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The sun was beginning to set, the sky a beautiful soft glow. Bucky strapped his ladder and light stick onto his bike before mounting it himself. A low whistle flew out of his mouth as he pedaled down the street for his rounds. He stopped at the first streetlight and hopped off his bike. He took out his light stick, turning on the gas so he could light the lamp. Soon, a small part of the street was illuminated by a dancing flame. Bucky went around lighting each lamp, and his smile grew wider as he reached the lamp of his favorite house.
He took the ladder off his bike and put it against the lamp post. He pulled the rag out from his back pocket and began cleaning the inside of the lamp, whistling a bit louder from before. A familiar click of the door bounced into his ear, and he pretended not to notice, cleaning the lamp a bit slower.
“Cleaning my lamp post again, Mr. Barnes?” You asked leaning against your door frame.
He turned to you with a grin. “I just saw it was a lil’ dusty was all. Besides, gotta make sure the prettiest gal on this street has the brightest light.”
“Ever the charmer I see, but I’m only the prettiest on this street?”
He lit the lamp and slid down the ladder. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re most definitely the prettiest dame I’ve ever seen.”
You hummed and smiled at him. “And how many times have you used that line?”
A chuckle rumbled out of his chest as he took down his ladder. “You’re the only one, doll. I swear it. Now, will you please go on a date with me?”
“What is this? The 7th try now?”
“8th actually.” Bucky chirped. “And for the record, I’ve declined every dame that’s asked me to dance this last month.”
You laughed. “I doubt that. All you leerie folk love to dance.”
“While it’s true the leerie are amazing dancers, I refuse to dance with anyone but you. Come on, doll. I take you dancin’ tonight and if after tonight you don’t want to go out again, I’ll respect that, but just give me a chance.” He pleaded, sending you his best puppy eyes.
You didn’t have any plans for tonight, and you have been wanting to try out that new dress you bought. And he looked so gosh darn adorable. “Okay, Barnes. Just tonight.”
He pumped his fist in victory. “Perfect. I’ll pick you up in an hour. And please, call me Bucky.”
“Okay, Bucky.” You said with a giggle. “Now go finish your rounds!”
“On it!” He called as he pedaled away.
~~~~~
Lighting the last lamp of his rounds, he slid down his ladder with a grin. He was going to absolutely woo you tonight. He was going to make this the best night of your life. He parked his bike beside the house and walked inside.
“I’m going out dancing tonight, Ma!” Bucky called as he scrambled to his room to get ready.
“Rebecca wanted to go dancing tonight as well.” Winnie said stopping Bucky before he entered his room.
“Okay, fine.” Bucky said pushing past her.
“And be nice to her…”
Bucky ran a hand through his hair with an exasperated breath. “Okay, Ma, can I get ready now?”
“Yes, James.” Winnie said patting his back.
Bucky closed the door to his room and unbuttoned his shirt before tossing it on the other side of the room. He sifted through his closet, trying to find a decent shirt. Rebecca burst into his room, causing Bucky to jump slightly.
“Seriously, Bec, ever heard of knocking?”
“What’s got you all worked up?” She asked walking toward his closet.
Bucky threw some pants onto his bed. “I finally got that girl down the street to go dancing with me.”
Rebecca leaned over Bucky and plucked a crisp white dress shirt from his closet and pushed it to his bare chest, before grabbing his suspenders and pushing it toward him.
“Wear that. And maybe slick your hair back. She’ll go into full swoon mode.” Rebecca said as Bucky blinked.
“R-really?”
“Yes, Bucky. I know a thing or two about women.”
“Right. You’re the best, sis. Nice dress, by the way.” Bucky said as Rebecca gave a quick twirl.
“Thank you. Now get dressed so we can go.” She said before closing his door.
Bucky quickly tugged on his clothes before sprinting into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth before combing and slicking his hair back. He looked at himself in the mirror one last time before bolting to the door to pull on his shoes. Rebecca rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm, and they promised their mom they would stay safe.
“Bucky, no.” Rebecca said as Bucky mounted his bike.
“Rebecca, yes.” Bucky chuckled. “Now, hop on.”
With a sigh, she sat on the bike before he took off. Bucky practically skipped to your doorstep before he knocked. You opened the door, and you drank him in. Slightly wind tossed hair, sharp white button up, cute black suspenders, and soft baby blue eyes made you want to kiss him right then.
You tugged him closer by his suspenders. “Cute.”
His cheeks flushed and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Th-thanks. You look beautiful, doll.”
You both stared at each other, slightly leaning closer, before a cough interrupted the both of you.
“Okay, you like each other, can we go now?” Rebecca said smirking as Bucky’s face turned a shade darker.
You walked over to his bike as rose an eyebrow. He seemed to know exactly what you were thinking.
“You and Becca will ride on the ends on the ladder, balancing out the bike while I pedal. It’s totally safe, I promise.”
“And how many times have you tried this?” You questioned.
He shrugged. “I haven’t, yet. Now get on.”
He steadied the bike as you and Becca got on and as he started to pedal, you and Becca gasped. His laughed rang out in the lamp lit street and you couldn’t help but laugh along. The dance hall was crowded when you got there, and the music was almost hypnotizing. Bucky pulled you and Becca through the crowd. A swing song began to play, and Bucky perked up more if that was even possible.
“You know how to swing dance, right?” He asked you, his blue eyes twinkling.
“Probably better than you or any of your leerie friends.”
He pulled you onto the dance floor. “Guess we’ll have to see, babydoll.”
The music was lively, and couples flitted around the dancefloor. Bucky really was making you dance, he even threw in a couple of tricks, which you easily followed through on. A few cheers and hollers filtered through the crowd as Bucky flipped you around him. Once the song ended, you and Bucky were chest to chest, breaths erratic from dancing.
“Where’d you learn to dance like that?” He panted.
“A girl never tells her secrets.”
“Doll, you light me up like no other.” Bucky whispered.
You leaned closer to him. “I’m guessing that’s a very high complement coming from a lamplighter.”
He licked his lips and nodded. “Oh, the very highest.”
He raised his hand to cup your cheek. “C-can I kiss ya, doll?’
You nodded your head, and he closed the distance, his other arm wrapping around your waist to pull you tight against him. You hummed into the kiss and gently threaded your fingers through his hair. After the kiss, you rested your foreheads against each other.
“Does this mean you’ll let me take you out on another date, soon?” Bucky murmured softly.
You giggled. “I suppose it does. Who can say no to the cutest lamplighter ever?”
He chuckled before diving in for another kiss.