"There you are! I wondered where you were getting off to. It's getting dark and cold out there," Majorie admonished Queenie affectionately, coming forward to hug the girl in the entryway while Bucky hung their coats by the door. Queenie snuck an admiring glance at his back. "And don't think I haven't noticed the way you two are looking at each other," she whispered in Queenie's ear and Queenie blushed guiltily, turning back to Majorie. "I expect details later." Queenie smothered a laugh as Majorie drew them both toward a red haired young man who stood by a table for four. "Queensie, Bucky, this is Sam. Sam, this is my best friend and the sharpest nurse you'll ever meet, Queenie. And this young man is Sergeant Bucky Barnes."
"Sarge," Sam greeted Bucky, shaking his hand. "Queenie? Is that your name?" He turned to Queenie, clasping her hand. A man of average height, his hair was the most notable feature about him, but he had very friendly hazel eyes and his Irish brogue didn't make his words too difficult to decipher.
"Oh, no, but everyone calls me Queens or Queenie. I'm from Queens, you know," Queenie answered glibly as she slipped into the seat Bucky pulled out for her. Bucky's thumb trailed across her bare shoulder as he pulled his hands away from her chair, causing goosebumps to break out over her skin. Queenie was hard pressed to not bite her lip, knowing full well what the consequences would be if she did. It was one thing on the deserted street, but in a moderately busy pub...
"I see. Why don't you call Majorie 'Brooklyn', then?" Sam asked, unconscious of the tension between Queenie and Bucky. Majorie, however, looked fit to burst. Majorie's winks were much less subtle than Bucky's and Queenie struggled to focus on her conversation with Sam. Suddenly feeling short of breath, Queenie did her best to answer Sam, thankful for his distraction from the brown eyed sergeant sitting across from her.
"Well, I had my nickname long before I met Majorie. This girl named Agnes and I knew each other in high school." Queenie tried not to jump as Bucky's foot nudged hers under the table and Majorie barely smothered a squeal. Queenie pressed her lips tightly together before continuing as nonchalantly as she could. "We went to the same school. We gave each other the nicknames, mine Queens and hers Manhattan, and they just stuck. Everyone called us Manhattan and Queens by the time we met Majorie." Bucky was giving her that stupidly gorgeous, cocky half smile that turned her insides to mush, but Queenie forged on. "Well, I met Majorie. Manhattan's a showgirl and I went into the Army Nurse Corps. So Majorie is still Majorie, simply because I haven't known her all that long."
Queenie managed to finish her story without Sam being alerted to Bucky and Majorie making suggestive faces at her. She kicked Majorie, seated to her left, and shot a warning look at Bucky, as Sam replied. The nerve of those two! Queenie was beginning to regret having the conversation with Bucky prior to their evening date, but only half-heartedly. Her own happiness bubbled up inside her until it threatened to spill out in giggles.
"You're in the ANC with Majorie?" Sam continued, still blissfully unaware.
"That's right, and I'm a First Lieutenant to her Second," Queenie declared, now giving Majorie the same look. Bucky was bad enough, but Majorie was downright insufferable.
"Yeah, but don't let that fool you. She's still a good person, despite it," Majorie snickered, sticking her tongue out at Queenie.
"Oh, that's it, you little -" Queenie began, shooting her hand toward Majorie, who squealed and recoiled. Queenie could deliver a painful poke, as well Majorie knew, it being Queenie's main form of punishment for Majorie's snark. However, Queenie changed her hand's direction at the last moment, simply stealing one of Majorie's French fries (or chips, as the Brits called them) and eating it while not breaking eye contact with Majorie. Sam looked on in confusion while Bucky just grinned, leaning back in his chair before standing.
"Doll, I'm going to order for us so we can avoid World War III before we've even won the second. Be right back," Bucky threw out, heading to the counter. Sam looked from one girl to the other.
"You two always like this?"
"Oh, no, sometimes we order each other around," Majorie answered him, all her focus on trying to prevent Queenie from stealing another fry. But Queenie was skilled in the art of stealing Majorie's food and seized Majorie's wrists tightly while using her free hand to pursue her objective.
"And sometimes we don't say anything to each other at all. But that's because we're sleeping," Queenie added, as Majorie failed to hold her off and Queenie held up her theft triumphantly. Both girls glanced at Sam and laughed at his face, surprise and resignation and amusement playing over it.
'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'
"Ethel?" Bucky asked, looking at Queenie with soft eyes as he led her off the dance floor back to their table. "Is your arm bothering you? You've been favoriting it all evening." Queenie threw him a wry look.
"Yes. I should've known I couldn't hide it from you. Normally I couldn't hide it from Majorie, but she seems pleasantly distracted," Queenie answered, nodding at the pair dancing to the slow tune, rolling her injured shoulder slowly. She was pleased - Sam was a good, honest guy and she could see he cared for Majorie very much. Majorie also seemed just as enamored of him, and it was Majorie's preoccupation that kept her from noticing how Queenie's movements had slowed some. Normally, Majorie was much more attuned to Queenie, especially after the Joe incident, but the facts that 1, Majorie trusted Bucky to take care of Queenie and 2, that Sam was enough to occupy Majorie's entire attention, were very telling.
"How about I walk you back home, then? I'll tell Majorie and Sam," Bucky offered, gently rubbing her injured arm.
"Yes, I'd like that. I-" Queenie stopped, flushing, and looked down. Their conversation from earlier wasn't over. Bucky needed to know exactly what he was getting into with her. "I'd also like to talk with you a-about the kiss," Queenie finished quietly.
Bucky's brow furrowed for a heartbeat before clearing up. Queenie had lowered her head to hide her biting her lip, as the mere thought of his kiss brought all the emotion of it rushing back.
"That's not usually a good sign, doll, but whatever it was you need to say, I'll hear you out," Bucky whispered in her ear before going to do what he said. Queenie looked up at him, letting her complete gratitude for that statement alone show in her eyes. He just winked at her.
Ten minutes later found them back on the street, only this time the wind had picked up enough that they couldn't speak. Queenie clutched her coat even tighter around herself, and Bucky pulled her tight against his side, sheltering her with his broad frame. They half ran, half stumbled down the street to Queenie and Majorie's apartment. Once they arrived, Queenie nearly lost the key and almost cut her hand as she fumbled to fit it in the lock with her cold hands but eventually, they burst into the apartment laughing. Queenie loved the sound of his laugh and how easily it sparked her own. She shivered violently as the warmth of her apartment contrasted with the chill still lingering.
"Whew! It sure got frosty out there!" Queenie exclaimed, as she kicked off her snowy shoes and slipped out of her coat. "Get yourself in here, Barnes, and let's warm up! Would you turn up the heat, please? I'll be back in a jiffy." Queenie dashed to her room, where she closed the door as she hurriedly changed into a much warmer outfit: a thick sweater (stolen from Majorie), wool jersey lounging slacks, and knitted socks. She grabbed a second pair of knitted stockings and a sweater that was too big for her and went back to Bucky. He was standing by the heater, shivering slightly as he held his red hands toward it, his coat hanging by Queenie's on the rack. Queenie frowned and was at his side in an instant.
"Bucky Barnes, don't you dare catch your death of cold. Get that wet jacket, those shoes, and your socks off and put these on. I'll make some hot chocolate." Queenie gave him the clothing and drew him toward the couch. "Once you've done all that, get under this blanket."
She left for the kitchen where she quickly put the kettle on to boil and grabbed mugs. She hummed the tune from the pub softly as she set about making hot chocolate. Her secret trick for the recipe was to make it with water, but slip a dash of cream in it. This helped cool the chocolate but also added the velvety texture of making hot cocoa with milk while still being frugal with the precious cream.
A few minutes later she came back, carrying the steaming drinks, to find Bucky sitting on the couch with his feet tucked under him with the large blanket around him. He lifted an edge for her to sit under and took a mug from her with the other hand. Once she'd settled in beside him on his right, nestled under the blanket, they gazed at each other.
"Hi," Queenie said, smiling somewhat shyly as his body heat seeped into her bones. Her heart rate began to speed up at how intimate the situation was. To be snuggled up by the man she loved, sharing hot chocolate as the wintry storm outside whirled… surely there was no better feeling.
"Hi, beautiful," Bucky answered, wrapping both hands around his hot chocolate and smiling so sweetly at her Queenie thought her heart would melt. She blushed and took a sip of the hot liquid for lack of anything else to do and needing to avoid his very bold stare. She didn't drink much, but it did burn her tongue a little. The heat from Bucky, the drink, and the warm glow in her heart made her breath come faster as she nervously tried to remember everything she wanted to say. Queenie inhaled deeply to calm herself as once more the rising tide of emotions filled her throat.
"Bucky…" she began, but she froze, trying to gather her thoughts quickly. Her conversation with Majorie had been stilted, but Majorie had known all the facts, so Majorie had understood. She'd have to explain everything to Bucky and the daunting task scattered all her reason.
"Hey," he cut in, taking a hand off his mug to wrap hers with. The warmth of his hand from the cup was nothing compared to the sensations it caused as he pulled her hand toward his chest. "Take your time, doll." His eyes locked onto hers with a deep seriousness. "I'm not going anywhere."
Those four words rocked through Queenie. She managed to hold herself together long enough to set her mug down safely on the floor before beginning to cry. She didn't notice him setting his mug down but did when he pulled her to him, laying her head on his chest as he stroked her hair gently, removing errant pins. Sobs wracked her body as she heard the four words that she'd wanted more than life from her father. Not her dad, or Joe, or any of the few dates she'd had in high school, not one of them had said anything like that. To have that promise from Bucky, who knew only a fraction of just how much such words would mean to her, broke past all her defenses. As she finally began to calm down, her sobs slowly to slight hiccups to finally ceasing to be more than a stream of tears, she realized that somehow she'd ended up in his lap with his arms and the blanket around her, cocooning her in warmth and security.
"Ethel honey," Bucky whispered into her hair. "I know your dad wasn't man enough to stick around for you. And I can't even begin to imagine what that felt like growing up, nor do I know anything about how long you've beaten yourself up about it. But if you'll let me, I'd like to stay - as long as you'll have me."
Queenie choked as she lay in his embrace, her right hand caught between them and her left on his chest.
"I never thought I'd ever hear anybody say that to me," she whispered back, keeping her head down.
"Then honey, let me say it to you as long as I live," he said, tightening his hold on her.
"I've got to tell you everything first." Queenie pushed away a little to look him in the eyes, tear stained though her face was. She would have it all out now, now that he'd just seen her bawling and had simply sought to comfort her, not belittle her.
"I want to know everything. But it won't scare me away, Ethel. So take your time. I'm here," Bucky reaffirmed, tightening his arms around her.
So Queenie began with what Majorie had told her before Bucky had come to pick her up. She told him about Joe, about the horrible night she'd had to walk five miles alone at night, and what happened after. She described how back further, in high school, she never really spoke to any guys, being much too afraid, and how much she loved her mother but always yearned for more family to love. She paused then, needing to catch her breath and collect her thoughts again. Bucky stayed quiet, letting her think, gently stroking her wound on her left arm with his thumb. Queenie managed to swallow, despite her voice feeling a bit hoarse. Strangely, telling everything to Bucky, the fears, the past, and all the hurt seemed to diminish, instead of tearing her apart like she'd originally thought it would.
"Buck, I only cared this much about a guy once," Queenie spoke again, much softer. "And he left. My dad left. It destroyed what hope I had in men for a long time. And then Joe - he proved it again. But then, the war…" Queenie exhaled slowly, before changing tacks to try to explain it properly to Bucky. "These last three missions… I was glad they've been at breakneck speed. I could avoid thinking and facing this. But Majorie is right. I can't run away anymore. And-" Queenie took a sharp breath before steeling herself to look Bucky square in the eyes, "And I think you're worth it. Worth the risk and worth fighting for. So I'm going to fight for you, even though it's myself I'm fighting against. You'll have to help me, Bucky. I'm going to have doubts. I'm going to need to hear you say and see you prove that I am worth it too."
Bucky maintained her eye contact fearlessly, and in that moment, Queenie knew she loved him. Frightening though that was, it also exhilarated her and overflowed her heart. Adrenaline rushed through her at her own boldness and his undaunted response.
"Ethel Grace, I can think of no better way to spend the rest of my life than to show you and tell you that you are worth it. Until the day you tell me to hit the road, I'm going to stay by your side. You're my girl now, Ethel honey." Bucky's voice took on a low timbre. "And my girl will be showered with all the love she can take and more." His eyes flickered to her lips, but returned to her eyes resolutely. Queenie's heart tripped at the sight and while she wanted very much for him to kiss her, she wanted to make sure she'd heard him right.
"Love, Mr. Barnes?" she asked breathlessly.
"Love, Miss Smith. Although if I have anything to say about it, you'll be Mrs. Barnes."
Queenie gasped and blushed furiously. But she kept her head high as she narrowed her eyes in mock seriousness.
"Mr. Barnes, I love you too, but you're going to have to do a much better job proposing than what you just pulled. Am I not worth the most romantic of proposals?" Queenie teased, although her cheeks continued staining bright red.
"Well, then, Miss Ethel Grace, allow me to comply." With a deft maneuver, she was laid back against the couch, Bucky hovering over her, the blanket falling away. Her breath completely died in her throat and Queenie gazed up at him with wide yet trusting eyes.
"You are beautiful," he said, before kissing her forehead, "You are loved," he continued, kissing her right eye, "You are alluring," he kissed her left, "You are worthy," he kissed the right side of her jaw, "You are precious," he kissed the left, "You are everything to me." He finally kissed her lips, sending heat through her whole body as she kissed him back, tears leaking slowly from her eyes. He meant every word! This wonderful man loves me too! No more abandoning father, no more abusive Joe, nothing but Bucky filled her heart and soul. He kissed her tears away too, using his right hand to brush her hair gently from her face. "My darling, my joy, my angel, will you marry me?"
"Yes, Bucky, yes!" she whispered, before capturing his lips with hers. Her fingers clutched the collar of his sweater, pulling him closer and closer. She felt him grin under her lips before he deepened the kiss.
A long, long while later, they broke away for air, but remained closely entwined as they laid on the couch. Nose to nose and forehead to forehead, Bucky played with her hair while she stroked his jaw. Her heart was still racing but she was completely content to remain just as they were.
"What were you really going to say earlier?" he asked, voice low.
"When?" she asked, brow furrowing slightly. He smoothed the wrinkle out above her nose with his finger before answering. His finger traveled down her face in a sweet caress that made her shiver in delight.
"When you said you were glad you had been shot, not me," he replied.
"Oh!" Queenie blushed a little, but shrugged it off. She was engaged to this man for better or worse, no sense hiding her thoughts from him now. "I was going to say I couldn't have operated on you. I'm too invested in you. I think I would've panicked too much to get the bullet out."
"How do you think I felt, angel? I had to sew you up!" Bucky returned, his hand now going to her wounded arm. He pulled it close and leaned over to kiss it, over her sweater and all. Queenie laughed, her pure joy reflected in the sound.
"You'll get fuzz on your mouth," she scolded, but the venom was lost as she smiled.
"Then you'll have to help me get it out," he replied hopefully. "Besides, I was told kissing makes it better."
"It's a good thing Majorie is staying out late," Queenie laughed once more. She twined her arms around his neck, fingers toying with his cropped hair. "But I expect she'll be back soon. Better get all my kisses in now, then."
'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'
Queenie yawned. The clock on the mantel read 7:35, and sunlight filtered in through the window, pale and cold. Still an hour before she had to get ready to go to work, although she wasn't doing anything besides going to a doctor's appointment to get her arm examined and then checking up on Dugan. Suddenly yesterday came back in a rush and she sat up, realizing that she'd spent the night on the couch… with Bucky! However, the man in question was not in the room, and Queenie clutched the blanket as the room began to spin. Dad and Joe had left suddenly too. No! Bucky wouldn't do that to me, she forced the panic back. He didn't leave her, he wouldn't. He was not her father or Joe. Hadn't she trusted him entirely last night? Hadn't he shown her how much he loved her? Maybe he left a note somewhere.
Queenie got up and stretched with a groan. Immediately a clatter came from the kitchen, followed by Bucky's head popping into the doorway.
"Angel! You're awake. Good morning. How do you like your eggs?"
Queenie blinked. How was he this awake in the morning?
"Eggs…" she repeated stupidly. Bucky grinned at her, the sight weakening her knees.
"Yes, angel, eggs. You know what, I'm just gonna scramble them. I bet you won't even taste them, not when you're still tasting me, eh?" he winked provocatively at her as she gaped. Queenie's wits returned in a flash, and she chunked a throw pillow at him as he ducked back into the kitchen laughing. Queenie would have followed him, but the phone rang and she went to answer it instead.
"Hello?"
"Queenie! Oh my gosh, hon, I bet you're worried sick! You had a less adventurous night than we did, huh?" Majorie's voice blared from the device, and Queenie grinned. If only she knew.
"Yeah, something like that. What happened?"
"Well, we didn't leave the pub til late, then we wanted to go dancing some more, so we found another little club by his apartment, and then by the time that closed, we were so tired and it was so late! I stayed over at his apartment, but don't fuss at me, little miss priss, because he slept on the couch and I slept in the bedroom and locked the door. So I've been a good girl. Listen, I just wanted to tell you what was going on, but I won't be back til later. It snowed almost five feet last night! And besides, I don't have to go in until the afternoon. So have a good day, honey, I'll talk to you later!" Majorie hung up before Queenie could say anything, leaving Queenie to stare at the receiver before slowing beginning to chuckle.
"Who was that?" Bucky called from the kitchen, as a clattering of spoon against pan announced the eggs being cooked.
"Majorie. Apparently she and Sam danced the whole night away, before going to his apartment. She was careful to add that they slept separately," Queenie answered, entering the small kitchen to find Bucky wearing her pink apron spooning the eggs onto plates, where toast already waited.
"That's more than what you can say," Bucky returned cheekily, winking at her again. That cocky smile of his! It would be her undoing. "Come on and eat while it's hot."
"All we did was fall asleep on the couch together," Queenie said loftily, while helping him bring the plates to the tiny dining table. He smiled fully at her and merely kissed her cheek in response. Bucky said grace, then they both dug in heartily, enjoying the comfortable silence between them.
"Say, Bucky," Queenie began, after chewing thoughtfully. "You know, there's this whole fraternization thing. Will we be able to stay engaged and part of the team? Course, if one of us does have to quit, it'll be me. Steve would be absolutely hopeless without you."
Bucky swallowed his bite as he mulled over her words.
"I think we should tell the team and ask them. Although Dugan and Jim will be very pleased."
"Why's that?"
"Oh, they had a running bet with the others about how long it would take us to sort things out between us," Bucky replied nonchalantly, taking another bite of his breakfast. Queenie rolled her eyes to heaven and groaned.
"Well, I think you're right. We'll talk to the team and see if they want us to tell Phillips," Queenie agreed, deciding to not think about all that implied, instead scooping the last of her eggs onto her last mouthful of toast. "Til then, you get to clean up from this delightful meal. I've got to get ready for work," she added cheerfully, dumping her plate in the sink before racing to her room amid Bucky's good-natured protests. Heavens, but I'm in love with the man.