We'll Meet Again...I Know When || Bucky Barnes x Reader

2 || Love to Last Lifetimes

"It's the energy source, I'm telling you. It needs to be stronger."

"I never called you a liar. I just don't understand how our conversation got here. I said this drink is shitty and you started reading from a whole other book. Flying cars got nothin' to do with rum,'' regardless of your complaints, you take another swing from your glass, arms crossed over the sticky counter while Howard continues to rant about god knows what.

"I told you earlier the rum at this place is watered down," he waves a dismissive hand at you, pointing a finger to the papers he's laid out on the table. For a second, he surveys the bustling bar before leaning closer with a whisper," you know what would be an excellent power source when we get our hands on it?"

You still don't look at him nor his blueprints, eyes still focused forward," 'when'? You're rather optimistic, don't you think?"

"It's called looking to the future. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of being such a downer," you roll your eyes at his childish insult.

"I am."

"You are?"

"Sure am," you nod your head forward while taking another sip. Howard follows the direction of your stone gaze, making a face before signaling to the bartender.

"Didn't know you had eyes for Rogers," he comments nonchalantly.

"Not Rogers, knucklehead. His buddy."

Across the bar sit two tall soldiers, completely unaware that they've earned your undivided attention. One anyone could recognize as Captain America, although he's more intimately known as Steve Rogers; a once small toothpick of a boy who's recently become an American staple after some experiments you helped oversee. He's chuckling at something his friend says while sitting to his side with a pressed smile. You may not know who this friend of Cap's is, but you're able to deduce him as another soldier; a mighty fine looking one at that.

"Barnes?"

"You know him and you didn't introduce me? Some brother you are."

"What am I supposed to do? Introduce you to every guy I met?"

"Well, when they're hot like that. Don't you always want me to introduce you to the good lookin' gals I know?" You shoot back, making him scowl halfheartedly while taking a drink from the beer the bartender sets in front of him. Setting your own glass down, you fix your hair and readjust your uniform's tie," how do I look?"

Howard doesn't even look at you, merely dipping the beer bottle away from his lips with a smirk," like a Stark on a mission."

"Damn right," with that, you push yourself off the bar stool to begin weaving through the sea of strangers straight towards your target.

While you aren't necessarily a constant flirt like your notorious brother, you can definitely shine whenever someone manages to catch your fancy. There's been plenty of times where cute guys have caught your interest, but the true test is to see if they can keep it because unlike your brother who's perfectly content with one night stands and short flings, you're looking for something long term. You have no intentions of getting wrapped up being some guy's arm candy or bragging right. Looks are only a third of the score. You want a guy with a good personality who will remain true and the only way to test that is by some harmless flirting that surveys the field.

Steve's a goodhearted guy. A bit too innocent for his own good, but that just makes it even harder to believe he'd hang out with any jackasses which means you've already got a better chance with his friend than some random swigger at the bar.

"'evening boys," You announce your presence with a smile before stealing the seat next to Steve," I'm guessing your drink must not be that great either considering you haven't drank much."