𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 1942

                     Asteria Barnes clenched her jaw, she had just gotten out of her workplace for the night. She worked as a secretary for a small hotel, and her managers and boss were sexist pigs. Always saying that a woman shouldn't be working and should be at home, cooking them meals.

James Buchanan Barnes always picked her up from work so seeing his younger sister so worked up, made his skin crawl. "The pricks doing it again?" Bucky questioned, and Asteria whirled around almost slapping him. 

"Bucky!" She almost screamed, "You scared me." 

Bucky grinned, "I'm so sorry m'lady," Asteria shook her head as she wrapped her arms around her older brothers' shoulders. Bucky looped his arm around her shoulders as she hid her head in his arms. "Is it your boss or manager?"

"My brother," Asteria's lips started to turn up into a large grin. "Always the protector." 

Bucky smiled softly before she heard catcalls behind her, Asteria turned to look over her shoulder to see who it was when Bucky went to step forward. "Bucky! Bucky, no. It's not important." 

One of the males let out a loud laugh, "Listen to your sister, Bucky." It didn't matter after that, he launched himself forward grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and throwing him to the ground. 

"Bucky!" Asteria called out as she watched the three other males jump at him, grabbing Bucky by his shirt and pulling him backwards. "Please, Bucky, no!" Asteria called out as one of the males came up to her. 

His touch on her cheek made her flinch backwards, "You're really pretty, you'd make a great wife. Maybe you should marry me." He grinned sadistically, tears still rolling down her cheeks as Bucky struggled against the males. 

Asteria grinned weakly before bringing her fist up and hitting him in the nose, "Get away from me creep." She hissed as he stumbled backwards, cupping his nose in his hands as he snarls at the woman. 

"You bitch!" He screamed and went to jump at her again, when another man grabbed him from behind her. 

He threw him to the ground and kicking him in the side, "Didn't your mama ever tell you not to hit a woman!" He seethed before turning around to look at Asteria. "Are you okay?" He reached over and squeezed her shoulder gently. 

"I- thank you," She gulped before looking over at her brother. She turned to see Bucky had managed to grapple with the rest of them before knocking them unconsciousness. "Buck." She whispered, running towards him and wrapping his arms around his neck. 

Bucky nodded at the man and he just smiled softly, "Let's get you cleaned up, and then find Steve. It's getting late." She whispered, and Bucky just nodded before wrapping his arm across the back of her neck.

◛⑅·˚ ༘ ♡

Asteria rung out the towel, water dripped down into the sink. "Why is it either you or Steve I'm cleaning up, it's always." She scowled at her eldest sibling as she walked back towards him, pressing it against his eyebrow. 

Bucky smiled lightly at her before grimacing in pain. "You know we appreciate it," Asteria smiled lightly as she turned around and Bucky rummaged through her mail. He went quiet when he saw the SSR symbol. 

"You better," She turned around and saw the downturned look on his face. She chuckled, seeing the concerned and slightly angry look on his face. "Bucky? What is it?" He threw the letter across the counter top to her. 

Asteria sighed, trying to meet his eyes. "Bucky look at me," She walked around the edge of the counter. "You're my brother, and I love you. But I am not looking for your acceptance or permission." 

Bucky almost let a smile tug at her lips, "I know," He whispered, pulling her forehead down to kiss her lightly on top of the crown of her head. "I just feel like you're growing up way too fast for my liking." 

Asteria grinned, "I love you Buck, you're my favourite brother." 

"I'm your only brother," He scoffed, rolling his eyes before Asteria pressed the wet cloth against his eyebrow. "Geez. Asteria, a little warning." He hissed lurching backwards away from her treatment. 

Asteria smiled softly before throwing the bloody rag in the sink, looking down at her hands for a moment. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I guess I was just scared off your reaction." She apologised and Bucky sighed as he stood up.

Bucky turned her around lightly, "I don't want you to ever feel like you can't hide anything from me. You're growing up to be an amazing woman and I couldn't be more proud of you. You know that." 

"Thanks, big brother." 

Bucky smiled lightly before Asteria wrapped her arms around her his waist. "Come on, let's go find Steve."

◛⑅·˚ ༘ ♡

Loud grunts were coming from an alleyway, and when Asteria looked down the alleyway she saw Steve and someone a lot taller than him. "Bucky." She nodded towards the two of them, and Bucky sighed. 

The man above him snarled, "You just don't know when to give up, do you?" 

"I can do this all day." Steve retorted making Asteria roll her eyes.

Steve went to throw a punch but was beat down instantly, "Hey!" Bucky called out, grabbing the guy by the scruff of his neck. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size." The man went to punch, but Bucky dodged it and punched him. 

Then kicked him away, "Sometimes, we think you like getting punched." Asteria sighed as she helped the smaller man up, grabbing him by an arm and gently tugging him up. 

"I had him on the ropes."

Asteria shook her head, "Sure you did, Stevie." She smiled softly at him, brushing a drop of blood away from his lips. Bucky grabbed a small card from the floor, making Asteria frown and look at the small stature man. 

"How many times is this?" Asteria looked at him with a hint of disappointment and sadness. He was ineligible on his health and stature alone, "Oh, you're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on the enlistment form." 

Asteria let a small smile tug at her lips, "And, seriously. Stevie, Jersey?" Steve looked up at his two best friends, before frowning. 

"You get your orders?" 

"The 107th, Sergeant James Barnes, shipping out for England tomorrow," Bucky explains, before looking over at Asteria, nudging her gently but she shook her head before mouthing not now. Steve shook his head. 

"I should be going." Bucky looked him up and down before laughing, he wrapped his arm around Steve's small shoulder. 

"Come on man," He pulled him towards the entrance of the alleyway. "my last night! I got to get you cleaned up!" Bucky threw the spoiled enlistment form away before Asteria followed after her best friend and brother. 

Steve looked at his friend, "Why? Where are we going?" Bucky forced the paper into his chest.

"The future."