Dark Desires (Bucky Barnes) ((Steve Rogers))

Chapter 20: The Most Beautiful Woman

Bucky stayed close to Cara, not wanting to let her out of his sight or even his reach for that matter. Tony motioned for them to all come forward a little closer while the mayor began to speak. Standing next to an enormous black curtain between two pillars, blocking an entry into an exhibit hall, he smiled looking around the room hand up thanking people for their applause. When the noise died down he looked around the room speaking steadily but charmingly. Reminded her of a certain genius billionaire playboy philanthropist that she knew, but not quite.

"Ladies, gentlemen, heads of state, and international leaders, I'd like to welcome you to this special night, as well as help me in applauding our guests of honor, The Avengers."

As the room erupted in applause, the group looked around in surprise. Guests of honor? Cara thought this was just an event to show a little face. Some of them held up hands of thanks to the crowd, but almost all of them looked at Tony suspiciously. He only shrugged, giving them a mischievous smirk. The applause died down and the mayor began to speak again.

"This has been years in the making. Many wonderful artists have contributed. It is my honor and with great pleasure that I present to you, The Avenger's Exhibit."

Applause erupted again as the black curtain was pulled away and the black and gold lettering stood out boldly against the white marble wall. The mayor offered his hand toward the exhibit entrance and they walked in, the firsts to see it. Each piece was magnificent and there were so many different styles of art. There were paintings, sculptures, pottery on marble stands encased in glass. Wanda spotted a painting of her and Pietro, causing her to break out into subtle tears. Photographers also took pictures as they observed. Cara found a painting of not only herself but also one of her and Clint getting a picture together with him next to it.

Cara wandered through the space as well as the others. With Bucky close in tow, she entered the next more open room looking at a magnificent painting of Bucky and Sam, then another of Clint and Nat. For a long time her gaze fell on a 3D pop out painting of the original 6 which Cara though was an amazing mixed style piece. There was one piece that was a side by side of Steve and Bucky during World War II and Steve and Bucky just a couple years ago. She turned, smiling, to look at Bucky after spotting the painting. When she looked at him however his gaze was focused, almost in fear across the room. Just as she turned to look, Bucky looked at Cara, fearful, preparing for her reaction.

One of her hands flew to her mouth as she inhaled in a gasp. Slowly, she walked across the room Bucky following closely but she didn't hear a word he was saying to her. Before her, was a statue of Steve and beside it, a statue of her, posed together in an action pose. Around it were paintings of just Steve, both action and casual, as well as the same styles of her. Then her other hand flew to her mouth and she would have fallen to her knees had Bucky not braced her. Tears streamed down her face as she saw an enormous 15 foot by 6 foot painting, a movement of seasons theme but the entire painting was a collage of moments between she and Steve, both working and fighting as well as their personal moments in public, their ice cream date, kissing in the rain and so many more. They were all so absolutely magnificent and beautiful, but they provoked emotions in her that she was not prepared to feel. To top it off one of the photographers had captured their every move every emotion since they entered the room.

As she turned into Bucky now, his arms wrapping around her the second she did, he rested his head gently on hers. The others began filtering into the space looking around at all the art before noticing Cara and the art around her. Becoming increasingly saddened and uncomfortable she looked up at Bucky. He nodded at her understanding, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket. Gently he wiped her tears, fixing her makeup slightly as he did. When he was done, he tucked the handkerchief away again as she looked at him again releasing a long slow steady breath. He smiled at her as Clint and Tony approached them.

"Nat really did a great job on that makeup, I only had to fix one or two slight misalignments after the waterworks doll." Bucky said.

She laughed, almost not wanting to but allowing herself to. Stepping back from Bucky, Clint arrived at one side, Tony at the other as Bucky stood smiling at her.

"Hey, you good? You okay?" Clint asked frantically.

"Cara I had no idea all of this was going to be part of it, I only knew about the installment and the dedication." Tony said taking her hand.

"It's okay, really it's okay. They're beautiful, all of them absolutely stunning and it's a wonderful tribute. It just caught me off guard and made me emotional for a moment. But I'm okay I promise. Let's just enjoy the evening." Cara responded smiling.

They nodded agreeing with her before each of them hugged her smiling at her. She and Bucky then made their way back through the exhibit out into the main gala area, giving the other guests a chance to wander through the installation now. They thanked the mayor saying how amazing it was, feeling obligated to do so. Cara wanted to find a corner to hide in until they could leave but the music changed and Bucky grabbed her hand stopping her. She turned around to look at him confused.

"Dance with me." Bucky said smiling.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me gorgeous. I said dance with me."

Pausing for just a moment to think, she then nodded to him and he led her out laughing to the enormous space designated for mingling and dancing. Once they started dancing, other guests joined them excitedly. They swayed back and forth together, Bucky twirling her around occasionally, happy she knew the dance.

"You look beautiful tonight."

"So you've mentioned." Cara said laughing.

"What can I say, a beautiful woman should be told they're beautiful, and often too. You, Cara Rae Barton," Cara's jaw dropped half smiling half laughing at him mentioning her middle name, "are the most beautiful woman I have even met or seen. So I'm going to tell you, often."

Cara laughed as he smiled, twirling her again. The end of the song approached and Bucky twirled her our from him, twirling her back in, just as the song finished her put her into a low dip. There was applause from the crowd, many of them older dignitary couples, appreciative that young people still knew how to dance. Cara looked up at him, noticing his steel blue eyes, his broad smile, she noticed the way her heart beat warmly and strongly. She was feeling things she hadn't felt in well over a year and it both terrified her and excited her. As Cara looked up at Bucky smiling, something caught her attention. Above them, just past Bucky's head, through the glass ceiling, she could see the black outline of a figure with a rifle, raised, head leaned slightly looking through the scope.