Marvel Imagines

[Pt. 2] We'll Meet Again ('40s Bucky Barnes X Reader)

Saturday, November 1941

It had been a long day.

Though, it started off great.

You had awoken to find yourself back in your own bed, even though you vividly remember falling asleep on Bucky's shoulder as he and Steve had chattered away, playing cards.

When you had awoken, a sudden rush of butterflies had swarmed your stomach at the simple thought of your sleeping form being carried in Bucky's arms.

He didn't have to move me, yet he did.

However, the butterflies quickly ceased as you went about your day, managing to scrounge around for some sort of breakfast to eat in the empty apartment, your other two roommates already long gone for their day's work.

After hastily downing a glass of water and a piece of half-stale bread with the smallest scrapings of butter you all had left, you had scrambled out the door and made it to work about five minutes late, enough time for your Manager not to be too happy.

That in and of itself didn't get your day started on the right foot, and now, as you stand at your till, fingers drumming absentmindedly against the wooden counter, you can't help but sigh, longing to be anywhere but this grocery store.

"Miss L/N!" A suddenly older sounding masculine tone sounds from across the room, startling you slightly as you turn.

It's your Manager, and by the tone of his voice and his expression, he doesn't seem happy.

He likely just wants an explanation of why I was late this morning, that's all.

Glancing at the clock as you hastily place the 'closed' sign beside your register, confusion fills your headspace.

It's the middle of my shift and the afternoon. Why pull me aside now?

Leaving your counter behind and heading into the office, your confusion begins to ebb into worry as 'what if's' run through your headspace.

"Yes, Sir?" You inquire as you near the older man's desk, a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of his nose as he squints at the paper in his hands. "You wanted to see me?"

The man across from you lifts his gaze to meet yours, an incredibly apologetic gleam shining within it.

Instantly, panic surges through you as your mind scrambles.

That look can only mean one of two things...

"Y/N... I'm so sorry... But," He pauses, his gaze wandering to the paper in his grasp once more before wandering back to you. "We've got to let you go."

Your heart drops as you hear those words, though part of you screams out in relief as it wasn't the latter news you had feared you'd be hearing.

That won't be happening anytime soon.

We're fine. Just fine.

"Oh," Is all you can bring yourself to say, a fresh wave of panic creeping up on you. "I... I understand."

The older man sighs heavily, leaning towards you on his elbows.

"I'm sorry, Y/N, I really am... But, times are tough 'round here... You're a great worker, but we just can't afford to keep paying you."

"I'd be willing to take a pay cut," You suggest hopefully, though he shakes his head.

"It's just not feasible," He grimaces, his genuinely apologetic gaze meeting yours. "Sorry, L/N."