"Definitely," Bucky said. "Though I have to admit, there's not a lot that can transfer over to metal. It's stubborn about being worked sometimes."

Interest sparked in her eyes. "Metalworking, huh? I've never tried that before. Heard it takes patience and swearing and burned fingers half the time."

"All of the above, yeah," Bucky agreed, grinning easily. "Probably more than half the time, depending on the metal and the project."

Rea laughed. "Sounds about right. I've had more bumps and bruises and cuts over the years."

"The curse of being a crafter," Bucky said, sighing dramatically.

Rea laughed. "Yeah, but it's worth it when you finish a project and it turns out," she said with an easy grin. "I'm sure you know that feeling."

"Oh yes," Bucky said, nodding. "Definitely."

Rea grinned and watched her friends for a bit longer, still nursing her drink.

"So I have a kind of personal question that you don't have to answer and is hopefully, probably not offensive."

Bucky raised an eyebrow.

"Sounds like an interesting question," he said. "Shoot."

"Have you been in the military?" She watched him as she asked. She could see it in the way he stood, mostly. The physique didn't hurt either, although a lot of people looked that good without being military.

Bucky seriously considered not answering.

"Two tours in the Middle East," he admitted finally. "Am I that obvious?"

"No, actually. My dad was in the military. Reserves. During the Cold War." Rea grinned briefly. "He always stood the same way. Had the same kind of look in crowded areas, too."

Bucky nodded a bit. Yeah, he kind of got that; he could always tell when someone else had served, too.

"Yeah, well, I'm home now," he said, taking a gulp of his beer.

"Good," Rea said. "Much better to be home. Besides, I couldn't flirt with you properly if you were on another continent." She shot him a grin.

Bucky grinned back.

"All the better, then," he said. "I always enjoy chatting with a lovely woman."

Rea grinned at that. "Well then, guess it's your lucky night," she quipped.

"Guess so," Bucky replied. "I seem to be a lucky kind of guy right now." He grinned easily.

Rea chuckled quietly and settled in there, glancing at her friends. Yeah, they were fine.

"Okay, that doesn't look comfortable," she said, watching as a few more people joined the thrumming crowd of dancers.

"It's not," Bucky said, looking where she was. "But it can be fun, when it leads to other things." He grinned flirtatiously at her.

Rea laughed quietly. "Yes, I suppose so," she agreed, grinning back at him. "Although I do prefer some talking first."

"I think I can manage that," Bucky replied. Hey, at least she was more fun than most of the other girls he'd flirted with in the past. She was actually clever and articulate, he appreciated that.

"Heaven forbid you actually have to talk," Rea teased with a grin. "I know, I ask the most difficult things of people."

"I'm good at talking," Bucky said, "I promise. I'm no wallflower, after all."

"No, you've got far too many muscles for a wallflower," Rea said, eyeing him appreciatively. "Actually even if you tried to be a wallflower, I don't think you'd be allowed, there would be too many people trying to talk to you."

Bucky snorted.

"Glad to know my gym time is appreciated," he said. "I'm sure the weights will be pleased to know that their affect on my muscles is appreciated."