❛ 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 ❜

❝ bare those  teeth and
snarl,               baby. ❞

          "I don't see what the problem is," Bucky spoke in disbelief. "You're about to be the last eligible man in New York. You know, there's three and a half million women here." Bucky chuckled as the three walked at a steady pace. It was nightfall now, and the streets of Brooklyn were alive with bustling people.

Anastasia rushed to keep up with Steve and Bucky's pace while pinning back any last strands of hair. Her heels clicked noisily against the pavement.

She was informed she was going on a blind date. She hated the idea; but she didn't want to skip out on being with her two closest friends.

"Well, I'd settle for just one." Steve replied to Buck, hands shoved into his pockets as his eyes trained on the ground where he walked.

"Good thing I took care of that," Bucky smirked, lifting his arm to wave it at a woman waiting for him. She waved back, bright smiles carving on her red lips.

"Hey, Bucky!" The women called out, causing Anastasia's stomach to pinch unexpectedly with jealously. Her brows furrowed at the woman.

"What'd you tell her about me?" Steve asked, smoothing back his hair.

"Only the good stuff." His friend replied with a swift wink.

"Steve, I'd like to introduce you to Bonnie. Bonnie, these are my very good friends Steve and Anastasia."

Anastasia didn't miss the disgusted looks she passed to her and Steve. Swallowing thickly, Ana offered Bonnie a tight-lipped smile.

"Shall we?" Bucky asked smoothly, seeming to be oblivious to it. Bonnie nodded excitedly at him before blatantly grabbing Bucky's hand and dragging him away. Anastasia stumbled forward as her grip on Bucky's hand was ripped away.

She watched the new pair walk away before looking at Steve. Her shoulder sank and a deep frown was set on her lips. Steve rubbed her shoulder before offering his own arm. With a dimmer smile, she looped hers with his before they trailed along.

          "WELCOME to the modern Marvels of Pavilion and the World of Tomorrow!" An announcer spoke as five strolled along. "A greater world. A better world."

"Oh my god, it's starting!" Bonnie; Steve's date cried out, grabbing Bucky's hands before rushing forward. Bucky smiled, managing a glance at his two friends before walking ahead.

"Oh brother. Give me a break," Anastasia muttered, kicking at the pavement with her black peep-toe heel. Her ankle accidentally bent, causing her to stumble. Steve caught her, sparring a laugh.

"Tell me about it."

The two smiled at one another, on the same thought about Steve's date that stuck by her date. Giving thanks, they moved forward to join the two in the crowd of spectators. They had managed to get a good spot in the crowd; standing in the middle of all the bustling bodies.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!" a female announced, standing on stage.

The crowd cheered widely as a slim but dashing man entered on stage. He walked up to the girl, grabbing the mic before leaning in to give a passionate kiss. The lady fought a smile, moving away as Howard pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the lipstick from his lips.

"I love you Howard!" a random woman cried behind Ana, making her flinch and glare.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what if I told you in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?"

Steve extended his arm, a small bag of peanuts in hand. Connie noticed the offer, looking down at it with disgust. Steve studied the bag as he retracted his arm. Anastasia noticed, frowning in sympathy. When Steve looked up her, she offered a smile. He proceeded to offer her the snack, to which she accepted with an even bigger smile.

The assistants on stage removed the wheels to the red car that was parked. Under the wheels, were small boxed machines that made the crowd gawk at it. "With Stark robotic reversion technology, you'll be able to do just that." Howard continued, smirking at everyone watching. Moving to a panel, he twisted a button before slowly raising a lever.

The car started to lift slowly off the ground, causing everyone to gasp at the invention.

"Holy cow," Bucky muttered.

The car hovered about a foot off the ground before suddenly sparking and crashing back down. Everyone jerked back before slowly starting to applaud Howard.

He shrugged his shoulders, "I did say a few years, didn't I?"

Steve surveyed the crowd before an enlistment poster caught his eye. Glancing back at the three, Steve made an attempt to escape. Anastasia looked over her shoulder at the retreating man, before quickly following; going unnoticed by the other three.

"Hey, you two, why don't we treat these ladies to—" Bucky trailed off when he turned to his friends, who were now absent from him. His bright smile quickly left when he noticed the enlistment booth. His shoulders sank with a heavy sigh.

          "I think you look dashing in a uniform." Anastasia complimented, trying to get Steve's mood to lift. She watched Steve stand on a metal platform, which was supposed to reflect your face on a picture of a soldier in a fresh uniform.

"You think so?" Steve questioned, staring at his face which only filled half of the blank spot where the viewer's face was supposed to be.

"Yeah." She nodded, smiling hopefully at him. She twisted her torso back and forth slowly, waiting patiently for him. Steve glanced at her, offering a lopsided smile.

Steve stepped off, allowing Anastasia to try. With a hand from Steve, she stood on the metal plate, turning to the picture. With her heels, her face just fitted the spot and she laughed in how funny yet appealing a uniform looked on her.

Suddenly, Steve was pushed forward, and they both turned to Bucky who now joined them in the recruitment centre. "C'mon, you're kinda missing the point of a double date. We're taking Bonnie and Anastasia dancing." He grabbed Ana's arm, tugging her off the platform.

She then proceeded to glare at him, pulling her arm from his grasp. "Seems it's more of a single date; you and Bonnie look like you're having a swell time."

Bucky tsk'ed at her, brows furrowing.

"You go ahead, I'll catch up," Steve answered, looking around Bucky's arm to the Bonnie who was waiting outside the enlistment centre.

Bucky paused, stepping closer to Steve. "You really going to do this again?"

"Well, it's a fair. Gonna try my luck."

"As who? Steve from Ohio? They'll catch you. Or worse, they'll actually take you." Bucky commented.

"Look, I know you don't think I can do this—"

"This isn't a back alley, Steve," Bucky exclaimed. "It's war."

"I know it's a war—"

"Why are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs."

"Like what?" Steve bit, "Collecting scrap metal in my little red wagon?"

"Yes!" Anastasia rolled his eyes at Bucky's answer. She crossed her arms, looking around. Bucky rolled his eyes, "Why not?"

"I'm not going to sit in a factory, Bucky!"

"I don't—"

"Bucky, come on," Steve said over his friend, quieting him. "There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."

"Right," James nodded his head before suddenly shaking it. "Cause you got nothing to prove. And what about you," His sharp eyes suddenly looked at Anastaisa. "Ana? Why do you wanna join so bad? Just stay at home like the rest of the ladies here!"

Anastasia's shoulders tensed at his words. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm not good enough? Why do only men have to go? Why can't women be in the army?" She shoved Bucky's arm as hard as she could; only making Bucky take one step back. His frown deepened.

"I know my worth in this fight, Buck. I have just as many rights as you do." She poked him in his chest; which he barely felt under his thick coat.

A beat of tension-filled silence passed before Bonnie spoke up in the distance; "Hey Sarge! We going dancing?"

"Yes, we are!" Bucky turned to his dates before back at his friends. "Don't you two do anything stupid till I get back."

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Steve quipped back with a lazy shrug.

Bucky shook his head, bringing Steve in for a quick hug. Glancing down at Ana, he winked at her before running off to his waiting dams.