Different as Night and Day (Winterfalcon)

Coffee Date + Farmer's Market

Bucky's POV

We agreed to meet in the kitchen after we finished coffee. I went to my room and just threw on some jeans and a shirt. Nothing fancy.

I waited for Sam, sitting on a barstool. He came out wearing his usual leather jacket.

"Ready cyborg?"

"Sure birdbrain."

We walked, just like we had the first time, except this time I had his hand intertwined with mine.

"Hey Sammy?"

"Yeah Buck?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Ya just did-"

"Don't be smart I mean a different question."

He shot me a lopsided smile and shrugged. "Alright shoot."

"So in truth or dare you said your first kiss was with a girl. So how's your dating life been?"

A dark look crossed his eyes. Guilt. Sadness. What had happened? "I mean I'm here with you so that's great."

"I don't want to be rude or nosy-"

He sighed. Knowing I'd seen the sadness in his eyes, he spoke quietly. I could see the coffee shop ahead, we had just come to the small town.

"No it's fine. I knew I'd have to tell you eventually. You know I worked with the Air Force, pararescue and such?"

I nodded, curious but partly guessing where this conversation would go.

"Well, I wasn't alone, my best friend Riley was my wingman while we worked with the wings. There was a mission, in the desert, and Riley-"

"-was shot." I finished. How did I know that? I didn't just guess. I knew that. I felt Winter gently whisper in the back of my mind. His voice raspy from underuse. You know why...you can't keep it from him...

"Yeah...yeah he was. He wasn't just my partner. He was technically my first boyfriend." Sam had tears glistening in his eyes.

"Hey it's ok. I'm here for you. I'm sorry that happened," Winter kept whispering in my mind. Are you? Mission report, Afghanistan- I shut that part of my mind down. No. I was here to be here with Sam. SHUT UP.

Winter quieted down. Used to the yelling.

"Bucky?"

"Hm?" I snapped back to reality. Putting on a fake smile.

Sam opened the door and we walked into the small coffee shop.

"Morning Rain." Sam called out cheerily for the usual waitress and she waved gently.

"Hey Sam! Normal Mocha latte?"

"Yep and-"

"Iced. Got it! And for you?"

"Um, I'll just do a hot chai tea latte please." I tired to sound polite. Shutting Winter down made me tired and honestly I might fall asleep with the comfy coffee.

"Alright kool they'll be right up. For here or to go?"

Sam thought for a moment but ultimately looked at me. Maybe he read something in my face but either way he decided. "To go cups but we might sit if that's alright?"

"Sure, it's not like today is busy." She laughed a little and went to prep stuff.

Sam gave the girl a thumbs up and dragged me to our usual chairs. I sat down and waited for our coffees.