Title: It Was Meant for You
(Pre-serum) Steve Rogers x (female) Reader
Time Period: 40’s
A/N: Hello to anyone reading! Sooo I wrote this imagine like, two years ago and posted it to Tumblr but I don’t really think anyone read it (which is totally cool), but I just rediscovered it in my files and I still am actually really proud of it so I’m reposting it haha 💜✨
“You’re on in five, y/n,” you nod to your manager as you finished applying the last stroke of shadow on your eyelids. Your life as a performer was something you had worked for since you were young. When you were asked to sign with one of the biggest record labels, you could hardly believe it. You had always questioned if you were truly meant to be on stage, and while you had your doubts, anyone with one good ear could determine that you had the voice of an angel and the face to match. At least, that’s what Bucky had told Steve.
When word got around about your arrival in Brooklyn to perform for the soldiers before they went off to war, the media went bonkers. All the headlines in the papers read something along the lines of “Y/N to perform in Brooklyn” or “America’s sweetheart Ready to Hit the Streets of Brooklyn.” And the headlines were right. You were America’s sweetheart, everyone loved you, which is why Bucky all but carried Steve to the local bar to listen to your set.
Though, Steve had his reservations about going to hear you sing. Sure you were beautiful and talented, and that meant every soldier in attendance would die at the chance to be with you, including him. But Steve, he knew he would be out of place, that you wouldn’t even so much as look his way with all of the attention that would be thrown your way. But despite his reluctance, he followed behind Bucky, ready to see you perform.
When the pair arrived, the club was buzzing with the lusty shouts of rowdy soldiers and the lively music from the band. Steve was oblivious to the herculean grip Bucky had on his forearm as he was busy blowing a cloud of cigarette smoke out of his face. If their long walk in the chilly city air didn’t make his asthma act up, the hazy smoke-induced smog of the club definitely did.
But the dimming of the stage lights forced Steve’s attention to the stage. “Here she comes,” Bucky’s elbow had come in contact with Steve’s rib and he winced, but averted his now narrowed eyes away from his best friend and towards the woman on stage.
The first line had been sung and there had been a few whistles and shouts, and you smiled. You loved the way the energy of the crowd could fuel your performance. With every confession of love and wolf whistle thrown your way, you only became more and more lost within the song. The only thing that broke your trance were the prettiest pair of blue eyes you had ever seen. Your curiosity got the better of you and you got a better look at the owner of those baby blues and found a man with shaggy blonde hair and the most adorable smile. Cute, you thought, so you send a wink his way.
Was that for me?, he had asked himself, but ultimately reasoned that your display of affection had been reserved for Bucky.
After a full set, as much as you loved being on stage, you were beat. You blew a kiss to the soldiers in the crowd and bid them a fare well. You slowly made your way through the club, seeking out the cute blonde boy you had spotted earlier that night. But to no avail, the familiar pools of blue were nowhere to be found. Assuming he had split, you tried to mask the nagging feeling of disappointment.
You ignored the hoots and hollers of the soldiers that lingered about, making your way to the bar for a drink. It wasn’t until you were a few steps away that the familiar head of blonde hair caught your eye. You smile and make your way towards him and his friend.
“C’mon Buck, let’s just go. She’s probably already gone, and besides, I’m pretty positive that a dame that beautiful wasn’t even looking at me. Let alone interested,” Bucky shook his head at his friend in disapproval, until he caught wind of your presence. Bucky’s frown grew into a smile and spun his friend around,
“I would think again, Stevie.”
Your feet move faster than your brain can manage and end up face to face with the handsome stranger.
“Care to buy me a drink, soldier?”
His eyes are as wide as saucers when you speak to him. He’s sure he’s in love. He doesn’t need more than a bat of an eyelash to gather that much. All Bucky can do is laugh at his friend.
“Hey, doll. I’m Bucky and this here is my buddy, Steve.” Bucky claps a hand on Steve’s back and he coughs.
“I’m Steve,” is all he can add as he recovers from Bucky’s warning to snap out of it.
“So I’ve heard,” you giggle.
The pair offer to walk you back to your hotel. The walk consisted of secret glances back and forth and Bucky shoving Steve into your side and him apologizing while you just laugh. Though, all Steve saw was you laughing at Bucky and his stories and jokes, grabbing onto him when you laughed just a little too hard.
Once the three of you make it to your building, you kiss Bucky on the cheek, and whisper in his ear. Steve watches as Bucky smiles and walks a distance away. Steve’s shoulders slump but quickly, he straightens himself out when he sees you coming his way.
“Ya know, Steve? I’ve been trying to catch your attention all night,” Steve, for lack of a better word, was shocked. He hadn’t at all gathered that from the evening. He was so in his head about how to talk to you to even notice the little flirty glances you sent his way on the walk home.
“But, I thought you liked Bucky? You winked at him at the club and everything,” he was confused now. He was sure you only had eyes for his best friend.
“Steve, when I saw you in the crowd tonight, you were all I could think about. And that wink was meant for you, ya goon,” you giggle at his utter cluelessness.
He begins to stutter, unsure of what to say, but before he can finish the jumble of words coming out of his mouth, you kiss him. When you pull away, his eyes are closed and he smiles in contentment. You laugh once more before you say your goodbyes.
With a wink, you slip a piece of paper into his hand, and you step inside. Steve opens the slip of paper to find your number scrawled across it with the words “you still owe me a drink, soldier.”
Steve laughs and walks to join Bucky on the walk home. All he can think, with a smile on his face is,
It really was for me.
