Evelyn was already ready. A strange pressure in the back of her mind had urged her to get ready now. She had rifled through her closet, trying to find the perfect dress to wear. Anxiety bubbled in her chest, constricting around her stomach until she almost felt sick. Why did this feel so important? She wasn't sure if she wanted to try to figure that out.

She sighed, pursing her lips as she surveyed her options. After trying on several of her dresses, she finally settled on a dark red swing dress that clung to her hips. She fixed up her hair, then placed the locket back around her neck. She breathed out, nodding a couple of times before she headed out to wait in the living room.

Not even making it halfway down the stairs, someone knocked on the front door. Biting her lip, she quickly hurried down to the door and swung it open.

"Hello?" she asked, then froze in place when she locked eyes with Bucky.

The young man stared at her in awe for a minute, then swept his gaze up and down to take in the full look. Moments of silence slipped by before he seemed to gather his composure and grin sheepishly at her.

"You look beautiful."

Had his voice always been so deep? Had he always stared at her like she was his next meal? She licked her lips.

Warmth flooded her cheeks, and she knew her face was probably as red as her dress. She looked down, rocking on her heels, trying to hide her smile. "Thank you, Bucky."

He hummed, simply staring at her for a minute before he jumped and suddenly thrust the bouquet at her. "These, uh, these are for you."

Evelyn blinked at the white daisies that were suddenly in her face before she started giggling and took them from him. "They're beautiful. Come in while I put them in water. You're here early?"

He stepped inside the house and closed the door behind him, following her toward the kitchen. "Yeah, I kinda wanted to get here early to pick you up and maybe get something to eat before we go to the carnival?"

She shot him a smile over her shoulder, pulling down a flower vase from a cabinet. "That sounds really nice! What did you have in mind?"

"Maybe something like burgers and fries? With a milkshake, of course, on the side," he said, leaning against the counter as he watched her move.

She seemed to sway like a dancer, never awkward or clumsy, graceful and at ease, almost always. He could watch her forever and never get tired of how captivating, entrancing, her mere company was. His fingers itched with the need to touch, to pull her close.

Stop it.

Evelyn could feel his eyes on her. It sent a thrill up her spine and made her heart skip a beat. Her fingers were shaking as she carefully took the flowers and slid them into the vase. My god, how could a man affect her so much? She felt sick with happiness. Get yourself together! He's your friend. She took in a deep breath, then turned around quickly, skirt flaring out and swooshing.

"Burgers sound wonderful. The flowers are in their vase, so...shall we head out?" she asked, trying her best to maintain eye contact and smile at him.

God, she felt so awkward and hot. He didn't seem to notice, though, because he simply offered her his arm (which she obviously took) and led her out of the apartment. Discreetly wiping her sweaty palms off on her skirt, she gave him her friendliest smile.

"So, Bucky, what are the plans we have for tonight? Carnival, obviously, but anything else?"

"I was thinking maybe we go back to the dance hall, play some games, take a walk on the pier?"

"The pier sounds nice. Can we do that last? I'd love to see the ocean at night."

"Really? Why?"

"I don't know." She took a moment to think about it. "The ocean always seems so peaceful during the daytime. At night time, I want to see if it feels different."

"I imagine it'll feel dark, scary, maybe even intimidating."

"Or even more peaceful," she mused, leaning against his arm. "Imagine it. Just you and I and the vast blackness of the ocean stretching beneath and before us."

"Sounds like a scary book more than anything," he scoffed, then smirked to himself.

She cooed at him, head tilting up to stick her tongue out at him. "What, did I scare you? Is the big, tough Bucky Barnes scared now?"

"You wish." He laughed, playfully shoving her a bit. "We'll save it for last if you want."

"Yes, please!"

After eating their burgers, they went to the carnival. The atmosphere was set. The air was electric. The carnival was alive with laughter and lights that filtered through the booths and their tents, casting shades of yellow, pink, and red.

She had a stick of pink cotton candy, grinning at Bucky as he tried to win her a prize. She pulled a chunk of the sticky, sugary cloud off and popped it into her mouth, letting it melt over her tongue before swallowing.

Bucky cheered, throwing his hands in the air as he knocked down the last two remaining pins. Thanking the vendor, he chose a medium-sized teddy bear for her, turning around with a smug grin.

Evelyn shook her head, trying her best to hide her stupid smile. "Nicely done! Strong arm you've got there."

"Well, I am right-handed," he said with a smirk, rolling his shoulder before offering her the teddy bear. "For you, my lady."

"Why thank you." She winked at him, taking the teddy bear and tucking it close to her body. Her heart pounded in her chest. Why did she feel so bold tonight? She had winked at him! "I think I said this once before, but you sure do know how to treat a lady."

His cheeks turned a light shade of red, and he rubbed his neck shyly, licking his lips. "Ah, well, comes with experience."

Ah, right. Experience. Something she did not have. Evelyn immediately looked down, her smile weakening before she cleared her throat. "Wanna go dance?"

"Absolutely."

Anything to get out of this awkward situation and to put that sentence in the past.

He gently guided her down a block and to a local dance hall. The same one they had originally met at. He led the way, holding her hand in his, through the smoky, busy room.

They got to the dance floor, and he pulled her close. One hand ran down her side before grasping her hip, fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. The other skimmed down her arm before interlocking their fingers. Her heart fluttered against her ribs like a bird in a cage.

At first, the music was alive and jumping. They were laughing and living the high life, possibly one of the better-dancing couples on the floor. They moved together perfectly as if they could read what the other was thinking. Evelyn was on cloud nine, twisting and turning as Bucky led her through the dance.

It felt like the world was cut off, and it was only them. The magic hung in the air like a fairytale.

She caught her breath. 

The nervousness came back in full swing. She breathed in deeply. Her hand on his strong shoulder was a lifeline right now. He didn't look anywhere but her eyes, his gaze intense and all-consuming. She couldn't look away. She wouldn't look away.

The music slowed, and they began to sway. Moving around the dance floor, locked in each other's arms, there wasn't a place she'd rather be.

She swallowed thickly, moving to rest her head on his chest, and closed her eyes as she focused on his heartbeat. His grip on her tightened, pulling her closer against him. God, he smelled so good, like aftershave and coffee. She breathed in deeply, face buried into his shirt, fingers curling into the fabric.

His head rested on top of hers. She could feel his chest rising and falling with each breath. She could smell his strong cologne and the sweetness of her perfume. There was something erotic about the feeling of her slender body molded against his carved form. Bucky lowered his head, face in the softness of her hair, mouth so close to her ear.

She trembled.

Evelyn had never felt so at home in another person's grasp before. It should have scared her, to have felt so close to someone who was a friend.

She should have backed away. 

Set boundaries.

Made it clear at the beginning.

She was in far too deep. She just wanted him. At night, it made her cry. The deep longing she felt for him and the truth that she could never have him. Not in this lifetime. It only made her hide her face in his chest, close her eyes, and wish.

Wish that she could have him. One day.

'*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*'

A sudden bravery overcame Bucky. Maybe...

Maybe tonight was the night. He gently pulled away from Evie, looking down at her with a soft smile. The look she gave him in return almost made his heart stop.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered as he grabbed her hands. "It's nighttime. Let's go to the pier like you wanted."

She nodded, big doe eyes staring up at him like he'd hung the stars. It was amusing. Her unable to form proper words but so desperately wanting to go with him.

Bucky kept her in his grasp the whole way to the dock. She was acting so soft...so...so loving and gentle. He didn't dare hope of what it could imply. His fingers entwined with hers, tugging her along down the darkening street toward the docks. They were both so quiet, afraid that the wrong word would break whatever spell had formed between them.

He felt so alive. So afraid. So hopeful. Wanting to chase this feeling but not wanting to rush Evelyn before she was ready.

They made it to the pier.

She shivered.

He offered her his jacket.

She smiled shyly and allowed him to put it around her.

Bucky didn't remove his arm from around her, merely sliding it down to wrap around her waist as they strolled. Waves lapped beneath their feet, hitting the posts. It would have been just as dark and intimidating as Bucky had imagined if not for the hope that was dancing in the stars. She gently laid her fingers over his, heart racing a mile a minute.

He looked down at her, mouth drying like the desert.

Evelyn smiled at him and steered them toward the railing. He removed his arm from her waist as she leaned over it, looking out at the horizon and the rippling, dark waters illuminated by the moon's light.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, in awe of the sight.

He hummed, watching her for a couple of seconds before matching her position, shoulders brushing. "Yeah, it is."

They fell silent again. He could hear his heart thumping in his own ears. Could she hear it, too?

"Evie," he whispered, and her attention snapped to him.

There was something in her eyes almost like affection.

No.

Something more than affection.

She breathed out of her mouth, lips parting as she seemed to try to think of something to say. Anything.

Bucky moved in slowly, giving her a chance to stop him if she wanted. She gravitated toward him. It made his heart sing.

His hands buried into her hair, a gentle touch to anchor her against him. God, he was shaking. No one had ever made him feel this alive. His lips brushed against hers, soft and testing. Giving her every opportunity to run.

Evelyn sank into the kiss, closing the distance between their mouths.

It was electric. The passion, simmering as it was, came to a roaring boil as they gave in to what they had been wanting for so long. It was desperate but patient, shy but bold, the epitome of everything they had been hoping for and a promise of things to come.

It ended all too soon, with them both springing away from each other in shock. The hope turned into fear.

And Evelyn ran.