let’s pretend for a minute that Natasha’s characterization isn’t always tied to the white dude opposite her and pretend that she’s been fleshed out the way she deserves to be:
Can you just imagine her interactions with the other characters of the MCU?
Natasha being away on a mission during the events of im3 but when she finds out, she breaks into Pepper’s hospital room and refuses to leave until she’s better, then hunts down the remainder of Killian’s men and makes sure that they never go near her friend again. Consequently, Natasha makes it her business to have a standing lunch date with Pepper at least once a month
Thor taking her to Asgard and the Warriors Three and Sif being so beyond taken by the mortal woman who “stands with gods and triumphs against giants.” Sif even comes down to Earth every once in a while to visit
Natasha properly mourning Coulson’s death, not just braving it stoically. He was her friend and coworker before he knew any of them. Natasha being wrecked over Grant Ward’s betrayal, because she helped train him herself
Darcy tripping over herself at meeting another Avenger – not just another Avenger, but the Black Widow. And Natasha being horrified that she and Jane run around with Thor and Loki and all of them with no defense training and insists on teaching them
Tony accidentally walking in on Natasha during a very severe panic attack (because Natasha has PTSD and anyone who disagrees can fight me) and waits it out with her, trying to make her as comfortable as possible. He passes on whatever advice he can, but generally he just tries to support her however he can
Tea breaks with Bruce, trying to conquer her fear of the Hulk by forcing herself to be around the man. Plus, Bruce is a wonderful storyteller, and because of SHIELD’s pursuit of him, has been all around the world. Natasha tries not to feel too guilty about that
Being Maria Hill’s plus one for fancy governmental functions because Maria can’t stand politicians and Natasha loves scaring the hell out of them. They always go and get drunk together afterwards
God, there’s just so much potential with Natasha that we’re not seeing because she’s being reduced to a sex object
