The Day That Would Live In Infamy
December 7, 1941
When Bucky heard the news that Pearl Harbor was bombed, he feared the worst. (Y/N) was never allowed to tell them where he would be stationed so he had no idea if he was present or not. Dot being the gal she was, tried her best to calm him down and reason with him. “Bucky, Pearl Harbor is a naval base. He's not apart of the Navy, he’s military. The chances of him bein’ there are so low, it’s no use worryin’ over.” She tried telling him in a soft but firm voice. Bucky shook his head a bit as he paced his kitchen. “But what if he was there, Dot? There’s a chance he was called over to help or somethin' and he was blown up or shot full of holes!” He said nearly shouting at her, startling Steve and Michelle who sat at the table. Dot leveled him with a stern look that made his pacing lessen but not stop completely. “James, I can’t promise you that he’s okay, but I know for a fact that there’s no way in hell that he was over there in Hawaii. Naval base, James. Military has little business over there and on the off chance they are, there is more than just one platoon. If anythin’ they sent others who are more skilled.” she said starting off stern but ending softly as she placed a hand on his arm, stopping his pacing. “I don't wanna lose him Dolores.. I can’t.. I just can't.” He said softly, voice wavered as his eyes started to water. Dot sighed softly and brought him in for a hug, letting him cling to her as she rubbed his back gently. “I know Bucky, I know.” Steve exchanged looks with Michelle before he stood up and quietly excused himself with every intention to try and find out what he could about the incident and who was present if he could.
Days had passed before they heard any news on what happened at the harbor and if (Y/N) was involved. When their land line rang, Bucky was the first to jump up to answer it, pressing the phone to his ear. “Hello? Barnes' residence.” he said in a worried tone while trying to keep his voice strong. When Bucky heard the sigh of relief from the other end, he damn near cried. “Wow.. 'Barnes Residence?' really Bucky?” He said softly in an amused tone. Bucky could hear the tiredness in his voice but he could picture the smile on his face regardless. “Oh thank god you're okay.” Bucky said letting out a slightly choked up laugh that drew the attention of his friends. Steve and the girls tried to push their ears to the phone with Bucky as they let out excited whispers to each other. (Y/N) let out a small laugh. “I take it you heard about Pearl Harbor then?” Bucky scoffed slightly. “Yeah, we tried to get through to.. Someone, anyone in charge but they all refused to tell us anything and said that the whereabouts of their military personnel was classified and if you were .. KIA’d we’d know, but we didn't get anything. The girls were a nervous wreck.” (Y/N) heard Dot scoff in protest. “Bucky, you were the one cryin’ over the thought of him bein’ there. You wouldn't stop pacin’ for hours!” Bucky tried to shush her but they laughed instead. “I'm surprised you didn't wear a hole through the floor.” Steve piped up and Bucky groaned at them. Even though they couldn't see him, (Y/N) had a fond smile on his face as he leaned against the desk. “Well I'm happy to know someone was worried about lil’ ole me.” he paused for a moment before he swore under his breath. “I’ve gotta go, I just wanted to let you guys know that I was alive. I'm gonna be tied up with a.. lot of stuff for a while. I can’t tell you when I’ll be doin’ but I promise you guys I’ll be safe.. I.. I won't be comin’ home for a while. I just know they aren't approving any requests for time off and my favors are gonna run out eventually but I love you guys.” he said softly but loud enough for everyone on the other end to hear him. “We love you too darlin’ take care please.” Michelle said before Bucky could slip up and say it himself. He shot her a grateful look while listening to (Y/N)’s soft laughter. “I will, don’t worry. I’ll send letters when I can. Goodbye for now, until we meet again.” he said before hanging up, leaving Bucky holding the phone a bit dumbly with a lopsided smile adorning his face. “I told you he was okay. Didn’t I?” Dot said with an amused smile. Bucky rolled his eyes as he placed the phone back in it’s spot. “Yeah.. I know. When are you ever wrong Dot?” he said with false annoyance that just made her roll her eyes and gently hit his arm. “Never. You of all people should understand that by now, Barnes. Now come on, we got stuff to do.” Bucky’s smile dropped slightly but shook his head. “I got.. Somethin’ to do first. I’ll be back soon, I promise.” He said giving both her and Michelle a kiss on their cheek before making his way to the door, ignoring Dot’s protests.
It didn’t take him long to find a recruitment center that was still open at this time of day. When he walked it, he found it relatively empty. The officer there gave him a tight smile and Bucky nodded to him before he went to get the necessary paperwork. It wasn't long before he was called and a doctor had brought him into a room for his examination. Anyone that took one look at Bucky could tell that he was in perfect health and physical shape, the latter thanks to both his job at the docs and training with (Y/N) when he was home. That boy didn’t know what resting was. After that, he brought his card out to the officer waiting at the podium. “Well son, you sure that you want to serve? It’s war, it’s gonna be dangerous.” Bucky just nodded his head a bit. In his mind, if his lover was brave enough to continue to serve then he had no right not to. “Of course sir. I would be honored to join the fight. Gotta keep my best gal safe over here after all.” His response made the officer laugh slightly before he stamped his approval on the card the doctor filled out. “Well there you go son. We’ll be seein’ you Barnes.” He gave him a forced smile and a nod. “Thank you sir.” He left the center and let out a deep sigh. He knew that (Y/N) would be upset, the other probably more so, but he knew he had to. He would be drafted eventually anyway, so he was just getting it out of the way while he could. While it was still his choice to make. While he still had the option. (Y/N) would eventually understand and forgive him, the girls would come around, but he knew Steve would be upset for a while over it. He ran a slightly trembling hand through his hair before he made his way down to Tommy’s pub. He needed a hard drink after everything that happened this week.