Chocolates
10pm.
The alley was almost pitch dark - if it hadn't been for the street lamps. Although he had walked in better lit places, considering he was in New York. The bar was closed. Well, not physically, but clients were not welcomed anymore and Bucky hesitated for a second, his hand hovering near the door before pushing it and entering.
Leah was busy behind the counter and she didn't hear him. She almost jumped when she noticed his presence.
"What are you doing here?" she said frowning. She then calm herself. "I'm sorry, we're already closed."
"I know. I just-"
He shifted nervously on his feet and avoided her gaze. She frowned again, but this time, out of concern. She leaned on the counter.
"Everything's OK?"
He took a deep breath and looked at her in the eyes.
"I want to apologise for yesterday. It was really rude of me, leaving you like that."
Leah offered him a smile and stood up. She resumed drying her last mugs of the day and putting them away in the shelves, perfectly aligned.
"Don't worry about that" she said over his shoulder - but Bucky was serious.
He reached out for something inside his leather jacket and put it on the counter. The woman burst out laughing when she saw it.
"Chocolates? Really? That's so..."
She struggled to find a word to describe it. Bucky looked dismayed.
"So old-school" she finished gently. "And cute, too."
The man seemed to relax. He put his hands inside his jacket's pockets and looked around - specifically, out of the window - and Leah looked at him. Bucky seemed to understand he had no reason to stay any longer yet tried to and Leah felt the need to give him an excuse to do just that - staying a bit longer.
"All right," she said, slapping her hand on the counter, thus catching his attention. "Help me do the cleaning and you'll get a beer."
He smiled shyly. She liked his smile - it was kind of cute how he looked so big even threatening at times and yet was so shy and could quickly get embarrassed.
While she wiped the tables, Bucky put the chairs upside down on them. They swept the floor together and then he took out the trash in the back alley. When he came back, they settled on a corner of the counter. Leah took out two beers and pointed at the chocolate box.
"Can we eat them now?"
Bucky shifted on the stool.
"I don't know? I guess...?"
She looked at him with a mocking smile.
"It seems you're just doing whatever you once saw in a rom-com."
"What makes you think it's just an impression?" he replied, down serious.
They looked at each other before crackling up. They ate the chocolates, smiling at each other. They weren't bad. Silence settled between them as they started drinking but it wasn't uncomfortable. Then, Leah bit his lips and she sat up.
"Look, er, about yesterday."
She tried to meet his eyes but he was decidedly staring at his bottle. She sighed and decided to keep going.
"First, you have to know I'm not mad at you. But also... Damn, I really don't know how to say this. Okay, here it goes: I know you're hiding a lot of stuff from me."
Before he could respond, she added quickly:
"And that 100% your right. But I want you to know that you don't need to lie to me. If my questions are too intimate or anything like that, like, if you're uncomfortable because of what I say, just tell me. I respect your decision to not answer my questions when you don't want to. I just don't want you to feel like you need to lie to me. You know, to keep up the appearance and stuff. Does that sound good to you?"
Bucky slowly raised his head to look at her. She was waiting for his answer with nervousness. His hand tightened on the bottle. Right now, he wished he would tell her everything. His whole life's story. Instead he nodded.
"Thank you" he said, in a hoarse voice.
She smiled with kindness. They continued drinking.
"At least, I know you didn't leave because you're a sore looser."
He nearly choked on his drink.
"I'll have you know I was actually about to win but I didn't want you to feel bad."
She raised an eyebrow.
"With half a ship left?"
"Yes."
She chuckled. He liked the way it sounded. They finished their beer. They didn't eat all the chocolates so Leah put the box in her purse. They walked together until they reached Bucky's alley. They stood there, not really trying to go their own way.
"So, um" said Bucky.
He was tucking on his glove - which gave away his nervousness.
"Would you mind if we, er... If we met another night so I can show you I can totally win?"
Her smile broadened.
"You know what? I'd like to see you try."
Her answer warmed his heart.
"See you then, mister."
"M'lady" he replied.
They parted but he could still hear her laugh for a few more seconds.
***
"Sam, dinner is almost ready!"
"Okay, thanks. I'm coming!"
Sam put down his towel on his bed and grabbed his shirt. His eyes fell on his phone. The TV screen was on his back and although it was turned off, he could physically sensed it. Even hear it. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw that man, that new Captain America He really wished that, just for once, he would get an answer to his texts...
Sarah called him again and Sam responded. He walked towards the door but as he was about to leave his bedroom, his phone buzzed. His heartbeat suddenly increased. He unlocked his screen nervously.
Bucky says:
You shouldn't have given them the shield.
It's yours.