happy valentine's day my loves,

here's an au set in the 1940s of human maev and pre-army james

enjoy <3

DRIED FLOWERS!

IT WAS RAINING the first time James saw her. He'd been walking home from the movies, long strides eating up the ground, his head tilted downwards to avoid getting any water in his eyes. It wasn't down pouring, thankfully, but the soft drizzle was persistent enough that a few pieces of his hair had flattened down and hung in his vision, damp from the cool water. The streets are mostly empty, everyone either seeking shelter inside or still at work, which is why the sudden flurry of movement catches his attention.

He glances across the street, blinking at the sight of a young woman hurriedly gathering bundles of flowers into her arms from the stall set outside of a shop. Her black hair is pulled back into a sensible braid, tiny pieces clinging to her forehead and jaw as the rain washes over her.

James had never seen her before and curiosity rose up within him. After a second of contemplation the young man glances both ways before jogging across the street, coming to a stop by the stall. This close he can see the tiny signs meticulously hanging from the stall, a beautiful, curling handwriting stating prices and names.

"Do you need any help ma'am?" He asks politely, allowing the side of his lips to curl up into a boyish grin, the sides of his eyes crinkling slightly.

The young woman pauses and this close he can admire the way her hazel eyes, framed with thick eyelashes, roam over him quickly, her red-tinted lips pursing lightly in thought. Then, with a quick nod, she jerks her head to the shop behind them, the door held open by a brick placed at the bottom, "Grab as many as you can without dropping them and follow me."

Her voice is lower than he expected and there's a soft accent that intertwines with her words, drawing him in with ease.

With considerate hands he removes the carefully cut flowers from their holds and turns around, following the young woman into the shop. It's well-lit but there's a cozy feel to the floral shop, plants of all sorts on display throughout the small space, the scent of soil and pollen making him ache for a warm summer day. The young woman sets her flowers down, sliding the stems into different holders, before turning to him. James hands her the flowers one by one and they work in a comfortable quiet, the soft pitter-patter of the rain outside filling the space within.

It takes them two more trips to get all the flowers inside and the young woman wipes her hands on the front of the apron laying over her simple black dress before holding out a slender hand, "Thank you mister...?"

James shakes her hand, smiling once more, "James Barnes, my friends call me Bucky. And you're welcome, miss...?"

"Maev Barres." Her lips are once again pinched slightly in thought and she turns from him, running a critical eye over the rows of flowers behind her. She then grabs a flower, turning around and offering it to him.

His eyebrows furrow slightly in confusion but he takes it from her, looking at the pretty flower. Its petals are a mixture of a soft pink paired with a pastel yellow, hints of deep pink layered in closer towards the center. There's a few raindrops decorating its ruffled petals, highlighting the different hues.

"Lisianthus," she tells him, "they represent gratitude amongst other things."

He looks up from the flower, "And what are those other things?"

She looks conflicted for a moment before telling him, "Charm and an everlasting bond."

He grins at her, "We just met Miss Barres, but if you insist it's everlasting bond—"

Pink tinges her cheeks, "I gave it to you as a thank you, Mister Barnes, you don't need to read into it any further than that."

James's grin only widens, "If you insist."

Thunder booms overhead and James bids the pretty woman goodbye, tucking the flower underneath his jacket and hurrying home. His mother raises an eyebrow at the sight of the flower but doesn't do anything besides chastise him for getting water all over the floor. He takes a cup of water from the kitchen and saunters into his room, placing the cup on his tiny desk and placing the stem in the water.

As he lies in his bed, listening to the rumble of thunder, he gazes at the flower. One arm is propped behind his head, the other laying across his stomach, a fond smile lingering on his lips.

And when James dreams, he's not surprised that he dreams of her.

・゜-: ✧ :-　　-: ✧ :-゜・．

Admittedly, it takes longer then he'd like for him to see Maev Barres again. He walks the same path from his house to his part-time job, the little floral stall a half-way point, but it's usually closed by the time he's on his way back and in the mornings he can only catch glimpses of the raven-haired woman as she helps a line of customers.

Luckily, he got off early on Fridays and James walks quickly, warmth blooming in his chest at the sight of Maev working at the stall. He takes a moment to compose himself, running his fingers through his hair a few times and smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt, before walking to the stall. Maev's back is to him as she fusses over a lopsided flower and James takes this moment to glance over the various flowers she had on display.

Then he leans forward on the stall, a charming smile flashing across his face, "You still open for business, Miss Barres?"

Maev jumps and turns around, her hand raising to her chest, a startled expression on her face. Her face quickly melts into mock annoyance, her hands settling on her hips as she tilts her head to the side, her braid following the movement, "Not for you if you're going to scare me like that."

He laughs, "I promise it won't happen again."

Her hands drop, "Very well then, how can I help you?"

He glances over the biggest sign she had, quickly reading over the words, before looking at her, "Do you know the meaning of every flower here?"

Maev nods, "Of course."

James hums softly, "What do those mean?" he asks, pointing to a light orange flower.

"Gerbera Daisies symbolize cheerfulness."

"And those?"

"Heather symbolize good luck and admiration." She answers promptly.

"Consider me impressed," he tells her lightly, "and those?"

"Hyacinths symbolize playfulness and sport."

His eyes narrow slightly in thought before he finally says, "I'd like one of the daisies, the gerbil ones?"

She quickly covers her hand with her mouth, trying to play off a sudden laugh as a cough, her eyes shining with amusement, "Do you mean the gerbera daisies?"

He smiles sheepishly and nods, "Yeah and a note card and..." he trails off, glancing over the row of ribbons on display, "and which ribbon would you recommend?"

Maev carefully selects a daisy before answering, "White."

"And a white ribbon then, if you would."

She lays the flower on a piece of parchment and rolls it around the steam neatly, fluffing up the edges so the daisy is still visible, before tying the thin white ribbon around the stem. She then slides the small note card across the table to him, along with a pen, "If you'd like to write your message down, I can attach the card to the ribbon."

James nods and twirls the pen around his fingers a few times before quickly jotting down a note and folding it in half before giving it back to Maev. With practiced ease the woman attaches the card and James digs out his wallet, taking out a dollar and handing it to Maev in exchange for the flower.

The woman tucks his payment away, "Anything else I can help you with Mister Barnes?"

James just smiles and holds out the newly wrapped flower towards her, "For you."

She blinks, "...what?"

"You said this flower represents cheerfulness, right?" When she nods slightly, James continues, "then I can think of no better dame to give it to then yourself."

"I-I can't accept this."

"Why not? I paid for it didn't I?"

Maev swallows before slowly reaching out, taking the parcel from him, "...thank you."

"I'll see you around Miss Barres."

The young woman watches him walk away, the flower still cradled in her arms, a soft smile on her lips.

And just like that, James found himself in a new routine. Every Friday after work he would hurry towards that floral stall, waiting until any other customer had left before approaching it and talking to Maev before selecting a flower based on what it meant.

Deep pink alstroemeria for fortune and friendship.

A beaming sunflower for adoration.

White carnation for beauty.

Pastel blue delphinium for lightheartedness and vivacity.

Royal purple gladiolus for strength of character.

Their conversations grew each time he stopped, Maev humoring him each time by reciting the various meanings of the flowers, even if she'd already told them about it the week prior. And as summer grew closer, James found himself wishing he could spend more than a few minutes once a week with the woman.

So, the sixth time James stopped by her stall, he had a plan. It was as natural as breathing for him now as he leaned against her stall, watching her recite the names and meanings in that soft, lilting voice of hers. When she stopped and looked at him expectantly, James just smiled.

"Which one is your favorite?"

Maev froze, blinking a few times as she processes his words, and it's so endearing that James feels like a love-struck school boy.

"Marigolds," she finally says, pointing to the cluster of rich yellow-orange flowers, "most know them as flowers that represent despair and grief, but they can also represent beauty and warmth."

As she's wrapping the flower James stills his nerves, taking a deep breath, "Have you ever been to Coney Island?"

Her eyebrows pinch together delicately, "Not yet. I've been rather busy with the shop since my sisters and I moved here."

"We should go then," James says casually, hoping that she couldn't hear his heart pounding against his chest.

She ducks her head slightly but he can still see the smile curling her lips upward, "That would be nice."

Happiness rushes through him and he has to fight to keep his voice steady, "I heard they're settin' off fireworks tonight, and I happen to know where we would have the best view."

Maev looks up at him, "...you want to go tonight?"

He raises an eyebrow, "You got anything better to do?"

She look at him for a moment, smiling slyly, "I suppose not." She then takes a spare note card, jotting down a few lines, before offering it to him, her chin tilted up, "You better not be late, you hear me?"

He takes the note card, glancing over the address, before tucking it securely into his pocket. He then grabs the wrapped marigold, and instead of offering it to her, tucks it underneath his arm, "I'll be there Miss Barres, 7 o'clock sharp."

Then he winks at her, walking away with an extra bounce in his step that he'd most certainly deny if anyone brought it up to him.

・゜-: ✧ :-　　-: ✧ :-゜・．

James checked his reflection once more in the glass before raising his hand, knocking three times on the unfamiliar door. He shifts his weight from foot to foot, the marigold held securely in his hands, a bright smile appearing on his face when the door unlocks and swings open, only to falter at the sight of an unfamiliar woman staring at him.

He assumes this is one of Maev's sisters, her short black hair partially tucked behind her ears, her green eyes picking apart his appearance. After a moment she moves to the side, gesturing him in with one sweep of her arms, "Adaire Barres," she introduces herself, "Maev's eldest sister."

"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."

Adaire looks amused at his words and James glances around the small living room, stilling at the sight of yet another unfamiliar woman sitting at the kitchen table, her chin propped in her hand, a wicked smile revealing perfectly white teeth, "So you're the guy Maev won't shut up about. You know she has all of those flowers you bought her perfectly lined up on her desk, those silly notes you wrote underneath each one?"

"Narcissa!" Maev looks mortified as she hurries down the hall, her cheeks burning red. She's wearing a simple black dress with white polka-dots, her long hair in elegant loose curls, a few pieces pulled back from her face, her kitten heels making soft taps as she walks towards him.

James grins cheekily at her and holds out the marigold, "Here, for your growing collection."

Her cheeks darken even more but she takes it, smiling softly, before handing it off to Adaire waiting by the side, "We should get going before my sister's think of something else to enlighten you with."

He offers her his arm and she hooks her arm through his, letting him guide her out of the house and down the stairs. He glances down at her, the blush on her tanned skin fading, though the tips of her ears are still red.

"You truly kept all the flowers I bought?"

Maev looks up at him, "Well I wasn't going to throw them away."

They walk down the street side by side, and James frowns in thought, "But wouldn't they have died by now?"

"I dried them." She states simply.

"Dried flowers?" He muses, "I'll have to add that to my list."

"List?" She questions, her attention caught by the large ferris wheel in the distance.

"Yes, my list of things that make you so interesting."

"Flattery will get you nowhere Mister Barnes," she tells him playfully.

"Won't it, though?" He questions, a cheeky grin appearing on his face. Maev laughs softly and rolls her pretty eyes, tugging on his arm slightly as she picks up her pace, her interest piqued by the many booths and festivities set up ahead of them.

James pays for their tickets and the two hold out their hands, the ticket attendant stamping the backs of their hands with cartoon red balloons, "Well Miss Barres, where to first?"

"Maev," she corrects him, "call me Maev."

"Very well, but only if you call me Bucky."

Maev leans in on his arm, looking up at him, "I thought you said your friends call you Bucky."

"Well, yes," he says, a bit confused.

She bites her lower lip, standing up on her tiptoes to whisper into his ear, "But I'm not your friend, am I?"

James is thankful she can't see the sudden bloom of color in his cheeks, "If you're not my friend then what are you?"

She hums softly, the sound raising goosebumps along his neck, "I suppose we'll have to figure that out, won't we James?"

And then she's drawing away, a brazen smile flashing in his direction before she tugs once more on his arm, leading him deeper into the festivities, and like a love-sick puppy, James follows.

They spend the next hour trying out different games and activities, the two laughing frequently and snickering when the other loses. At some point during this time their arms have become unhooked, and as they wait in line for the roller coaster, James slings his arm across her shoulders, enjoying the way her nose crinkles at the movement and the way the corners of her lips quirk up.

"Nervous?" He teases her as the line moves forward.

Her top teeth tug lightly on her bottom lip, "I've never been on a rollercoaster before," she confesses quietly.

He pulls her a little closer, "We don't have to go on it if you don't want to."

She shakes her head slightly, "No, I want it, it's just..." she looks up at the highest point of the roller coaster, "high."

James helps her step into the row of seats, settling down next to her and securely clasping the harness across his chest. He turns to Maev and reaches out before pausing, "May I?"

She nods and he fastens her harness for her, tugging on the straps on the side to make sure it's tight enough for her. The roller coaster clicks as it starts up and Maev stiffens in her seat as they start to go up, her eyes wide. When they get to the top of the first hill the ride shudders slightly before tipping forward.

Whoops and yells ring out as the ride rushes downwards, a hand reaches out and grasps his, Maev's face turning white and a gasp wrenching out of her mouth. James grins and intertwines their fingers before starting to lift their hands, Maev's head whipping towards him at the movement. He winks at her and lifts their interlocked hands, raising his free hand as well before letting out a whoop. Maev smiles and slowly raises her other hand, mirroring him.

They tumble off the ride, Maev tucked securely to James's side, her body shaking slightly from the adrenaline and her legs wobbly. She looks like the newborn foal James saw once, all shaky legs and windblown hair.

They walk around for a bit so that Maev can get her footing back, James leading her in the direction of the Ferris Wheel. As they get situated in their cart, James shrugs off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders, "It gets cold at the top." he explains when she looks at him.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

The ferris wheel moves slowly, the night sky glimmering with stars, and a light weight draws James's attention from the sky to his shoulder where Maev's head rests. Several baby hairs are strewn across her face from the roller coaster, a few longer pieces having come out from the bobby pins once securing them back.

He drapes his arm around her shoulders, tilting his own head so it rests lightly against her own, the two enjoying the simplicity of the moment. A large bang catches their attention and the sky lights up as fireworks appearing, peppering the darkness with bright colors.

The two watch them as the ferris wheel rotates slowly, and James wishes they could be in this moment forever, but all too soon they descend back to reality.

The festival is starting to die down so they make their way off of Coney Island, talking about anything and everything they could think of. Maev told him about her older sisters, how they irritated her at times but at the end of the day she knew they had her back. She told him about growing up in Italy, about running barefoot through gardens and sneaking strawberries off of the vines much to her mother's dismay. She told him about moving to America when she was ten, how foreign and different it had felt from where she was born.

In return, James told her about his family, about his loving mother and his younger sister who was currently at boarding school. He told her about his idiotic best friend and about how he'd enlisted, though there was a small part of him hoping the war would end soon so he wouldn't have to take up arms. He talked about how he enjoyed his day job but was thinking about taking night classes at the community college if he could scrounge up enough money for it.

They made it to the steps of her house and he could see a faint light flickering through the curtains. He looked down at her as she shrugged off his jacket, offering it back to him. He takes it and slides it back on, trying not to think about the warmth radiating from it, instead reaching up to brush a stray hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"Thanks for accompanying me, doll."

She looks up at him, "Doll?"

"Thought it suited you," he says quietly, "but I can change it for you next time if you'd like."

Maev smiles, "No, I like it." Her hands are clasped loosely in front of her and he can see her fingers fidget slightly, the only sign of her nerves before she stands on her tiptoes, her lips pressing against his cheek softly.

"Goodnight James."

"Goodnight doll."

James can't keep the smile off his face as he walks home, knowing very well that there was the barest red imprint of her lips on his cheek, a mark he couldn't bring himself to rub away just yet.

He hummed softly to himself as he walked home, closing the door quietly behind him and ridding himself of his day clothes and changing into his pajamas. And as he lays down on his bed he glances over at his desk where the single lisianthus lays, its petals curled from age and the colors faded in a beautiful fashion.

As it turns out, Maev wasn't the only one with dried flowers. 

thanks for reading!