Winter's Sunshine

18. Coney Island

Bucky placed the popcorn bowl on the table, taking a final look at his work. He had everything prepared for tonight. Pizza, popcorn, pretzels, chips and dips, beer and a variety of candies.

I hope she likes this, he thought.

He knew this was too much but he was looking forward to this. He wanted to spend time with her, get to know her before asking her out. Does this count as a date? Looks like a date to me, he thought.

"Knock Knock?"

Bucky recognized the voice and turned around to welcome Jen.

"Jen!"

"You respond with Whose there", she said walking in the dimly lit room. Bucky watched her flung herself onto the couch.

"So all set for Game of Thrones?", Jen asked excitedly.

"Yes, and we have pizza, candies, and pretzel.. and some popcorn too"

Jen looked over Bucky's shoulders to see a whole table covered in snacks.

"OMG! You bought everything!"

"I didn't know what you liked-"

"-so you bought everything!", she completed him and was genuinely surprised to see him blush.

"Yeah I hope you like it", he said rubbing the back of his neck.

Why is he so cute? Jen admired him, as he tried covering his blush. Does he like me? she wondered. I mean he did arrange all these snacks, and he did offer to help me with training... But he never said anything.. Am I overthinking this? Should I ask him out? Oh god, no. I can't risk it! Or.... Maybe  should I?

"So let's get started, shall we?"

"Huh?", Jen looked at Bucky looking confused, clearly lost in her thoughts.

"Should we start watching?", Bucky asked gesturing to the screen.

"Oh, Yes!"

A few episodes later, Jen noticed Bucky let out a heavy sigh for the fifth time. She knew that he was getting bored. She even had asked him twice but he dismissed her each time. She then took the remote and paused the show turning towards him.

"I know you are bored", she stated

"No just trying to keep up with these characters. There are too many of them ", he said.

"Let's watch something else. It's OK if you don't like it."

"No, no. Let's keep watching."

Jen gave Bucky an annoyed look and started scrolling through the list of shows on the screen.

"The thing is I haven't been outside for many days and I am bored as hell. Fighting wars has been my routine for so many years and I am trying to change it and I know it might sound weird but I miss it", Bucky said explaining himself. He knew this show was Jen's favorite and he didn't want to upset her.

"I can understand. You're not haunted by the war, you miss it"

"Sherlock?"

"Another one of my favorites. I am surprised that you have watched it."

"I can count the number of it's episodes on my fingers, unlike this one", he said pointing at the screen.

"True that. You know there are many other ways to experience thrill other than fighting." An evil grin formed on Jen's face."Hey, want to sneak out?", she suggested.

"Where?", Bucky asked raising his eyebrow.

"We can go to Coney island"

"I haven't been there for ages!"

"Yes! There is a beach, and an aquarium, many rides, and other things. It will be so fun I promise you won't get bored!" Jen switched off the TV quickly and stood up pulling on his arm dragging Bucky out of the room. "Come, let's go!"

"Wait, Let me grab my cap first."

Coney island it is.