My Soldier (Bucky Barnes)

The Party

After a flight of about 2 hours, I could see the familiar 'A' on the tallest and- as Steve likes to call it- ugly building of New York. We landed onto the hangar on the roof of the tower and I picked up Clint again. Although all of us found it amusing, he absolutely hated it by now. A stretcher was brought by a few workers along with Dr. Helen Cho and Maria Hill. I placed him on it and Nat went along with Clint to the lab with Dr. Cho while Maria walked up to the remaining of us. "Lab's all set up, boss." she said to Tony. "Uh, actually, he's the boss. I just pay for everything, and design everything and make everyone look cooler." he said as he pointed at Steve and left with Bruce to meet up with Dr. Cho. "What's the word on Strucker?" Steve asked Maria. "NATO's got him." "The two enhanced?" I asked her. "Actually they're you friends, just like you." "The Maximoff twins. That's what I thought.", I said under my breath. "Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. Twins. Orphaned at ten when a shell collapsed their apartment building. Sokovia's had a rough history. It's nowhere special but it's on the way to everywhere special." "Their abilities?" Steve continued on asking her. "He's got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis. Her thing is neural electric interfacing, telekinesis, mental manipulation." Steve looked at her funny, and she rephrased the statement so he can understand. "He's fast and she's weird." I let out a chortle and he gives me a look before looking back at her.

"Well, they're going to show up again." "Agreed. File says they volunteered for Strucker's experiments. It's nuts." "Right. What kind of monster would let a German scientist experiment on them to protect their country?" "We're not at war, Captain", Maria says with a serious face. "They are", Steve replies. She lets out a small sigh before speaking, "Well see you two in the evening." and heads out. "I hope you will be coming too." Steve said to me. "Uh, I don't know." "Why not?" "Never been to one. Well except during an extraction mission. God it was a literal gala out there. The crowd, huge dresses and makeover, not really my thing." I shrug. "Well it's a party for you and you should be there. I am sure its fine of you don't wear a dress. You can wear whatever you like and as for the crowd, I'll try to keep them away." he said with a smile. "I guess only if Nat doesn't kill me for not showing up in a dress." "I'll make sure she doesn't." "Thankyou Cap", I said with a genuine smile as he looked into my eyes. Just then he got called over by Thor over choosing him a suit. I headed to my room. 

It was a big suite like room with an open area where I would practice at times. The bed was huge and soft but I never really slept in it. I was used to sleeping on the cold floor so the softness of the bed would put me in discomfort. I had a huge TV in there and a couch set where Nat would usually sit with me and watch some shows. By now, I had watched the Office. It was fun but I never really understood it most of the times. I wouldn't have used it if it wasn't for Nat's own mission to keep me updated with her pop- culture thingy. I preferred to sit alone and draw something. Even through all of this, there was one thought that never left the back of my mind. Bucky. What was he doing? How was he? Was he safe? Is he alive? All those questions would cloud my mind during the night and his screams from our time during HYDRA along with my own kept me awake. I took off my gear and suit as I stepped into the shower. After a good long bath, I walked out in a towel and then changed into some comfortable clothes. Nat had taken me shopping with Clint and we spent a lot of Tony's money on the clothes. She even managed to get me a few dresses. She was gonna make me wear one of them tonight. I hear a knock on my door as I dry my hair with a towel. I open it and see Nat standing there with a huge ass bag with her.

"Hey. Its time loser." she greeted as she stepped into the room. "Sooooo, have you chosen what to wear for the party." she asked me with an excitement. "Uh how about I don't wear a dress." "ANASTASSIA ILIANA DVORVAKOVA. ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU'RE NOT WEARING A DRESS?!" "I talked to Steve, h-he said I could wear what I like." "Steve is a grandpa. Who listens to him?!" "I do", I say quietly. "Shut up. You're wearing a dress." "But-" "No buts. You're wearing a dress I got you and that's final." she said as she cut me off in the middle of my sentence. I huffed in defeat. I might be an ex- HYDRA assassin but this woman scares me. She quickly made her way into my closet and chose a dress for me.

She chose a pink satin dress with pencil skirt along with a slit. It reached just to my calves an had a cowl neckline. It truly looked beautiful. She paired it with some clear heels which I was very scared of. For jewelry, she gave me one of her rose gold bracelet and a pair of diamond earrings. During the time of makeup I hesitated a bit but she ensured that it won't be anything much. She settled for a natural makeup look on me and let my wavy brown hair to fall down to my waist. I wasn't really a person of good shape. I had thick thighs and a non- flat stomach but the dress covered it up perfectly. For once I did accept that I looked beautiful. Never once had I thought of looking this good. "Well you're looking really beautiful. Now, if I may, would like to change into my outfit." she said with a smile. "Thankyou, Nat. Really." She then left the room with her bag as I waited for the time to be 7.00 pm. Till then I looked for my thigh holster. I decided to keep in some knives with me, just in case. I set the holster and hid it perfectly.

Just then the clock in my room showed 7.11 and I left the room to join the party. After my journey through the elevator, I made it to where the party was being held. The entire floor had been covered with people. It was hard to find my own teammates till I saw Maria and Rhodes leave Tony and Thor together as they visibly keep bickering. Must be about their women. Don't get me wrong, I love head strong women but with them two discussing about it the whole time, it gets kinda boring. I head out into the party and see Steve with none other than Sam. "Hey Steve. Hey Pigeon Wings" "Hello Ana" Steve replies with a smile. "Heyyo fire- girl. Wassup?" Sam says as he gives me a side hug. "You're looking absolutely pretty girl. Slayyy." he said with a laugh. What's 'slay'? But anyways he probably meant it as a compliment so I smiled. "What have you been upto all this time?" I ask him. "I'm very happy chasing cold leads on our missing persons case." he was definitely talking about Bucky. I guess Steve was trying to find him too. I hadn't started yet as I did promise him that I will give him some time to settle and then find him. "Must be fun then." "Oh hun, you've got no idea." Both Steve and I laughed at it. Sam then left to get some drinks and I politely said no to them. I could never get drunk so what's the use. 

"Sam wasn't lying when he said that you looked pretty." "Thankyou Cap." I said with a smile. "You know I was really rooting for you in a suit or something 'cause well you didn't wanna wear dresses." "Me too but, Natasha happened. Honestly, I'm scared of her when it comes to that. But one day, you will see me in a suit for sure." "I'm counting on that." Just then Thor appeared behind us and took us to a table. "My mortal friends, as you see, I've got a special drink for both of you." He shows a small glass case filled with alcohol. "See this, this was aged for a thousand years, in the barrels built from the wreck of Grunhel's fleet, it was not meant for mortal men" I then give him a look. "Or women." he then gives an awkward laugh and pours it into three glasses. He hands one to Steve and one to me. We both try to smell it and geez it was strong. An old man wearing specs then asked Thor to pour some for him too even though Thor warned him of it. After reluctantly pouring it in his glass, the man drank in a gulp and was super drunk. The guards had to pull him out of the party. Thor landed his eyes on me and asked me and Steve to drink it. While Steve was resenting, I drank it in a gulp and could feel the alcohol gizzying up my system. Steve followed my actions and made a face. I was instantly feeling tipsy. It was definitely strong for him too. Oh boy, it was gonna be a long night.