CRAVE - Bucky Barnes x Marvel AU

Part 22

"James?" I asked him, he looked like he'd zoned out for a moment. His face held a dark expression, not processing what I was showing him.

He snapped out of it at the sound of his name, jumping a little. "Sorry sweetheart..." he said, rubbing his forehead "carry on, the red one's my favourite."

I smiled and carried on presenting every single handbag I owned in my wardrobe to him as he admired me, pacing up and down the shelf and explaining what outfits and events I'd save them for.

We were going to drive to Wanda's soon, I just needed help choosing what handbag to bring, but I got a little carried away and began telling James about each one of them. He didn't mind though. But I knew something was playing on his mind.

"Hey..." I noticed he zoomed out again, I cupped his face in my hands and looked down on him. "What's the matter, Bucky?"

He smiled at my choice of words, wrapping his arms around my waist and letting me stroke his hair. "Don't worry about me. If there's no bag you like we can go buy a new one on the way to Wanda's."

As much as I loved the idea of late night handbag shopping in London with James Barnes, I wasn't stupid. I wasn't going to let him distract me with a topic like that.

"Don't worry about me," I repeated his words, making him give me some sort of puppy eyes as he looked up at me "if you want I could try and cheer you up before we head to Wanda's."

"I don't deserve you." He said, standing up and wrapping me up with his arms. I loved him hugging me, but I had to get this out of him before we went to Wanda's.

"Tell me."

"I've got it sorted already-" he said, not wanting to open up.

"James," I said a little softer this time, looking straight into his steel blue eyes.

He sighed "I have my security team taking care of it all, but Natasha's been released from prison." I was left with my mouth stuck in an O shape "But the situation is, she's completely innocent. And my security team have intell that she's been brainwashed or something, which lead to you."

"What are you saying?" I asked, knowing this new Natasha is not the old one. Brainwashed.

"The night at uni," he knew it was a sensitive subject for me "they went to also recruit you- and everyone at that party anyway. You were one of the few lucky survivors."

I was speechless, this could only mean one thing. They'd want to recruit me now. "They?" I asked, gulping.

"Some bastard, Drakov, in charge of the red room." He held me closer "I've got eyes everywhere, don't worry darling, nobody's getting anywhere near my girl."

I cuddled into him as he picked up the red bag I had chosen with my outfit as we made our way to the car parked outside. James insisted he drive, I let him since I'd driven his car in the past.

-

We stood outside on Wanda's doorstep, the crisp November air got to me, James's warm hand held my waist as we waited. I could see the curtains closed and a dim light coming from inside, we could hear muffled laughing voices from inside.

"Hey guys!" Wanda exclaimed as she flung open the door "come in!"

"You look so good!" I admired Wanda's black mini dress, and the way her dirty blonde hair was parted at a side. She'd dyed it since I last saw her, it looked great.

She led me and James inside after greeting him as well, we walked into the living room where Wanda introduced us to everyone.

Howard was here of course, so was Vision, the twins were upstairs getting ready for bed.
"Nice to see you, Lizzie," Vision greeted me "and you must be James,"