Bucky's POV
Too many damn lights. That's the first thing I noticed after the car pulled up in front of Stark Tower. I knew that Howard's retirement would be garnering a lot of press, but damn I wasn't expecting this many people. Anna tried to talk to me in the car, but everything she said seemed to go in one ear and out the other. I couldn't pay attention to anything. All I could think about, was Olivia Miller. There's no way she wouldn't be here. Even if she hated me, she was still friends with Tony, and Howard Stark adored her more than his own son half the time. The fact that she managed to break through his asshole-ishness still surprised all of us to this day.
Man, you have to stop thinking about Olivia. You've got Anna right beside you, just enjoy your night.
Anna must be a mind-reader or something because as soon as we stepped out of the car she looped her arm through mine, my body's automatic response was to wrap my arm around her waist instead and lead her through the crowd of press.
"Mr. Barnes over here!"
"Mr. Barnes, who are you wearing?"
"Mr. Barnes is it true you're going to be announced as the new VP of Stark Industries?"
"Mr. Barnes, who do you have with you tonight?"
The question kept coming and coming and felt like they would never stop. I paused occasionally for a picture but ultimately avoided the questions, they'd get most of their answers soon enough. I turned to check on Anna and noticed a pout on her lips, her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. I leaned in to her, my lips brushing her ear, and asked "you okay?"
My question only seemed to annoy her further as she pursed her lips and whispered back, "you didn't want to tell any of them about me. And every picture you took you seemed to push me off to the side. Are you embarrassed by me, James?"
Her statement made me want to roll my eyes. Of course I didn't want to talk to the paparazzi about Anna. It's not like we were dating, hell, she'd be lucky if she got an invitation back to my place tonight after the way she just acted. I pulled her closer to me and just ignored her statement, guiding her through the front doors of Stark Tower and into the banquet hall.
Pepper's outdone herself, yet-a-fuckin-gain, I thought to myself upon entering. The banquet hall was well-decorated, which was expected because who can out prepare Pepper Potts-Stark, the correct answer is nobody. I looked around, trying to find a familiar face when one appeared right in front of me. Howard Stark himself.
"James, good to see you. And Ol-...," Howard started; however, upon seeing the woman on my arm his eyes narrowed in confusion, and maybe a hint of anger before he finished with, "you're not Olivia."
Anna's face flashed a number of emotions. I think I saw her go through the five stages of grief at Howard's statement. To avoid another awkward moment I went ahead and introduced Anna, "Howard, this is Anna Graves, my date for the evening. Anna, this is Howard Stark."
Anna perked up at the introduction an held her hand out to Howard, "it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stark! I've looked up to you since I was a child," she announced far too chipper for Howard's taste causing me to cringe.
Howard merely looked at her outstretched hand and cocked an eyebrow before responding with, "Mmhmm. Well. If you see Olivia, send her my direction. I've been looking for her all night," and promptly walking away. Anna's frown returned. A headache magically appeared. It's gonna be a long night. Where the fuck is Tony?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Olivia's POV
Okay, Olivia. Breathe. Put on the fucking purple dress already and breathe. That's all that had been going through my head for the last ten minutes. The party had started twenty minutes ago, and luckily all I had to do was put on the dress and go downstairs. Pepper had already had someone come and do my hair and makeup, she had even helped me pick out this dress months ago just for tonight. A light purple floor length dress with a lace bodice and open back. It was beautiful. But fuck was I nervous. I knew he'd be there. It was his promotion party as much as it was Howard's retirement. For the last week I'd been toying with the idea of not going, but Tony told me that was out of the question. In fact his exact words were, "fuck that! You don't have to celebrate the Ice Man but you're damn sure gonna celebrate me!"
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"And They Were Roommates"
Fanfiction"Oh my god they were roommates." Olivia has known Bucky Barnes for the last nine years and has been living with him and Steve for most of those years. But when Bucky sticks his foot in his mouth will they be able to remain roommates and friends afte...
