Thursday, December 12, 1941

"Pick on someone your own size, dunce!" Charlotte angrily yells.
"Stay out of this, dollface. You don't want to get that pretty face bruised," one of them says flirtaciously.
"Are you kidding me?! I'll show you what a doll can do!"

Charlotte punches one of the men in the nose, feeling a crack under her knuckles. Another man with rusty blonde hair pulls her back, yanking her arms behind her. She kicks him in his sensitive area, instantly making him let go of her. A third man comes up to her and swings, but she easily dodges it and punches him in the jaw.

The first man she punched puts his hands up, signaling his defeat. He grabs his two other comrades and bolts out of the dark alleyway that they were in.

Steve looks up at Charlotte and furrows his eyebrows.
"I had them on the ropes. You know that, right?"

She shakes her head at him and smiles, exhausted. With a huff, she walks up to him and drags him out of the alley. "What am I going to do with you, Steven?" she chuckles.

Once they made it out, they were met with a surprised Bucky.
"Did you take down all of those men by yourself?"

Charlotte shakes her head and laughs sweetly.
"Of course not! Steve happened to rough up two of the guys for me! Besides, I learned from the best, didn't I?"

Steve smiles at her and Bucky shakes his head at them both. They all then continue to walk out and towards their favorite diner.

Saturday, December 14, 1941

"Charlotte! Steve's outside looking for you!"

Charlotte looks up from her washing at the sound of her name being called by her mother. She finishes the last shirt before freshening up and running towards the front door. She pulls on her winter coat and slips on her shoes.

"Mama, I'm heading out with Steve now! I'll be home in time for dinner!"
Before her mother could say another word, she bustles out the front door, shutting it behind her. She beams at a chilly looking Steve, who was surprisingly alone. She gracefully makes her way down the steps and hugs her best friend.

"Where's Buck?" she asks.
"He's off packing for Monday. It's just you and I today, Lottie. I hope that's okay with you," Steve smiles, hoping that she would really want to spend time with him.
"Of course, I'd want to spend some time with you Stevie! Where to first?"

He grins, shoving his clammy hands into his coat pockets.
"Well, it's too cold to stay outside for long, so why don't we go watch a film?"
"That sounds great! Lead the way!"

They link arms and begin to walk towards the nearby cinema.

While walking, Charlotte asked a question that she had been thinking of for a while.
"Say, Steve, what will I do when you end up being shipped off somewhere? I'll be alone for a while…" Charlotte asked, facing the ground.

Steve chuckles. "You can do anything you want. Just don't get hitched and not have us at the wedding. Oh and I have to meet him before you marry him."

Charlotte laughs genuinely, happy that they can still joke, even in times like this.
"Don't worry. I'm not planning on marrying anyone other than you and Bucky!"
"I don't mind the idea of that. Although, I don't want to share a bed with Bucky…"

Happy sounds of laughter fill the frosty winter air. The last of which that will be heard.
"Promise me that if you get in, you won't forget about me."
"How can I forget my best gal?"

Sunday, December 15, 1941

Charlotte lies with Bucky, gazing at the blanket of stars that are above them. They were currently at the park, enjoying the cold, snow covered grass underneath them.
Charlotte scoots closer to Bucky, laying her head on his chest. His left arm wraps around her protectively.

"…Do you have to go, Bucky?" she asks in a near whisper.
"It can't be helped, Lotts. It's WWII. We need all the help we can get to win this." Bucky murmurs.

A silence rings between them. The only things that could be heard were the rustling of branches through the chilly wind and the sound of their breathing. Charlotte wraps her arm around Bucky's abdomen, hugging him tightly.

"I don't want to lose you Bucky…if you go, then I may never see you again,"
"Hey," Bucky sits up to look at her clearly. He furrows his eyebrows, "You're not going to lose me, Charlotte! I'm going to survive this war, okay doll?"

"I know, but…what if-"
"Don't think like that. I'm a tough man, I'll pull through! I'll be home before you know it. Don't worry about me."

Charlotte looks down, her concern for her best friend growing as the next day comes. By morning, he'll be gone fighting 'till his death. Bucky pulls her chin up, getting her to look at him. He pushes a stray strand of her hair away from her face and sweeps it behind her ear.

"Look at me, Lottie. I won't go anywhere. I won't leave you until we're both old and wrinkley. I am not sure whether or not I can be home for Christmas, but I know one thing for sure. Charlotte Josephine Wilson, I love you. And that's something worth fighting for."

Her eyes widen in surprise at his sudden confession. She stays silent, not knowing what to say. She stares at him blankly, questioning her next move. Bucky grabs hold of her hand, squeezing it lightly.

"You don't have to love me back the same way I love you. Just promise me that you'll stay the same and that once I come back, we can go dancing."

She smiles slightly at his words. He looks into her green orbs, searching for anything that seemed like a reply. Out of nowhere, she leans in for a kiss.

"I love you too, James."

February 23, 1945

"Are you Ms. Charlotte Wilson?" asked two men dressed in military uniform.
"Yes, I am. I-Is there a problem?"

"We regret to inform you that Sgt. James Buchanan Barnes and Capt. Steven Grant Rogers have gone missing. They have been presumed dead and we were told to notify you of this tragic loss."

Dead.

The only word that struck her most. As the two officials spoke, daggers flew through her heart. Her breath hitched and she froze, trying to process the information. This couldn't have happened. It's impossible. They promised.

Her eyes couldn't blink. She brings her hand to her mouth, biting her knuckle to keep from screaming. Tears began to form in her eyes, but she tried her best to hold them back. The two men looked at her, giving her time to take it all in.

"We send our condolences, Ms. Wilson. We are truly sorry for your loss. Our country lost two of the best soldiers to have ever lived."

She looks up at them, her hands trembling.
"Thank you for informing me…"
"Oh, and Miss, we found this in Sargent Barnes' bunk. We thought that it had belonged to you."

The men hand her a small, red velvet box and an envelope that had her name scribbled on the front. She takes it from them and sees them off. After shutting the door, she stands there with the box and envelope in hand.

The shock had begun to take over her. Charlotte stands there, clutching the box and the envelope to her chest. Tears were freefalling from her eyes, her lips slightly parted. She takes in a shaky breath. Out of nowhere, she loses it. The pain of losing her closest and only friends was finally taking over. She slides down the door, hugging her knees to her chest, no longer holding in her pain filled sobs.

She takes several breaths in, doing her best to regain her composure. After calming down a little, she brings herself to open the envelope. Inside, a letter that was dated February 18, 1945 lay folded. She pulls it out and begins to read it.

Dear Charlotte,

If you're reading this letter then it means that I didn't make it. I don't know what to say really. All that comes to mind is "I'm sorry." I'm sorry that I let you down. We were supposed to live together and have Steve live in our closet, right? Sadly, that won't happen.

I can imagine the tears rolling down your cheeks. Charlotte, I need you to promise me that you'll stay strong. It's hard, I know, but you need to go on with your life and be happy.

I got you something to remind you of me. It's a promise ring. I want you to wear it. It has three diamonds on it. The big one in the middle is you and the two others are me and Steve. I hope you like it.

I'm sorry I didn't make it, Lotts.
Please don't forget about me, doll. I'll always be here for you.
I love you so much. I always have. I always will.

James Buchanan Barnes x

She opens the red box that came with the letter. Inside, a beautiful ring with three diamonds sat in plush white silk. The tears that were washed away formed in her eyes once more. A wail escapes from her lips as Charlotte puts her head down on her knees.

"Bucky… Steve… " she murmurs their names over and over again, feeling as if saying their names would bring them back to life.

Nothing felt real. Nothing mattered anymore.

In a fit of anger and agony, Charlotte bolts up and reaches for the nearest glass item. She picks up a vase and hurtles it across the room. Next was a picture frame. She punches the glass of the frame, shattering it and her delicate pale skin. Blood seeps from the wounds on her knuckles, but she felt numb.

She stares at her fist; makeup smeared and tears still streaming down her face.
Miraculously, the wounds on her hand began to heal instantly. She disregards it.

Feeling the emptiness of her loss take over again, she screams.
Unexpectedly, quills bear themselves from her arms. As she stares in shock, she tries to shake them off, not thinking they were real. They go flying across the living room, landing in the wall and causing them to disintegrate.

Was she going mad? What are these…things?!

She swallows hard, unsure of what to do next.

Everything was falling apart at this moment.