White Christmas
Steggy |1508 words| For @red-revenger | @steggyfanevents |Secret Santa
I hope you enjoy this gift! Do yourself a little favour and listen to White Christmas by Bing Crosby, he has an amazing voice and just think of these two dancing together to that song.
Enjoy the short fic! It’s also on AO3
The war is cold but dancing together at Christmas is so much better.
They spent months hunkered down in the dirt. Travelling around the wasteland that had become Europe. The 107th would hurdle around the campfire that was strategically placed at the centre between all their tents. They would strategically place them facing each other, with a fire in the middle so they could all comfortably enjoy each other’s company. Everyone except Peggy. She had to share her tent with the troop’s nurses.
It annoyed her that she couldn’t be one of the boys, but she was also painfully aware that sleeping with the other woman was better because at least they respected her. But they did give her curious looks when she would come back late and slightly drunk after spending the evening with the howling commandos.
It was the best of both worlds for Peggy. She would spend the day being this self-confident force of nature, ordering people around. In the evening she could decompress with the only people she cared about anymore. And then she would go to sleep alone surrounded by medical nurses. Or maybe that was just what she had to tell herself to get through those years of living in the dirt.
----
The campfire was Steve’s favourite place. It was the only time of the day when he allowed himself to be a little selfish. The warm glow of the dancing flames reminded him of those cold winter nights when his mother would smother him in blankets in front of their old wood burner. She would make him the best tea, with just a hint of honey.
Now it was Peggy who made him the best tea. It was crazy to think that someone as strong and determined as her could make something sweet and delicate. And somehow, she made it just like his mama did, without him asking. She would steal some honey from the cooks and mix it in gently. He could watch her stir the tea for hours, with the anticipation of what was to come warming him in the meantime. That was the exact touch that could instantly bring him back to the warmth of his mother’s arms.
Steve would also be lying if he didn’t mention that he enjoyed the campfire because he got to spend time with her. It was the only time and place where she didn’t mind his admiration or shameless ogling. He didn’t mention it and neither did she, but he could sit there staring at her for hours. Watching, analyzing, and memorizing every little reaction. What words could make her smile, what stories could make those beautiful eyes water. Wondering how could someone be as amazing as her.
One day he hoped to work up the courage to go up to her and tell her how he feels. But just because she doesn’t mind his staring, it doesn’t mean that she feels the same way. So for now he will be content with watching from afar. Admiring her determination, her strength, her heart, her soul, everything about her.
----
Steve wondered why everyone seemed to be running in the same direction. Upon further analysis they weren’t really running, more like walking fast, they seemed happy. And surprisingly well-dressed. He followed the music and the sound of cheers. When he turned the corner and finally saw the dining hall, he was stunned.
They had been very busy. November turned to December and suddenly it was December 24th. He only noticed once he entered the hall. A band was playing on the stage that was normally used for announcements. People were drinking and dancing. Every single nurse and secretary was on a man’s arm, swaying the night away. Someone had been working hard, decorating the place and hanging lights. It looked magical. To think that in such a terrible place, they found time to make joy.
The music died down just enough for the sound of laughter to drown it out, catching his attention. The Holling Commandos were all dancing with one another. Clearly, they were already drunk. And as they spun each other around he saw her. A vision in red. That very same red dress he had seen before. The one that lived in his sketchbook and in his dream. How he had longed to see it again. And there she was, wearing it.
It wouldn’t surprise him if it was the only dress she had with her, but what a dress. It fit her perfectly. And her hair, how she found the time to make her hair look perfect in the middle of a battlefield was beyond him, but right now it was dressed with a few mistletoe berries that matched her dress perfectly. And her smile. She was happy, laughing even as Dum Dum Dugan twirled her around the dance floor. He would be jealous if she didn’t look so happy.
He approached the group wanting to join in on the fun. Bucky spotted him first, ordering another round ‘‘In honour of our favourite captain’’ he said. The group cheered, welcoming Steve to the party. Junior Juniper came rushing in with some mistletoe. He held it above Peggy and Dugan. Shyly they gave each other pecks on the cheek and embraced. Looking over Dugan’s shoulder she finally saw him.
She eyed him up and down, appreciating this nice outfit, not yet sullied by the mud that constantly surrounded them. She swore he would never admit her attraction as long as they worked together, less it discredit her hard work. But she wasn’t blind either. He was clearly a very attractive man. That smile of his brought her back to that small man she met all those years ago when they were still stateside. She had a hard time resisting him then, and now spending every day by his side, knowing him inside and out, every day her resolve chipped away. And when he looked as good as he did today, she hoped the war would end soon, because she had other activities she wanted to do with him.
Dugan finally let her go, giving her one last twirl. She wasn’t sure where she was spinning too, but the alcohol in her blood made the experience pleasant. The only thing that made it better was when a warm hand grabbed her hip, stopping her and forcing her to look at what was in front of her. A beautiful view to be honest.
----
Steve steadied her right before she could bump into the drinks table. Without thinking, he took hold of a loose strand of hair and placed it behind her ear. His fingers lingered along her cheek before returning it to his side.
‘‘I thought you could hold your drink, Peg.’’
‘‘Bucky might have been refilling my glace without me noticing.’’
‘‘Maybe I should stay by your side, make sure he doesn’t do it again.’’ He said playfully.
‘‘Oh thank God you are here to save me, Steve.’’ She said sarcastically.
‘‘Well in that case I can go dance with someone else.’’
‘‘No!’’ she said grabbing onto his forearms.
The rhythm of the music started to slow down as a soothing voice started singing ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.’ The voice wasn’t as smooth as Bing Crosby but for a live band in the middle of a battlefield, it was perfect.
‘‘Well then, shall I have this dance?’’
She looked at him with glowing eyes and nodded yes. He led them toward the crowd of dancing people away from the commandos. Neither would admit it, but they had found the right partner. ‘May your dreams be merry and bright.’
The only thing that could make this moment even more perfect was if Junior Juniper came rushing by with his mistletoe. But sadly he dropped it in the mud. The mud was getting pretty bad under all their dancing, Peggy was glad that she decided to wear her normal boots and not her pumps like all the other ladies had done. Mud had started to gather at the hem of her dress but she didn’t notice it as she only had eyes for him.
----
‘And may all your Christmases be white.’ The music swelled before finally coming to an end. The two dancers reluctantly let go of each other. Finally looking away from one another and returning to the real world. Their surroundings came back into focus, as the feeling of closeness they had created quickly faded to the back of their minds.
Slowly, taking their time to adjust to the crowd of people around them they return to their group. It had not gone unnoticed by the Howling comendos that the two had gone of to dance together. Bucky even greeted them with the sound of a whistles and pated his best friend of the back. They both blushed, still cooling off from being so close together.
----
That night they both remembered how they danced in eachothers arms. Remembering perfectly how they fit together and swayed. They both dreamed of a white Christmas where nether was shy to reach out and kiss.
La Fin.