Unexpected Sweetness

Seen

This chapter was loosely based on a story I commissioned from Weareallstoriesshop on Etsy. I adore her writing and recommend it.

Shawna was dancing to her usual music, her anxiety making it hard for her to sit still. Bucky had asked to talk and her heart sank at the thought he was going to ask her for space. Her friends sometimes needed her to take a step back, but the idea of him being overwhelmed by her hurt for some reason. Bekah twirled with her person, as Flo watched from the couch an unimpressed look on her face. Giving her pets human expressions, that wasn't crazy at all, Shawna thought. Bekah heard the key in the door and male booted footsteps, her bark one of happy greeting. Bucky came in, slipping his key back in his jacket pocket, before removing the leather and hanging it on the rack. He ruffled Bekah's fur as she wiggled. Shawna coming out the kitchen with one of her mugs full of black coffee. She never drank the stuff, But loved the smell. She always made a pot for him though.

"Thanks doll." He said, taking the drink and gulping it down.

"That's hot." She tried to warn, but he just grinned at her.

"I should hope so, cold coffee is terrible." He said, putting the mug on her coffee table, before her raised eyebrow had him putting down a coaster under. "Hey there, mutt." He said, rubbing Flo's ears as she crawled in his lap, inviting her affection by sitting by the dog. "Two out of three of my best girls happy to see me ain't bad." He teased Shawna who threw a pillow at him. He pulled off his glove and rolled up his sleeves, his metal arm gleaming in the soft lamplight. He proceeded to rub Flo's belly as he ordered his words carefully, he could feel Shawna's gaze on him.

"You said you wanted to talk." She finally said, her voice even, a sure sign she was feeling something she was masking. He chewed his bottom lip. It was so much easier back in the 30's and 40's when he knew the steps to this dance.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner." He finally decided on. She blinked at him, her face wrinkling up in thought.

"Okay. I think next on our list is Japanese and it's my turn to pay...." She started, trailing off as he shook his head, standing up to take the takeout folder out of her hands and set it on the coffee table gently.

"Not that kind of dinner, sweet doll, though I do enjoy our dinner and movie nights. I was talking about Saturday night, you and me dressed up, and going out somewhere nice." He took a deep breath, "I want a date, if you are up for it." He clarified, her tiny hands still in his.

"Um okay?" She replied, mind whirling as she looked for something she missed. Her heart beating like a drum in her chest. Handsome men like Bucky Barnes do not ask out girls like her except as a pity date or a cruel joke. She didn't think Bucky would play a mean joke on her.

Bucky could hear her heart pound, it frustrated him. This was going all wrong. She was upset and he didn't understand why, so he could fix it. "Level with me, sweetheart." He crooned, trying to soothe the anxiety she felt that was triggering his own. She nodded. "Is the idea of going on a date with me a bad thing?" At her head shake, he felt relief. But his heart sank at her words.

"I don't want a pity date, Buck. It's okay." She said, careful to pull her hands free, one finger twirling in a stray lock of her brown hair. He grabbed her hand back, gently lifting her chin with his flesh hand.

"Hey now. I don't pity date. And why would you think that?" He asked, only holding her gaze for the few seconds he knew she was comfortable with before tracing the freckles on her face with his gaze, the one on her bottom lip especially teasing him.

"Well you never flirt with me." She said, softly.

Bucky couldn't help the laugh that escaped, "Doll, I flirt with you all the goddamn time. You drive me crazy, woman."

Shawna blushed. "Oh." She looked upset, "I'm sorry I missed it."

"Hey, none of that. You know now and it is nothing to be sorry for. Your friends told me about the issue. And I asked Sam for advice. Believe me, that was painful." He joked. "But it was worth it. So, you and me, Saturday night, first date. What do you say?"

"You sure?" She asked, still not quite believing he wanted to date her. Be seen with her.

Bucky frowned, "Why the hell not?"

She gestured to the full 6 foot, 220 pound handsome hero. "That and this," She gestured to her own 5'6" 200 lb frame. "Do not fit."

He huffed, "I think you're beautiful. And I mean in sweats, t-shirt and messy bun too. But my favorite parts are the way you love wholeheartedly, and always have time for other folks." He gave her a small cocky grin, "So what ya say, give a guy a chance?" She shyly nodded, Bucky scooping her up and swinging her about. She squeaked, having not been swung about since she was small, but his joy was infectious and soon they both were laughing and smiling.

"I thought you were just my nice neighbor." She whispered.

"I'd like to be more if this works out." He admitted.

"I'm terrible at this. And I can be a lot or irrational about things. And obviously I miss social cues left and right." She warned, trying to be honest.

"That's okay." Bucky assured her. "You see things other people don't and you see me. Not my past, or the dangerous person I can be. But James Barnes. It is nice to have someone trust me again."

She touched his cheek, "You see me too." She admitted. Finally seeing all the little kindnesses he did for her for what they were. Tiny "I love you's."

He couldn't take it anymore, so moving slowly so she could move or turn her head, he bent and brushed his lips against hers. "Sorry, I just..." She smiled up at him, causing him to stop.

"It's nothing to apologize for. I liked it." She tucked hair behind her ears as she admitted it. He smiled back, burying his face in her hair to kiss the top of her head.

"Saturday night then" He reminded, relaxing as they settled into their routine with just a new exciting feel added.