Red, White & Blue | Bucky x Reader

Chapter Two

Bucky leads up through the crowded 'World Exposition of Tomorrow,' the surrounding displays lighting up the dark and fireworks flashing across the night sky in an explosion of colour. Behind us, metal plates in the shape of continents sit atop a cage-like sphere, forming a giant globe.

"Y/n, are you sure you're alright?" Bucky asks me for the third time since we left the alley.

I roll my eyes and look up at the sky. "Yes, Buck, I'm completely fine. Thank you for asking... again."

He chuckles at my sarcasm and gives me a small smile, but I can still see the concern on his face.

"I promise you, I'm completely fine," I assure him, softening my tone. "Besides, you of all people should know I'm more than capable of defending myself."

"Well, you did learn from the best," Bucky replies with a smug smile. I elbow him in the ribs. "Well, I'm glad you're both alright, 'cause I set us up for the night."

Bucky waves to a small group up ahead and I glance at Steve, trying to figure out if he knew about this. Judging by the look he gives me in return, he didn't.

One of the women waves back. "Hey, Bucky!"

"What did you tell her about me?" Steve asks, nervously fixing his hair.

"Only the good stuff," Bucky replies.

"I thought it was just going to be the three of us?" I question, disappointment settling in. I hate it when Bucky sets me up.

"Come on," Bucky pleads. "It'll be fun!"

I playfully roll my eyes and force a smile as we join the group.

"Chester, this is Y/n," Bucky says to the man, who, like Bucky, is also wearing a soldier's uniform. Chester is tall and slender, with chestnut coloured hair and hazel eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Y/n," Chester says in greeting, taking my hand and kissing it.

"It's nice to meet you too," I reply with forced enthusiasm.

Bucky introduces us to the two women. The blonde, Bonnie, is obviously not enthused about being set up with Steve, and hovers closely to her friend, a brunette named Connie, who immediately glues herself to Bucky. My chest tightens at the sight of them together.

"Welcome to the Modern Marvels' Pavilion and the World of Tomorrow," an announcer greets through the PA system. "A greater world. A better world."

"Oh, my God! It's starting!" Connie squeals, dragging Bucky towards the stage, Bonnie and Chester following close behind. Steve and I share a look of disbelief before following our dates.

We reach the stage as four female stagehands, dressed in skimpy black outfits and top hats, glide out, surrounding a shiny red car. A fifth stagehand walks out and approaches the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!" she announces and gestures to the side where a sharply dressed man with a moustache and black hair saunters out onto the stage. Reaching the announcer, he pulls her close and kisses her.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Stark greets, his brown eyes surveying the audience gathered around the stage, "what if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?"

Steve offers his date some of his popcorn, and Bonnie looks back at him with contempt before returning her attention to the stage, where the stagehands are rolling the tires away from the car.

"Sure, Steve, I would love some popcorn," I announce, a little too loudly, as I take a handful. Steve laughs softly and I playfully wink at him, tossing a few kernels into my mouth.

"Yes. Thank, Mandy," Stark continues on stage as the announcer rolls over a control panel. He turns his attention back to the crowd. "With Stark robotic reversion technology, you'll be able to do just that."

Stark flicks a switch on the panel and the car begins to slowly lift off the ground.

"Holy cow," Bucky states, completely in awe.

While everyone watches the car, I find myself watching Bucky. His eyes light up in childlike amazement and, unable to contain his excitement, a smile slowly spreads across his face as he watches the car. I get a sudden sensation of butterflies in my stomach, and I can't help but smile at him, he really is handsome.

A moment later, Steve gives me a light nudge with his elbow, pulling my attention away. A knowing smile finds his lips and I smile back before returning my focus to the floating car, just as it malfunctions and crashes back down to the stage.

"I did say a few years, didn't I?" Stark asks the crowd with a nervous laugh.

The audience erupts into laughs and cheers for the incredible presentation.

"Hey, Chester, Steve, what do you say we treat these girls..." Bucky trails off as he turns to discover that Steve is gone.

"He was here a second ago," I state, scanning the crowd for our friend. Instead, I see a recruitment poster. "Bucky, look."

Bucky follows my gaze and sighs, leading the way toward the recruitment centre.