Annabelle Rogers - James 'Bucky' Barnes

Chapter One

"A bit more to the left. Perfect. She's going to love it"

Ticking off the last item on her to do list Annabelle stepped back to take in her hard work. Annabelle was one of the top event planners in New York and she loved her job. Even as a little kid she would always plan big extravagant parties for her family and friends.

Tonights event was a little different to her normal cliental. Making a name for herself amongst a lot of A listers, Annabelle had her regulars that would through over the top and expensive parties just because they felt like it. The money and exposure was great but Annabelle loved when she was able to do something a little more sentimental.

On one of the highest buildings in Manhattan was now a decked out roof top bar. Turf smoothed out over the concreted ground with flourished vines and different variety and sizes of plants placed all around. Fairy lights and large lanterns where strung above to compliment the shining moon.

A large brick wall covered in twenty one years worth of photos with white six foot, two and a one in front ready for a photo op as guests walked in. Annabelle was pleased with her team. As if rehearsed the birthday girl came skipping in from the service door with her sister and dad.

Eyes lite up taking in the transformation, eyes sparkling with joy. Like a little girl on Christmas.

"A.B this is beautiful" a familiar voice called over.

"Only the best for you guys, thank you for trusting me to organise it all"

Annabelle knew the two girls from back in high school, being in the same year as the birthday girls sister she jumped at the opportunity to through a twenty first birthday. A well deserved break from snobby demands and being able to express herself through the perfectly styled decor.

Finalising the staff and payment Annabelle bid her goodbyes before heading down the service stairwell. With it only being a short walk from her apartment building she had been walking to and from the location. Always picking up coffee on the way.

As she pushed the heavy building doors open a large figure caught her eye. Wearing an all black attire, his long hazelnut hair tucked out of his face, his cold ice stare melted into a smile as their blue eyes locked.

"Hey, Doll"

He spoke in his deep husky voice handing her his jacket as the Autumn breeze blew by. Whisking the jacket over her shoulders James threw his arm around her guiding her back home. As the Autumn weather was settling in for the season, James knew the nights would start getting dark earlier. Feeling a sense of protection for Annabelle the idea of her walking home alone in the setting sun didn't sit well with him.

It had been a wild couple of months when it came to the couple. Meeting on the streets of Manhattan, they haven't left each others side since. They still joke about how they met and if James wasn't in such a grump of a mood they would probably have never crossed paths.

It was a couple of months after James had gotten back from his 'Vacation' in Wakanda. He felt lost and confused with the new world he was now experiencing. Between the large crowds and constant nightmares he was always feeling overwhelmed and anxious leaving his run down one bedroom apartment. He resorted back to his home town in Brooklyn hoping it would give him some sort of comfort but in reality it was messing with his mind more.

Seeing how much things had changed and everything he had missed finally broke him, causing him to make a trip across to Manhattan. Never really experiencing it before he thought it would help to breath a different kind of air.

Little did he know that someone out there was feeling something similar. It had been months since Annabelle cut ties with her family and the first birthday that she has spent alone in a long time. Suddenly feeling claustrophobic in her in her two bedroom apparent she headed out walking the streets of Manhattan, getting herself a coffee then heading to Central Park for a stroll hoping the warmth of the spring sun would brighten her mood.

Walking back to her apartment block a man rushing through the crowd bumped into her causing her to spill the remainder of her ice coffee down the front of his shirt. Stumbling back he shot out his hand, wrapping it around her wrist preventing her from falling.Both eyeing each other off.

Considering it was getting close to summer he was quite rugged up. Wearing a maroon long sleeve top with a charcoal shirt underneath, a black leather jacket thrown over the top. His long hair was tucked under a plain black cap, hiding his features in the shadows. Blue piecing eyes peaking out from underneath.

In her moody state Annabelle was rocking a ripped pair of denim shorts with an oversized white graphic t-shirt, pairing it with white socks and chunky oversized combat boots. Normally always dressed up in pants suits or formal dresses for work, Annabelle liked to dress it down on her days off. Especially when she wasn't in the best state of mind.

After spitting out apologies Annabelle convinced James to come back to her apartment so that she could clean him up. Not wanting the coffee to stain his shirt but also intrigued by this mysterious handsome man. After cooking him some dinner and enjoying each others company James hasn't left the apartment since.

~

Heels in her hand Annabelle scurried straight for the bedroom. Throwing her black Louis vuittons in the bottom of the walk in closet before stripping off her cream work dress. Feeling relieved as her body relaxed. Pacing across the floor in a black lace lingerie set, she opened up the top draw in the dresser throwing on an oversized black hooded sweater. Matching it with her signature fluffy socks.

Making her way back into the open planned kitchen and lounge area she walked over to James placing a kiss on his check before wiggling her bum onto the kitchen counter.

"Spaghetti and meatballs?" He asked from inside the freezer. Peaking over his shoulder when he didn't get a response he noticed the tired girl letting out a yarn, almost swallowing the kitchen. "Or, we can put on a Disney movie and order pizza?"

Nodding in excitement Annabelle jumped off the counter, skipping her way to the couch. Pulling out her king sized fluffy pink blanket and crawling under it. James ordered the pizza before settling in beside her. Tracing over the gold letters A.B. stitched into the corner.

It was the first thing her dad brought her when she moved in with him, 12 months after her adoption. He said it would always keep her safe, even when he wasn't there.

Even though they haven't spoken in months, it still brought her an amines amount of comfort. Feeling safe and protected. Scooting over she nestled her head into James chest, flicking through the variety of movies trying to chose one to watch.