I don't own anything MCU!

Gemma exhaled heavily and took a quick stock of the boxes in the back of her moving van. It seemed like there were more now than there were an hour ago, when she and her brother had started transfering them to her new apartment. That couldn't happen, right? Moving was always a huge ordeal, but Gemma didn't let the thought of a few hours of heavy-lifting dampen her spirits. Nothing could bring down her day, or even her week.

She'd gotten the job.

Gemma Sagan was now officially a Collection Manager at the Kreeger Museum. Ever since her first trip to Washington D.C. on a school trip 16 years ago, she'd held the completely unattainable goal of living in D.C. and working in one of the stunning museums- but now that dream had come true.

To finally be able to walk through the doors of that magnificient black and white building as a member of the staff- it was the best feeling in the world. A dazed smile came over her face as she tried to wrap her head around the whole situation- she had her dream job and was living in her dream city. If her mother was here, Gemma knew what she'd say - all you need now is your dream man. Well, that one would have to wait. Wherever he was, he'd just have to take a backseat to her career for a while.

She had an irresistable urge to throw her fist in the air and shout, "Watch out world! Gemma Sagan is here!" but that was clearly a side effect of watching too many cheesy Disney Channel movies as a little kid. Nope- both fists remained firmly in her pockets as she turned to look at her new apartment building. It wasn't her dream home, but it came pretty damn close. A large red-brick building on a gorgrous, quiet street. Everywhere she looked, there were massive oak trees, casting patches of shade over the sidewalk; and vibrant crepe-myrtle shrubs- in full bloom, spilling over fences in clouds of magenta flowers. Add to that the hot sun and a light breeze- it was pretty much the perfect summer day.

God, it couldn't be more picturesque.

She felt like the squirrels and birds were about to start singing any second now.

"Gem, what the hell is in this thing?" Alex's voice snapped her out of her daydream as he groaned and hoisted a box out of the van. By the way his arms were straining, she could tell it was definitely one of her book-boxes. She desperately hoped Alex wouldn't notice that he'd been carrying all the heaviest boxes up to her new place.

She laughed, "Most likely books- it's not that heavy. " She rolled her eyes and turned back to the moving van, grabbing a much lighter box which just happened to be filled with throw pillows and knick-knacks.

"Yeah? Then why don't we switch?" Alex propped the box between his hip and the railing of the staircase leading to the front door of her new apartment building. He slid his sunglasses up to hold back his messy hair then gripped the base of the box again.

"You're doing such a good job with it," Her voice wavered with barely repressed laghter as he rolled his eyes and started up the stairs. "But lift with your legs!" She called after him, throwing in her 2 cents of very unnecessary advice.

She followed after him as they crossed the lobby and climbed the stairs to her second floor apartment.

Another thing she had really loved when she'd signed the lease was that there were only four floors with six apartments on each floor. It felt private and cozy- a stark contrast to her old apartment building, which had 6 floors of almost 50 apartments each. Boston had been an adventure, but she was ready for a whole new one now. Which was why she'd made the inpulsive, arguably foolish, decision of leaving most of her furniture behind- with strict orders to her mother to sell everything. Only a few pieces had made the journey south. Among other things- an armchair, pilferd from her parents' basement; and a bar-cart, a purchase she'd proudly made with the first paychack from her first adult job 4 years back.

Other than those, she had nothing else in the way of furniture. So she'd been in the process of ordering everythig, hoping they would arrive within the week. But until then, she'd be spending her nights on an inflatable mattress.

Oh, how she was looking forward to that.

"Well that's it, Gem" Alex slung an arm around her shoulders as he playfully nudged the brim of her baseball cap down- pushing it over her eyes. "One more box and you'll be all moved in-" Gemma wrapped her arm around his waist as they walked to the van.

"Are you sure you can't stay the night?" She looked up at him, hoping she didn't sound too desperate.

"Can't, kiddo," he let her go and jumped to grab hold of the handle to drag the metal door down- shuttering the back of the empty moving van. He leaned against the van and nodded in the direction of a box sitting at the edge of the curb. "That's your last box- then you're officially a D.C. girl."

"Yup." Gemma nodded and shoved her hands in her back pockets. Suddenly, the excitement that had gotten her through the day faded to sadness. As soon as Alex got in that truck and drove away, she'd be alone. It wasn't like she'd been living at home or with her big brother for the past few years, but she'd never moved more than an hour away from her family before. In fact, all four of them had lived in Masachusettes her entire life. She and Alex both went to university there, Alex recently bought a house two streets over from the family home, and she'd been living in Boston since she graduated.

So D.C. was a sudden change for all of them.

"Officially a D.C. girl," She repeated, nodding, trying to inject some enthusiasm into her voice. Even though she felt anxious, she didn't want Alex to worry about her.

Alex suddenly pulled her into a tight hug. "Listen, just becuase you have a new house and a new job, don't think you can't call your brother like old times." He held her at arms length. "Anytime, Gem." He said ernestly. "I mean it."

"I know" She launched herself into his arms for a quick squeeze then pulled away. "Alright, no sad goodbyes - ok?"

"You got it," He jingled the van's keys between them and jerked his head toward the road. "I need to get a move on, don't want to be on the road all night." He rounded the corner of the van to the drivers side and hoisted himself up.

"Drive safe, Alex," Gemma took a step back, slightly stumbling at her heel hit the curb, and caught herself on the fence.

His laughter sounded from the driver's seat as she made a face up at him, "I will, if you walk safe!" Alex winked at her and started the engine, drowning out whatever he said next, although judging by his face, he found whatever he said to be quite hilarious.

Probably another joke about how she almost just broke her ankle.

She waved as he backed the van onto the street, then watched for as long as she could- only turning away when Alex took a right turn. She signed and sat beside the cardboard box for a few minutes, picking at the rips in her jeans as she watched the dusky summer sky. A few streaks of bright orange and pale pink peeked through the tree branches- the only indication that the sun was going to set soon. It really was absolutely beautiful. A perfect day for the next step in her life.

Inhaling deeply, she got to her feet and crouched to lift the box- groaning when she realized what Alex had been saying right before he left. Good luck with the box! This was the last book-box. She thought she'd been so slick earlier, conveniently taking all the lighter boxed while he carried the heavy ones- but he was one step ahead, like he'd always been since they were little kids. She slid her fingers under the box and lifted, with her legs, as she'd been so kind to advise Alex earlier that afternoon.

Breathing heavily, Gemma climbed the last few steps and turned the corner, sighing in relief when her door came into view. At last. The walk from the van to her apartment hadn't seemed so long when Alex was carrying the heavier boxes. But it had definitely gotten much, much longer in the last few minutes.

Propping the box between her hip and the wall, she dug through her pockets for her key with one hand while the other arm remained wrapped around the box, holding it in place. She had brought the key with her earlier, right? Or was it still in the apartment? Wouldn't that just be the best way to start at her new place- by having to call a locksmith before she was even moved in.

Got it! She sighed in relief and smiled as her fingers closed around a silver ring. The box painfully dug into her hip as she tried to pull her key out. She should have taken her dad's advice- Hon, don't put all your books in one box, it'll be hell to lift. Space 'em out, ok?

She was too cool for that advice though, so she'd meticulously packed her books in until there were absolutely no gaps between them. She had been so proud of her efficient packing skills... until now. But it was fine, once she got that door open, only a couple more steps the she could put this stupid box down and collapse onto her... inflatable matress.

"What the fuck?" she mumbled under her breath, tugging at her key. It was stuck. She tugged harder, hoping it would miraculously come loose, but no luck there. With one eye on the large box and her phone perched precariously on top of it, she twisted around to see where the key was stuck.

Her jeans. Her stupid ripped jeans.

She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and gave the key ring one last yank, cringing as she heard threads popping. Yes! Finally! The momentary victory was quickly crushed by utter panic as the box began to tip over, careening to one side threateningly. Gemma flung both her arms up (in what could only be described as a wild, flailing motion) and righted the box with a sigh of relief. The box and her phone were both fine.

...but now her keys were on the floor somewhere behind her.

She dropped her head back in defeat and groaned, "fucking hell -"

"Can I help you with that?" A deep voice sounded from behind. Where has he come from? And when? She heard his footsteps as he came closer then a jingle as he picked up her fallen keys. He sounded amused by her predicament. "Almost thought you had it there, for a second."

Great, clearly he'd been watching her for long enough to see that whole fiasco. All she could do was hope she hadn't ripped a huge hole in the seat of her jeans when she had yanked her keys out. And if she had, well then hopefully he was enjoying the free show.

"Thank you so much," She tried turning to see who her myestery savior was, but couln't get far enough with her arms wrapped around the box. "Actually, if you just put the keys in my hand, I'm sure I can get the door open."

The man chuckled and took a step closer- he was tall- probably close to Alex's height, and built. "As fun as it'd be to watch you juggle the box and your keys, maybe I should just -" He trailed off, letting her decide whether or not she wanted him to open the door.

"Ah, fuck it-" She adjusted her arms around the box. "Yeah- just go shead," she nodded at the doorknob as she pulled the box off the wall and waited for him to hold the door open. She awkwardly shuffled into her new apartment and heard him pull the keys out of the doorknow behind her.

With a heavy sigh, she crouched down and moaned quietly. Her thighs, which were already burning, definitely weren't going to thank her tomorrow. She set the box down and stood to face him, smiling, hoping she didn't look too obviously out-of-breath.

Woah.

This man was...everything. Tall, as she'd noticed earlier; definitely built, with broad shoulders; dark hair, cropped closely at the sides and longer at the top and then cherry on top of it all- bright blue eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled, which he was doing right now- while she stared at him... gaping like an idiot.

There was something to be said for fate. She'd just been thinking about a dream-man and here he was. Fresh from the depths of her dirtiest wet-dreams. But knowing her luck with men, he was either gay or in a relationship. Or both.

He held out her keys and she smiled in response, taking them from him. "Thank you so much," She shoved the key into her other pocket, the non-ripped one, and held her hand out. "I'm Gemma."

"Bucky," he took her hand in his larger, warmer one and smiled wider- displaying straight, white teeth. God, this man was perfect. "I'm your neighbor." He tilted his head to the side, gesturing in the direction of his apartment. He lived at the end of the hall and was her only neighbor other than the people who lived across from her.

"Oh, it's really nice to meet you!" She cast a quick glance around her apartment and vaguely gestured at the box she's just put down. "It was full of books." She shrugged sheepishly.

Bucky nodded and laughed slithgly, "My parents always told me to spread out my books -"

"Oh yeah," Gemma rolled her eyed, "My dad told me the same thing- but I was too cool to listen."

"So was I -" Bucky replied wryly. "The first time."

"Definitely learned my lesson." She crossed her arms and winced at the sudden twinge. "Definitely."

Bucky glanced down at his wrist, checking the time and looked up at her with a small smile.

Gemma realized he was probably looking for a nice way to exit the conversation and spoke, "Oh! Don't let me keep yo-"

"What are you doing f-" Bucky spoke at the same time, awkwardly pausing exactly when she did. He laughed and continued speaking when she gestured for him to go ahead, "You're not keeping me from anything. I was actually going to ask, if you're not doing anything for dinner- join me."

Gemma was momentarily speechless- did the famed southern-hospitality extend as far north as D.C.? Or was he just offering as a courtesy? Probably the latter. She shook her head and held her hands up, "That's so kind of you, but I really couldn't."

"Come on, I insist," Bucky held up a large, brown paper bag. "It's the best Thai takeout in D.C." he raised an eyebrow, "you'd regret saying no."

She shot a desperate look over her shoulder, looking for an excuse so he wouldn't feel compelled to ask again out of politeness. "I should unpack." She tilted her head the the boxes.

"Oh, come on- the boxes'll still be here tomorrow." He slowly took a step back and gestured toward his apartment with his thumb. "And I even have a couch where we can sit."

How did a guy like this even exist? Not only was he ridiculously attractive, but he was also insanely nice. Some people were just to perfect to be real.

A slow smile came over Gemma's face as she gave in. There was only so much she could resist- and right now, a hot guy with great food and a couch was more than she could handle. "Oh, well how can I say no to a couch?"

"That's what I'm saying!" Bucky grinned at her and took another step back, "let's go."

She sighed in exaggerated defeat and took two steps forward before turning on her heel and walking to her refrigerator. "Let me at least get drinks, then." She called over her shoulder as she bent down to survey the sparse contents. Her brother might ocassionally act like a total menace but he knew his priorities. Alcohol was an absolute necessity for both of them, and she was certain that he'd stocked up her fridge before he left.

Bingo.

"You don't have to!" Bucky raised his voice so she could hear him from the front door. She turned and raised her arms, displaying a pack of beer and a botle of whiskey. His eyes sparkled when he saw the alcohol, "but I'm glad you did."

Gemma smiled to herself as she followed, locking her door behind her. A hot guy, great food, and alcohol- D.C. was even better than she'd hoped.

Author's Note:

I hope you all enjoy it! Currently, I have the whole fic outlined, it should be something like 8 chapters so I hope you all stick around.

Please read and review- send me your htoughts, suggestions or just say hi, I always love to hear from you!