The last few hours I've spent cleaning the house until I hear Steve come in. I rush over but luckily this time I haven't got to clean any of the cuts or bruises. He smiles at me then gives me a beautiful red dress with black trimmings.

"Go put it on." He says happily. I quickly hug him before running to my bedroom to get changed.

Once I have the dress on I look in the mirror and smile. It fits perfectly. It really makes me look curvier than I am and the red brings out the blue in my eyes. I just love it. I put on some red lipstick to match the dress then some small heeled heels because I will most likely be on my feet most of the night then go downstairs to show Steve.

"What do you think Stevie?" I ask and he smiles then hugs me.

"You look beautiful Buggie. Shall we go?" He asks holding his arm out. I roll my eyes then get my jacket and bag before linking my arm with his.

While walking down the road people look at me then start whispering. Steve senses my uneasiness and gives my hand a small squeeze.

"It's okay. A lot of these people are most likely just gossiping about the latest news. The news about Howard Stark has been huge recently." Steve says. I nod and take a deep breath.

We arrive at the tavern and Steve leaves me to go to find Bucky. I sigh and sit at a table alone until a tall man with dark brown eyes walks over to me. I soon realize it's Darren and look down.

"You look amazing Princess. Would you like to dance with me?" He asks.

"No, thank you Darren. I'm not one for dancing." I say and  see his expression harden. He roughly grabs my arm and tries to drag me out of my seat.

"Oi, the dame said no, you douchebag." I look over to see Steve standing next to another man. His eyes meet mine and my cheeks flush red while his steely blue eyes scan down my body then they go back to Darren.

"Fine. You're lucky this time Princess but next time you won't be." Darren growls in my ear. Steve and this other man walk over and Steve quickly checks my arm for any bruises but I can't take my eyes off of the other man with him.

"Hello doll. The names James Buchanan Barnes but you can call me Bucky." He says then takes my hand kissing it.

"Nice to meet you Bucky. I'm Becky Rogers, Steve's sister." I say and he smiles.

"Steve never mentioned having a sister. Would you honor me and have this dance?" Bucky asks. I giggle then look at Steve who doesn't look too happy.

"I would love to." I say and Bucky takes my hand then leads me to the middle of the tavern. I listen to the song playing and smile while Bucky slowly sways us to the music making me feel something in my chest. Kind of like little hummingbird wings that flutter quickly.

"So Steve has never mentioned me?" I ask while we dance.

"No. He would always say he needs to get home to help look after someone. I always assumed it was a pet or something." Bucky says smiling down at me.

"Wow, he would always tell me about you. Oh that reminds me, thank you for saving my brother's ass all these years. I swear he doesn't know how to take a loss or back down." I say shaking my head. Bucky chuckles and I feel my heart nearly burst at the sound.

"He sure doesn't. I don't understand why he hasn't mentioned you before. You are stunningly beautiful and also a really good dancer." He says which makes my cheeks heat up tremendously and look down at the ground watching our feet. Bucky lifts my chin and captivates me with his steely blue eyes, bright smile and warm features.

"Thank you Bucky." I whisper while he tucks my hair behind my ear leaving goosebumps behind. I sigh and lay my head on his chest while we continue to dance to the music.

When the song changes to something a little more intimate Bucky looks down at me then puts both of his hands on my waist pulling me closer while singing along with the song.

"Put your head on my shoulder
Hold me in your arms, baby
Squeeze me oh-so-tight
Show me that you love me too

Put your lips next to mine, dear
Won't you kiss me once, baby?
Just a kiss goodnight, maybe
You and I will fall in love."

"May I?" He asks. I freeze for a second then smile.

"Of course." I whisper and he smiles then his lips touch mine. Everything around us goes silent like we are in our own little bubble and my heart flips a few times.

We pull away then Bucky looks into my eyes while my cheeks heat up a little. He smiles then strokes my cheek while looking lovingly at me.

"You really are something else doll." He says softly. I giggle before laying my head on his chest again when the song changes and we dance once more.

We go back to the table and Steve is sitting alone nursing what I'm guessing to be a beer then he looks up at Bucky and I. I see him trying to figure out what happened because I don't usually smile as much as I am now.

"Oh God Buck. That's my baby sister." Steve says looking at Bucky.

"Steve please. You always said you want someone to treat me like a dame. Well, Bucky does that. Plus, I've had a lot of fun tonight and I actually like him." I say sitting next to my brother.

"This is the exact reason I didn't want you meeting him Becky. I'm going home." Steve says until Bucky grabs his arm.

"Stop being an idiot Steve. You should know I wouldn't treat your sister less than a dame that deserves to be treated like a Queen. Just sit down." Bucky says pulling Steve down. I sigh and look down at my hands.

"I'm going home. Don't be too late home Steve. I will see you another time Bucky." I say putting my coat on then picking up my bag. Bucky stands up then walks me to the entrance of the tavern.

"I really hope to see you again doll. For now it's farewell." He says then kisses my cheek before walking back inside.

I smile while I walk home with my mind filled with thoughts of Bucky. He is very handsome so it is understandable why the dames throw themselves at him. Steve was right too, he is very strong.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here." I turn around to see a group of men.

"What's a pretty young dame like you doing out here alone?" One of the men asks and I can smell the alcohol on them.

"Maybe she is one of those sex workers." Another man says and I scowl.

"Well, if we pay you sweetheart will you suck our dicks?" The first man asks.

"That is disgusting." I say then go to walk away until the taller man of the group grabs me roughly and throws me against the wall. Okay, ouch.

"You will do what we want whore or you will end up dead." The man growls, scaring me.

"Hey leave her alone!" My head snaps over to see Steve and Bucky walking over.

"What are you punks going to do about it?" The man pinning me asks. Bucky and Steve look at each other then they both come running over. Steve pulls me away and makes sure I'm behind him while Bucky fights the four men single handedly. Steve checks over my face to make sure I'm okay before hugging me.

"Let's get you home doll." Bucky says joining Steve and I. He wraps his arm around my waist making sure I'm close to him and my body relaxes while we walk because that's how Bucky makes me feel.

"I'm sorry Stevie." I whisper. He looks at me before putting his hand on my arm.

"Why? Is it because those men are disrespectful towards dames? It isn't your fault Buggie." He says then my cheeks heat up when Bucky raises his eyebrow.

"It's a nickname I gave her when we were kids. She was so small and reminded me of a lady bug because she has small freckles on her cheeks." Steve explains and Bucky smiles looking at me.

"That's adorable. I guess this is you. I will see you tomorrow Steve. As for you doll, I want to take you out this weekend. What do you say?" He asks. I go to answer but Steve pulls me inside then stands outside with Bucky.

"Buck, I do not want you taking my sister on any dates nor do I want you two to be dating. She is my little sister and you are my best friend. The bro code Buck." I hear Steve say. I shake my head before going to my bedroom.

I hear the door close then put on my record player to play It's Been A Long Long Time. the same song that I danced with Bucky to and the song I sing to myself every day while I change from my dress to a nightgown then wipe off my makeup. I sing the song under my breath until I hear a knock on my window so walk over then smile when I see Bucky.

"What are you doing Bucky?" I ask quietly opening my window.

"I didn't get a kiss before I left." He says and I roll my eyes, giggling.

"Come up here and get one then." I say. He smiles then climbs up the drainpipe and I help him through my window leaving it open just in case.

"Playing this song. Would you like to dance with me doll?" He asks. I giggle and take his hand then we slowly sway to the music.

"I'm sorry about Steve. Ever since our mother passed he has been overprotective. It's also because of my ex Darren who treated me poorly. He just worries, you know." I say.

"I could never do that to you doll. Even though I've only met you tonight I have strong feelings for you." He softly says leaning closer. I smile and pull him closer kissing him slowly.

"Buggie what are you doing?!" I jump when I hear Steve walking up the stairs.

"Bucky you have to go. Oh, and to answer your question yes, I would love to go out with you this weekend." I say when he slides down the drainpipe.

"Meet me on the corner. We can go to the little café in the market. Be there for seven pm." Bucky says. I nod with a smile then close my window quickly before sitting on my bed.

"Hey Buggie. I'm sorry about Bucky. He doesn't know what lines not to cross. I hope you're not upset with me." Steve says wqlking into my bedroom.

"No, it's fine, Steve. I get it. Bucky is your best friend and I'm just your baby sister. Well, I'm going to sleep. Goodnight Steve." I say turning off my record player and laying in my bed.

"Goodnight Buggie." Steve says then leaves my bedroom. I smile to myself because Steve has no idea that I intend on seeing Bucky this weekend.

Once the house is silent I go to my window again and look up at the night sky still smiling because maybe I have finally found someone who makes me happy. It doesn't matter if it's my idiototic, overprotective brother's best friend because I feel strongly for Bucky and he feels the same for me.

I find my diary that I haven't written in since I was in senior year at high school and open it. I find a page then get a pencil and write the date.

Second March Nineteen Forty Three

Oh diary.

Tonight I went dancing for the first time since our mother passed on and I had so much fun. I met the most amazing man. His name; James Buchanan Barnes or as he has told me to call him... Bucky.

He had the most beautiful steely blue eyes that outshine even the moon, his smile lights up the darkest rooms and his lips are like a velvet petal of a rose.

He really isn't like anyone I have ever met in my life. I have really strong feelings for him but there is one obstacle stopping us from being completely free. That is my brother Steve.

Bucky has asked me to go to dinner with him Saturday night and I'm so excited. I feel like a schoolgirl again who has been asked out by her crush.

Well, that's all for now
Becky Rogers. ❤️

I place the book into my bedside table draw and lock it with the key I keep on a necklace then get into bed. As I close my eyes I see Bucky's smile, his eyes and feel his lips on mine. For the first time since our mother passed on I fall asleep happy.