Disclaimer; I do not own anything other than Stella and her plot.

1936

"Bucky, have you seen Steve? I can't find him anywhere," Stella chirped as she bounded up to him. Her mother's funeral had just ended and Steve had disappeared almost instantly. Bucky threw an arm over her shoulder and pulled her to his side.

"Well, let's go see what trouble he's into now," They waved goodbye to his family before walking down the side walk. Stella kept her eyes peeled on the streets and Bucky looked down every alley. The two of them were almost constantly looking for Steve. So much so that it was habitual by now.

"He couldn't have gotten far," their hands intertwined as they continued their search.

He bumped his shoulder into her's lightly, "Maybe he just wants to be alone, doll."

"Yeah, maybe." She nodded as he turned her in the direction of his apartment. He didn't live far from Steve and herself which was something he did on purpose.

"What do you wanna eat?" He asked as he led her into the kitchen. It was normal for him to cook for her and Steve since neither of them could cook to save their lives.

"Whatever you wanna make," She suggested as she glanced at the clock on the wall. She hadn't realized it was already noon. She watched him as he busied himself by making sandwiches. They ate quickly and she continuously glanced out the window to see if she could spot Steve on the sidewalk. Even though he was the oldest by two years, she still fretted over him like mad. Bucky often told Steve that he was going to give her grey hairs.

"There he is," Bucky informed from his spot at the window. Stella sprung off the couch and over to him, instantly noticing the small blonde man on the street below.

"C'mon," She grabbed his hand and yanked him in the direction of the door. She paused just long enough of him to lock it behind them as she trudged down toward the street.

Bucky pulled her into an alley and kissed her. They had been hiding their relationship from Steve the entire two years they had been together. They were sure he'd be nothing but happy for him, but they didn't want to risk it.

She emerged from the alley a moment later with him hot on her tail. They didn't hold hands this time, simply walking side by side like normal friends. He occasionally bumped into her, causing her to stumble and attempt to avoid running into people.

"Steve," She called as they caught up to him. She trotted up the stairs with Bucky following slowly after her, "We looked for you after the funeral but couldn't find you."

"Yeah, my folks were wantin' to give you a ride to the cemetery."

Steve shook his head, "I know, I'm sorry. I just kinda wanted to be alone."

"How was it?" She asked lightly. She had made it clear that she hadn't wanted to go to the cemetery the day before. She just couldn't face it.

"It's okay. She's next to Dad." She nodded and ducked her head. She didn't remember their father since he had died shortly before she was born. Bucky noticed the change in her mood and lightly brushed his hand against hers.

"You know, I was gonna ask."

Steve cut him off, "I know what you're gonna say, Buck-"

"C'mon, we could but the couch cushions on the floor. Stell can sleep on the bed. It'll be like when we were kids," Steve began to search for his keys. Stella started to search her jacket for her own set once he couldn't find his, "All you gotta do is shine my shoes. Maybe take out the trash." He kicked over a brick with his foot and bent to pick up the spare key to the apartment. He handed it to Steve, almost stepping on Stella's foot in the process.

"Thank you, Buck, but we can get by on our own." Stella tried to hide the contempt look on her face as Steve included her in his statement. She loved her brother dearly, but he was horridly independent and didn't often ask her opinions on things.

"The thing is, you don't have to. Neither of you," He clamped a hand over Steve's shoulder, "I'm with you till the end of the line, pal."

"I know. Thank you." They turned away from each other, Steve to open the door and Bucky to leave to his apartment. Bucky ran a hand over her back as he past. She smiled at him before stepping into the apartment behind Steve.

1942

She was over at his apartment, scrubbing away at the dishes from the night before when the mail came. She had shuffled through it, making sure none of it was the neighbor's before dropping it on Bucky who was still in bed. She had returned to the dishes after he groaned and began to sit up. They both drank a little bit last night, but he was much more hungover than her. She was now twenty-two and had a surprisingly high alcohol tolerance.

"I've been drafted." Stella turned to look at Bucky as he entered the kitchen. He was only wearing pants and socks, a sure sign that he had been getting dressed while reading through the mail.

"You're kidding me," she croaked, biting back her tears. He truly didn't want to go to war. What he wanted was to stay here to protect Steve and love Stella.

"I leave next month for training."

"Next month? What, they're shipping you guys out to training just in time to miss Christmas? They couldn't wait until fucking January?" The dish water sloshed up at her as she threw a spoon into it. She ripped the dish towel off of her shoulder and slammed it against the counter.

"Hey, hey, calm down, doll," He spun her around and trapped her between him and the counter. Her eyes met his and they held the same terror and dread. Sure, Bucky wasn't weak by any means. He worked out and was in good shape. Neither of them could help but fear for his life.

"I don't want to lose you."

"And you won't. Not now and not ever," He declared and pulled her against him. Her head just barely reached his shoulder and she leaned heavily against him.

He all but shoved her off of him and rushed back into the bedroom, "Buck, what are you doing?" She moved to follow after him, but he came skidding back into the kitchen, effectively sliding on his socks. His face was lit up like a kid's on Christmas morning as he approached her.

"I was gonna to wait and do this on Christmas, but I guess since I won't be here, now is as good a time as any," He slid down to one knee in front of her. Her hand flew to her mouth as he held the dainty ring out to her, "Stella Grace Rogers, will you make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife?" She didn't trust her voice so she simply nodded. He stood up and picked her up all in one motion and set her on the counter.

"This is why you've been suggesting we tell Steve about us," She stated as he slid the ring onto her finger.

"Mhmm, this is exactly why. Now we have no choice but to tell him. I'll leave for training and when I get back, we'll get married before I get my orders. Once the war is over and when I return home for good, we'll have the ceremony of your dreams."

She nodded with a grin, "Sounds like a plan. But I really don't think we should tell Steve. At least not until the time is right. He's been so tense about not getting accepted into the army that he's been lashing out. He bit my head off last night when I told him I was staying with a friend."

"I don't know if I want to talk to Steve about that. 'Oh, hey, pal! By the way, Your sister and I have been together for like nine years and we're also married. Surprise!'" She wasn't sure why but hungover Bucky was always a little more fun than sober Bucky. When he was drunk or hungover, he didn't have a care int he world. She knew, for sure, that he was the one she wanted for the rest of her life.