Chapter 2
Bucky had walked alongside Angie for a few minutes, glancing over at her to notice a look of victory and determination on her face. He cleared his throat and folded his arms as he took a second before he finally braved himself to ask her the question burning his mind. “Where are you taking me, Angie?” He asked her with a curious yet slightly nervous look.
“Now now, you don’t need to be looking all nervous,” she gave him a grin and put a hand on his arm, hoping to ease his nerves just a little. “I’m just changing a few things up. If I’m right, you’ve got at least an hour before you have to go to work. Do you ever take a day off?”
Bucky looked at her and shrugged. “I mean… there’s no reason to, is there?” he asked her with a sad smile.
Angie exhaled slowly as she nodded, her hand dropping from Bucky’s arm. “Right…” She responded after a moment as she looked down before back up. “Ah, here we are,” she changed her facial features into an excited grin as she looked at him.
“The pier?” Bucky asked as Angie turned around with a tilt of her head.
“Absolutely the pier,” Angie nodded as she grabbed his arm and tugged it slightly. “Come on,” she urged as she sat down on the edge, legs hanging over the edge above the water as she leaned forward slightly as she watched the water shift, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you drown,” she said as she pat the spot next to her.
Bucky shook his head and chuckled as he sat down next to her, “Why did you bring me here?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“What exactly have you done for fun, Bucky?” she asked him with a slight tilt of her head and her lips curled into a slightly downward curious look. “Because I’ve been seeing the same longing look for two weeks,” she told him, “and I take it you don’t have a lot to look forward to.”
Bucky glanced over at her and shook his head, “Angie, I appreciate your concern but it’s not your business. And unfortunately, even if it was, there isn’t much you could do.” He let out a slow exhale as he glanced over the water and saw the boats starting their morning runs. “Being in a war… it changes you.” He hesitated with his words. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing and worry Angie anymore than she already was.
“God, I’m sorry,” Angie shook her head and let out a breath before offering him a small smile. “Hey, how would you like to go dancing on Friday? It may change things up but I’d really like to go with you.”
Bucky chuckled slightly, “I appreciate the offer but I think I’ll stay home,” he told her. After the war, being somewhere too loud or hectic would be too much for him to handle mentally. He let out a breath and looked at Angie with a curious look. “Why the pier? You wanted to get me out, change up my routine. Why?”
“Bucky, you’ve been my regular for two weeks,” she told him. “And truth be told, you’re the first soldier I’ve seen who doesn’t have a line of women to brag about his adventures to. Most of them take the fame to take a different girl home every night.” She offered him a compassionate look. “You’re the first one I’ve seen who actually saw the war as a negative.”
Bucky shook his head, “That’s because it is a negative, Angie. A lot of men lost their lives. Mothers lost their sons, young wives lost their husbands.” He gave her a solemn expression. “I would give my own life so at least one of those young women could have her husband back.”
Angie sighed and put a hand on his. “Well, there goes my plan for cheering you up,” she gave a forced laugh and shook her head. “Maybe you’ve got a chance to start your own family,” she tried with an encouraging smile. “You can’t control who lives and dies, Bucky,” she reminded him. “You can only live your life like it counts.”
Bucky sighed. “I guess you’re right,” he nodded as he reached up to touch the dog tags that he left around his neck. It was hard enough to take them off and he opted to wear them at all times. His reminder of being a part of the war. The greater good, right?
Angie smiled a bit, pulling her hand into her lap. “Alright, so it’s a pass on the dancing. What about apple cider? It’s starting to get that time of year. Plus, I know a place that makes some of the best cider. If you’re interested?” She looked at him, a bit hopeful
He looked over at her, chuckling as he shook his head. “It won’t be too busy, will it?” he asked her as he glanced over the water and blew out a breath. “Angie, why do you want me to go out so much anyway?”
Angie gave him a reassuring nod. “They usually don’t have a whole lot of people on Friday nights. Everyone wants to go dancing then. Besides, I want you to have a little bit of fun again. I want to see a smile on your face and I want to see you enjoy life.” She shrugged.
Bucky shook his head. “Now, Angie…” he folded his arms and laughed a little before he looked at her and offered a gentle smile. “I’ll gladly take you to get cider,” he decided with a slight smile. “But not too late though, alright? I like to stick to a strict bedtime.”
Angie gave a victorious smile and looked back over the water. “So, what time do you want to go then?” She asked with a slight smile as her eyes glanced over at him, yet she still looked focused on the water. “Friday night at seven?” she suggested and turned her attention from the water to him.
Bucky hesitated as he considered her suggestion before turning his attention to the water before nodding. “Yeah, that sounds good. When I come into the diner in the morning, you can give me your address then?” he asked her with a tight smile.
“That sounds like a great plan. How much longer until you’ve got to go to work?” she asked as she smiled at the water.
Bucky glanced at his watch and let out a breath before looking up at her. “I should probably leave now,” he told her as he scooted back before standing up and offering a hand. “But I’ll see you tomorrow,” he promised.
Angie took his hand and stood up with a small smile. “Of course,” she agreed with a nod. “I’ll keep your booth open for you,” she said.
Bucky smiled a little. “Sounds like a plan,” he replied with a nod. After the war ending and him sticking to a strict routine, he was a little scared to break the routine that felt normal to him. However, coming here with someone he was comfortable with? It felt normal. He looked down at their hands before dropping his and smiled up at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said simply as Angie smiled back, leading him off the pier.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she confirmed with a nod. She hesitated a moment before putting a hand on his shoulder and stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. She offered him a small smile before she turned to leave to where Bucky assumed would be her home. He let out a breath and touched his cheek delicately before heading to the construction site to begin his work day.