Save Us First (Bucky)

5

Bucky opened her the door and Ivy smiled when she entered the restaurant.
It was Bucky's favorite, apparently, and she was actually really excited to be there with him, she hadn't been on a real date in ages.

"Have you talked to Loki?", he asked when they sat down.
He pulled out the chair for her, and she had to smile.
"No, I haven't, actually. He kind of...vanished. Haven't seen him since."
"That's weird. It's been what, ten days? Nine?"
"Yeah, I'm kinda worried, actually."
"And he didn't tell you? Or Thor or anyone?"
"Nope. He just took off", she said and sighed.
"What an asshole. Sorry - I know he's your best friend, but..."
"No, you're right. I'm really mad at him. But let's not talk about him - this is our evening."
"Good idea."
"So...What have you been up to?"
He chuckled.
"You know what."
"Kicking ass and looking good doing it?"
"You know it."
"Wooow", she said and chuckled too.

She had no idea what to say.
It was like her brain was just lagging because all she could do was stare at his cheekbones and blue eyes and admire how good he looked.
Stop it Ivy, he's not a fucking object, she thought when she suddenly heard him say:
"I'm sorry but I have no idea what to talk about."
Ivy had to laugh.
"Me neither! It's soo awkward. I feel like we're putting way too much pressure on this."
"Yeah, totally. We should have just watched a movie or something."
"Totally."

"Okay, well, what's your favorite?"
She smiled.
"Inception."
"Never seen it."
"What?! It's literally like 12 years old! And it's so good! It's like the best movie that's ever been made!"
"Alright, I guess we need to watch it, then."
"We absolutely need to!"
"Okay and then I will introduce you to some 40s music, because your music taste is all over the place."
"That's...not true!"
"You literally listen to everything from punk rock to classical music."
She giggled.
"Yeah, it's probably an adhd thing."

He laughed too and suddenly the whole pressure seemed to fall away.
He was actually pretty funny - very sassy if he wanted to, but in an attractive way.
She relaxed a bit and the conversation spiraled into endless discussions about music and art and all the stuff he had seen that she didn't.
It was really interesting, hearing him talk about the 60s, 70s or 80s.
Even though he had lived through most of it as the winter soldier, some things he could tell her.
About sex, drugs and rock and roll, about art, love and life.
And she enjoyed listening to every word.
He was a really good story teller, just the way he phrased it, the words he chose.
Sometimes she could hear that he was from another time.
And see it.
Bucky really was an old school gentleman.
He insisted on paying for dinner, helped her into her coat, held the door open for her and walked on the side of the road as if he wanted to protect her from the passing cars.

As they walked back to the compound, she stopped at the window of a bookstore.
"Bucky, look! They got a first edition of the Hobbit. You read it back then, right?"
"Yeah, I did. How do you know?"
"Oh I think Sam mentioned it."
"And you remembered that?", he said a little surprised.
"Yeah, that's like...a huge flex."
He chuckled and stared at the cover.
Dark mountains over a green forest.
"Kinda weird seeing it here. These gotta be worth like 40 000 bucks now or something", he said and she nodded.

"Yeah, I can imagine. I've never read it completely, though. I've always been more of a Harry Potter kid."
"Oh yeah? What's your Hogwarts house then?", he said grinning and she smiled.
"Gryffindor."
"Really...me too."
"We should do a Harry Potter Marathon one day", she suggested and he nodded.
"Yeah, maybe."

She smiled and they continued their way, talking about Harry Potter and Star Wars, about books and authors they both loved.
After a while she stopped again, on a bridge, staring onto the Hudson and the glowing city.
She loved New York at night.
"Wow. It's so beautiful at night", she said smiling.
Bucky looked at her, smiling too.
"It is. But you're not looking too bad either."
She blushed and bit her lip.
"Thank you Mister Barnes. Very charming."
He smiled and held out his hand for her.
She hesitated for a second and then she took it, walking on hand in hand with him.

It felt really really good, she had to admit that.
But suddenly she wasn't too sure if she was ready for that.
Ready for him.
She looked up to him, her eyes meeting his.
He stopped and touched her face for a second.
"You okay, doll?", he asked softly and she blushed again.
"I'm your doll now?"
"If you want to", he said.
"I don't know. Maybe", she said and bit her lip.
"Okay. Let me know when you know", he said.

"I...I really like you, Bucky. A lot", she said.
He looked into her eyes again.
"I really like you, too", he said.
"But I understand if you need a little more time. I could probably need it, too."
She swallowed and nodded.
"Thank you."
"Of course. If anyone understands you it's me."
"Yeah, probably."
He let go off her, putting his hands into his pockets and lifted up one corner of his mouth.
She smiled back, slightly embarrassed and they continued their way back.

At the compound, Ivy hugged him, thanked him for the beautiful evening and went to her room.
Bucky followed her with his eyes and went into the kitchen, where he still saw light.
Steve was sitting there, scrolling on his phone.

"Hey, man. How was your date?", he smiled.
"It was good. I think. We...had a really good time. She said she really likes me but we both think we need a little more time", Bucky told him and sat down, too.
Steve furrowed his brows.
"You okay?"
Bucky nodded.
"Yeah. I think it's for the best. Maybe we'll try again in a couple weeks. I mean I'll definitely try again, I'm not a quitter. And I actually like her a lot, so...we'll see."
"I think she's good for you. So, yeah. We'll see", Steve said and laid a hand on his shoulder.
Bucky smiled.
"Yeah, I think so too."