𝔹𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕋𝕠 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕝𝕪𝕟 | Bucky Barnes⁽¹⁾

05 | Christmas Eve

December 1941 - Brooklyn

Porter's bar became one of the hottest spots in town after its refurbishment was completed nearly two years ago. They had kept the deep purple decor and changed the lighting to be gloomier and more atmospheric. The lightbulbs hung from the wooden ceiling, the soft, yellowy glow creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. The tables were a dark oak wood effect, and the chairs were matching.

Dark purple cushions were scattered on the couch that went all along one wall, wooden tables dotted along and separated by dividers to create booths. In keeping with the time of year, there were lights, trees, tinsel, and so many other decorations dotted around the bar. All of it was either silver or gold as not to clash with the purple walls and furniture. It was truly a beautiful place to be. No wonder the townsfolk loved it so much.

What with it being just a few days until Christmas, the bar was pretty packed this evening. Couples and groups were sat at the tables, drinking and laughing, trying to block out the dark thoughts and fears that lingered on everyone's minds these days.

Two weeks ago, the United States officially became a part of the raging second world war that had taken over Europe in September 1939. The Japanese army bombed Pearl Harbour, initiating America's decision to fight back against Hitler and the Nazis. The people of the country were all over the place as many able-bodied men were drafted into the army. A lot chose to enlist of their own accord though, determined to fight for their country and their families.

Unfortunately for Elenora Madison, James Barnes was one of those men.

He had spoken to her abut enlisting the day after the Pearl Harbour attack. As upset and worried she was about the thought of the man she loved running into a battlefield, she was proud of him, and admired him for wanting to be a part of winning the war. He hadn't heard anything back after enlisting other than a message to say he would be contacted when he had a placement.

Joe and Maggie would come in to work most days, and leave when it started to get late, leaving Ella in charge, along with a couple other members of staff. The young woman was always happy to run the place alone, as Bucky was often around to her anyway. He had found a part-time job in a gym a year ago. He only worked three days a week, and was usually finished by 5pm, giving him time to come and work at Porter's in the evenings.

He wasn't there this evening though. Ella was working with a couple of other staff members, walking around the bar to check on the tables. There were a few empty tables, which she cleared before asking around to see if anyone needed anything. Clearing the orders people put in for more drinks, Ella could finally sit down for a moment.

Sitting on a stood behind the bar, she pulled her notebook and pencil out from the shelf under the counter and started to plan out the next chapter of her book. It was her process: plan the chapter, write it, read over it and make sure she was happy, then move onto the next one.

She was currently mind-mapping about her twenty-first birthday. She remembered the night before, and the talk she and Bucky had about their future. She made notes about their trip to Coney Island, finding herself smiling when she recalled Steve throwing up in the trash after riding the Cyclone.

The bell above the door rang, the sudden draft paired with the high-pitched clank of metal causing Ella's eyes to drift away from the page she was working on. She smiled when she saw Bucky walking her way, and he took a seat across from her at the bar.

"Hi," she greeted. "Where you been?"

"I just went for a walk," Bucky mumbled. "Had some stuff to think about."