Checkmate (BuckyBarnes x OC)

Luxury Life

After I'd reach Steve I wouldn't left his side until we finally met with Natasha who was eagerly waiting for us on the couches. She greeted me with a heavily expected hug in which I could feel the connection between us and I realized how much aprecciation she deserved but didn't get from me. I promised myself that I would value our friendship deeply from this point on.

I was scared of interaction with the others in the building, but the greetings went smoother than I expected. I was newly introduced to Bruce Banner, which was the scientist I'd seen at the labs with Tony on my first visit to the Tower. He was a nice, well adjusted man, who seemed to master whatever science he was doing. I heard he owned 7 PhDs? That was really impressing considering I'd never been to school. Ever.

Dr. Helen Cho was also pleasant. She seemed very polite when she approached me as nothing else but a scientist working on a project with Tony and Bruce. She was held back at first, but she quickly revealed her friendly character. I'd hope we could connect more during my time here. I didn't know for how long I would be staying, but I was seeing myself as a new person and I actually wanted to meet and befriend more people.

After that I was formally introduced to Clint Barton who had enough strenght to shake my hand before Helen took him to the lab to patch up his bullet wounds. I was acquainted with his pseudonym - Hawkeye. He was apparently very skilled in sharpshooting but with a bow. He barely ever seemed to miss, according to Natasha. He was a bit older than most of the others and was very preservant. I had a feeling it would take time to win him over.

After all the acquaintances were made Natasha lead me to her room. She must've seen how overwhelmed I was by everyone and decided to take me somewhere calmer. She sat on her bed while I intended to plant myself on the chair, but she shook her head and tapped the space next to her on her bed. I was hesitating. Her offer was generous, but that was exactly the problem. I still couldn't believe the treatment I was getting and I knew I didn't deserve it in spite of my decision to be a different person.

"Don't be silly, come here," Nat insisted so I stepped closer and sat on the very edge of her bed frame. She glared but saw that I wasn't gonna change my mind, so she continued talking. "Listen, I hope you're okay with it, but I managed to get a spare bed in here where you can sleep on. It's not ideal, I know, but I thought it'd be fun if we would be roommates for a little while, at least until you get your own bedroom."

I was staring without saying a word. I would even be offered my own bedroom? Even the thought of sleeping in Natasha's room seemed too glamorous.

"Of course you have all privileges to the gym and the kitchen, just stay away from Tony's penthouse and his lab floor, he has all his toys and suits kept there and he's a bit sensitive when it comes to it," Nat didn't seem distracted by my look and only continued explaining what I can and can't do. There were not a lot of restrictions to begin with which scared me. I didn't trust myself enough to have this much free range.

"You should also know that Tony likes to party. A lot. With every occasion he gets he throws a party, even after every successful mission. I'm guessing you're not gonna be too comfortable with that right away, but trust me, it gets fun from time to time.

"Now, you already met Sam, but he's not here right now, he works down at the VA so he's here mostly afternoons and nights. He doesn't live here officially, but he's around a lot. Oh, and Rhody, James Rhodes, Tony's friend, works at the US Airforce." I was visibly shaken by the fact I'll meet someone working for the US army when I'm living in the Avengers compound being the biggest threat they'd ever get in here. Nat sent me a comforting smile, "Don't worry, Kat, he's smarter than that. He's actually really friendly.

"So, for entertainment we have TV with literally every show or movie you'd like to watch, there's loads and loads of books downstairs and feel free to order any new one, Tony's account practically doesn't have limits. With every book you buy he gets a transfer of at least ten of those same books to his bank account.