February 14th, 1942. Brooklyn, New York

Beth was feeling anything but romantic. In the past month, she'd found out the man she'd secretly loved for years loved her back and kissed him on the same day she'd gotten engaged to another man. Then, she'd been too afraid to admit she didn't want to marry her new fiancé and instead, let the man she loved leave. After three weeks of silence from Bucky, she'd finally gathered the courage to end her engagement, but Mark had left the city for work. He had returned only one day ago and called the phone to say he would be round on Valentine's day, but Beth had simply placed the phone down and walked to his house. She had expected him to be unpacking his bags, only she walked in to find him tangled in the sheets with her married friend that had been pressuring her into staying in the relationship in the first place. All Beth had done was cough and throw the ring at him when he scrambled off the other woman, before leaving and heading straight to Bucky's. He didn't answer, and she could hear faint noises coming from the house that told her he was preoccupied, no doubt with his latest dance partner. She spent the night laying on the sofa with her head on Steve's lap, cursing her stupidity for staying with Mark and turning Bucky away, tears soaking through the cushion and onto her brothers lap.

As the sun filtered through the room the following morning, Beth gave a groan and stretched as she woke up, still laying on the sofa. She sat up, blinking blearily and frowning to see the curtain was already open.

"Does it have to be so bright?" she growled as she stumbled towards the kitchen.

She heard a laugh come from the hallway and glared at the mug in front of her as she waited for the kettle to boil.

"Shut up Steve." She ground out, not in the mood for his teasing.

"Not Steve" the voice replied.

Dropping the spoon in her hand, she spun to see Bucky propped up against the doorframe, one eyebrow quirked up in amusement. He knew she wasn't a morning person and it had always been a running joke between him and Steve to play pranks on her when she was too tired to function properly.

"Morning Bethie." He said, his expression turning serious.

"Hi." She breathed, not quite sure if she was dreaming.

Wordlessly, he pushed off the frame and stepped into the kitchen to take one of the mugs out of the cupboard and place it next to her own. She waited until she was certain he really was there to speak, but as she opened her mouth to say something, he beat her to it.

"Steve called this morning and told me about Mark."

Beth glanced at him over her shoulder and shrugged.

"You would have found out from me in person last night but you were too 'busy' to answer the door"

He gave her a confused look.

"What are you talking about? I was home the whole night and my door didn't knock once."

A wave of anger surged through her and Beth faced him so quickly, he had to step back to stop her crashing into him. His eyes widened at the tears in her eyes. Too upset to do anything else, Beth let the pain of the past few weeks fuel her words.

"So I'm a liar then? No, wait, I just imagined the sound of a woman crying out, obviously in the throes of having sex with you, did I!?"

Surprise flashed across his face, quickly replaced with understanding.

"You went to the house on 3rd street?" he asked.

She nodded, arms wrapping round herself, seething he knew she always did to comfort herself. He gave a sigh.

"I don't live there anymore; I've been away doing basic training and decided to sell the place. I moved to 5th two days ago. Whoever that was you heard, it definitely wasn't me"

If anything, his words only made her angrier, and the knowledge that he had started basic training without telling her only served to fuel it further. With a cry, she lunged, hands slamming in to his chest. Knowing her well enough to expect the move, Bucky caught her arms, holding her in place and keeping himself from falling over. While she was normally the most evenly tempered person he knew, the pain she'd gone through the past month had tipped her into violence and honestly, he couldn't blame her.

"How was I to know when you've been ignoring me for over a month despite the fact I tried calling you back to tell you I'd chosen you!?" she screamed, continuing to try and hit him despite the grip he had on her wrists.

Her words were like a kick to his heart and he flinched at the venom laced pain in them. She finally stopped trying to hit him and dissolved in to sobs. Automatically, he wrapped his arms round her and pulled her so tightly against him, they both struggled to breathe properly, but he didn't care.

"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry." He chanted in her hair as he rocked her.

It took a while, but eventually she calmed and he relaxed his hold slightly. Neither made an attempt to move, until Beth's voice, still thick with tears, spoke.

"Why?" she asked.

He didn't need her to elaborate, knowing the questions she wanted answering. Why didn't you tell me you moved, why did you walk away, why did you leave me?

"I couldn't watch you with him, not knowing how much I wanted him to be me. It hurt too much to think about and I thought that removing myself from the picture completely would make it easier for us both to move on. I was wrong on every level, not being round you only made it harder. I meant what I said that day Bethie, I want you to be my gal."

The room fell silent and Bucky was afraid he'd damaged their relationship too far when Beth's arms tentatively wrapped round his own waist and she looked up at him, eyes shining with fresh tears.

"Kiss me." She whispered, her voice a plea.

Not hesitating, he lowered his head to hers and moulded his lips against her own. He didn't know how long they stood in the embrace, but when they finally parted, they were both flushed and breathless. Beth reached a hand up and stroked his cheek, his eyes fluttering closed as he absorbed the touch.

"You're such an idiot" she muttered.

His eyes slid open again and the look he gave her was questioning. She smiled, fondness the only emotion on her face and he relaxed once more, relieved she wasn't angry.

"I know I am" he agreed.

She chuckled and reached up on tiptoes to place another kiss on his mouth. Her arms rubbed up and down his arms and a very feminine part of her stirred awake, taking note that the basic training had definitely made those arms more muscular than she remembered. His chest seemed broader too and she had to admit that the change was definitely putting images in her mind that bordered on inappropriate. Feeling her body heat up in response to her thoughts, she forced her attention back to her words.

"You're an idiot because when you left the apartment that day, I had an image of my future and it was you standing beside me, not Mark. I tried chasing you to tell you, but you were already in your car. I only stayed engaged to Mark after that because you made it clear you didn't want to see me again, but I was so unhappy I eventually had enough and went there yesterday to end it. Obviously you know how that went. If you'd just given me a few more seconds that day, this would have happened much sooner."

Bucky let her words sink in and his eyes clouded over in anger, but Beth knew it was aimed at himself, not her.

"I really am an idiot." He muttered.

Not wanting him to think about it, she pulled him in for another kiss.

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is right here, right now." She said as they pulled away.

Bucky nodded and gathered her in his arms once more. As she sank in to his embrace, he closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of her finally being in his arms. Never again was he letting her go. Sighing contentedly, he tilted her head up for a sweet kiss that he poured all his emotions in. Her eyes sparkled up at him and he smiled warmly back at her.

"Happy Valentine's day, Bethie."