HELLO FOLKS! It's been a while. Did you miss me? I missed y'all. I have FINALLY finished a chapter. It's been wild.
Please enjoy! I only own my OC's!
Lorelei stared down at her Soulmark, deep in thought.
Her thumb ran circles around the mark. The mark resembled a black and white version of Captain America's shield.
She always thought her Soulmate was a gigantic fan of Steve Rogers. It was how she had discovered the old Marvel movies.
Now, after her encounter with Steve, she was just confused. Her thoughts went round and round in her head in a circle of what if's.
What if her Soulmate wasn't dead?
What if her Soulmate was Steve?
She shook her head, dismissing the thought entirely. Steve was supposed to fall in love with Peggy.
She wouldn't, couldn't entertain that thought.
Lorelei jolted upright as a notebook was dropped onto the table.
Dolly gave her a sweet smile.
"Do you think I might be able to convince you to continue on the drawing?"
Lorelei smiled back grateful for the distraction.
Flipping open the book, the drawing was mostly finished.
After seeing Lorelei sketching out of boredom one day, Dolly had asked Lorelei if she could draw her. The drawing was supposed to be a gift for George as Dolly's anniversary gift to him.
Lorelei began shading in with her pencil, taking in the image and the familiar movement.
The drawing captured Dolly sitting down at the counter in the floral shop, plants and flowers in the backroom. She was lit up by the setting sun. looking into the viewer's gaze with a bright smile. It reflected Dolly's bright personality exactly.
Lorelei was adding the finishing touches to her artist's signature, a minimalist version of the sun with sun rays radiating out in lines when she was interrupted by the door opening and Dolly greeting a customer with a cheery hello.
Lorelei looked up, setting her pencil down and pushing the drawing aside.
Lorelei was surprised to see Bucky approaching with Dolly.
Dolly gave her a sly smile, making her groan inwardly. Dolly definitely was trying to set the two up.
Bucky gave Lorelei a lopsided grin.
Dolly gave an expectant look at Lorelei.
"New in town? Haven't seen you around before."
Lorelei shrugged, "I came in a few weeks back." "Mind helping a fella out?" Bucky asked.
"Sure thing. What are you looking for?"
"Well, Doll, I'm thinking of something classy. Got a special night planned and I thought some flowers would sweeten the deal. Any suggestions?" Bucky leaned against the counter.
Lorelei felt annoyed at the nickname. "It's Lorelei, not Doll," she turned and examined the flowers, "I'm not in the business of guaranteeing romance, but I'll do my best with the flowers."
Lorelei's hands landed on a set of roses.
"Casual or Serious?" Lorelei asked.
"Sorry?" Bucky asked.
"The date. Are you looking to make her your girl or not?"
"My friend and I are going out dancing tonight."
"So just a casual date?" Lorelei asked.
"Yes." Came Bucky's reply.
Lorelei couldn't help but feel bad. Poor Steve.
"Does your friend need a bouquet too?"
"Now that I think about it, that doesn't sound all that bad."
Lorelei gathered white and pink roses, baby's breath, some soft ivory paper that (she had received it from a member of the Mystic Arts whose family was in the paper business.) she used to border the bouquets, tying the whole thing together with silky pink ribbon. The bouquet was soft and sweet, something she knew that the women would like.
"There. It doesn't scream 'will you marry me?' But still gives a sweet and classy vibe." Lorelei said, extending the two bouquets towards Bucky.
His gaze was on Lorelei's drawing, in his interest he had pulled the sketch closer. He seemed to be examining Lorelei's artist signature. Before he could get a good look Lorelei swiftly tugged the drawing back with a stern look.
She closed the book and placed it in a drawer.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to snoop through people's things?"
Bucky grinned apologetically, taking the bouquets.
"You're a natural with flowers, Doll."
Lorelei raised a brow. "If you think charming me will get you a discount, you're out of luck."
Bucky laughed, paying before leaving.
Lorelei shook her head, cleaning up the mess that had been made during the making of the bouquet while ignoring Dolly's attempts to get her to ask the man out.
Lorelei had hoped Barnes' visit would be a one time thing, expecting her little cozy version of normal to settle back in.
It didn't.
At first he only visited every other week, smothering Lorelei with compliments and flattery, which Lorelei would rebuke.
Then it was every week. He complained about his friend, Steve, lamenting over the fact that the little punk would throw himself at every bully.
"He's an idiot I tell you. I always have to keep an eye out for him down alleyways getting the stuffing kicked out of him."
Lorelei chuckled at that comment.
Bucky's visits became all too common, and while Lorelei tried to keep him at arms length, he seemed to be trying to break down her walls.
After a couple of weeks like this, Lorelei had turned herself loose in frustration, the burning a welcome pain as she whispered through the shadows. She had learned simple incantations that kept her away from the attention of the people walking down the street, her face from being recalled if she made a mistake.
It was freeing.
But she began to notice herself glancing down alleyways, at first curious, then worried as each outing became a rescue mission.
Steve was stubborn. And stupid. Very stupid.
Lorelei was always kicking somebody's ass.
Their interactions were brief, not filled with much conversation, just a thanks, which received no response as Lorelei once again returned to her normal existence.
Unintentionally, she began to worry about the two men more often.
It had to stop. She knew if she became more attached, she wouldn't be able to stand by.
The timeline could not change.