FOREVER YOUNG, b.barnes daughter

one. love at first sight

ITS 1945 GUYS, YES I CHANGED THE DATE JUST SO I CAN AGE THEM UP A BIT.

THE FIRST TIME BUCKY EVER SAW
Dorothy Fitzgerald, he was in love. He never really believed in love at first sight, but that all changed when he met her.

He was eighteen. Bucky had suggested to Steve that they go to the bar and try to pass older than they were and maybe the bar tender would let them buy some booze.

It didn't work.

So they decided since they were already there, they would just hang out. There was a woman singing there. She looked around their age, she was gorgeous and she sounded amazing. Red dress, and red lipstick, black shoes. Bucky saw it all, and remembered it all too.

"Who's that?" Bucky said, star struck.

Steve shrugged. "I don't know, Buck, some singer apparently."

Bucky didn't really believe in the concept of love and first sight, but he was beginning to. He had to get a date with her. Or at least he had to try.

He waited for a bit, hung out with Steve then he saw her leave the stage, she was fixing up her hair.

"Hey, Steve, I'll be right back," Bucky said, his eyes never leaving the girl in the red dress.

Steve raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Good luck, pal. You'll need it."

Bucky took a deep breath and made his way through the crowd, his heart pounding in his chest. He approached her as she was adjusting her hair, her back to him. Summoning all the courage he had, he tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned around, her dark brown eyes meeting his. "Yes?" she asked, her voice smooth and melodic even when she wasn't singing.

Bucky suddenly felt awkward, unsure of what to say. "Hi, uh, I'm Bucky," he stammered. "I, um, I just wanted to say you were amazing up there."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Bucky. I'm Dorothy."

"Nice to meet you, Dorothy," he said, trying to sound confident. "I was wondering if, maybe, you'd like to go out sometime. You know, just to talk or something."

Dorothy raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh, you want to take me out, do you?" she teased.

Bucky felt his face heat up. "Yeah, I mean, if you'd like. No pressure or anything."

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You don't give up easily, do you?"

"Not when it comes to something, or someone, I really want to know," Bucky replied, his charm slowly creeping back in. "So, what do you say?"

Dorothy pretended to think about it, tapping her chin. "Hmm, I don't usually say yes to guys I just met."

Bucky's heart sank a little. "I get it. I just thought I'd take a chance."

"But," she continued, a twinkle in her eye, "I suppose I can make an exception this time."

His eyes lit up. "Really? That's great!"

"Yes, really," she said, smiling. "Meet me here tomorrow at seven. Don't be late."

"I won't be," Bucky promised, grinning from ear to ear.

As he walked back to Steve, he felt like he was walking on air. Steve looked at him, eyebrows raised. "So, how'd it go?"

Bucky couldn't hide his excitement. "I got a date with her tomorrow."

Steve laughed, clapping him on the back. "Well, I'll be damned. Good luck, Buck."

One thing led to another, and they got married when they were nineteen. Steve had told him it was too young, but Bucky didn't listen. Dorothy was so perfect to him. Every day with her felt like a blessing, and he couldn't imagine life any other way.