Iron Bloodlines

"You showed him a picture?"

Bucky's POV:

The tie wasn't cooperating.

I stood in front of the mirror, glaring at my reflection as I fumbled with the knot for what felt like the hundredth time. My fingers twisted the fabric automatically, but my mind was too preoccupied to focus. Nerves and excitement churned together in my chest, making it impossible to think straight.

Tonight was big. Huge. The kind of second chance you don't mess up. And that thought alone made my hands tremble just enough to botch the tie again.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, yanking it loose and starting over.

A sharp knock at the door pulled me out of my spiral. I frowned, glancing at the clock. It wasn't time to leave yet.

"Who is it?" I called, loosening the tie again as I made my way to the door.

When I opened it, Steve and Nat stood on the other side, grinning like they were on a mission.

"Look at you, all dressed up," Nat said, leaning against the doorframe and giving me an exaggerated once-over. "Trying to look like a real gentleman, huh?"

"Trying?" Steve chimed in, smirking. "I think he pulled it off. Almost."

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "What are you two doing here? Shouldn't you be tormenting someone else?"

"We're here for moral support," Nat said, brushing past me and into the room without waiting for an invitation. "And to make sure you don't back out at the last minute."

"I'm not backing out," I said firmly, though the knot in my stomach wasn't exactly helping my case.

Steve followed her in, closing the door behind him. "Good. Because this is important, Buck. You've got a real chance tonight."

Nat spun on her heel, pointing at my tie. "And clearly, you need help. What is that? Did you tie it with your eyes closed?"

I sighed, yanking it loose for the fifth time. "It's a tie, Nat. Not brain surgery."

She smirked, stepping forward and snatching it out of my hands. "Clearly, it's harder than brain surgery for you. Stand still."

Steve watched with an amused grin as Nat expertly tied the knot, tightening it with a sharp tug that made me grunt.

"There," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "Now you don't look like you're on your way to a middle school dance."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered, adjusting the collar of my shirt.

Nat shrugged, her smirk widening. "Confidence is earned, Barnes. But if you want some motivation, let me just say this: Elise? She's going to knock you flat on your ass tonight. That dress she found? You're lucky you have a metal arm because you might need it to keep yourself upright."

My chest tightened at her words, and Steve chuckled at the look on my face.

"She's right," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Nat showed me a picture. You're in trouble, Buck."

"You showed him a picture?" I asked, my voice rising slightly.

Nat raised an eyebrow. "Relax. It's just the dress. Trust me, she looks even better in person. You'll see soon enough."

I swallowed hard, my nerves kicking into overdrive. "You two really know how to make a guy feel calm."

"Hey, we're here to pump you up, not coddle you," Nat quipped, crossing her arms. "Besides, it's not like you're walking into a fight. You've got this. Just... don't screw it up."