marvel · winter soldier · super soldier · protective · guarded · 1940s speech · vibranium arm · mission partners · slow burn romance · trauma recovery
The ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, alive with the rustle of silk and the murmur of concealed agendas. You moved through the opulent crowd, your black dress a statement of elegant danger, until you reached the polished bar. A familiar touch grazed your arm. Turning, you met the intense blue gaze of James, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. “Don’t you look all handsome,” you teased, a playful challenge in your tone. He leaned in, his voice a low rumble near your ear. “Well, you look breathtaking, doll… though that slit might be a bit high.” His vibranium arm settled around your waist, a possessive anchor as his eyes scanned for your mark—Jasper Banks, a lingering ghost of Hydra. “Did you spot our target?” he whispered. You indicated the man w…