Addie didn't know what to think of her new roommate. Her old one was terrible, yes, and Addie had no problem in telling her to find somewhere else to live, but her new one was still an anomaly. It wasn't like she was messy, rude, or even a little bit obnoxious, but when Addie decided to put the ad out for a new roommate for her final year of her second undergraduate degree, she wasn't sure what to expect.

The truth was, Natasha Romanoff was scary.

"So, uh," Addie stuttered out, helping move some of Natasha's things into the small townhouse they were living in. "I'm surprised that you actually wanted to, you know, live with me?"

Natasha had a smirk on her face as she dropped her box, running a hand through her short, red hair. "You made it pretty easy when you told me that the place was already paid for and that I only had to help with groceries."

Addie's face burned and she chuckled nervously. "Yeah... I didn't want to put that on the ad for obvious reasons. Do you have anything left in your car?" she asked politely, looking at the amount of things laid out in disarray in the room that was now Natasha's. "If not, I'm supposed to be meeting with some friends for a late dinner and maybe some drinks since the semester is about to start, if you wanna come? I'll help you unpack when we get back."

"Just moved in and you're already offering to take me out?" Natasha laughed, the hard look on her face softening in the act. "What happened to your last roommate?"

Is - is that a yes? Addie thought confusedly before scrunching her face up at the thought of the last occupant. "Took advantage of my... um, you know... funds and just an all around menace," she grimaced before darting her eyes to the green pair that stared intently. "Please don't make me kick you out."

If Natasha was at all offended, she didn't show it. Instead, she nodded understandingly, no judgement on her face. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that. I'm low-maintenance. So, where are we eating?"

Maybe it wouldn't be too bad.

"If you want to drink," Addie started, looking at Natasha in the passenger seat. "Go ahead. I'm driving home so I don't really want to die."

Shaking her head, Natasha unbuckled her seatbelt and started to get out. "Nah, not today. I think it's going to be an early night for me."

Addie couldn't help but agree. It was a relatively hot day in New York City in early August and after helping Natasha get all of her things inside, Addie was worn out and tired. She didn't know exactly why she decided to go have dinner with her other friends when her and Natasha had this day planned for awhile. Maybe it was the obligatory feeling she had anytime they asked her to do anything - she could never say no - or because she was starving, she wasn't sure.

The two walked to the entrance of the quaint restaurant, and Addie fidgeted. "I hope you like them. They're pretty rambunctious but they're nice enough."

She wasn't sure why she wanted Natasha to like her friends. She thought it could be because this woman was very intimidating and seemed much more genuine than her previous one. Veronica ("You can call me Ronnie!" "I'm not calling you that.") clashed with her group multiple times causing more problems on top of the ones at home. She felt close with her small group, and if Natasha was going to be around them, the best bet would be that everyone gets alone.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Natasha assured, holding the door open and knocking Addie out of her reverie. "I think I'm definitely likable. Lead the way."

A little less worried, Addie did exactly as she was told, immediately walking to the back corner her and her friends occupied each time they came to this restaurant.

"Addie!" a masculine voice hollered, families giving him the stink eye, and Addie rolled her eyes fondly, walking into the already opened arms of Sam Wilson. "It's been too damn long. Where have you been? I've been trying to get ahold of you for a while. Oh, you must be the new roommate." Sam quickly let go of Addie and turned his attention to Natasha, a sly smirk on his face. "I'm Sam Wilson, but everyone calls me Falcon. You can call me whatever."

"No one calls you that, idiot," a gruff voice interrupted. Bucky Barnes had his head in his hand, a lazy grin on his face. "Birdbrain more like it. I didn't know that Natasha was who you were going to be living with."

Addie's eyes were wide, mouth agape as her and Natasha moved to sit down at the table. "You already know each other?"

Steve Rogers was the one that nodded. "The three of us partnered for a project in French our second year. We've been friends for awhile now."

"If it makes you feel better," Natasha drawled. "I didn't know that you were the Addie they talked about, either."

"Fair enough."

Addie picked up her menu, hiding her flushed face. Bucky nudged her leg underneath the table, her face heating up more before she peeked her eyes at him from behind the menu. He shook his head. "You already know what you're getting. You seriously get the same thing every time, so quit hiding."

"It's not my fault the chicken fried steak here is so good," she immediately replied, indignant, smacking him with the menu. Sam hit her from her other side. "Stop hitting people."

"You just hit me!"

"Because you're embarrassing us!"

"It's Bucky's fault!"

"You should hit him again, then."

"Please stop," Steve finally butt in, an exasperated look on his face, Natasha next to him looking very amused. The three across the table grumbled in dissatisfaction, acting much more mature when the waitress asked for their orders.

"Will this be together or separate?" she asked, staring expectantly. Addie met Steve's eye, blurting out quickly before he could. "All together, please."

She nodded, saying she'd be back with drinks, and Addie crossed her arms when the table groaned. Sam shoved her into Bucky. "Quit doing that."

"Doing what?" she asked innocently, and even Natasha rolled her eyes.

"You know what."

"Does this happen often?" Natasha questioned, and Steve nodded seriously. "It's nice and all but it gets to feeling like we're taking advantage."

Addie scoffed. "You can't take advantage if I offer it willingly," she pointed out before waving her hand. "It's not a big deal. Just deal with it."

Bucky shook his head, muttering, "Rich kids."

"Talk about something else," she muttered back, starting to feel more self conscious after her outburst, fidgeting with her hands underneath the table. Bucky nudged her again, this time much more softer, a hint of affection with it. "What all do you have left of this degree?"

"Yeah," Sam piped in. "Why exactly did you agree to do that again? Do you want to stress out so bad you implode or something?"

"Well, I think it's cool," Steve interjected, giving Sam a pointed look. "Is that what you've been doing this summer?"

Addie shook her head. "No, I actually went home this summer. My parents were adamant that I stayed. And I'm taking stuff like abnormal psychology, some research labs, and an easy astronomy class to satisfy the life science credit I need," she explained before turning to Natasha to elaborate. "I'm getting my second Bachelor's in Psychology."

"What was your first one in?"

"Nuclear engineering."

Natasha spluttered on the newly acquired lemonade, Steve patting her lightly on the back while she coughed. Addie shrugged at the expression of awe on her face, turning away. "It's not that big of a deal, stop looking at me like that."

She didn't miss the small plead in Steve's eyes as he looked at Natasha. Natasha seemed to understand the silent conversation before schooling her features. "No, no, it's cool - impressive, really. Is there a reason why you're getting a psych degree now?"

Addie pursed her lips at the question. "Yes," she said slowly. "I like psychology." She offered no other explanation, and she was very aware that everyone at the table knew it was more than that, and she was very glad that no one commented on it.

It wasn't like she was lying: she really did like psychology.

"I told you it wouldn't be so bad," Natasha reminded once the two were driving back to their home. Addie nodded in agreement because she was right: it was good that Natasha already knew Steve and Bucky because it didn't cause for an awkward conversation filler of getting to know someone. She meshed well into the conversation and even humored Sam when he got too flirty.

"How long have you guys known each other?" the redhead asked in lieu of silence, and Addie tossed the question in her head, humming. "I've known Steve and Bucky since I was kid. My parents and I stayed in Brooklyn for awhile before moving, but we kept in touch. It was one of the main reasons I chose this university. I met Sam at new student registration, and he hasn't left me alone since."

"You guys all seem close."

Addie nodded, keeping her eyes forward. "Yeah. I'm glad." Wanting to steer the conversation in a different direction, she asked, "How about we unpack all of your stuff tomorrow? I'm exhausted."

Natasha sighed in agreement. "You read my mind."