First We Were Friends - A Bucky Barnes Novel

Chapter 8. All Night Long (Sexual Content)

When it was time to leave for the bar Janey insisted she had to drive. Bucky protested but both she and Julia stood firm so he reluctantly handed over the truck keys. That wasn't the end of it as Julia brought out two sets of eye masks and told the men to put them on. The fact they were black lace slightly triggered Bucky and Julia had to kiss him several times while making doe eyes at him.

"You can't see until we're inside the bar," she insisted. "Please, just do this for me?"

"Fine," said Bucky, who jammed the eye mask on.

Julia kissed him once more and stroked his clean shaven cheek which he had surprised her with when he came out of the house. Then she helped him into the back seat and locked his seat belt, kissing him again. Sam, intrigued, had already put the mask on and allowed Janey to belt him into the other side of the back seat. Soon they were on their way with Janey chuckling at Bucky every time he told her to slow down. By the time they got to the bar Janey and Julia were finding it hard to keep from laughing outright at Bucky but they knew he wouldn't handle it well so restricted themselves to smiling at each other instead. As they pulled up into the parking lot the two men could hear the sounds of many people, laughing and talking loudly. As soon as the truck doors were opened everyone stopped talking except for a single woman's voice.

"Janey!" said a woman loudly. "My God, look at you! You look fantastic." Bucky and Sam heard the sound of both women hugging each other.

"Penny, these two handsome blindfolded gentlemen are Bucky Barnes, Julia's boyfriend now, officially," said Janey, "and Captain America, Sam Wilson. Gentlemen, this is one of my oldest friends Penny Matthews. We'll just put my bag in Penny's car and then we'll go inside."

Julia took Bucky's arm while Janey took Sam's arm and led them into the bar, telling them when there were steps then leading them past what must have been a fully packed house before they were led up onto another step. Only then were the eye masks removed and they both realized, according to the banner strung across the wall of the bar, that they were the guests of honour. Julia, who had put her arms through both men's arms so they wouldn't try to escape looked up at Bucky. At first, he didn't know whether to be annoyed or not but when he saw how she looked at him his heart softened and he kissed her on the top of her head. Penny, who they recognized by her voice, had taken the microphone and started speaking.

"Good evening, everyone," she said in greeting. "Welcome to a little gathering in appreciation for two of the Avengers who have been vacationing in our area, while the Johnsons got some free labour from them." There was laughter at that remark. "More importantly we wish to thank these two men for their actions of a few nights ago at the scene of a very scary accident on the highway to Reno. Bucky here raised the alarm and while he drove the highway looking for the vehicle Sam donned his Captain America wings and flew below the highway looking for signs of three young ladies very dear to our hearts, Trish, my niece Rhiannon, and Julia, who is well enough to join us tonight."

"You don't have to do this," protested Sam. "We don't do what we do for recognition."

"We know," said Penny, placing her hand on Sam's arm, "but we think you need to hear it every so often. If you two weren't here, and didn't listen to your own inner alarm bell, things could have turned out so much differently. So tonight your money is no good, whatever is on the menu is yours, and due to a little bit of intelligence given us by someone who has become good friends with both of you we have set the musical theme as Motown night. Lastly, we want to welcome the newest member of our community, Bucky Barnes. In the days you have been here you've fallen for a young woman who has always been loved by everyone here, whether local or summer folk as she has history with both. Julia is special in so many ways and we're thrilled that you two have found each other. So eat well everyone, drink responsibly, and have a great time!"