── TONY'S PARTY ──

── ☆ ──

Alessia rolled her eyes as she adjusted the red dress that Natasha had chosen for her, her hair was in tight curls with her makeup done beautifully. She let out a sigh before she sat down on the edge of her bathtub with her head in her hands. "Where are you Bucky?" Alessia sighed as she looked up at her reflection, she wasn't too keen on this spontaneous party that Tony was hosting for her new membership with the Avengers yet she felt like she was alone.

As she stood from the bathtub, she made her way into her wide space bedroom and approached the windows where she admired the city lights. Steve promised to stay by her side throughout the party so she was comfortable, he understood that crowds can be too much for the former soldier. She was beyond grateful when Fury gave the green light for Alessia to join the Avengers and she was yet to introduce Team Exo to the Avengers, which she planned to soon.

She turned her gaze towards her desk where a familiar blade was resting, she cautiously approached the shiny metal. She slowly picked it up, her fingers lightly running across the sharp metal before she felt a presence behind her. Alessia moved quickly as she spun around, resting the blade on the throat of the intruder. Her eyes widened as she realised who was standing there, his steel-blue eyes admired the woman standing before him.

"Bucky?" Alessia breathed out, he smiled softly as she lowered the blade before dropping it on the floor. "Hey, Ales..." Bucky responded softly before she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "You... You're here!?" Alessia spoke, she was stunned. "I couldn't leave my best girl behind," Bucky replied as he kissed the side of her head. The two stood in one another's embrace for a few moments until they heard the door open.

Alessia turned to see Steve standing there with a blank expression, Alessia pulled back from Bucky. "Look, Steve, he's back..." Alessia exclaimed happily. Steve finally smiled as he stepped forward, holding his hand out for Bucky to shake. To both Alessia and Steve's surprise, Bucky pulled Steve into a brotherly hug that made Alessia smile up at them. "Perhaps you should get him a suit," Alessia stated with a smirk. "What?" Bucky asked with a worried expression.

── ☆ ──

Alessia waited patiently by the top of the stairs for the two men to return, she still couldn't believe that Bucky had come back. A part of her was annoyed that he is risking his life by coming back here, but the other part of her wanted to hold him and never let him go out of fear he'd never return back to her. She wasn't entirely sure how the world would react to the Winter Soldier's connection to the Avengers, nor the reaction from Nick Fury and that worried her.

She was so consumed by my thoughts she didn't notice the two handsome men that approached her, A warm hand lifted her chin as she locked my eyes onto the most beautiful steel-blue eyes she'd ever seen, eyes she'd come to miss and admire. "Are you okay, Doll?" Bucky spoke softly, she nodded as she stepped away from the railing.

She took a moment to look James over, he was wearing some semi-tight fitting trousers, a black button-up shirt with a black suit jacket. His long hair looked like it had been trimmed and his scruffy beard was now light trimmed stubble. His metal arm was hidden away within the sleeves of the suit jacket, Alessia adored his arm so seeing it hidden away was slightly upsetting.

She couldn't help but feel turned on by the man that stood before her and like he could read her thoughts he smirked, stepping forward. He leaned down to her ear, "Careful Doll, you keep looking at me like that, we may not make it to the party." His tone was low and seductive causing a shiver down her spine, she both loved and hated the power he had over her.

She swallowed as he stepped back, "Alright you two, we have a party to attend." She finally turned to Steve and noticed he was wearing a pale blue suit similar to Bucky's but with a white button-up under his suit jacket. She nodded at him with a smile that he returned before he headed down the steps to the party.

She looked at Bucky and noticed he was nervous to walk down the stairs into the crowd of people, She turned him to look at her, "If it gets too much then let me know, I'll be by your side and so will Steve." He smiled at me as something in his eyes danced. And like the gentleman he is, he reached his arm out.

Alessia couldn't hide the blush as she linked their arms together, slowly making their way down the stairs. Everyone turned their attention to them, whispers and gasps filling the room at the sight of the known Hydra soldier. Slowly we made our way past everyone until they reached the bar where Steve spoke with Natasha.

Nat turned to us, "Don't worry, I won't hold it against you." Nat spoke to James who carefully sat on the bar stool pulling Alessia towards his side in an almost protective manner that made Steve grin. She knew the stories about James being a ladies man in the forties and all about the man who loved to dance and flirt, so him being like this seemed to amuse Steve.

Bucky and Alessia locked eyes as he seemed to be in mid-thought, she smiled at him before turning to Nat knowing what she had to say. "You've never been one to hold grudges anyway," Nat smiled as she poured two whiskey's, sliding them to Alessia and Bucky. "Except towards you," She lifted an amused brow as she laughed.

Alessia shrugged her shoulders as she lifted the glass emptying it instantly, "Still upset from me kicking your ass in training?" Nat rolled her eyes before leaning against the wall behind her, "Well, what can I say? I'm not used to being on the losing end, unless intentional." She smirked at Alessia, "Oh please, Romanoff. You didn't take it easy on me and in a respectful turn, I didn't take it easy on you."

Bucky seemed to have relaxed as his protective hold became a warm hold. "I'd say it was an even fight but I'm not one to lie," Steve spoke up with a chuckle as Nat glared at him. "Come on Nat, I'm sure you had her on the ropes," Steve winked at her and Bucky genuinely laughed at his comment, all three of them looking at him.

He smirked, "I'm not surprised, Ales was the only fighter that no one could overpower without a weapon in hand." Alessia smiled at him before planting a soft kiss on his cheek, "Is that you finally admitting defeat?" She raised her brow at him as he looked at her, all of his nerves seemed to have faded just purely at the sight of the woman beside him.

Steve laughed beside them as Nat excused herself to approach Bruce, Alessia turned to Steve in the process, "When will Nat and Bruce do something about the obvious sparks between them?" Steve shrugged with a smile as she noticed his eyes land on someone in the room, she followed his gaze and saw Fury standing with Marcus.

Alessia let out a breath and turned to Steve who seemed nervous as he looked at Bucky. She turned her eyes to Bucky hoping he was okay, but it looked like his gaze never left hers, "Are you okay?" He questioned, obviously noticing the sudden shift in emotion. Alessia smiled lightly, as she went to speak another voice chimed in, "They are concerned about our interaction."

Bucky turned his head to see Fury standing there, sudden realization hit him as his metal arm plates shifted. He still had his metal arm around Alessia and his warm hold became cold as he stared at what the inner soldier would claim as a 'failed mission'. Alessia glared angrily at Fury who held his casual stare, Alessia stepped out of Bucky's hold.

Alessia grabbed Fury's arm and dragged him along after nodding at Steve to stay with Bucky, who seemed hesitant on letting Alessia walk away. "Miss Hart, I'd suggest you let go," Fury order before she let go once they got a safe distance away, turning to Fury who glared at her. "You have no idea what could've happened at that moment!" His glare never subsided as she took a breath.

Of course, he didn't know, no one in here knew the struggles they faced. They never once considered the importance of everyone knowing that she was fighting with my inner conditioned soldier with every action she made. Alessia let out a frustrated sigh, "Bucky and I were conditioned, him longer than me, into the perfect weapon-" He nodded, his glare fading.

Alessia closed my eyes, "When we failed a mission, like our inner soldier would claim you as we were punished severely." She opened her eyes noticing that Fury's usual stoic demeanour held concern, she then realised a tear had fallen. "They would starve us, whip us and even force us with commands to not fight back as a man beat us until we couldn't open our eyes." The end of the sentence came out barely a whisper.

Fury placed a gentle grip on my shoulder, "If you had told us sooner, we would have been able to work around that." He dropped his hand and looked at her, more sincerity in his eyes, a foreign look. "I'll allow him to approach me in his own time, but I expect both of you to open up to someone about that kind of stuff." Alessia slowly nodded, thankful he didn't put pressure on her about seeing a professional.

Alessia knew over time Bucky would rely on Steve and she knew that she could speak with Nat. She turned my head and noticed that Bucky had his eyes on her the whole time, watching closely with Steve next to him. She smiled at Bucky which seemed to relax him a bit till he tensed up again, his eyes trailed off her to behind her.

Alessia didn't have to guess why, "Hello Alessia," she turned to Tony as a smirk rested on his face. His eyes landed on Bucky, "Ahhh, Manchurian Candidate." He looked him up and down before turning back to Alessia, "Be sure to inform tin man over there that next time he sneaks into my building, be sure to inform me as I clearly lack in good security." She laughed at his attempt at being serious.

She shook her head as he finally laughed, "Thank you for letting him in." Tony nodded before nudging her slightly, both of them walking towards the two men that sit out of time. As they approached them, she stepped forward and stood next to Bucky as he was already facing the crowd. His flesh arm wrapped around her waist as she leaned into him, Tony watched the whole situation with a smirk.

Tony and Steve shared a glance, "Why don't you ever hold me like that Capsicle?" Tony fake pouted causing Steve to roll his eyes as Alessia giggled, Bucky shook his head with a smirk. "If you hadn't noticed, I'm Tony Stark." He reached his hand out to shake Bucky's, who hesitantly took his hand with his metal arm. Tony took a moment to admire the metal arm, "Perhaps we can make some improvements with that arm?"

Alessia smiled as Bucky nodded, "How sweet!" Tony looked at her as she spoke mockingly. He smirked at my comment, "Be nice Wraith, I'm still working on that suit of yours." He raised a brow, "Oh please Stark, you know you enjoy working on that suit too much to walk away." He smiled knowingly as Steve nodded.

── ☆ ──

They continued talking for a little while, having a few drinks. Alessia was happy to hear Steve and Bucky reminisce on memories causing Tony to laugh, after a while, Nat returned and both of the girls teamed on teasing Steve and Tony. "If you guys will excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom," Alessia kissed Bucky's cheek, "Where's mine?" Tony remarked with a smirk, "Ask Stevie," Alessia laughed before walking away.

She made her way to the main floor bathroom by the back elevator tucked into a secluded corner, stepping into the empty bathroom. She fixed her hair before opening the door and stepping out, suddenly someone's hand cupped around her mouth, a piece of fabric that smelt horrible. She tried to fight it but her lungs screamed as the person injected something in her neck, black spots filling her vision.

Then as she began to lose consciousness she heard a voice she never thought she would again, "Hello little soldier, miss me." He spoke in fluent Russian as she looked at him, tears welled in her eyes as memories of pain and torture hit her. Then everything went dark...

── ☆ ──

-Rose <3
{2218}