Chapter 8
Steve sighed when Bucky hung up the phone. Although it was a mistake, he was really glad Bucky had called him. He expected it to be awkward when he offered to talk, not wanting to push this almost stranger into talking about things that clearly made him uncomfortable. Instead, they had joked and laughed all night, watching cheesy comedies. It felt easy. Steve knew he was so far gone on the man, despite not really knowing him. He honestly couldn't wait until their private session tonight. He wanted to be the reason to make Bucky laugh. He groaned. Maybe he should stop watching so many damn romance films. He was starting to sound like a sap.
He pulled himself out of bed, figuring he could go to the coffee shop early and help Peggy set up. He also needed to talk to her about his Bucky problem. He staggered to the bathroom and turned the shower on, holding his hand under the spray until it was hot. It didn’t take him long to get washed and dressed, combing his hair in it’s usual side parting. Peggy goes on and on about his hair, telling him to style it a different way, saying the flat side parting makes him look like he’s from a decade almost a hundred years before his time. Everytime she mentions it, he pointedly looks at her vintage clothing and 40’s curls. That’s probably why they’re such good friends. Neither of them act like they were born in the right time.
He arrives at work twenty minutes later, wrapped up tightly in his thick coat and scarf. He was well aware he looked ridiculous, almost as wide as he was tall, but it was cold. There was no way he’d sacrifice his health for something as stupid as the way he looked. Even if Bucky was there. Steve scolded himself for thinking that Bucky would care about the way he looked. Nothing the other man had done suggested he was interested in Steve, especially not in the way that looks even mattered. He sighed. Now was not the time for self pity. He had a shop to run. He looked through the window and saw Peggy wiping down the counter, checking the cups were stocked up and the coffee machines were on. He was so glad he wasn’t opening on his own this morning. He felt slightly off, probably because he had very little sleep the night before. He knew the lack of sleep would eventually make his health deteriorate quicker. He needed to be well rested to fight off the plethora of diseases that invaded his body every winter. But he wouldn’t trade the night talking to Bucky for anything. Not even perfect health.
He opened the shop door, hearing the bell as he pushed it open. He approached the counter, grinning widely at Peggy as she handed him a freshly brewed cup of coffee. She’d used their new winter roast, and it was perfect. Black with one sugar, exactly how he liked it. He generally enjoyed the fussier coffees, like lattes with syrups, but nothing beat a plain drip coffee in the morning. He gulped it down gratefully, his eyes closing of their own accord. When he opened them, Peggy was looking at him with concern. He dreaded to think what he looked like after no sleep, but he still raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Did you sleep at all last night, Steve?” she asked exasperatedly, raising her own cup to her red lips. She always drank tea, something she got relentlessly teased for by Steve, but she refused to let go of her British traditions. Plus, she hated the taste of coffee.
Steve rolled his eyes, “of course I did, I would look a lot worse if I didn’t, trust me. I just got a little less sleep than normal.” he ducked his head and took another sip of his coffee.
“May I ask why?” Peggy reached over and tugged at his scarf. Steve took the hint and discarded his coat, scarf and hat. He pushed his glasses back up his nose, making Peggy tut when he smeared fingerprints all over the lenses, “it’s a wonder you can see anything, honestly Stevie.”
Steve blushed at the nickname. “I can see a damn sight better with dirty glasses than with none at all, Pegs. And as for my lack of sleep, I got a phone call last night.” he swallowed, “from Bucky.”
The effect was instantaneous (and also hilarious). If Peggy had anything in her mouth, it would’ve been a spectacular spit take. As it was, she choked slightly on air, inhaling sharply. A wide grin stretched over her face. “Bucky? As in that charming piece of arse we met at the art class? Natasha’s friend Bucky?” Peggy looked positively thrilled as Steve’s blush darkened. “Oh darling this is fantastic news! Did you stay up all night whispering sweet nothings to each other in the dark?” Peggy’s smile turned devilish, “or was it more tasteless than that?” At Steve’s outraged expression, she smirked, “Lord knows you need some Steve, don’t take that tone of face with me.”
Steve sputtered indignantly, “he phoned me by mistake, after what I assume was a nightmare, and we watched a movie and chatted. Nothing else!” at the mention of Bucky’s nightmare, Peggy’s face softened. She knew how difficult nightmares were for Steve, and hearing their new friend was going through the same sort of thing hurt her more than she would admit. It was clearly affecting Steve, if the way he was staring at the dregs of his coffee was any indication.
“Steve, honey, you know I was joking. But you can’t deny you want some. I mean, you’d have to be blind not to find him attractive. Hell, I’m gay and I’d still want a go on that ride!”
Peggy’s attempts at cheering Steve up worked, his small smile stretching as he laughed at her enthusiasm, “Sorry Pegs, that man is completely gay.” Steve sighed again, “I do want him, but I also want to get to know him and have cuddles while we watch shitty tv on my couch and spend time with him. Going on dates and stuff. I really like him, Peg.” He looked up at Peggy with sad eyes. She was grinning softly at him, recognising the look in his face.
“Steve, if you like him, please tell him. It’d be hard to resist you. Look at yourself. He’d be stupid to deny his own feelings. You didn’t see the way he kept looking at you last week. I mean, I think you were the only one who didn’t see it. It was fairly obvious to the whole class. Almost as obvious as the way you were looking at him.” At Steve’s panicked look, she was quick to backtrack, “he didn’t notice either. I swear, you two are made for each other, oblivious idiots that you are.”
Steve didn’t know whether to be offended or grateful in that moment. He still wasn’t sure he wanted to tell Bucky how he felt. After all, he barely knew the man. They’d met a handful of times and spoken once on the phone. Surely that wasn’t enough to develop feelings this strong? On the other hand, it felt like he’d known Bucky all his life. The only other person he’d ever felt this comfortable with so soon was the woman standing opposite him. Steve would be forever grateful for Peggy Carter, but she was a pain in the ass sometimes. Especially when she was right.
Steve glanced up at the clock and swore loudly, making Peggy jump. It was half six already. They should’ve opened half an hour ago, and nothing was prepped. Peggy followed his line of sight and swore even louder, using a lot more colourful language than Steve. He was pretty sure most of the words were obscure British curse words, as he’d never heard them before.
As they rushed around getting everything prepared, Steve took a moment to be grateful Peggy owned the coffee shop. It meant they couldn’t really get into trouble, unless Angie came in. She was Peggy’s wife and co owner of the coffee shop. She was also twice as scary as Peggy, not that Steve would say it to either of them, in case he got shot. He busied himself with putting the pastries on the trays and watched the clock, waiting for the evening when he would see Bucky again.