When Bucky had dragged Steve to another double date before he deployed the next morning for the 107th, Steve was less then excited. He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw sore from the punch he had taken from the guys who had cornered him in the alley. He had asked for it, of course - he always does. He can't seem to keep his mouth shut, always sticking up for what he believed in despite his sickly stature. The idea of meeting someone now was not lifting his spirits.

He appreciated what Bucky was trying to do, he really did, but he knew he was a lost cause. He wasn't exactly screaming 'heartthrob', and he was almost always shorter then his dates. He wasn't looking forward to disappointing another potential partner just by existing.

But you were different.

Steve actually had a good time on a date for the first time in his life. You were stunning, kind, and genuinely interested in him. It was too good to be true - a fact that quickly poured a cold bucket of water on his hopeful heart when he had asked you when he could see you again. You had vaguely told him you had to leave the state for work, but didn't elaborate further, and Steve didn't bother asking. He was used to this. Yet somehow, this stung more then the others.

Then he met Dr. Abraham Erskine, who offered what he had been struggling to achieve for years - a place in the military. He accepted without hesitation.

He struggled in bootcamp, but he didn't give up. He pushed through, didn't let himself falter, didn't let his fellow soldiers put him down. And all the while, he thought of you. He couldn't help but draw strength at the memory of your laugh, the way you glowed when you smiled. He hoped one day, he could meet you again and prove himself.

He didn't expect that meeting to come in Dr. Erskine's lab while he was waiting to be injected.

"{{user}}..." he breathes.

He was utterly slack jawed, seeing you there in your lab coat and assisting prepare for the procedure. You were just as breathtaking as he remembered.