"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
Lao Tzu
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to its rightful owners.
Chapter One - Double Dates
Even after living in Brooklyn for almost three years, Clara still hadn't gotten used to the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, the apartment she lived in was a far cry from the mansion she had grown up in. But it was a welcome change. As it was for love.
Clara scrubbed the dishes harder, trying to distract herself from her husbands impending departure. But she could not forget the fact that the man she loved was going off to fight overseas. And she could not forget, the very real possibility, that he would be coming back to her in a box.
"Clara" said a voice from behind her, causing her to jump,
"Bucky" she said, smiling as she looked at her husband, "I was just cleaning up"
"I think that plate is clean" he said
Clara looked down, to see that the plate she was scrubbing was in no way dirty, and realised that she had been scrubbing the same plate for almost half an hour. She set the plate down on the drying rack, her cheeks going pink from embarrassment.
"I think it is" she muttered, looking anywhere but at Bucky, knowing that he would find her blush amusing. He always loved to make her blush.
"I'm gonna go get Steve, okay" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest, "We'll meet you there, with your friend"
Clara nodded her head, leaning her head back against him, resting her hands over his. She would miss Bucky terribly, miss moments like this. Where they would just hold one another, no words needing to be spoken. Just the feeling of each others arms.
"I love you" he whispered to her, pressing a kiss to her neck, sending shivers down her spine
"I love you more" she whispered back
"Impossible" he said, his lips tickling her neck
"Go" she said, pulling away from him, pressing her hand to his chest to push him away, "I'll see you later"
"Keep cleaning those dishes" he teased, smirking as he walked backwards towards the door, "They'll all be spotless, in about a year"
Clara picked up the tea towel from the bench, throwing it at him. He easily swiped it from the air, his grin never faltering, and neither did her own. She watched him, not turning away until he had disappeared out the door. She placed her hands on the sink, leaning over it. She reached back, pulling out her hair, letting her strawberry blonde curls fall down onto her shoulders, thinking back to day that she met Bucky.
She had been living in Brooklyn for almost three months, having moved from her childhood home in Westchester, to work as a nurse. That night, she had been drug out by her best friend, and fellow nurse, Eleanor. They had gone out with the other nurses, to, in Eleanor's words, find the eligible bachelors of the town.
Clara had been sitting by herself, all the other nurses having found suitable men to occupy their time, when he approached her. He wasn't the first man to approach her. But he was the first she didn't brush off.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing sitting here by yourself?" he asked
Clara turned around to look at the man standing next to her, he was tall, and muscular, with dark brown hair and light blue eyes. He was quite handsome, especially with that cheeky grin that graced his face. Clara would later admit, that it was his smile that had caught her attention. Had stopped her from brushing off his advances. There was something about the look in his eyes, that she just found so addictive.
"Trying to avoid the attention of leering men" she replied, raising her eyebrow at him
"I hope you're not including me in that" he said, taking the empty seat next to her, "I'm Bucky"
"Bucky" she said, "What kind of a name is that?"
"My names James Buchanan Barnes, that's where Bucky comes from" he explained, "What's your name?"
"Clara" she said extending her hand out to him, "Clara Lucille Howard"
"It's nice to meet you" he said, taking her hand in his, "Miss Howard"
Clara couldn't help the smile that came to her face, as he continued to shake her hand, well after the appropriate length of a hand shake.
"Are you going to let go?" She asked him, "Or just keep shaking my hand for the rest of the night?"
"Does that mean that you want to talk to me all night?" He asked, cocking his head as he released her hand from his grip
"If you prove yourself to be entertaining" she said, moving her hand to intertwine her fingers with her other hand, "I would hate to be stuck talking to a bore all night"
"Well, boring is not a word I would use to describe myself" he chuckled
"That's good" she said, laughing, "But, who would really describe themself as boring?" She asked, fiddling with her fingers, "I mean, that would be pretty self deprecating, because who would want to be boring, it's probably one of the worst things to be" she said, looking up to see him laughing at her, "I'm rambling, aren't I?" She asked, moving her fingers into her strawberry blonde hair, moving her curls to hide her face.
"Just passionate on the subject" he said, reaching out his hand to tuck her curls back behind her ear, causing a blush to rise in her cheeks, "I completely agree with you though. Being boring would be the worst"
"Well, at least you don't think you're boring" she said, turning to smile at him, "But, I wouldn't trust your own opinion" she said, "Self evaluations can be very bias"
"So, you think I'm boring?" He asked, but she could tell be the cocky grin on his face, that he already knew the answer
"I never said that" said Clara, "I meant, that not many people would really describe themself as boring" she explained, "Therefore, you can't really trust someone's opinion of themselves"
"Then what's your opinion of me?" He asked
"I haven't decided, yet" she said, "But you definitely aren't boring"
"Well, that's a start" he said, "I guess I just have to keep being not boring, until you agree to go on a date with me"
"A date?" She asked, "I don't even know you. I know your name, and that's it. I need to know more about you before I agree to anything"
"Alright then" he said, straightening up, acting like he had just accepted a challenge, "You already know my name, I am twenty four years old, and I have lived in Brooklyn all my life" he told her, "Your turn"
"My turn?" She asked
"I told you about myself" he said, "Now, you can tell me about yourself"
"There's not much to know" she said, "I am twenty one, I moved to Brooklyn three months ago to work as a nurse" she told him, "So, now we know just as much about each other"
"I'm sure there's more to know" he said, "And I'm going to enjoy learning more about you"
"How do you know I'm not boring?" She asked him,
"Just a feeling" he shrugged
"And do you always trust your gut instincts?" She asked, feeling her face heat up under his intense gaze, face reddening in a blush
"They haven't led me astray yet" he said, lifting up his hand, to gently brush his fingers against her cheek
Clara was awoken from her day dreaming when she heard a knock on the door. She let out a sigh, before walking to the door. She opened it to see Eleanor standing on the other side.
"You ready to go?" Asked Eleanor,
"Yeah, I've just gotta get my bag" she answered, grabbing her purse off of the kitchen counter, before stepping out of the apartment, closing the door behind her, "Let's go"
"You're lucky we're friends" grumbled Eleanor, "Otherwise I wouldn't have come"
"Don't act like this is torture" said Clara, "He's really not that bad, he's just shy"
"You know I don't do shy" said Eleanor, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, "Besides, what do you have to complain about. It's Bucky's last night so you're sure to get some"
"Ellie" scolded Clara, knudgubg her friend as she spotted Bucky and Steve approaching them, "This was Bucky's idea, so blame him"
"Clara" called out Bucky, as they neared the pair
"Be nice" Clara warned Eleanor, who just rolled her eyes
"I'm always nice" said Eleanor
Clara scoffed, before walking up to meet Bucky, pressing a quick kiss on his lips. She moved her hand to intertwine with his.
"Steve" said Clara, as she led them over, "You remember Eleanor"
"It's nice to see you again" said Steve, sticking out his hand to her
"It is" said Eleanor, giving his hand a quick shake
They were wandered around the pavilions, Clara wasn't really paying attention to any of the displays. She was too caught up by Bucky.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" Asked Bucky, smiling down at her
"No" she said, smiling back at him, "I don't believe you have"
"Well then" he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek, "You are very beautiful"
They were interrupted from their moment, by the sound of gagging. Clara turned around to see Eleanor pretending to be sick.
"You two, make me sick" said Eleanor
Clara playfully hit her friend in the arm, a smile still on her face. No one could ruin her night.
"Come on" said Eleanor, grabbing onto Clara's arm, "It's starting"
Clara shook her head at her friend, as Eleanor pulled her over to the pavilion. She looked back to see Steve trailing after them, and felt sorry for him. She knew that him and Eleanor were not a good match, but all her other friends were either married or engaged. Eleanor was the only single one, and she planned to stay that way for awhile.
"Ladies and gentleman" said the announcer, "Mr Howard Stark"
Clara looked up at the stage, watching as a man walked out. He was dressed in a suit and hat, looking rather dashing. He took of his hat, handing it to the announcer. The man then pulled the woman over, planting a big kiss on her lips, before taking the microphone from her hands.
Clara rolled her eyes at his antics, but Eleanor seemed entranced by the man. Though, Eleanor was entranced by most men.
"Told you he was good looking" Eleanor whispered to Clara
"Stop" muttered Clara, shaking her head at her friend
Clara looked up at Bucky, who had his eyebrows raised, but a smirk on his face. She just rolled her eyes, before turning back to face the stage.
She had to admit, Howard Stark was attractive man. With his dark hair and eyes, though she wasn't too fond of the moustache. He had this, almost arrogant air about him, that Clara was sure captured many girls attention. She used to hate arrogant men, finding cockiness repulsive. But then she met Bucky, and she found her views changing. Eleanor had often noted how Clara's opinion of different men changed once she was with Bucky. She now loved his cockiness, and slightly arrogant nature.
"Ladies and gentlemen" said Mr Stark, "What if I told you, that in a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all"
The crowd gasped, as the assistants removed the wheels from the car, taking them over to the side.
"With Stark revitic reversion technology you'll be able to do just that" said Mr Stark, before flipping a switch and pulling a lever
Clara watched, as the car slowly began to move, hovering in the air.
"Holy cow" said Bucky
The car hung in the air for a few seconds, as Stark gave the audience a smug smile. But, then it began to spark, before coming crashing back to the ground.
"I did say a few years didn't I" said Mr Stark, as the audience began to clap
Clara looked over at Eleanor, to see her friend clapping away, staring up at Stark like he was the best thing since sliced bread.
"Hey Steve" said Bucky, "What do you say we treat these girls to..."
Clara turned around, to see that Steve had vanished. She scowled at Eleanor, but her friend was too busy fawning over Howard Stark to notice anything.
"Go find him" said Clara, "We'll be fine here"
"You sure?" Asked Bucky, but he was already begginning to walk away
Clara smiled at him, nodding her head, before turning back to her friend.
The pair of them walked around the exhibits, biding time until their dates returned. Or at least, Clara was. She was just itching for Bucky to come back. Eleanor, on the other hand, was not overly enjoying her date.
"Did you enjoy the show, ladies?" Asked a male voice
Clara turned around, and saw Howard Stark approaching them. Eleanor grabbed onto Clara's arm, squeezing her as she squealed.
"It was amazing" said Eleanor, "I don't know how you come up with these things"
"My mind wonders me too" said Stark, "What are your names?"
"Eleanor Marks" she answered
Clara was looking around the pavilions, trying to see if she could find Bucky amongst the sea of people. She was reminded of the others presence, when she felt Eleanor nudge her with her elbow.
"What?" She asked, turning back to them
"Distracted I see" said Stark, smirking at her, "What's your name, sweetcheeks?"
"Clara Barnes" she said, folding her arms across her chest, "And you need no introductions. I'd have to have been living under a rock not to know who you are"
"Is that a compliment?" He asked her, moving closer to them
"Hardly" she said, "Merely an observation"
"I'll still take that as I compliment" he smirked
Clara rolled her eyes at him, as Eleanor raised her eyebrows at her.
"So, Clara, Eleanor" said Stark, "What brings you here?"
"Mrs Barnes" she corrected
"We're on a double date" explained Eleanor, "Or at least, Clara's on a date, I'm just the third wheel"
"Oh stop whining" said Clara, "You know it wasn't my idea"
"Yes, I know what you would rather be doing with your husband" scoffed Eleanor
"Eleanor" she cried, "Don't talk about such private details in front of a stranger"
"It's okay" Stark chuckled, "I would love to know more private details about, Mrs Barnes', life"
Clara's eyes widened, as she raised an eyebrow at Stark. She opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Bucky's reappearance.
"Ready to go?" Bucky asked them, slipping his arm around Clara's waist, eyeing Stark
"You must be Mr Barnes" said Stark, holding out his hand
"Bucky" he answered, shaking Stark's hand
Stark nodded at Bucky, before taking a step back, moving his gaze back to Clara and Eleanor.
"It was lovely meeting you, Eleanor" said Stark, "And you, Miss Barnes"
Eleanor smiled at Stark, but he kept his eyes on Clara, nodding at her, before turning and walking away. Clara frowned at him, before turning back to Bucky.
"Where's Steve?" She asked him
"He's headed home" said Bucky, "We said our goodbyes"
"Okay" she said, leaning her head against his chest
"I'll just stand here then" said Eleanor
"Oh, right" said Clara, realising that her friend was still there, "We'll drop you home"
"Thanks" muttered Eleanor
Bucky nodded to them, before he started walking back. Eleanor quickly grabbed onto Clara's arm, pulling her against her as they followed Bucky.
"Stark was flirting with you" she said, "Big time"
"No more then he probably flirts with every girl he meets" said Clara, "Besides, I'm married"
"Oh, stop taking the fun out of this" said Eleanor, "Everyone's married, I feel like an old maid"
Clara just laughed at her friend, shaking her head as they made their way through the crowd. She looked up at Bucky, who had his back to her, smiling as she thought of how much she loved him. And avoiding the thought of him going off to war.
