After seeing James be so comfortable and even playful with us a couple of nights ago, Steve decides it's finally time to tell the rest of the Avengers about him. I'm sure that Nat and Clint already know, because they're spies and it's kind of their thing to notice what others hide. And since Bruce is currently on furlough from Tony and Thor is in an entire other realm, Steve is pretty much just going to be telling Tony about James.

Steve has started calling him Bucky again, but I can't quite bring myself to do so also. To me, it sort of feels like I need permission, either directly or through an easiness that doesn't need spoken recognition, to call him by a nickname. I don't think I have that with him yet.

Anyway.

Steve had asked if I wanted to go with him, but I'll be a little busy.

"So would you be able to meet us at the tower in about thirty minutes?" Steve asks. Sounds like he has me on speakerphone.

"Um," I hesitate. Of course I'd like to support them, but I don't really want to be there if they start arguing, and well- "I, I have a-uh, thing, tonight, actually."

'Why is it always smooth and reasonable in my head but it's a big mush of idiocy when I open my mouth?'

"A thing, huh?" James' suggestive voice floats through my cellphone.

"Oh, don't be vulgar. I have a, a thing that could be classified, in some circles, as residing under the general heading of-of a date. Sort of. Not really. It's a friendly thing and he'll be here in about fifteen minutes. But it's taken a long time to line our schedules up to do this and I kept putting him off. If I do it once more, I don't think he'll ask again," I explain in all my powers of eloquence.

There's a long silence and I think they've hung up but then Steve says rigidly, "Is it with that Kevin guy you were upset with because he wasn't being a good friend?"

I cringe. Not a great first impression. "It's Carson, and...yeah... But he said he was upset with me because he thought you were my boyfriend and I hadn't told him."

"Sounds like a schlepper," James mutters.

"A wet sock," Steve agrees, at least I assume he does judging by his tone. I have no idea what either of those mean.

"Could you wait to talk like grandpas until after I hang up?"

"Fine," James acquiesces. "I was just saying that this Corbin guy sounds like a moron."

I clench my teeth. "Carson. And you haven't even met him, you can't-"

"You're right!" Steve interrupts. "We haven't."

My eyes widen in slight terror. "No-no! N-"

"Fifteen minutes, right?" James asks. "We've got time."

"James, so help me-"

"You said I have responsibilities as your best friend." Steve stops me. "I believe one of those responsibilities was to check out fellas who want to court you," his voice tightens.

I close my eyes. "You remembered that, huh? Look, even if Carson does want to court me, I don't want to court him. We're just hanging out and grabbing a bite to eat."

They're silent again.

"Ugh!" I cave like supports made of limp noodles. "You need to behave – if he sticks around, you'll have plenty of opportunities to torment him later. But if you go too far tonight, you'll be in serious trouble." I sound about as intimidating as a six-year-old scolding a policeman for eating a donut.

"Great!" "See you in ten minutes!"

They hang up and I see how effective deep breathing exercises are for someone who has no idea what she's doing. Turns out– not that effective. Instead, I toss my essentials into a black clutch and do a quick survey in front of my bathroom mirror. Nothing too fancy but I am in a dress, so that's something. No heels though. Carson isn't tall enough and I don't want to make him uncomfortable. And I'd probably face-plant if I wore them – which would make me uncomfortable.

Before I know it, there's a knock on my door. I quickly swing it open and my smile falls a little. "Boys." I step aside so they can step into the apartment.

James, back in long sleeves but no gloves, gives me a small grin and a friendly once-over. "She's a looker, who knew?" he asks as he nudges Steve who just smiles at me.

Okay, this is awkward territory.

I check my phone. Carson's still got a couple of minutes. For his sake, I hope he's on time. I begin shifting from foot to foot, tapping my toes and tugging at the ends of my hair.

"You really do look nice, Anne," Steve compliments.

'Not helping.'

"Thanks," I murmur. "There are Oreos on the kitchen counter."

James' eyes light up. "Finally! Steve never has any good stuff." His voice muffles as he disappears around the corner. "It's fish this and vegetables that..."

"Are you okay, Anne? Why are you so nervous?" Steve asks softly.

I groan. "I've only ever had one boyfriend and that was at the beginning of college. I haven't dated in a long time."

"Not as long as the rest of us in this apartment," he teases.

"Can't say that about yourself anymore, can you?" I remind him a little flatly.

"Guess not." Steve smiles, humoring me. "Besides, I thought you said this was just a friendly thing?"

A knock.

I dart to the door before either of the boys can get to it. "Hi Carson." I smile a bit shyly.

He's adorable in dark jeans, immaculate black converse, and a black button up that makes his green eyes really stand out. "Anne...wow. You look fantastic," he grins rather eagerly.

"Thanks. You look pretty neat yourself."

'"Neat"? I've been spending too much time with them.'

Carson's smile stiffens as he looks past my shoulder. "Hello. Are you friends of Anne?"

I turn slightly to see the boys behind me and feel Carson step closer to me. I'm not sure if that's to make himself feel more at ease or because he's trying to establish our friendship to them.

Steve crosses his arms casually and James answers, "you could say that." I've never before seen someone dunk an Oreo into a mug of milk with so much menace.

Trying not to roll my eyes, I say, "Boys, this is Carson" putting heavy emphasis on him name. I turn back to Carson. "These are my neighbors, Steve and James," I gesture dismissively towards them.

They all three do a weird, silent, guy nod.

"They came over because, uh, James had a serious craving for Oreos."

"Yeah, almost got violent," James adds with a malevolent grin.

"Anne hasn't told us very much about you, Carson. What do you do when you aren't working at the coffee cart?" Steve asks, not unkindly.

Carson's smile grows more at ease as he answers, "I'm finishing my degree in Teaching. Just a semester or so left."

Steve nods in his apparent approval.

"What about you two? Anne never talks about her friends."

James grins, "that's 'cause she doesn't have-"

Steve elbows him sharply. "I'm in the private security business."

'Sort of true. He protects people and keeps his identity private.'

"Bit of this. Bit of that. Sort of 'on leave' at the moment." James says before taking a bite of an Oreo in a threatening fashion.

I glance at my phone, not seeing anything on the display. "Oh, no. Look at the time. We should probably get going, right Carson? Wouldn't want to be late...for the, stuff, would we?"

Legato gelato.

I move to Steve and James. Grabbing their wrists, I tug them towards the door. Now I feel like a babysitter.

"But I wanted more Oreos," James whines.

I snag the box from the counter and toss it at him before pushing them through and locking the door behind us. "Well, see you boys later. Good luck with the thing." I smile in genuine encouragement.

As Carson tries to shake James' hand, I whisper to Steve, "and let me know if I need to knock some sense into Tony."

He grins. "You mean, 'let you know if you need to call Pepper'?"

"Same difference." I shrug.

≈o≈

The hang-out was kind of fun at first. Dinner was great – we went to a semi-fancy Italian place with fantastic food. But now, while we're taking a stroll down the nicer side of town, it feels a bit off and we walk in awkward silence.

"I was glad to meet you neighbors," he blurts, happy to have stumbled on something he could say. "I, and this really embarrassing, but I was jealous of Steve."

I stare at him, "What? Why?"

Carson raises his eyebrows. "Look at him. I figured as long as he's your friend, I haven't got a chance."

I guess he is interested in me. Instead of continuing that thread, I ask, "And meeting him changed your mind?" I'm genuinely curious as I had found that Steve improves upon closer acquaintance.

"Well, yeah. You didn't tell me that he was living with someone, and if his apartment is as small as yours, they're in close quarters, probably sharing the bedroom."

I'm confused for a moment before I get it. "You think, that they're, together? Like, together together?" I ask haltingly, making sure I haven't misunderstood.

He nods freely. "They certainly looked close, and-" he sees my expression. "-and I'm totally wrong, aren't I?"

I suck my lips in for a second. "Well, yes. I mean, I'm pretty sure. James I can't speak for, but Steve is in a romantic relationship – with a woman. He's not, um, interested in men."

Carson still looks a little unconvinced.

"James is his best friend. He was going through some rough stuff and needed a place to stay."

"Ah. Frat brothers, or something?"

I nod. Close enough.

"And I don't have to worry about you around James? He looks a little...'rough' himself."

"With his Oreos?"

He laughs. "I just want to know that you're safe. I literally know nothing about him except that he was going through 'rough stuff' and needs a place to stay. Sue me for judging a book by its cover, but he looks dangerous."

'Again, not wrong.'

"He's harmless enough- 'to me, at least'. Neither Steve nor James would ever hurt me- 'on purpose'. We're, um, buddies- 'I guess'."

Yeah, that sounded reassuring, right?

"Really? They are your friends?"

'Okay. Slightly hurtful.'

"Yeah! I think. They're very nice," I say defensively.

He puts his hand up. "I didn't mean that I don't think you have friends. They just, I don't know, don't seem quite...normal."

"Neither am I. We get along swimmingly." I cross my arms, now feeling defensive of them.

"All right," he chuckles. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have judged them before getting to know them."

I close my eyes. "I'm sorry, I acted like you insulted my kids or something. Fair warning: I'm apparently protective of my friends."

Carson smiles. "Loyalty in a friend is a good thing, so long as they deserve it. And since, from what I've seen of you, you have good judgment, I'll assume they do deserve it."

I smile back. "Good."    

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A/N: Bleh. Don't care for this chapter. Well, except for the bits with Bucky. He's a lot of fun to write. The other stuff was pretty dull though. Sorry about that.

On the plus side, the next chapter should have a lot more of him. So, keep reading? Sure. Let's go with that.