Brooklyn, New York, October 1939

Steve, Bucky, and Josephine sat in a booth in their favorite diner. Bucky sat next to Josephine while Steve sat across from them. The three of them were each drinking a milkshake.

Josephine stirred her milkshake with her straw. "Have you listened to the radio lately? Things sound like they're gettin' pretty scary."

It had been about a month since the war officially broke out in Europe. Many Americans were worried that the United States would eventually become involved, just as they were trying to get through the Great Depression.

"Yeah, Ma is worried that things could get pretty bad," Bucky muttered before he took a sip of his milkshake. "She's trying to stock up on anything she can get her hands on."

"Do you think they'd come to the United States?" Josephine asked worriedly.

"It's a possibility," Steve muttered.

"President Roosevelt seems to be doing a good job of keeping us out of the middle of it," Josephine commented, letting out a small yawn.

"You gettin' tired, angel-face?" Bucky asked her.

Bucky had recently started calling her by a variety of new nicknames. Over the years, Bucky Barnes had become quite the charmer. Josephine wasn't sure when exactly he became such a flirt, but she wasn't exactly complaining either.

"Just a little," she mumbled. "Wanna finish my milkshake though."

Bucky wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She let her head fall onto his shoulder. Steve watched the exchange and shook his head slightly. He didn't know why they both wouldn't just fess up already. They were practically dating at this point. Whenever a girl would flirt with Bucky, he would basically brush them off.

"I'm scared, James," Josephine admitted quietly, looking up at him.

"Scared of what, angel-face?" Bucky murmured.

"The world," Josephine answered. "Not knowing what could happen next."

"It'll be fine," Bucky assured. "Everything will be fine. "'Cause you got me, and you got Stevie."

"You promise?" Josephine looked up at him.

"Cross my heart," Bucky promised as Josephine yawned again. "All right, c'mon, you're exhausted."

Steve watched the exchange and sipped on his milkshake. "Y'know what, Josie, I'm gettin' kinda tired, too. I wouldn't mind heading back."

Josephine sipped on her milkshake and yawned again. "Okay," she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Bucky slid out of the booth and offered his hand to Josephine, which she gladly took. Steve got up and Bucky pulled out a little bit of money, leaving it on the table for the waitress.

"Oh, Josie, I'm gonna have to practically carry ya home," Bucky teased lightly as he grabbed her hand.

Josephine rolled her eyes, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "James, I can walk just fine."

"Mm, sure. I knew that waitressing job you got was gonna make you tired." Bucky replied as the three of them walked out of the diner.

"I don't have a choice, James, you know that," Josephine replied. "I gotta help Mama out, ever since Daddy…" she swallowed heavily, not wanting to even say the word. "Ever since he died."

"I know, I know," Bucky squeezed her hand lightly. "I just worry about you, you know that."

"You've always worried about me and Stevie." Josephine smiled softly. "And I appreciate it so much."

"Then I wish you'd let me help ya out more," Bucky replied. "The both of ya."

"Buck, we've told you a thousand times," Steve reminded. "We've both got it handled."

Steve's mom had died around the same time as Josephine's father. Of course, Bucky had been worried for the both of them and offered to help countless times.

"Yeah, well I've said a thousand times that you guys don't have to deal with this alone." Bucky retorted.

"Thank you, James," Josephine replied sincerely. "I miss him."

"I know, Josie," Bucky comforted. "You don't know how much I wish that I could take yours and Stevie's pain off your shoulders."

"I know," Josephine sniffled.

Steve looked back at the two of them and sighed. They really didn't realize how much they loved one another, and he wished that they would just get their heads out of their asses. As they walked in silence the rest of the way, Bucky just stared as the moonlight hit Josephine's face. God, she was gorgeous. And she didn't even see it, which was a damn shame.

Steve looked at them as they reached their apartment complex and cleared his throat. "I'm gonna head up. Josie, if ya need anything, just let me know. I'll see you guys."

"You too, Stevie. G'night." Josephine waved.

"Night Stevie," Bucky told his friend. "See ya tomorrow."

Bucky and Josephine stood in silence as Steve walked into the apartment complex. Bucky just stared at Josephine, lost in thought. The world was becoming a scarier place and who knows what could happen. It was then that Bucky knew he finally had to take his chance with Josephine, he couldn't risk losing her without her knowing how he feels about her.

"James, you're staring," Josephine whispered, breaking him from his trance.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" Bucky murmured.

Josephine's brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

"You're beautiful," Bucky repeated. "I mean, you're more than beautiful. Why d'you think I call you angel-face? I bet you're even prettier than angels."

Josephine felt her face heat up and she looked at him in shock. "Where is this coming from?"

"You're right, the world is becoming a scarier place," Bucky let out a nervous breath. "And I can't live any longer without you knowing how I feel about ya, Josie. Not when the world could end at any moment."

Josephine's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't believe that this was happening, that Bucky actually did share her feelings.

"James—

"It's okay if you don't feel the same way," Bucky interrupted. "I-I just need you to know that… that I think you're a swell dame, and I want ya to be my girl."

"Oh, James," Josephine smiled. "You don't know how long I've been waitin' to hear that from you."

Bucky was shocked. She returned his feelings? She actually felt the same way? He let out a sigh of relief that he didn't even know he was holding back.

"Oh, Josie," he murmured. "Can I kiss you?"

"It'd be a real shame if you didn't." Josephine chuckled.

Bucky smiled and held her face in his hands delicately. He leaned down and kissed her softly, reveling in the feeling of his lips on hers. He felt like he was on Cloud 9, and he almost thought he was dreaming. Josephine let her eyes flutter closed as she kissed him back, grabbing the lapels of his jacket.

Bucky pulled away slightly and let his thumbs stroke her cheeks gently. "Let me take you out on a date, angel-face. If you'll have me."

"I thought you'd never ask," Josephine murmured. "I'd love to go on a date with you, James."

Bucky beamed and let his arms fall around her waist. He lifted her up and spun her around, whooping in excitement.

"James!" Josephine giggled. "You're gonna wake the entire neighborhood!"

"I don't care," Bucky replied happily. "The entire world deserves to know that I'm taking the best girl around out on a date."

"Such a flirt." Josephine teased as she kissed him again.

"Only for you," he beamed back at her.

A/N: I hope you all are liking the story so far! Leave a review and let me know what you think :)