By the time Luke and Bucky stepped out of Rogers' house, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting the city of New York in the warm afterglow of dusk. The golden light shimmered across the glassy surfaces of surrounding skyscrapers, giving the skyline a mottled, gilded appearance.
"Don't be so reckless next time. Luke and I can't always show up in time," Bucky said, slinging an arm over Rogers' shoulder in a show of brotherly affection. The slender young man remained silent, visibly awkward. Though the injuries on his face weren't too severe, after some cleaning, only faint bruises remained.
The three of them—Rogers, Bucky, and Luke—were dressed in fresh clothes, strolling through Brooklyn as they prepared to attend Stark Industries' Tomorrowland Expo. The outing also served as a chance to give Bucky some social practice.
"I want to join the 107th Infantry Division—same as where my father served," Rogers muttered, frowning. He still hadn't given up hope of enlisting.
At the time, fueled by patriotic fervor and widespread propaganda, most young men were eager to enlist, go to the front lines, and earn medals symbolizing glory. Rogers and Bucky were no exception. But while Bucky was strong and fit, Rogers was frail, weighing under a hundred pounds and suffering from mild asthma. Forget joining the army—he couldn't even run a few kilometers without collapsing in exhaustion.
No matter how many times Rogers changed his identity or forged documents to reapply at different recruitment centers, he was always rejected. His medical evaluation remained a disqualifying 4F rating—completely unfit for service.
"There's always a chance," said Luke, walking behind them with his hands in his pockets and a calm smile on his face.
Privately, he was pondering how to obtain the super soldier serum. Years of consistent physical training had pushed his internal progress bar to 99%. He was just one step away from activating it. Something told him he'd need a powerful external catalyst to hit 100%.
Right now, the super soldier serum seemed like the most accessible and reliable method. As someone with foreknowledge of this world's timeline, Luke knew that tonight marked a pivotal turning point in Steve Rogers' life.
The frail young man would soon meet Dr. Abraham Erskine, the German scientist who had defected to the Allies and created the serum. Touched by Steve's earnest words and resolute character, Erskine would offer him the chance to enlist—an opportunity that would change everything.
"Should I get involved?" Luke mused silently.
If possible, he'd prefer to grow in power quietly and avoid joining the army. After all, battlefields are rife with danger. Even under the wings of Captain America and the Winter Soldier, safety wasn't guaranteed. But without his "plug-in"—his metaphorical cheat code—activating, Luke was left with few choices. He had to take a risk.
Back in his previous life, many believed they were unshakable pillars, secure in their comfort zones. But for the possibility of gaining a real advantage, Luke was willing to take a calculated gamble.
As he walked in thought, Luke followed Bucky and Rogers into a corner tavern. They ordered a few beers and some snacks, chatting idly as they waited for the next day's grand World Expo hosted by Stark Industries.
Rogers remained somber, clearly still hung up on his inability to enlist. Bucky, meanwhile, was animated, daydreaming aloud about crushing the Nazis and basking in victory with the Allies.
"Let's go! I've set you up with a beautiful girl!" Bucky suddenly announced, checking his watch and pulling Rogers out of the bar.
The streets were enveloped in darkness, save for the vibrant lights of Tomorrowland. With World War II in full swing, the U.S., like many countries, had implemented citywide blackouts to conserve energy. Neon signs and billboards were turned off at night, and power was redirected to military bases and government facilities.
Even New York City wasn't spared—except tonight.
Thanks to Stark Industries' Tomorrowland Expo, military authorities had allowed a temporary easing of restrictions. Otherwise, New Yorkers would have missed the rare treat of dazzling neon lights brightening the night.
"It's so lively," Bucky exclaimed with excitement.
The expo venue was buzzing with people. Fireworks lit the sky, and the scent of food mingled with perfume in the air. Couples huddled close, whispering and laughing, the atmosphere thick with youthful energy and hormones.
Underneath a massive metallic globe, Luke and his friends stood, watching the crowd while waiting for the girls Bucky had arranged.
Soon, three young women approached, full of energy and charm. They wore brightly colored cotton dresses and low heels, their demeanor both warm and bashful.
"Girls, meet my friends," Bucky said with a proud wave, gesturing toward Luke and Rogers.
The young women ignored the scrawny Rogers and immediately fixed their attention on Luke.
At this point in time, Steve Rogers was not yet Captain America. He wasn't the brawny national icon with the sculpted chest and "America's ass" nickname. Naturally, he couldn't compete for attention.
Luke, on the other hand, stood out with his clean-cut black hair and cool, handsome features. His appearance alone stirred admiration and interest from the girls.
"Don't be so serious, Rogers. You've gotta learn to enjoy life!" Bucky chuckled, draping his arm around his friend's shoulders and giving him a nudge.
Luke found himself at the center of attention, surrounded by giggling girls who chatted endlessly about trivial things. As they wandered through the expo, passing smaller exhibits and crossing through the bustling square, Luke quietly wished he could switch places with Rogers—snacking on popcorn and enjoying some solitude.
As if sensing his thoughts, Rogers gave Luke a sly grin while tossing a few kernels of popcorn into his mouth, clearly amused.
Just as Luke was getting used to the attention, the girls on either side of him suddenly squealed in excitement and darted toward one of the main stages in an exhibit hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Howard Stark!" the announcer's voice rang out.
The curtain lifted.
A group of stunning women in form-fitting vests and sleek tuxedos strutted on stage alongside a gleaming red car.
Then emerged Howard Stark himself—moustached, confident, and charismatic.
Applause erupted throughout the hall.
Howard Stark was the young billionaire of the era. A prodigious inventor with movie-star looks and a long list of romantic escapades, his scandals were the stuff of legend.
True to form, Howard didn't greet the audience right away. Instead, he walked up to one of the women onstage and gave her a deep, theatrical kiss, flashing his signature dazzling smile.
Luke watched from below, giving a silent thumbs-up.
As the future father of Iron Man, Howard's charm was undeniable. Thinking about Tony Stark—who once boasted of sleeping with every cover model of a particular magazine brand within a year—Luke couldn't help but smile. Clearly, flamboyance and charisma ran strong in the Stark bloodline.