And The Winner Is...
The 4th annual Avengers Charity Gala started the same as the 3rd one did, with Bucky pouting and mumbling under his breath about having to “dress up in a monkey suit” and Jude being much more enthused than she should be (at least in Bucky’s humble opinion).
“Oh stop pouting it’ll be fun. This year they are doing a raffle for a bunch of cool stuff and I bet you won’t need to talk to any of the guests. There is no meet and greets or photo booths. It’ll be you and me and some really expensive champaign!” Jude said wrapping her arm around Bucky’s and leaning her head on his shoulder. Bucky glances down at her and suppresses a smile, still trying very hard to puppy-eye his way out of going. He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes, “Fine. But the moment this thing ends we are leaving.”
“Sounds like a plan to me Bucky Deer.” Jude replied as the elevator door opens to the event floor of the tower. She let out a low whistle and he let out a loud groan at how packed the floor is already. Jude laughs at Bucky’s rather predictable reaction and tugged him into the fray. She spotted Steve and Natasha over by one of the many open bars and dragged her partner towards the friendly faces.
“Hey guys, Whatcha drinking?” Jude asked.
“A Martini and an Old Fashioned” Natasha replied before taking a sip of her drink.
Steve reached over to pat Bucky on the shoulder. Bucky nodded back to him before signaling to bartender.
“I’m going to need a drink if this place becomes any more crowded.” Bucky said.
“I thought you couldn’t actually get drunk babe”
“I can’t, but that isn’t enough to stop me from trying.”
Jude shook her head and muffled a laugh as the bartender made his way over to the couple. Jude turned to Natasha and Steve while Bucky ordered their drinks. “So who do we speak to about getting raffle tickets?”
“Pepper.” Natash and Steve replied together.
“Ah…should have guessed that. Hey Buck, I’m going to track down Pep and get our tickets”
“Alright doll, I’ll be here. No way I’m going through that” he replied handing Jude her Vodka Soda and then pointing to the extremely dense crowd that had formed by the tables displaying the prizes for the night.
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Jude returned to Bucky with 10 tickets and grabbed him to look at the prizes now that the crowd had congregated to the bars. Of the many displays only 1 had caught Jude’s attention and it was for an all-expenses paid 2 weeklong vacation to Disney World, Bucky was less then thrilled about it but still agreed to let Jude put 6 of their tickets in for it.
“Anything catch your eye Bucky?”
“Nothing yet. Have you found anything else you like?”
“I mean what about that?” Jude asked with a smirk, pointing to the display across from them. This item was for a dinner date with Sebastian Stan (Bucky was not amused, even though the actor bore a striking resemblance to a certain Winter Solider).
“Don’t even think about it doll.”
Jude giggled and then pointed to another display she knew Bucky would actually like, “What about that one?” Bucky grunted and nodded. “Now that is prize worth winning.”
So Jude and Bucky put 3 of their remaining tickets in for a very large cat tree that would blow little Alpine’s mind and take up no more than ¼ of their living room. Jude with as much overdramatic flare she could muster put their last ticket in the win a date bin, much to Bucky’s chagrin. And the two took their seats for dinner.
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Tony was announcing the raffle winners up on stage and was as entertaining as ever. Most of the prizes had already been claimed, including the Disney Vacation which a lovely couple won and stated they would be going for their honeymoon (this genuinely disappointed Jude because she really wanted it), and the cat tree which Bucky very graciously claimed and was already planning out where to put it in their apartment.
“And now ladies and gentlemen the raffle winner for a wonderful all expenses paid dinner date with Sebastian Stan!” Tony called out getting the attention of every eager fan who placed their bets to meet Sebastian. He reached into the bin and pulled out the ticket. He looked it over and then burst out laughing.
“Congratulations Miss Judith Delarge, I hope you enjoy your date and I hope Sebastian survives your boyfriend’s future murder attempts.”
Oh Shit Jude thought before looking at her boyfriend, who was in fact planning the downfall of his newest love rival. Meanwhile everyone who knew the couple were laughing at them.