Bucky shuffles uncomfortably, as he looks himself over. Staring at himself in the mirror, hanging over the small bathroom sink. The suit was very nice, but his eyes still fell to his left shoulder. He rubs it mindlessly, his thoughts soon turning dark. How would this ever work? Dancing? This was just you wanting to laugh at him, fumbling with his one arm.
No, Bucky reminds himself. You'd never do that to him.
He sighs, running his hand through his hair. He was really regretting letting you talk him into this. It was the excitement painted all over your face, when you asked, that had him quickly agreeing, that dancing Saturday did sound fun. So now here he stood, in that same suit he had wore a dozen times before, but somehow it felt so foreign to him.
Again his right hand reaches up and rubs his left shoulder. He straightens himself to full height turning, searching, eyes roaming up and down his body. Again he sighs. He has spent to much time in here, he needed to get a move on or he'd be late picking you up.
It was you that had convinced him to start driving again. "James, they make cars now that are automatic," You said taking his hand in yours, "You only need one arm to drive them." Your hands now coming up to gently cup his checks, your eyes soft, though your tone firm and sure, "You can do anything you set your mind to."
Bucky smiles to himself at the memory, fishing his keys from his pocket as he descends the stairs. His mother and Rebecca await him at the bottom, and when he spots their huge grins he feels like a young boy again. "Oh James." His mother gushes, and Bucky can feel his ears burn, as a slow blush graces his checks and ears.
Rebecca just smirks as she takes in her brother. Happy to see him slowly becoming more himself. "You look very nice James." Her tone sweet as she makes her way to her brother and begins adjusting his tie, then brushes his shoulders.
"Come on Bec, Stop fussin'." Bucky grumbles as his sister tugs on the fabric of his jacket.
She only chuckles before stepping back, "Perfect, now go and get your girl Jamie." She smiles fondly up at him.
Bucky again feels his checks burn. Sure his ma and Rebecca knew that you and he had started a courtship, but it had been a sort of silent agreement that his ma and Bec never brought it up. "Do you..uh..think she'll like the suit?" Bucky finds him self asking the floor. His mother's soft hands now bring his head up to look into her eyes.
"She's gonna love it James." Her tone reassuring Bucky, as he now stood tall, righting his suit and nodding to his mother and sister before walking out the door and to his car.
The drive to your house was short, and after parking and shutting off the vehicle, he took a moment to take a few calming breaths to steady himself. He exited the car and made his way to your door. He lands three firm knocks to your door and plasters on a nervous smile.
When you open the door, and Bucky takes you in for the first time that night, he has to pick his mouth up off the ground. Your backlit by the soft lights of your foyer, adorned in a fitted black and white polka dot dress. It swooped at your shoulders, teasing with only a glimpse of your bust. It hugged your curves deliciously, stopping just above your knees. The skirt was full, pieces of crinoline peeking out around the bottom edge.
You gave a little twirl, and Bucky loved how the dress lifted and danced in the wind. His eyes looked down your legs, your tan stockings clinging to them. A perfect line in the back running up your leg and disappearing behind your dress. He couldn't help but wonder what color your garter was, had you chosen red to pair with your red high heeled shoes, and red hand bag and gloves. Or had you chosen the traditional black, He knew it was wrong but a big part of him hoped you had chosen the red, daring to be a little naughty for him.
"Watcha think?" You smile up at him.
"Beautiful doll." Bucky's breathy tone washes over you. You reach out and take his hand in yours, giving it a firm squeeze. "Thanks. You look very handsome James." You quickly turn, closing and locking your door, then turn back to Bucky taking his outstretched arm and allowing him to lead you to the car. His arm only drops as he rushes to open the door for you. Again his eyes dropping to your stocking clad legs, as you sit and then lift them into the car.
"All good doll?" He asks once you're settled. And when you nod he closes the door. He takes a few more calming breathes as he makes his way around the car. He opens the door and gets himself settled inside. He turns to you, his nervous smile is back. "Ready doll?"
You smile brightly at him, "Ready."
Bucky pulled up to the dance hall, finding a spot and throwing the car in park. He turns off the engine and his fingers nervously fiddle with the keys in his hand. You gently reach out, your hand settling over the keys. "Do you mind if we just take a moment. I need to check my appearance." You smile to him sweetly.
You're doing that thing you always do, noticing his needs and knowing just what to say or do without making him feel more anxious. "Of course doll, but you really do look perfect." He smiles at you as his eyes again take you in.
You swat his chest playfully, "Oh James I could wear burlap and you'd still say that."
"Because it would still be true." He wears a dopey smile as he looks to you, and you can't help but blush under his loving gaze. You open your handbag pulling the small compact mirror and checking your hair and makeup. You return the mirror after some time, then fiddle with your dress before finally turning to Bucky and nodding. "Ok, I think I'm finally ready."
You walked into the dance hall, hand and hand. You beaming brightly, and Bucky scanning the room nervously. He saw a few people looking and whispering, and again his mind was back to confirming this was a bad idea. Suddenly you were stopping, Bucky's eyes rushing to you now, groaning when he realizes why or more who had stopped you.
"Bucky Barnes is that you?" The females high pitched voice questions.
"Hey Dot, yea it's me." Bucky sighs out, this night was only getting worse by the minute.
"Wow." Her eyes roam over Bucky's body, and he doesn't miss the look of disgust when she catches sight of his armless left sleeve, hanging at his side. "Oh I heard about your little accident, surprised to find you here. I mean can't have much use for dancing now." Dot smirks, her eyes letting Bucky know she's out for blood.
Bucky feels you tense beside him, and when his eyes catch sight of you, he is afraid you mean to reach out and strike Dot. He feels pride bloom inside his chest, giving him a boost of confidence to face Dot down. "Well with the right partner by your side, you can do anything you set your mind to." Bucky smirks back to Dot, his arm snaking around your waist and pulling you close to his side. "Ain't that right doll."
Your eyes met his and your face immediately softens. It was your turn to wear a dopey smile as you nod up to him. Dot just scoffs at you both, "Well when you're ready to dance with a man who can actually hold you, come find me and my friends." And with that she turns and storms away, clearly annoyed that her plan had failed to work.
You turn to Bucky softly smiling up to him, "So, should we get drinks and find seats first, or would you rather dance now?"
Bucky sighs as he looks at your happy face, "Look doll, if you'd rather dance with...."
"Hey, none of that." Your voice is stern as you cut Bucky off. "I came her to Dance with my man, and I will have my dance." You look to him, making sure he understands the seriousness of your words.
Bucky gulps and nods to you in understanding. "Great, now that that's settled drinks first or dancing?"
"Drinks?" Bucky knows that was more a questions then an answer, and is thankful you don't mention it. Instead, lacing your fingers with his and pulling him towards the bar.
You had found a table easily enough, after grabbing drinks from the bar, well you grabbed the drinks, making it easy for Bucky to link his arm around yours. He guided you across to the far side of the room, away from Dot and her snickering friends.
You both sat and talked over your drinks for a while, but when the band started playing a slow song, Bucky didn't miss the longing look in your eyes, as they swept over the dance floor. Bucky was standing, before he could figure out were this sudden bout of confidence was coming from. He cleared his throat, his hand outstretched toward you, "Care to dance doll?"
You gently take his hand in yours, standing with a smile, "I thought you'd never ask."
Bucky leads you to the floor, and he even manages to give you a little spin, before pulling you close. You sigh into his chest and he feels like a peacock, standing proud and tall, ready to show off his greatest treasure. Your both swaying back and forth lost in the feeling of this moment. So lost you both miss Dot making her way to the band and whispering something to the leader.
The room is suddenly filled with the sounds of a fast upbeat jazz tune, and panic washes over Bucky. A slow dance was one thing but this he couldn't do. His panic soon fades, as your hands cup his checks, "James, look at me James." When his eyes gaze into yours you continue. "With the right partner, you can do anything you set your mind to right?" You look to him reassuringly.
"But doll.."
"Nuh-uh. None of that. Am I right?" Your tone this time is stern as you stare down your soldier.
"Your right." Bucky finally sighs out.
A proud smile graces your face, as you gently take his hand leading him in a simple box step. Once Bucky has loosened up and even chuckles a few time, you start using his arm to push yourself out and then pull your self back to him, before again going back to the box step. You have him do a grapevine step with you before taking his arm and twirling out to his side, this time Bucky pulling you back in to him.
You twirl again and end with your back to his chest, a proud smile on your face, as you both sway to the music. You raise his arm and twirl around him. But this time when coming back and trying to go into the box step, Bucky pulls you to him, rocking you both with the beat before pushing you out and pulling you back. Just to then repeat the maneuver. You are both giggling and enjoying yourself, and slowly a crowd begins to form. Clapping as the two of you cut a rug.
The song is coming to an end, and you have a mischievous glimmer in your eyes. You once again use Bucky's arm to push you out to the side, only this time when you twirl back in you stop when his forearm rests against your back. You readjust your hand, before kicking off the floor and flipping backwards over his arm. When you land, you quickly adjust your hand again, allowing Bucky to pull you up to him comfortably.
The crowd erupts in cheers, surrounding you both and praising you both at your amazing footwork. Bucky is beaming at you with pride, you really are a one of a kind dame. People are clapping Bucky on the back, an orchestra of "That was amazing" or "Well done young man" or "Now that was dancing" surrounding him, but it all went unheard as he looked to you.
You his sister's best friend, someone he never thought he would have a chance with. You stood there, still clinging to his hand, smiling softly to him. All the world was gone in that moment, all that mattered was you and him. He pulls you to him, looking to your lips, then again finding your eyes. And when you start to lean in, eyes closing in anticipation, his lips find yours. The kiss is soft and gentle, speaking more then words could.
Your lost in each other again, missing as Dot and her friends scurry out the door. The crowd begins to leave you two, as the band, once again, begins playing a slow song. You both are swaying soon, your head and hands resting gently on his broad chest. Bucky's hand rest on your lower back, and his lips soon find your hair. He gently kisses your head, his mind wondering if his Ma would give him his grandmothers ring, as he suddenly had the urge to ask you a very important question.