That day started out normally. Both Bucky and Steve took their turns showering and getting ready for work. Steve made them oatmeal as a quick breakfast because Bucky was still hung over from the night before. The mailman came early that day, and it all changed though. There was a letter addressed to Bucky…from the Army. Steve's heart sunk when he saw it.
"Buck…" He breathed and handed the other the letter. They both knew what it had to be. It was Bucky's drafting notice. The brunette frowned and opened it, quickly reading over the typed letter. He shook his head.
"Stevie, I-" Steve started to wheeze. Of course this would happen! Things just started to get better and now Bucky was going to go and risk his life in the front lines! Why couldn't it be Steve!? Oh, but Steve knew why it couldn't be him. Steve knew the army only wanted strapping young men to defend this country and not genetic nightmares like Steven Rogers. It was a shame really.
Bucky reached out and pulled the blonde close. "You know I have to do it." He whispered into the blonde hair. There was no way that Bucky couldn't get out of doing it. He didn't want to leave Steve, especially because he knew the blonde well enough to know he would go and try to get himself enlisted as soon as Bucky left. Steve nodded against his chest and fought the tears that welled up in those baby blue eyes. It broke Bucky's heart to see how upset Steve was getting. His own throat started to feel tight with emotion.
"How many days until you leave?" Steve asked through soft pants. He had to keep his asthma under control. Bucky sighed and shook his head, he didn't want to say it. It would just make this nightmare so much worse. "How long, James?" Steve repeated, his voice more firm. The brunette sighed at the use of his first name and not the nickname they were both so used to.
"I leave on Monday." He said sadly. It was already Wednesday and that didn't give them a lot of time. Bucky had to go to work today to let his boss know that he was drafted. He would talk to the landlord too, this way they wouldn't kick Steve out. Bucky would hate himself if he found out something bad had happened to the blonde while he was gone. Dammit, he was going to come back home to Steve after this, there was no doubt in Bucky's mind.
Steve let out a quiet whimper, his chest felt so tight. He clung to Bucky and shook his head. "Not so soon…" He mumbled, the tears staining his cheeks. Bucky hushed him and hugged the blonde tighter.
"Shush, Steve… I'll make these last few days special, I promise." He said and kissed Steve's head over and over. Steve nodded slowly and pulled back, wiping at his face.
"We have to go to work." He mumbled, his voice going void of emotion. Bucky frowned. Oh no, Steve was holding it all in. Buckyhated when he did that. Before he could say anything though Steve had moved from the embrace and put his empty bowl in the sink. Steve grabbed his coat from the back of a chair and slipped it on. "I'll see you, Bucky." And with that, Steve was gone.
Bucky huffed and sat down heavily at the kitchen table, he had no idea what to do about this. He didn't know how to make it up to Steve. Three and a half months of this nice little relationship, and it feels like it was all a waste. Bucky was scared that he wouldn't come back. He knew what war looked like, that was why he didn't want Steve anywhere near it. Steve was too good for war… he would get himself killed trying to do the right thing. Bucky got up and grabbed his coat, heading to work to tell his boss the news.
Steve delivered his papers faster than he ever did before. He needed to find the nearest enlisting tent and try again to get in. He needed to go with Bucky, he wouldn't know what he would do without the other around now. He went into the tent, and barely made it past the pre-medical inspection. Steve failed again though, so he caught a train and tried again in New Jersey. Again he failed. He didn't know what the hell it would take for him to get accepted, but he wouldn't stop until he was in the goddam army.
Sunday came faster than ever imagined. Steve had been distant. He didn't want to think of everything as the possible last time he does things with Bucky. It wouldn't be the last time. The small blonde had been more on edge too, more fights in the last few days than in the course of the past month. Bucky was really starting to get worried.
He found Steve in an alley, fighting yet again. Bucky was in his uniform this time, the sight both breaking Steve's heart and stirring that fire inside of him.
"I had him on the ropes." He mumbled and stood up. Bucky hummed and looked at Steve.
"Sure ya did, Punk." He said.
"So… you ship out tomorrow." Steve said, looking him up and down.
"Yeah… Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes of the 107th. Due to England first thing tomorrow…" He said and gave Steve a salute. Steve shook his head and smiled at James, hiding all the pain behind that little smile.
"So where are we going tonight?" Steve asked, walking with Bucky.
James grinned and slung an arm around Steve's shoulders. "The future!" He said, showing him the paper.