𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣
𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚

𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩
𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

THE DAY WAS POSTCARD PERFECT. It was the promise of winter lifting, the end of grey bitter days. Ahead yawned the spring, blossoms and blooms. Bucky smiled, so spring had arrived and for once it wasn't with a deluge of rain.

He pushed his hat lower before crossing the busy street. The daily market near his apartment was busy and booming with people With the crowds of people Bucky couldn't help the quick pace of his heart and his shallow breathing. He carried on, but his body was tense now. Nevertheless, he kept going. One step... Two steps.

As his therapist said, 'one step at a time.'

Bucky decided to take that saying in a literal sense. However, as he marched down the street attempting to ignore his surroundings, he couldn't help but take notice of her.

She was in a work uniform dress that looked like something straight from a 40's diner. It was so light that it flowed with even the slightest breeze. Bucky's steps faltered when he caught sight of her. She had a little purse swinging off her shoulder. But she was also carrying a paper bag with baked goods and fruit she'd just bought from various stalls.

Out of habit, he once again pulled his hat down. It had become a nervous tick of his. He was constantly scared that people would recognize him. Despite his name being cleared by the government, most people still viewed Bucky as a criminal. A threat to society.

The girl continued walking. She seemed like something he had dreamed about. It was like he had gone back in time, as though it were the 1940's. Just maybe he would have met her in a bar one night. Just maybe he would have made a flirty comment about how her eyes shine like diamonds and that the two of them were meant to be together. Just maybe he would have made her laugh. Then he'd let her know that he thought she was beautiful. Just maybe he would ask her out on a date. Just maybe they would fall in love, get married, and start a family. Then slowly but surely, her love would get rid of all the darkness that entered him when he saw all the things he did during the war.

But that wasn't an option anymore.

Bucky had missed his chance at that life. Anything close to a happy ending for Bucky Barnes was ripped away from him as soon as he became HYDRA's experiment. A weapon. A murderer. He wasn't like Steve... Bucky had missed his chance. And so, he walked on.

...

The aroma of the coffee is part of the rhythm of the day, another anchor in routine that soothes and gives a sense of normality and predictability to Bucky Barnes.

The next morning, he had found a small diner on his way back from the market. However, he would have to admit he stood outside of the small building before deciding to go inside.

'One step at a time, James.'

It was so early and the machines were yet to warm, so he pondered this chance to rest a moment longer, to drink in the aroma of the cafe.

Josie Fitzgerald walked into the small cafe on Lawrence Street with her hands gripping and ungripping the small bag that hung over her shoulder.

Once she had walked over to the desk in front of the kitchen, she gave Margaret a smile and reached for the apron the older waitress was already handing over.

"You need to stop coming in early, young lady." Margaret spoke softly while grinning, looking up and down at the small girl in front of her. All Josie did was smile sweetly.

"It's only fifteen minutes," She informed. "And... It's fifteen minutes more of you." The girl spoke as she smiled, grabbing her pen and docket.

"Of course, that's why you come in early." Margaret raised her brows in question.

Josie wasn't looking her best. Her hair was coming down, as she had dispersed of her hairpins as she ran around the café, and her face lacked powder and lipstick. She looked hot and tired and surprisingly happy. However, as she made her way over to the quiet man in the corner, Bucky Barnes thought that he had never seen anyone quite as beautiful. So absolutely necessary to his happiness in that moment. It was her.

"Hello." She smiled, quickly patting down her uniform. "What can I get for you this fine morning?"

The woman watched as Buckys throat bobbed, anxiety written over his face. "Pancakes?"

Bucky couldn't help but analyse the woman as she stood before him. The barista had tired eyes, yet there is that glimmer, a give away of her good heart.

"Blueberry alright for you?" She spoke after a moment, causing Bucky to lift his gaze back to her. His brain stuttered for a moment and her eyes took in more light than he expected, every part of him went on pause while his thoughts caught up.

"Ye-Yes, please."

Josie grinned, before making her way into he kitchen to deliver the order. However, before she made it she moved to the cassette that was resting beside the cash register. Bucky watched her move to the music filling the cafe, crackling somewhat from the old cassette recorder. For the most part that ancient music machine was her only audience, watching her with those two dusty black eyes. As she turned her eyes caught him sitting there, him less adept at hiding in the shadows. He dropped his eyes momentarily before looking once again after a few minutes, his head tilted to one side and a smile playing on his lips as the young woman entered the kitchen.

Bucky's breathing became softer as he gazed around the diner, noticing there was only one other person present. An elderly man reading the paper, munching on what seemed to be Blueberry pie. Bucky's pensive look melted into a smile as soft as the morning light. His body squirmed just a little as his muscles relaxed in the comfortable environment.

Suddenly, his attention was brought back to the young waitress who was carrying his stack of pancakes.

"Here you go..." She said, lowering the plate to the table. "Best pancakes in Brooklyn."

Bucky laughed unexpectedly, and he knew that he was feeling that tiny bit better with the girls kindness, "We'll just have to wait and see."

Bucky could see a spark glow a little brighter in her eyes at his comment, her face more relaxed, a smidge more joy in her eyes due to the fact he entertained her comment.

Josie kept her gaze on him. However, staring isn't quite the word for what she was doing. Her eyes rested, not unblinking but slowed; yet the effect was soft and inviting instead of harsh. Perhaps it was her lips that give away her intention, not quite smiling but tilting as if they mean to.

They stared back at each other for what seemed like hours until she finally dropped her gaze, "Are you knew in town? I haven't seen you here before." Her voice was quieter now.

The words spilled from her mouth in an unstoppable manner, which she immediately regretted. "Sorry. You don't-You shouldn't have to answer that."

Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, but there was an excitement in her voice that Bucky knew would be hard to forget.

All he did was shake his head with a small smile.

'One step at a time.'

"It's okay. I just moved back." He bobbed his head awkwardly. "I'm James. My friend's call me Bucky though." His voice was quieter now, less sure. He looked back up at her; a gentle flush of pink had arisen in his cheeks that made him look vulnerable.

Josie slid her hand into her pocket, teeth softly biting into her lower lip. Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. She grinned, looking towards her feet as she whispered his name. "It's a pleasure... Bucky. It's ok that I call you that, right?"

The man in front of her hung on her every word. With an effort he glanced down at the table. "Yeah. Anyone who serves me pancakes can call me Bucky." He grinned, before shaking his head gently and blushing profusely. He could feel the heat growing in his cheeks. By now they must be beyond an attractive rosiness. They must be marking him out as a social incompetent. Bucky felt as if all his insecurities were written large across his face and there was nowhere to hide. As his anxieties mounted they became a circle, like a song stuck on repeat.

She didn't know why she found herself laughing, but all of the sudden, she couldn't stop. Maybe it was just the overflow of immense happiness she felt in that moment. Her breath came in quick gasps between her unstopable giggles. "I'll be sure to keep serving you pancakes then." Her voice was quieter now.

Casting her eyes to the side, Bucky could see the shape of her face like a silhouette. It gracefully moved up and over her cheek bones then slanted sharply at her mouth. Being sun kissed only gave her an extremely ethereal quality that glowed out of her near translucent skin.

A smile flashed across her face from beneath reems of hair. It created slight dimples and creases that moved her freckles. "You have a good day, alright."

"You too, Miss." Bucky's heart was thumping. Pounding, considering whether to speak the words that he wanted to say next.

'One step at a time.'

"I hope to see you again soon."

And in that moment Josie gave Bucky a smile that just seemed so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness, that unexpected warmth rushed through him.

"You sure will."

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 !
finally. an actual update.
sorry for the wait guys, but
i hope you enjoyed the first
chapter of cafe girl.

feel free to check out my
other mcu books and my
other bucky barnes book
'the cure.'