In Another Universe

ELEVEN

A few hours later, Just five streets down from Stassie's Sweet Shoppe in bustling Times-Square, Bucky and Yelena are enjoying lunch at their favorite restaurant — Buffalo Wild Wings.

After dropping Rosie and Riley off at Sam and Jennifer's townhouse this morning, The only thing Bucky wanted to do was confide in his best friend. Which he's now spent the last half hour doing as she devoured an entire basket of hot wings without saying so much as one word.

She knows Bucky well enough to recognize when he's speaking more so to process his own emotions rather than to gain a response from her, So when he's like this she just waits for him to finally finish before offering her two cents.

"Can I getcha anything else?" Their usual waitress Alice asks, A polite smile gracing her thinning lips.

"Another basket of wings would be great, Thank you." Bucky nods, Watching Yelena pull the basket which was meant to be his towards herself.

The loud Sunday crowd fills the restaurant as people all around them shamelessly day-drink the afternoon away.

Once Alice leaves the table to place their second order with the kitchen, Bucky peers back at Yelena. Being met instantly with her daring brow as she sucks the unsettlingly bright orange colored sauce from her finger tip.

"What's the look for, Ye?" Bucky asks, Unsure if he actually wants to hear what she's going to say next.

"I'm just wondering if you have finished yet."

"Yeah, I'm finished." He sighs, Leaning his back against the cushioned seat of their booth.

They always request the same booth whenever they come here, It's one of the few booths tucked away in the very back of the bar section. Which they much prefer given the dimmed lightening helps them to not be recognized nearly as much by other customers, Whereas most people are far too afraid to approach the retired Winter Soldier — They seem to have no apprehension when it comes to asking Yelena for a picture or autograph. Something Bucky blames largely on Kate, Seeing as she drags everyone possible to all of the fan related conventions.

He's happy to no longer be feared, But he also prefers to be left alone.

"Alright," Yelena takes a large gulp of her glass before continuing. "I do not understand why you're so upset about Steve returning. It's not like you're happy with Anastasia."

"It's not that simple." Bucky scoffs, Sipping his now lukewarm beer for the first time since receiving it.

"I think it is very simple, You are just torturing yourself as per usual."

Bucky eyes roll over as his tongue glides between his lips, He doesn't love the taste of beer but seeing as they don't serve whiskey here — It's always his go to.

"Here you go, Hun." Alice interrupts, Setting the piping hot basket of chicken wings in front of Bucky on the table.

"Thank you." He gives her a tight lipped smile as she turns to leave, Digging immediately into the basket this time so as to not give Yelena the opportunity to steal more of his lunch.

"I've been telling you the same things for years, Why do you never listen?" Yelena asks, Leaning into the table.

"I listen." Bucky mumbles, his voice muffled by the burning spice coating his tongue.

"What, You just forget by the time you get home then?" She replies sarcastically, Earning a glare from Bucky as he chugs down a few sips of his drink in search of some relief.