You stood there for a while. Your jaw hanging wide open in shock. Your eyes were burning, you couldn't even blink. You felt like your whole world just came crashing down by them two words.

"Say something Daisy" Steve mumbled out sheepishly. You could see his eyes flickering up at you, searching for your emotions. Waiting for a reaction, a response. But you didn't know what to say. You were proud of him for Enlisting, it was definitely something he always talked about. You just, you thought you had more time, and why didn't he mention any of it to you? Why didn't he tell you that he had enrolled or that he was actually doing it?

"Goodnight Steve" Is all you manage to reply back. You blink a couple times, the whites of your eyes turning bloodshot from staring too long. Your hand finds your door handle and you manage to push the door open and close it behind you. Not daring to look back at Steve.

Guilt washed over you with how you handled the situation but you honestly didn't know what to say. For the last twenty years of your life, since he become your neighbour at the age of six, it was always Steve and you. You and Steve.

"Petal, everything okay?" Your fathers husky voice calls out to you, bringing you back to reality from the thoughts you were having. You couldn't remember the last time he ever called you by your actual name. You were always his petal. You led yourself down the hall and into the main room where you find your father sitting in his dark green recliner in front of the log fire. Sipping away on what looks to be whisky.

"I'm fine dad, I was at the fair with Steve..."

"Ah good old Steve, what would you do without him, petal?" Your dad says in a kind but stern manner. He clearly didn't realise you were on the verge of tears, his words only making your lip wobble.

"I Uh, I don't know what I would do...night dad" You run yourself upstairs and close the door behind you. Sinking to the floor and letting the tears run. Your father had requested you live with him until you find a suitable partner for marriage, although you were far more interested in singing and songwriting than finding said partner. Besides, you liked being able to keep an eye on your father. The First World War had taken something out of him that you could never replace, no matter how hard you tried. He lost himself. Like a part of him never returned back with him. What if the same thing happened to your Steve? What if... you had to try and get out of your head.

You crawled into your bed and let sleep consume you. Your eyes were heavy and your heart ached.

The next morning was Sunday.

You were up at the crack of dawn, like your body clock knew it was Sunday. You rolled out of bed looking down at the watch on your nightstand 5:49am, you slipped it on your wrist before getting dressed for the day.

You made your way into the kitchen and began the task at hand. When Steve's mother died eight years ago it was a massive devastation to the neighbourhood and Steve was destroyed. He cherished the ground she walked on. And she adored him all the same, but you use to go over there a lot as a child and you always remembered the blueberry muffins she use to make, a fresh batch piping hot every Sunday morning. And every Sunday since for the past eight years, you had whipped up a batch of muffins and brought them next door to Steve for you to eat breakfast together. The first time you did it, Steve cried. Sobbed really, as he held the warm gooey muffin bursting with blueberries in his hand. You felt awful but he consoled you. Told you he was crying with happiness at your thoughtful gesture. He looked at you with such sincerity that you never had the heart to stop. So you never did.

As you carried the muffins over to Steve's house. You took a deep breath as you approached his front porch steps. You reached for the spare key that was hidden under the plant pot next to the door.

As you stepped inside you saw Steve sitting there. Lost in thought. As if he hadn't even noticed you, you placed the muffin in front of him and sat opposite with yours.

You watched as Steve blinked a few times before looking up at you, giving you a weak smile "You came" He says almost unsurely. Bouncing his vision between you and the muffin on his plate.

"Why wouldn't I come Steve? It's tradition, you know that" You say back carefully. You loathed yourself in that moment. For making Steve feel so belittled and insecure last night after he opened up to you.

"Sorry for the way I reacted last night, it was just, Steve look, I'm proud of you, and you know that, I just, I..." You were trying to find the right words. How could you tell him that you were completely and utterly besotted with him? That the thought of him leaving made you Feel physically sick?

"You don't think I can do it" Steve sighs.

Your eyes immediately widen to his response and you reach for his hand. Taking it tightly.

"No! That's not what the reason is at all! I have all the faith in the world that you would be the best God damn soldier there is! Want to know why?" You rambled fast. Almost becoming breathless. You would do anything or say anything in that moment to make him believe how wonderful you thought he was. Steve nods a little. Still unsure with himself.

"You may be small Steve, but your hearts bigger than anyone else's, you have courage and commitment, you have dedication and compassion, that's what it takes. And that's what you have" You give his hand another squeeze and you can see his cheeks flush a light shade of pink. Making yours flush too.

"You think so?" Steve squeaks out.

"I know so. Now eat the muffin before it goes cold!" You scowl slightly and he laughs before you both tuck into the muffin.

"I was wondering if you would come with me, to get my uniform and help with the application?" Steve asks you carefully. Trying not to show the worry and concern spreading across his face the more he thought about it, it wasn't the battle or the fighting or the training that worried him. It was leaving you.

You nod a little as you swallow a chunk of muffin. "Of course I will" You try to flash him your best smile but the tension filled the room quickly deflating the mood again.

"You know, just because I'm enlisting, doesn't mean I'll be heading off anywhere yet, there's training still to do and there's all kinds of..."

You could see he was starting to second guess everything. But you knew this was what he has always wanted. You couldn't let your friendship stand in the way of his dream.

"Steve, I know, I know, it's okay, you don't have to worry about me. You're the one joining the war, it's my job to worry about you" You raise your eyebrows at him. Giving him the listen to me because you know I'm right look. Steve nods and continues eating his muffin. Once you've both finished you lock up Steve's house and head into town to get Steve signed up.

As you approach the building you can see Steve's face turn a slightly paler shade.

"She'd be proud of you Steve, you know that, don't you?" You ask him gently.

Steve looks up at you, his eyes softening into yours. The way he looked at you instantly filled your stomach with butterflies. No matter how hard you tried to shut them out. You watch as Steve enters the building. Joining a queue of other men. Some were built like a brick house. Tall and broad with rippling muscles and defined abs. Others were average, standard height and standard build. Steve was the one who stuck out like a sore thumb. You always wondered if it bothered him, his size. He never showed it if it did. Even if Bucky teases him for it constantly. Which drove you mad.

He stumbles out of the building about 15 minutes later, you're still stood outside. Waiting right where you said you'd be.

"I did it, I got the paperwork" He beams. His courage now back and the excitement in his voice more apparent than ever.

"Then let's get started, Captain" You tease.