Chapter Text
Rosie did not plan to fall asleep moments after he arrived at his hotel room. After changing his clothes and putting his things in the wardrobe, he laid in his bed and told himself he’s only going to rest his eyes before going to the Palais.
If it wasn’t for a man who kept on rapping on his door and calling a woman named Nancy, he wouldn’t have woken up. He can still remember the man’s face when he realized that no Nancy was in room 217, but instead only a half-asleep man in an army uniform.
“I’m not Nancy and there’s no Nancy here, sir,” Rosie immediately answered when he opened the door.
The man in front of him turned pale.
“Oh god,” the man apologized, finally his mistake dawning on him. “I’m so sorry. I must have gotten the wrong room. We’re supposed to meet at 6, and it’s 6:30 now—”
His eyes widened. “It’s 6:30?!”
“Yes, sir, why?”
Oh no no no.
“I have to go!”
Rosie quickly closed the door. He’s late and he hasn’t even taken a shower yet! Quickly fetching his towel, he hopped into the shower to do his ablutions. As he scrubbed and washed, he thought about the possible scenarios that could happen. If Elaine showed up, he would apologize for making her wait an hour. If she doesn’t show up, maybe he could ask the hotel about her. Would they give him her information?
When he finished, he wore the first item that he easily grabbed, put it on and went straight on combing his hair. His hair. His bird nest of hair which miraculously decided to be obedient. After smoothing the stray hairs, he took his scarf and rushed out.
The Hammersmith Palais is only a few blocks from Brooke Green and he was immediately let in by the door man. The atmosphere was festive and filled with people who seemingly wanted to forget about the horrors and death surrounding Hammersmith. They are all either dancing and drinking and Rosie could not blame them.
He scanned the area for the face he was looking for, the one he was anticipating for a week now.
At a distance, he saw Bucky.
He watched his fellow officer cut the rug enthusiastically with a woman in a dark dress.
They twirled and swirled as if there was no tomorrow, while laughing at themselves, too. Her hair moved rhythmically with her body, while Bucky moved smoothly with her. They extended their arms with the rhythm of music, only for the woman to return to his arms.
Of course, Bucky has a girl.
A bit of envy filled his chest at this scene, thinking about Elaine. If they met on a normal night, would they be dancing together like that? Will she step on his toes and he would politely deny that it hurts? Would they get drunk and he’ll take her home? Will they laugh at how drunk they are and then say good night?
Will they see each other tonight or all those days of anticipating for her will be all for nothing? She did not reach out, and if he’s being perfectly honest, waiting for her tonight seemed like blind hope.
He found an empty seat and gazed at the scenery before him. He scanned the room, with hopes of seeing her. Where is she? Did she get tired of waiting for him? After all, he was late! That was unacceptable.
Every time he would see new people arrive, he hoped for his brunette to come in, take a look and catch his eyes. She would smile at him and sit in front of him. They would get the most filling food and dance the night away.
Minutes passed and no Elaine came in the door.
Rosie slowly grew antsy. The live band was great, but it wasn’t Minton’s. Sighing, he put down his half-empty glass. Where is she? Did she even arrive in England? Should I expect she’s coming?
Little did he know, in the middle of his sour mood, Bucky spots him. He led his partner near to his fellow airman’s table and sat on the empty chairs in front of him.
Rosie did not even notice them until he heard someone scream his name. “Rosie! You came!”
The voice did not register all too well in his head, until he heard the scraping of the chair in front of him. When another chair scraped, he lifted his head and saw Bucky first. He slowly turned to the one he was sitting with, and she was there.
Of course Bucky gets the girl.
He did not realize his mouth slightly parted until Bucky placed his index finger on his chin to shut it. John let out a laugh at his reaction. “You didn’t tell me your girl’s coming!”
“I didn’t…”
Elaine gave him a quick look then turned to Bucky. “I wanted to surprise him actually.”
Rosie only nodded and downed the remaining amber liquid from his glass. She wanted to surprise him?
Job well done, Elaine , he thought. You never really knew how to say when.