The Siren (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Part 3 - A Song of Realisation

The fortnight passed in a blur of meetings and security checks. Not exactly how one imagined spending their weekends, Bucky mused to himself. But all protocols had been put into place for the next event of Congress: guards at every entry and exit point, extra security cameras at the venue, a patrol to come through and sweep the area before the party commenced, and a personal invitation for any of the Avengers.

"So, what are you wearing tonight?" Sam asked Bucky.

"My suit." He pointed at the dinner suit hanging on the side of his limited wardrobe.

"You do realise it's themed, right?"

"Well, then I'm not going." Grabbing the tape off his night stand he started to prepare himself for the gym.

"No, you are coming with me. Like hell I'm going to be walking around Congress by myself dressed as if I've stepped out of a fairy tale."

Bucky let out a throaty laugh. "No child would want to read a fairy tale about you."

"Hey, kids love me," Sam exclaimed chucking a mask on Bucky's bed before swinging the door closed behind him

"Sure they do," Bucky sighed in response, now undoing the tape around his hands. Picking up the mask, he turned it over in his hand. It was a simple black mask, except for the small golden floral swirls twisting around the right eye. Bucky rolled his eyes.

● ● ●

"Any sign of her yet?" Carol questioned the two boys who were standing to the side of the dance floor.

"No, not ye..." Sam trailed off, his attention snared elsewhere.

"Guess we now know why she's called the Siren," breathed the Captain.

Bucky couldn't help but join Sam, and everyone else, watching in awe as the embodiment of a bouquet of flowers floated down the marble staircase. Blushing flowers highlighted with white leaves travelled up the pink gown only to bloom into white lace that weaved around her bodice like vines. Smoothly sliding her hand along the cool marble handrail she skilfully accentuated her bare shoulders which were kissed by the white vines and their flushed flowers. Her blue eyes were framed with a matching pearl mask whose string was weaved through her up done hair.

"A wolf in sheep's clothing," Barnes murmured to his team as he walked to the bottom of the stairs presenting his arm for the lovely lady. She wrapped her arm around his metal arm, smiling brightly at him.

"You look rather handsome," she sung into his ear, lips almost brushing his cheek.

"Don't pretend, Miss Bell" he grumbled back.

Maya's expression shifted, fear flickered across her face for a brief moment before she composed herself, looking him dead in the eye. "And this isn't pretend?" she said, as if gesturing to herself. But her seriousness was gone as quickly as it had appeared, a flirtatious smile automatically becoming her second mask for the rest of the night.

It took Bucky a moment to understand what she meant, to realise he had not imagined the split second of a moment. He gave a small knowing nod before twirling the trapped girl into a waltz. The crowd all looked on, watching the way the Siren's pastel pink fabric danced off the Winter Solider's black suit. It was like watching light crash against the darkness, both all consuming, both unable to exist without the other.

"Floral suits you, flower boy," the Siren purred under her lashes.

The Winter Solider only smiled, shaking his head. As he spun her outwards the song slowed further, allowing her to spin into him, her back resting against his chest. She could feel his breath ruffled the top of her hair.