"Settle down with me

And I'll be your safety
You'll be my lady

I was made to keep your body warm
But I'm cold as the wind blows so hold me in your arms

Oh no
My heart's against your chest, your lips pressed in my neck
I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet
And with this feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now

Kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
We're falling in love" Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran

Chapter 19

"I feel like an idiot. I'm never gonna get used to how damn tight everything fits these days." Bucky is adjusting the collar of his button up for the tenth time in the past couple of minutes. I sear his hands away and press a kiss to his jaw.

"You look so good it should be illegal James. Now I'm going to go get my dress on and I expect your shirt to still be intact." Bucky is wearing a completely black suit with a black shirt and black tie and my god does he look delicious. His hair is pulled back in a knot at the base of his neck and he's freshly shaved.

My dress is red satin, low cut and tight around the middle but flared out the slightest bit at the bottom and with a slit high enough to be dangerous. I don't think I've ever felt so sexy. My lipstick matches my dress and my eyes are dark and smokey. My hair falls in waves and I style it over one shoulder. I slip my black heels on and head back out to join Bucky.

"What do you think Sarge?" Bucky turns around and takes my appearance in slowly, his eyes linger on the high slit and low cut top. When his stormy eyes meet mine they're almost smoldering.

"God damn babydoll, you're absolutely gorgeous." My cheeks heat up at the reverence in his voice. He closes the space between us in a few short strides and grips my hips tenderly. "You're a dream sweetheart. I'm the luckiest man alive." I pull him down to kiss me even though I should probably be more concerned with my makeup.

"And I'm the luckiest woman. I love you babe. Let's go to our party." He straightens his tie once more and offers me his arm.

The party is already in full swing once we arrive. Everyone is dressed to the nines and there's definitely a few people I don't recognize which is a little strange considering it's our party.

There's a large dance floor and DJ booth next to a bar area. The room is decorated with twinkling lights that look surprisingly tasteful.

Natasha is wearing a deep blue gown that hugs all her curves and suspiciously matches the color of Steve's tie. They're laughing together at the bar with Sam. The Falcon lets out a low whistle as we approach.

"Daaaaamn girl, look at you!" I giggle at Sams dramatized statement and hug him. "You're looking pretty sharp too Bucky, you guys make one fine looking couple." Bucky is actually smiling at Sam and claps him on the shoulder.

"Thanks Sam." Pretty much everyone looks shocked by his reaction which just has my soldier looking adorably confused.

"So who are all these people I don't know?" Natasha hands me a drink before answering.

"Some reporters, some of Starks donors, and a couple government officials that now want to make nice." Steve pours some of Thor's alcohol into a glass for himself and Bucky.

"I'm a pretty big fan of watching people grovel. They're here to say sorry to you babe, isn't that nice?" Bucky rolls his eyes at me but grins nonetheless.

The sudden booming voice of Tony over the speakers in the room has us all turning to face him. He stands on the elevated bit of floor near the doors that lead to the balcony.

"Can I get our guests of honor front and center please?" Bucky visibly tenses but I squeeze his hand reassuringly and we walk to Tony. All the guests part to make way for the two of us. "Ah, here they are!" Tony claps us both on the shoulder before he continues to speak.

"I owe a lot to this woman right here. Aneliya has not only been my therapist for years now but one of my closest friends. She has continuously been able to get me to pull my head out of my own ass which is really saying something. She's gotten me through more anxiety attacks than I care to even admit. Annie spent years as a SHIELD agent and rather than distancing herself from that mess she's made it her life's work to help not only The Avengers but anyone in need." Way to make me teary eyed in front of everyone Stark.

"When Annie came to me asking for James Barnes to be allowed to stay at the Avengers facility after an intensive therapeutical stay in Wakanda I was beyond reluctant. Barnes and I have a history and I'm rather good at holding a grudge. But she was able to talk me into letting him stay when she said that he deserved a chance and that she could continue to help him. I allowed him to come but I sure as hell didn't want to give him a chance. I very quickly realized after he got here that he and Aneliya were completely smitten with each other. I realized that anyone that Annie loved had to be a good person. I got to know Bucky Barnes, he is not the Winter Soldier. This man was tortured and brain washed for seventy years and he has miraculously been able to come out the other side not only intact but a better and stronger person than ever. He's one of the kindest men I've had the pleasure of knowing, and he loves this woman with every fiber of his being. I'm happy to say that James Barnes is my friend and I hope he will one day be my colleague." Yep I'm full out crying now. Bucky is looking more than a little misty eyed himself.

Tony holds out his champagne glass. "This night is for you Annie and Bucky! The future Mr. and Mrs. Barnes!" The whole room erupts in applause. Tony presses a kiss to my temple and gives Bucky a sideways hug.

We're rushed by a crowd of people. I meet more politicians and reporters than I think I ever have in my life. We collectively as a group decide to set up a meeting with a reporter the following week to get an inside look at the facility and the Avengers lives. A few are reluctant but as Tony said some good press isn't a bad idea right now. Everyone buys Bucky and I drinks and I'm definitely tipsy and pleased to see that he is too since Thor has been providing him with drinks.

I'm having a blast dancing with Wanda, Pepper, Natasha, and Shuri. When the music suddenly changes to a slower tune with an acoustic guitar I find myself being wrapped up in the arms of my fiancé.

"Dance with me doll." Bucky is honestly the best dance partner I've ever had. He leads me effortlessly around the floor in a much more complicated way than the other couples who sway back and forth together.

"You're pretty smooth for an old guy Barnes." He grins down at me before twirling me away from him and pulling me back against his chest. He looks so handsome and carefree right now, his cheeks are flushed and a few wisps of hair have come loose from his bun.

"I got moves for days sweetheart." I giggle against his chest.

As the song comes to an end he dips me back in a very cliché and romantic way before kissing me soundly. Our friends clap around us making Bucky smile against my lips.

A group of us are sitting on the balcony getting some fresh air when Tony comes out flanked by a man I hoped to never meet and a security detail. Steve jumps to his feet and stands in front of Bucky and I.

"What are you doing here Secretary Ross?" Bucky and I stand beside Steve.

"I'm not here to cause any problems Captain Rogers." Steve scoffs.

"Then why are you here?" Thaddeus eyes me up and down at my question before turning to Bucky.

"I'm here on behalf of the United States government to not only apologize to you Sergeant Barnes but to offer you financial compensation for all of your years of service in the military and as a POW." I don't mean to let the humorless laugh escape me but the alcohol in my system definitely isn't helping.

"You tried to have him killed on more than one occasion, arrested him, and made him go into hiding for years and you're suddenly sorry!?" The secretary doesn't even flinch at my loud voice.

"We all make mistakes Ms. Angelov." There's a collective sound of disbelief from all of our friends. This man had some nerve.

"It's hard for me to believe you're doin this outta the kindness of your heart so whatever the hell it is that you want me to do I refuse. I will gladly take the money you're offerin because I'm tryin to build a life here with my fiancé but I will not be dragged into another war for you people." I'm proud of James for standing up for himself and Tony and Steve look pretty pleased too.

"You heard the man Ross. I'll give you the mans banking information and you can kindly get the fuck out of my facility. I don't appreciate gate crashers." Tony has Happy usher the men out. I have a feeling that this won't be the last we hear from Thaddeus Ross.

I get dragged back onto the dance floor by Wanda as the party starts to dwindle down. It's pretty much only our friends that are left. Bucky has been mingling with Steve and Tony, meeting various important people and being congratulated. To say I'm surprised by Thor and Loki joining us on the dance floor would be an understatement. Jane and Thor are in their own little bubble of goofiness dancing around together. Darcy Lewis is dancing with Loki in a way I can't even believe. I kind of adore her, she's wild and bold and all the things I wish I could be.

I spot Bucky out of the corner of my eye and the look he's sending my way is heated. I beckon him over with a finger.

"This what they call dancin these days doll?" Something about the look on his face tells me he doesn't exactly disapprove though.

"Yes sir, get behind me and grab my hips Sarge." His jaw clenches and eyes gleam before he stands behind me and pulls me flush against him. Both metal and flesh hands clench my hips tightly. "Now just do what everyone else is doing. You're already a good dancer so this should be easy for you." He guides us both with a slow roll of his hips. His lips are pressed to my neck. I shudder when he speaks lowly into my ear, his hot breath fanning across my neck.

"So just grind obscenely against ya in front of everyone when I could just be doin it in the privacy of our bed?" I laugh at his comment and turn in his arms to face him. He captures my lips a little desperately against his own. He continues to dance with me as his tongue tangles with mine. He's obviously hard.

"Something tells me you don't mind dancing like this James." I snake my hand between us and grasp the hard length of him. He hisses in pleasure.

"Ok, parties over sweetheart. We gotta get outta here before I fuck you in front of everyone here." I'm tipsy enough that it doesn't sound like a half bad idea but I have enough sense to follow behind Bucky as he drags me along.

"Where the hell you two think you're going?" Tony shouts after us.

Bucky doesn't even stop as he yells back at him. "Thanks for the party Tony but I gotta get this one to bed!"

"You're despicable Barnes, trying time defile our innocent Liya! Can't even wait for the wedding night." Bucky doesn't even dignify Sam's remark with a verbal reply he just shoots him the finger.

All our friends laugh as I enthusiastically wave goodbye and get pulled into the elevator by my fiancé. The doors barely close before Bucky is all over me. I really really love this man.