[ 40's ]
You hummed lightly to yourself as you dragged numerous heavy boxes of decorations towards the empty Christmas tree.
"Bucky! Steve!"
It didn't take long for your two best friends to enter the living room of the apartment you all shared, both of them looking equally as excited as you felt.
Of course, Steve immediately tried to help by taking the boxes from you. You couldn't help but laugh as his thin arms began to wobble from the unexpected weight, causing Bucky to quickly snatch the decorations back and carry them with ease.
"Alright, boys, let's get started. We're gonna have the best tree in all of Brooklyn!" you gushed, grabbing some tinsel and beginning to carefully drape it on the branches.
After a couple of hours (during which you had to untangle Steve from the Christmas lights twice), the tree was almost finished. It looked amazing, covered in red and gold baubles as well as candy canes and chocolate coins. Only one thing was missing.
"Here, doll. Do the honours." Bucky grinned at you, eyes sparkling, as he handed you the angel to place at the very top of the tree.
"An angel for an angel," he mumbled to himself, quietly enough so that you didn't hear him.
"But I can't reach..." you started to protest. However, your words were cut off by a squeal as Bucky wrapped his arms firmly around your waist and lifted you up, allowing you to perfectly position the final ornament.
Once you were safely back on your own two feet, Bucky let his hand linger at your side for a few seconds, still smiling affectionately. It was enough to turn your cheeks a rosy shade of pink – until Steve cleared his throat, causing Bucky to shake his head slightly and tear his gaze away from you.
"Cookies?" Steve asked, referring to the next part of your pre-Christmas traditions. You nodded, already heading into the kitchen.
It didn't take too long to bake your favourite spiced cinnamon cookies. The delicious smell filled the apartment as you removed them from the oven after forty minutes. Giggling, you slapped Bucky's hand away as he attempted to take one.
"Hey! You'll burn yourself. And besides, some of these are for Mrs Joseph," you insisted, putting some cookies in a separate box for the sweet old lady who lived in the apartment opposite yours. Steve offered to take them over and you handed him the container, shouting a quick "thank you" as he left.
You turned to Bucky, intending to ask what he wanted to do. Almost as if he'd read your mind, he grabbed your hand and led you back into the living room, flicking the switch on his record player as he passed it. Lively, upbeat swing music began to play, bringing a smile to your face.
"Dance with me, sugar?"
As soon as you nodded, Bucky took your other hand and began to twirl you around the room, laughing as you squealed, almost tripping over your own feet. He really was an excellent dancer – he moved gracefully and, at one point, even picked you up, spinning you until you were a little dizzy.
When the song was over, you were worn out, but thoroughly happy. Bucky glanced at you lovingly, still holding your hand while you caught your breath, resting your head on his shoulder. He couldn't resist leaning down slightly to place a gentle kiss on your forehead, causing you to blush.
Suddenly, something caught your eye. Hanging from the ceiling was a small piece of mistletoe. You hadn't put it there and neither had Bucky, so you guessed that it was Steve trying to play matchmaker.
Bucky followed your line of sight, chuckling when he saw the mistletoe. "Punk," he murmured, shaking his head before turning his gaze back to you, his eyes darting down to your lips for a split second.
Leaning up slightly, you gently nudged your nose against his. Bucky took your hint and bridged the gap between you, kissing you slowly and softly. You pulled your hands away from his to wrap your arms around his neck, while his own arms moved to circle your waist.
Eventually, you broke the kiss, smiling as Bucky rested his forehead against yours, eyes closed.
"I think I'm falling in love with you, Y/N," he whispered, sighing happily.
"I think... I'm falling in love with you too, Bucky," you replied quietly, before leaning up to reconnect your lips.
Neither of you noticed when Steve reentered the apartment. He lingered at the door to the living room for a second, smiling before walking to the kitchen, happy that his decision had paid off.
You had a feeling that this Christmas was going to be your best ever.