July 22 2017

It was the next day, and the time was eleven fifteen p.m, Anne was seen at the office of her company as she was doing some paperwork while talking to someone on the phone. There was a knock on the door as Anne hanged up the call and said "Come In" The door opened and Tara entered the office with a smile on her face as Anne looked at her and smiled back.

Tara: Hey Anne, Your meeting is going to begin in thrity minutes, You should get going.

Anne: *Stretches out* Right, I should.

Tara: Who even sets up a meeting at eleven p.m? Like, couldn't they just wait till tomorrow?

Anne: I have no idea, It's not even that important anyway.

Tara: Then why don't you cancel it?

Anne: I'm bored.

She smiled a little as Tara rolled her eyes and chuckled before she sat on the chair and continued talking to her.

Tara: So, anything with you and that James guy?

Anne heard his name and couldn't help but smile as Tara grinned, seeing her smile when she mentioned his name.

Tara: Ooooh, someone's smiling.

Anne: What if I told you that i actually liked him?

Tara's eyes lit up as Anne was spinning her pen around while smiling at Tara, waiting for her response.

Tara: *Laughs* Oh my gosh, I knew it! The way you smile whenever I mention his name, it's so obvious!

Anne:*Laughs* Yeah, I guess I can't hide it anymore. I do like him. A lot.

Tara: That's honestly amazing! Have you told him about it?

Anne: Not yet, but I'm planning on it.

Tara: What are you waiting for? You should tell him.

Anne: Don't worry, I will definitely tell him about it.

Tara smiled and looked intrigued by what she was hearing, There was a moment of silence before Anne began speaking to her.

Anne: He's just. . . so different from anyone I've ever met, Tara, Being around him feels like stepping into another world. I can see the struggle in his eyes, the weight he carries, and part of me just wants to be there for him. To ease that burden, even if just a little.

Tara's gaze softened as she had a small smile on her face.

Tara: You told me that he went through a lot in his life, What even happened to him?

Anne: I don't think I should be telling you that, But it's just something in the past that holds him back, That's why since I met him, I made sure to stay by his side no matter what.

Tara nodded as Anne smiled a little and continued thinking about Bucky.

Tara: It sounds like he really means a lot to you.

Anne: He does. . . And i mean so much to him.

Tara: *Smiles* I never thought I would see you in love with someone. It's actually adorable.

Anne smiled and felt her heart racing as Tara had a phone call and told Anne that she will be back later, She nodded as Tara left the office, leaving Anne alone as Anne continued playing with her pen while thinking about something.

Suddenly, She heard a knock on the window as Winters turned around in confusion, Her eyes lit up and saw Bucky on the window, he was wearing his gear as he was looking at Anne.

Anne: Bucky?

She was shocked and confused, wondering why he showed up to her company so randomly, However she noticed he was holding a bouquet of roses in his hands before he climbed up and disappeared from her sight, Anne immediately got up and called Tara on the phone, telling her to postponed the meeting for sometime.

Soon, Anne made it to the rooftop and looked for any sign of Bucky. Suddenly, she noticed him walking towards him while holding the bouquet.

Anne: What were you thinking? You could have got caught.

He smiled through his mask and gave her the flowers as Anne smiled at him.

Bucky: I was just being a gentleman.

Anne rolled her eyes and smiled at him as he took off his mask and glasses while looking at her.

Anne: Thanks. . . But what are you actually here for?

He sighed and continued staring at her before taking a step closer, He cleared his throat and began speaking.

Bucky: I just wanted to see you one last time before I go.

Anne: Wait, where are you going?

Bucky: I like it here, Anne. Protecting Gotham, helping the people here, This city also changed me for good and It makes me feel like I'm doing something real. . . But. . I can't ignore my past. Steve. . . he's still out there, along with the others. They're picking up the pieces after. . . everything.

Anne: . . I understand, You miss them, right?

Bucky: They're the closest thing I have. . . After all that's happened, I owe it to them, to Steve, especially to see where we stand, to help where I can.

Anne was looking at him, understanding his words. He really wanted to meet up with the other avengers. . . However, She felt a little sad for some reason.

Anne: Does that mean i won't see you for a while?

Bucky frowned a little before he grabbed her hand and spoke to her.

Bucky: I'll be back to Gotham, really soon. I won't be gone for long.

Anne continued staring at him as he touched her cheek and smiled a little.

Bucky: Anne, I don't know if you understand just how much you've done for me. You've seen every broken piece, every scar, and you never once looked at me like I was anything less. It's. . . hard for me to trust anyone. To believe that I could be anything other than. . . what they made me.

He spoke in a shaky breath, trying to calm himself down as Anne continued looking at him and held his hand.

Bucky: I've been on the run, hiding from what I was, from what I did. And then. . . I found you. Somehow, you look at me like I'm worth saving, like there's still something good left in me. You gave me a place to belong, a reason to stop running and just be. . . You've helped me see that I don't have to be defined by my past.

Anne smiled a little as Bucky smiled again and touched her cheek, feeling his heart race as Anne gently squeezed his hand.

Bucky: You were there for me. . . The one I needed the most and you don't know how much you mean to me, Anne.

Anne felt her heart skip a beat as Barnes continued smiling at her.

Bucky: All I want to say, Before I go. . . I love you, Anne.

Anne's eyes widen as Bucky slowly moves a strand of her hair and continued smiling at her.

Bucky: My life. . . it began when I started loving you, Anne. You're the reason I can finally see a future, the reason I want to be the man I thought I lost long ago. You've been my light when I didn't think I deserved one.

He continued holding her hand as Anne felt her heart beating faster, She was starting to feel emotional by his confession, Something she never thought she would feel. Bucky slowly let go of her hand and looked at her, He was about to walk away until Anne said something.

Anne: Really? You're just gonna leave like that?

Bucky turned around and looked at her as Anne had a huge smile on her face, pushing her vulnerable state.

Anne: You said you loved me, You made my heart race. . . And your just gonna walk away like that?

Bucky: I just wanted to get that off my chest. . .

Anne: Dont you get it?. . . I love you too, Bucky. I love you in a way that scares me. In a way that makes me want to hold on to every word you just said and never let go. . . . You changed me, too, And no matter where you go, no matter how far, you'll always mean everything to me.

He had a small smile on his face as Anne continued looking at him with a huge smile on her face, Though both of them still felt sad, knowing they were going to be apart for sometime.

Bucky: I don't think I've ever needed to hear anything more than that. . . . I promise, Anne. I'll come back.

Anne smiled a little and continued staring at him, feeling the love and affection. She was so happy that he shared the same feelings, and he felt the same.

Bucky: *Sighs* I'll have to go now, Annie-

Anne: You better plan on our first date as an official couple.

Anne smiled, trying to light up the mood as he chuckled and fixed his hair.

Anne: And where is our first kiss?

Bucky smiled a little and looked at her before he approached to her with a small smirk.

Bucky: Right here.

Without another word, he pulled her and their lips touched, The kiss was slow, almost hesitant at first as the world around them seemed to fade, the kiss deepened as Anne pulled him close to her before they broke the kiss and looked into each other's eyes.

They both chuckled as Bucky caressed her hair, keeping her close before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Anne smiled softly and buried her face on his chest, wanting to feel his embrace before he goes away as Bucky hugged her tightly, caressing her hair again, knowing that. . .

Nothing was going to separate each other.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)