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Steve looked up from the graphite smudged paper to study Bucky at the vanity. They were donning silk stockings with their long slender fingers, caressing those luscious legs as the stocking hugged strong muscular thighs. Steve loved to watch Bucky get ready, it was always an intricate affair. They would decide ahead of time what clothes fit the occasion. With meager means, Bucky managed to acquire gently worn pieces and revive them. There was a tailored pin stripe suit that was a favorite. Occasionally Bucky would pair it with a silk blouse, other times an undershirt and the silver star necklace they got from their grandmother. Today was silk. They’d been laboring at the docks sweating in coarse dungarees and soft flannel, so of course they would want to come home to a fragrant bath and the gentle caress of silks and fine wool.
Bucky’s eyes framed by thick lashes — tonight was a mascara event making their eyes even more striking than the usual gorgeous ice-blue — met Steve’s and they graced him with a shy smile. “Are you really drawing me again, Steve?”
“I was before I was distracted by the turn of an ankle,” Steve admitted. “You’re going out?”
“I hoped you would be going out too?” Bucky pushed their hand through short thick curls and blushed. “I shouldn’t have to do all the courting Steven.”
Steve set the pad and pencil down and crossed the small room quickly. He put his hands on Bucky’s shoulders and looked at the pair of them in the mirror. “Buck.” He kissed the top of Bucky’s head and down their temple, over stunning cheekbones. “You’re much better at it than I am. But you’re right.”
“You know I’m right. I’m this close to being sent to basic, and I need you to do some of the legwork on this relationship. Don’t pout. I think it’s a good thing you’re staying here. They don’t say “war is hell” because it’s a cake walk. I need to know you’re safe.”
“Buck —”
“No ‘Buck’ anything tonight, please?” Bucky sprung to their feet, graceful in the marabou feathered heels. They attempted to pull Steve into a dance. “I want to be ‘me’ alone with you. I want to be ‘me’ as much as I can out in public. I want to dance with you on the rooftop.
“I can’t dance, and we’d be arrested.” Steve pulled back to look up at Bucky’s delighted face. Even Steve’s vague rejection didn’t seem to darken those beautiful eyes.
“Since when have you been scared of bein in jail”
“Since they’d like to kill us as soon as jail us for bein’ ourselves in public. I don’t know who’d get it worst, the drag Jew or the cripple fag.” Steve regretted the words as soon as they came out and rued them even more when he saw Bucky’s broken expression. “Oh, doll, what can I do? I’m sorry.”
“Those words sound worse coming out o’ your mouth than out of any thug’s. Steve don’t say those things, that’s not us.”
Steve stood on his toes and wrapped his arms around Bucky’s neck. “You’re right Buck and I’m sorry.” If there was one thing in the world that gutted Steve it was when Bucky, always strong and upbeat Bucky cried. If there was anything that would make them do so, it would be what Steve had said. “Please don’t cry?”
“Maybe I’ll save a cry for another time.” Bucky inhaled deeply, briefly lifting Steve’s stockinged toes off the ground as they set their shoulders back. It was a stunning show of pride that Steve wished he could study from every angle. “Do you really see us that way? Is that all I am to you?”
“No, no,” Steve clung to Bucky, pressing his cheek to the pink silk of their blouse. “You’re my everything, Buck. My joy.”
Bucky wrapped their arms around Steve, holding him off the ground. Generally Steve would balk at this but just now, the strength of Bucky’s arms was as comforting as the silk of their blouse.
“Come out with me Bucky.” Steve wrapped his legs around Bucky’s hips. “Let’s go to the dance hall. I’ll enjoy watching you dance and while I’m at it, see if I can pick up on any steps.”
“Liar,” Bucky smiled before planting a red lipstick kiss on Steve's mouth. “But it sounds fun all the same.”
Steve slid down Bucky's slender legs, remaining on tiptoe when he touched down. “Then let me get dressed and we’ll go. The night is yours.”
“I’ll go wash my face, can’t be seen out like this.” Bucky’s voice faltered.
“No don’t Buck. You worked so hard, you look incredible. Anybody says anything and they have to deal with me. And if you change this shirt you’ll have to deal with me.”
Bucky pinched below Steve’s ribs playfully and Steve squirmed free before it became a tickling match.