. Steve tried to suppress whatever feeling in his chest. He knew it was just a little tiny and cliché thing, cropped out from the movie stuff that he shouldn't catch a strange feeling from it.

He decided to shut his brain down so he would stop thinking about it. The old lady served them the special cupcakes that Steve ordered yesterday.

Nat thought it was cute for a guy like him to do something like this for her. He ordered a red velvet cupcake wrote 'Happy Birthday, Little Red' on top of it and a chocolate one decorated with many cute little frosting. The old lady even put a candle on them.

"Happy birthday, little Red" Steve said

"Thank you, Steve"

She closed her eyes and made a wish before she blew that candle. When she got the chance to test the cupcake, she said it from the first bite that this is the best she ever tasted in her entire life and this bakery will be her favorite.

They walked back to Steve's car when he said, "I got another little gift for you before we get to the last one" He opened the trunk of his car and Nat saw two teddy bear inside. The brown one was wearing his QB jersey and the white one was wearing a red riding hood.

"This is so cute" She exclaimed "Aww! This little one even has a dimple like you. I will call him Stevie or the Captain or Captain Adorable or Captain Charming?"

"Those are nicknames you call me but whatever you say, Red" He said "What you gonna call that one?"

"How about Little Red?"

He shook his head, "Nah, you are my Little Red. I don't want to call someone or something with that nickname"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Natasha sang, "Do you wanna build a snowman? Come on let's go and play"

"WHAT?" He asked, confused

"It's a song from Frozen, you idiot. This little one makes me think of Anna. I think I'm gonna call her Anna"

Steve smiled at her randomness and how adorable she was. She hugged them tightly and continued to hum the song happily as she got in the car before they headed to their next destination.

"Steve, what are we doing here?" Natasha asked as Steve took her hand and dragged her into the building. She had to run to catch up with his long footsteps. He slowed down his pace as they reached the door.

There was the man waiting for them at the front of the door.

"Mr. Rogers, I can only give you one hour." The man said as he opened the door for them

"One hour is enough. Thank you so much, Daniel" Steve said.

Steve covered Natasha's eyes and gently guided her inside the hall. He uncovered her eyes and she saw that they were standing inside the Majestic Theatre. Natasha was standing still in awe, working on believing that she was really here. From the look on her face, Steve knew he did surprise her big time. The theatre was currently housed The Phantom of the Opera.

"How can you get us in here?" She asked

"My mother's family is a longtime patron of most theaters in Broadway"

"You really are filthy rich, Steve." Nat exclaimed as she led them on the stage "Is your family patrons of anything else?"

"Well, mom is an art supporter so most things related to art get her support"

"You, Tony and Thor live the life of those gossip girls characters"

"Haha" He sarcastically laughed "Which of the character am I?"

"Chuck Bass"

"Really, I think I'm more of Nate"

"No, you are not" She replied and walked to the center of the stage. "What should I sing?"

"Anything you want. The first song that comes to your mind"

Steve sat down on one of the front seats. Natasha was thinking about the song and she choose 'Think of Me', the song which Christine Daae sang. Steve was captivated by her voice all over again. The same reaction had come back to him

She got a chance to cross another thing of her list; to sing on Broadway.

Natasha admitted that she was surprised that even Steve didn't know what was on her list but he seemed to tap into all the right places every time as if he could read her mind.

She didn't know why but he makes her feel special and important. It's good to have someone that deeply cares for her, someone who makes she feel important, special.

And the guy by the name of Steve Rogers made her feel that way. The womanizing jerk who doesn't care about anything or anyone turned out to make her feel all of that.

She didn't want to admit it out loud but she likes this feeling.

They headed back to their dorm. Steve already texted everyone that he will take Natasha to the rooftop in ten minutes. She went to her room to change her clothes before Steve let her up to the rooftop.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Everyone shouted and shot confetti at them

Nat was shocked and her mouth formed an O shape. Tony approached her and kissed her cheek, totally aware that Steve was glaring at him with a death stare. The Captain nudged Natasha into the party. Thor walked toward them and pulled Natasha into a bear hug which actually lifted her on foot above the floor.

"Thor, my bones" She said and the tall man let go off her

"My apologies, Lady Natasha" Thor said and put her back on her feet "Happy birthday"

"Thank you, Thor"

The girls all came to her at the same time and hugged her in a group hug. Clint, Bruce and Phil came to her and wished all the good thing for her.

Steve held her in his arms as they stood in the large crowd. Tony already took over DJ duty and tuned up some music. Some guys were daring enough to come near her and talk to her but Steve sent them running for their lives with just a murderous glare. Finally, Steve got Natasha all to himself after everyone was done with wishing her a happy birthday.

"Are you that surprised?" He asked

"Yeah, I never had a surprise party like this before" She nodded and pressed herself closer to his body until her head was resting on his chest. "Alexi and my family just told me everything right away" Steve tensed up a little when he heard her ex-boyfriend's name but Nat gently rubbed his arm

"What?! The surprise thing in your BD is the best thing!" He frowned

"They were too excited about my BD that they couldn't keep it a secret" She replied before looked up at him "Did you plan all of this?"

"Nah, I'm just your distraction, Red"

"But the distraction already gives me the best gift"

Steve smiled at her word and pressed a kiss on her forehead. Nat closed her eyes and savoring every gentle touch of his. She loved it as much as the warmth radiating from his body.

Everyone could see how close they were. Everyone could see clearly now that Steve was changing completely into a different man by this beautiful new girl who seem the amazed them with everything she did.

The most amazing thing she did was to have Steve Rogers all to herself like that.

Pepper and Clint brought her a birthday cake with a number of her age on it. Steve wrapped his arms around her torso from behind and everyone sang her a birthday song. Steve even hummed it at her ear. She never heard him even remotely come close to humming a song but now, he was making a very beautiful humming voice in her ear.

She closed her eyes, leaning in to his touch. When the song reached its end, she made a wish.

And one thought sneak up on the back of her mind and it was caught her off guard. She wish he will this forever. The gentle, sweet and caring Steve Rogers.

The thought made Nat's body stiffened up and Steve did felt it too so he slowly removed his arms from her and she stopped him by grabbing his arms.

"Don't...it's nothing" She murmured and he put his arms back around her waist, completely enveloped her with his body.

She made the last wish and blew the candle. She sliced the cake and shared with everyone. Everyone was enjoying the party but Natasha sneak her way to the secluded corner of the rooftop. She had to quietly sort something out without someone, namely Steve, to interrupt her.

That thought did terrify her but it wasn't that much terrify. It just gave her a very new feeling that she never knew. It's kinda nice.

"Hey" A gentle voice sounded from behind her "What are you doing alone here? It's your birthday day and you should be celebrating"

"Nah, just thinking about something"

"Someone bothering you?" He asked as he sat down next to her. She shook her head. "This cake is delicious"

He put a spoon full of cake in front of her. Nat opened her mouth and ate it. It did delicious as he said.

"I have a little something for you" Steve said and handed her a beautifully wrapped gift.

"Aww, you already give me so many things today, Steve." She replied "I never gave you anything"

"It's nothing, Red. I want to give you." He smiled "And you did bring me a very delicious apple pie"

"I'm so selfish. Comparing to the amount of things you give me"

"No, you are not selfish. You give me a kind of friendship I never had…like in a very long time" He answered "Open it. I made it myself"

She opened the box and found a photo frame, a handmade photo frame with their picture from the lake house trip.

"Thank you again, Steve"

"It's nothing, little Red. I just want you to be happy"

"I'm happy right now and it's because of you"

Steve could feel he was blushing all over his body. His heart fluttered when she said he was the one that made her happy. That really meant a lot to him.

After all, his only important goal is to make her smile and happy.

Steve had to wake up early along with the guys to clean up the mess from last night party. Steve also enlisted some help from his football friends like Luke Cage and Sam Wilson. The Captain stopped by his little Red's room to check up on her. He found that she was still sleeping soundly in her bed. After all, this was Sunday after all.

He was surprised that even Tony Stark agreed to this cleaning. Steve was talking to the guys and they started teasing him about Natasha and how close they were and how he always care about her more than anyone else.

"It's nothing, guys!" Steve said "She's just a friend. The same way you and Pepper are close"

"No, you and Nat are entirely new meaning of close friend, dude" Clint chimed in

"Dude! You practically stopped sleeping around for a month" Tony exclaimed

Steve turned and yelled, "How do you know?!"

"I'm Tony Stark. I know everything and I also noticed that you didn't brag about your conquests anymore and you and Natasha are like…inseparable."

"I don't know what you are talking about Stark!"

"Why you have to yell at me?"

"I gotta go!"

Steve stomped out. He could feel that his face was flushing. He had to prove the point that he didn't change because of Natasha. He didn't care about Natasha or anything. He was the same. He didn't change. HE IS NOT FUCKING CHANGE BECAUSE OF A GIRL!

Steve banged on a door. A moment later, Sharon Carter opened the door for him which Steve quickly pushed her back into her bedroom and started to kiss her. Kissed her like he has something to prove.

Steve pushed her down on bed and got on top of Sharon. He was sucking, biting, ravaging her neck that sure will leave deep purple marks. She let out a low moan as Steve's hands crept under her shirt.

"Steve…" Sharon purred in his ear and held his head closer to her neck.

The Captain pulled her shirt off and was about to undo his clothes when something stopped him.

You are better than this, Steve. A little voice that send him jumped out of Sharon's bed in mere second. A pair of green eyes, beautiful green eyes popped into his mind.

"What's wrong, Steve?"

"No, it's nothing" He replied "I'm sorry"

He knew right then he did really care for Natasha. He just wanted her to see that he was good enough to be her friend. He just wanted to prove himself for her

He cannot do this with anyone anymore.

"Sorry" He said again and put his clothes back on "I don't want to do this with you…like ever again"

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot do this with you anymore, Sharon"

"WHAT?! What are you talking about? This is not you, Steve" Sharon said "Steve!"

But Steve was running out of Sharon's room and stopped in front of the door that he knew it's the only place he wanted to be and behind that door was the only one person he wants to be with.

"Hey, I just wonder that you want to have brunch with me today, little Red"

She smiled "Of course, let me get dressed quickly".

AN:

- Special thanks to my dearest friends, sleeplessinbudapest & internetangie!

- Thank you to my proofreader, RushmanNatalie

- Please kindly leave a review!