Traitor ~ Bucky Barnes

The Date

Katherine made it to the café by noon. They both had ordered coffee and sat at a table near a window. Bucky seemed way too excited for their date. However, for Katherine, she was hoping for more information.

It was silent between them; neither knew what to say or how to say it. Katherine took a sip of her coffee and said, "Bucky...I want to know more about you." Leaning forward, she placed her hands on the table with her coffee.

Bucky had smiled at the statement. "Hm, I want to know more about you first. Where are you from? Because you do not have a Romanian accent," he said. Matching her stance, he leaned toward the table as well. Both of them were locking eye contact.

"I am from Sokovia, right in the center of Novi Grad." she said. She had decided he was going to tell him about herself. If he asked the right questions, he would get the truth. If it was too personal or would expose her, she would bend the truth.

"Tell me more, about your family. How did you end up in Romania?" he asked. These were the questions she wanted to avoid, but she was going to play along.

"Well, I have a younger brother, his name is Carl. He is...11" Carl would have turned 11 two months ago. Speaking of her brother made her heart hurt, but she talked her way through the pain. "I went to a university in Germany, but then I dropped out after the battle. It really hit me hard and my family, to have most of my country destroyed. But, I am here in Romania to start new I guess."

Bucky was amazed yet sadden at the same time. She had already gone through so much with Sokovia and her family. But, he connected with the fact she wanted to start new. "Now I need to know about you." she said.

Shit, he thought. It was his turn to talk about himself. He did not know exactly what to say. Well, I was born in 1917. Then in 1945, I fell to my death just to get captured and brainwashed into a killer. Oh, don't forget I only became aware again about a year ago!

"Uh...I am from Brooklyn, New York. I served in the military for a few years and I recently got out. I am starting fresh just like you." said Bucky. He was actually proud of his semi-lie. Even Katherine was shocked at his lie. She knew, of course, when he was born and captured by Hydra. At least to say she was impressed. "We can start fresh together." he added, lifting his coffee to cheers to the statement.

A blush formed on Katherine's face from his words. In response, she lifted her coffee. It was like saying, starting new together. Both took a sip from their coffees. Bucky had noticed the slight blush on her cheeks, and he was proud. He still had some game.

"Do tell me though, why fruit?" he asked.

Katherine laughed at the question; she genuinely laughed. "I really like fruit," she said, smiling. "Why come to that stand?" she added.

This was the perfect question for Bucky. Katherine had opened the way for the perfect response. It even left her blushing even harder than before.

"I really like you."

~

Bucky and Katherine had spent the entire day together. It was unplanned for both parts. But, Katherine had learned more about him. She learned that his time "serving" the military caused him to have some trauma or PTSD. This, of course, in reality, was Hydra. Then, he mentioned he had a friend named Steve from New York. They were together all the time, then he went into the military and lost touch. The first part was genuine, but they lost "touch" because of him being captured by Hydra.

Every little detail about him made sense to Katherine. He was distant enough to tell a semi-true thing without giving himself away. However, he did seem to be comfortable around her. Throughout the day, he made flirty comments and was invested in knowing about her.

Katherine made sure not to give too much away about her personally. But, most things she motioned, such as her childhood, her relationship with her brother, and her likes, were true.

 "If you could escape reality and go anywhere in the world where would you go?" asked Bucky as they were walking back to Katherine's apartment.

"Easy. I would move some where in the country, far from any major city. I would get some animals and live a calm life." she said. Bucky smiled at her response. It made him think of a peaceful life for himself. It sounded nice. "How about you?"

"I think I would want to live near a lake." he said. Katherine thought it was the perfect place for him. Somewhere calm and collected. The things he needs in life.

They finally approached Katherine's apartment. Both stood at the door of the building. Facing each other, silence had filled between them. It was the first silence since the beginning of their date.

Despite knowing she could never develop feelings for him. To spend the entire day with him was nice; it was perhaps the happiest she had been since her family's death. "Thank you..." she paused. "Thank you for today." she said.

Bucky looked right at her; he smiled at what she just said. For him, this day made him seem more human, more normal. He could forget about the Winter Soldier and be happy. This day had been the calmest and guilt-free he had in the entire time he has been in Romania. Katherine made him feel this way.

"Of course, I really enjoyed it as well," he said.

Something then came over Bucky. He had just spent the entire day with Katherine. They both had bonded and connected. However, a part of him wanted to seal that bond. Bucky wanted to kiss her.

"Uh...I know this might sound crazy but...would it be a bad thing if I kissed you?" he asked.

Katherine could feel her heart rate speed up. He had asked to kiss her. Deep down, way deep down, a part of her was tempted by the idea. Another part of her knew she should say no. But, she needed to get close, and if this was the way in, she would take it. "No...it wouldn't," she said back.

Stepping forward, Bucky put his hand on her cheek. Unconsciously she leaned her head into his hand. Before she had realized what she did, he pulled her in. Then their lips connected in a gentle and sweet kiss.