August 26th, 2015• 2 days before

"James Buchanan Barnes." You said, a sly smile on your face. "Never thought I'd see your face again." You held out your hand in front of you, which he shook firmly with a smile.

"I hope we could have a new start." He asked, his smile never fading.

"Of course." You said, letting his hand go.

He had come pretty far since he was found, trying to rip his own arm off in a vice. That was an interesting June, with the winter soldier running around the remains of S.H.E.I.L.D.

But now his blue eyes sparkled, his smile was dazzling, and his laugh was genuine. James had once again returned to him. And you, being the observant and prying person you are, couldn't help but become intrigued by his mysterious past.

So, after the... not so nice meeting the two of you had on a highway, you decided to put aside the bad blood and create new, happier memories.

"Speaking of new start," you began, "I'm heading out to pick up the daily rounds of coffee for this place," you gestured to the Stark Tower, "do you want to join?"

Bucky smirked at you, the outer corners of his eyes crinkling. He looked to Steve for permission, since Fury had made sure that Steve understood that Bucky was his responsibility. Steve gave a silent nod, and Bucky turned back to you.

"I'd love to."

You smiled, your gaze flickering to Steve once before beginning the walk to the café down the road. Bucky walked beside you, a light jacket draped over his shoulders, his hands shoved in the pockets.

"So, what has the famed Bucky Barnes been doing lately?" You asked. Bucky raised his eyebrow at you.

"Trying to adjust. There's a lot of things that have changed since 1943." He answered. You laughed, and he immediately decided that he loved your laugh.

"Well, I can see that." You smirked and looked at him. "But you seem like a smart guy, you can't be that bad."

He lifted his shoulders and made a face. "It's just those phones. The phones aren't really making sense to me."

"Maybe I'll have to show you." You said, stopping and opening the door to the café. He narrowed his eyes at you flirtatious tone, but smiled anyways.

"Maybe you will."

You both got in line and ordered something to drink before finding a table. You pulled a chair up next to Bucky, seating yourself so your elbows were brushing against each other's. Pulling your phone out of your back pocket, you unlocked it.

"Okay, tell me what you don't get." You said. He pulled out his phone as well, sliding the lock screen open.

A sly smirk crossed his face as a brilliant plan popped into his mind.

"Contacts." He said, pushing on the small icon. You did the same.

"What about the contacts?"

"Making a new one."

You pushed the small addition symbol in the corner, bringing up the menu to make a new contact.

"You just press that button, then put in your information." You explained.

"I see." Bucky said, slipping your phone from your hands and inputting his information.

You shook your head and leaned back in your chair, crossing your arms. "Very smooth Barnes, very smooth."

He smirked and sent a text to his phone from yours before looking at you. "I try."

"Now that you're done taking my phone number, can I have it back?" You said, holding out your hand. He held your phone to his chest.

"There's a price, doll." He teased, a grin on his face.

"What is it?" You sighed, rolling your eyes, a grin of your own mirroring his.

"Dinner. Tonight." He wagered. You snatched your phone out of his hands, leaving your face close to his.

"You didn't have take my property to get a yes, James." You whispered.

"Oh I know, just needed to be sure." He whispered back. You laughed and leaned back again.

"Come on, let's go get the Avengers their caffeine before they rip each other's head off." You stood, and held out your hand for him. He took it, and didn't let go until you got back to the Tower.

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August 26th, 2015• 2 days before

There was a knock at your door, making you jump up and jog slightly to it, your heels clicking on the wooden floor.

You swung it open excitedly, finding a rather dapper Bucky Barnes waiting on the other side. His hair was trimmed and slicked back, his crisp white dress shirt was covered with a black suit jacket to match his slacks, and a black tie hung around his neck.

His eyes traveled over your body, in a fitting maroon cocktail dress, a flowing black sweater on your shoulders. He drunk in the sight of your hair framing your face delicately, to your figure, to your long legs, and lastly the heels. He had a thing for heels.

"Damn, Barnes." You broke the silence. "You clean up well."

He raised and eyebrow at you and took a step closer, his feet moving subconsciously. "I could say the same about you, (Y/N). You're beautiful."

You blushed at his comment, brushing your lips against his cheek as you stepped out of your room.

"Can't be late." You teased, holding out your hand to him. He took it and let you drag him along, a dreamy grin on his lips.

The restaurant was pretty empty, after all, it was a Tuesday night. You were seated comfortably in a booth meant for four, allowing some wiggle room.

"Tell me about yourself, doll." James inquired, leaning on the table. You looked over the top of your menu and smirked.

"Well, my favorite color is green, simply because it's the color of luck. My favorite food is anything sweet, honestly," you put the menu down, "and I guess I have a thing for older men."

He chuckled at your last comment, shaking his head.

"Let's see," He said, "my favorite color is white, because it's pure. My favorite food is pizza- it's gotten a lot better since my time. And I'm a creepy old man that likes younger girls."

You narrowed your gaze at him. "Sounds like my type." You joked, causing the both of you to laugh.

And the rest of the night ensuthed, the two of you laughing and talking the entire time. It was amazing, the best date you'd ever had.

You walked back home hand in hand, your interlocked fingers swinging between the two of you. The cool air chilled your shoulders, sending shivers down your spine. Bucky noticed and immediately took off his suit jacket and stopping. You turned to him confused, but was only met with him draping his warm jacket around your shoulders, holding your gaze in his.

It was then that you had ask yourself: How fast can someone fall in love?

"Bucky," you whispered, taking an impossible step closer, "can I ask you something?"

He held onto the lapels of his jacket, his eyes flickering down to your lips. Your hands came to rest on his chest.

"How fast can someone fall in love?" You asked quietly, your head tilting slightly.

"As fast as their heart can manage." He said, his voice barely above a whisper, before capturing your lips in his.

Your arms immediately wrapped around his neck, pressing your body flush against his. He pulled you closer by your waist, on hand on your lower back and one in between your shoulder blades. Your lips danced to a fast beat, the passion of the moment sweeping you away.

You pulled away breathless, keeping him close.

"James," Your eyes traveled from his lips to his stare, "I think I'm falling in love with you."

"I know I'm falling in love with you." He replied, smashing his lips onto yours again.

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August 27th, 2015• 1 day before

You woke up in Bucky's arms, his bare chest rising and falling against your back. No, nothing happened, he just stayed in your room that night.

You turned in his arms and watched his sleeping figure. His face looked so serene, like all of the physical and emotional torture he had endured never happened. Like he didn't have a care in the world, not a worry on his mind.

He was beautiful.

He took in a deep breath and yawned, the arm previously draped over you stretching over his head. His eyes opened to yours, a lazy smile stretching over his face.

"I could get used to waking up next to you." He said in a husky morning voice, laying a delicate kiss on your nose.

"Mmhm." You hummed, burying your head into his neck, laying butterfly kisses there. He chuckled and turned so you were laying on top of him, your hair falling over your face like a halo.

"You're an angel." He said softly, twisting a piece of your hair around his finger.

"And you're a flirt." You teased, pecking his lips.

"What do you want to do today?"

"Why don't we... go walk in the park? We can pick up some food on the way."

"Sounds perfect." He leaned up and kissed you again.

"Perfect."

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August 27th, 2015• 1 day before

"It's beautiful outside, don't you think?" You asked, laying your head on Bucky's shoulder. He put his arm around you and picked at the chipping paint of the park bench you were sitting on.

"It is." He agreed. A small silence engulfed the two of you, the only noise being the birds and children playing.

"Can you promise me something?" You asked.

"Anything."

"You need to protect yourself. I can't have you getting injured because of recklessness."

"Of course," He kissed your forehead, "I'll stay safe for you. I promise."

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August 28th, 2015• 0 days before

"I'm going to head out, I'll be back soon!" You called to the Avengers, who were all gathered in the living area.

"I'll come!" Bucky volunteered, springing up to follow you. To say the two of your were attached at the hip was an understatement. Ever since you had declared your love for each other two days prior, he never wanted to leave your side. It was complete bliss.

You smiled and took his hand as you walked out of the Tower.

"I just need to stop by the bank and deposit my paycheck." You explained.

"Sounds fun." He smiled at you, squeezing your hand.

"You're adorable, James." You said.

"And I love it when you call me James." He leaned over and kissed your cheek, making you blush.

"Stop it, James." You teased. He bit his lip to keep from attacking you with hugs and kisses, and instead turned his attention to opening the door for you.

"What a gentleman." You teased, walking into the bank and getting in line. Bucky followed closely, hugging you from behind when he caught up.

"You know-"

BANG

You were pulled to the ground by Bucky, two assailants entering the bank, shooting down anybody who wasn't on the floor.

You felt fear slowly eat away at your heart. You were unarmed, unprepared, and completely out of your element. There was no way you'd be able to stop two heavily armed men.

"Everyone against the wall!" They shouted. James shuffled you across the floor to said wall, keeping you slightly behind him protectively. You could see his jaw clenching, his mind working.

"James..." You said quietly.

"Don't worry, I'll get us out." He whispered back.

"Don't you dare be the hero." You seethed. "Don't you fucking dare. You promised, James."

He looked back with sad eyes, his hand falling into yours. "I'm sorry." And he stood, causing the men to train their guns on him.

"Get back on the wall!" They shouted. Bucky clenched his fists at his sides.

"You have three seconds to get out." Bucky said. "One."

"Two."

"...three."

And, all at once, he jumped and bent the barrel of one machine gun, rendering it useless. The other man tried to shoot him, but he used his arm to deflect the bullets. The man soon had a metal hand around his throat, then a good knock to the temple left him unconscious. The first man jumped on Bucky's back, holding a rope around his throat, choking him. You jumped up to help, bringing your sneaker to the back of his head, making him let go of Bucky. He charged at you, tackling you to the ground. His hands closed around your neck as Bucky sputtered for air. He recovered and pulled the man off you, knocking him out with a clean punch to the face.

He rushed over to you and pulled you onto his lap. "Hey, hey. You're okay, I'm here, you're okay."

"I'm okay." You repeated, holding him close. The other hostages gathered around, saying thank yous through tears. But you could only hear Bucky's whispers in your ears, and the distant sound of police sirens.

"You're okay doll, I've got you, we're okay now."

2180 words. Hope you enjoyed!

TheDaughterOfLoki