HAPPY || b. barnes ✔️

053

• • •

"We're only getting older baby
And I've been thinking about it lately
Does it ever drive you crazy
Just how fast the night changes?"

One Direction
Night Changes

• • •

S U M M E R came quickly. The last month of school had speed by and before long, Esopus was full of summer. The coffee shop seemed to be busier than ever, and Charlie found herself spending more time at work because of it.

So when weekends came, it was always full of constant activities.

"Bucky no offense, but you're really bad at this." Oliver said as he skated past him. His cheeks and nose were red from the cold air.

"I don't even remember the last time I did this." Bucky said. A metal hand was holding onto the railing tightly, while he focused on keeping steady on the ice.

Charlie smiled at their conversation and she skated between them. "It's okay, Buck. You'll learn. We used to go skating a lot."

"Every Sunday with dad." Oliver said matter of factly. "It's super fun."

Bucky hummed but didn't answer, and watched as Oliver skated away. Charlie was left standing by him and she smiled, offering a hand.

"Come on. It's easy. Push off on your left foot and let it flow." She did as she said, showing him how to move along the smooth ice.

He nearly grimaced. "How do you do that?"

"Like the boy said. Along with baseball, ice skating was a family thing. Well, not my mom. She sucked at it. I knew how to skate before I could walk."

Bucky hesitated before taking his hand off the wall and taking ahold of hers. He wobbled, very unsteady, as he got used to feeling of ice skating again.

Charlie smiled and spun around, so she was skating backwards to help him move forward. "Give me your other hand." She said.

He did as she said, slowly and nervously, because he didn't want to fall. His eyes roamed around the near empty skating rink, where Oliver was happily racing along by himself. Then he looked at Charlie. "This is embarrassing."

"No it's not, there's like three other people here. Don't be such a baby." Charlie said; her lips in a smile.

"I'm not a-." He paused as he lost his balance for half a second. Once regained, Bucky looked at her. "I'm not a baby."

"Oh, my mistake. Why don't I just let you go then?" Charlie asked. She went to pull her hands away but he held on tighter, preventing her from moving any further. "That's what I thought."

Bucky only slightly glared at her. "Shut up."

She giggled then, her eyes moving to check on Oliver as he continued to skate past the adults that had trouble. "We should do something tonight. Since he'll be at Aiden's."

"Like what?" He hummed, focusing too much on his feet.

"Like a date." Charlie said with a smile, tugging him forward.

He looked up at her words, his mind going blank. Bucky lost his balance in his state of surprise and fell to the cold ice below.

Laughter immediately spilled from Charlie as she watched him fall to the ground. "Oh my God - that was too funny - I can't believe you just fell."

"I guess I was just surprised." Bucky said. His cheeks were red with embarrassment as he took her offering hand and attempted to stand back up.

"I didn't realize me asking you to go on a date with me would be such a surprise." She said. She grabbed his hand in hers and started moving backwards again.

"No, it's not. I - I just wasn't expecting it."

"Well you prefer to watch old movies. We can do that."

"No, no." He said, already clinging to the idea of going on a date with Charlie Grant. He couldn't believe that he hadn't thought of it earlier. "I want to go on a date."

• • •

Later, in the Avenger's facility, Bucky Barnes was rummaging through his dresser drawer. A bag was sitting on the bed in the center of the room, and it was half filled with the very last of his belongings. A few photographs, from a very, very long time ago, ones that once were in a museum, and a couple pairs of clothes that he had yet to bring over to the Grant's.

A knock on the door caused him to stop his actions, and a second later, Sam Wilson walked into the room. He was dressed in his gear, because he would be leaving for D.C. with Fury in a moments notice. But he wanted to see his friend first.

"I'm happy for you. It doesn't... it doesn't make sense for you to be here." Sam said; finally being able to admit it to himself. He knew that Bucky Barnes wasn't an Avenger, that he didn't belong in the facility. He belonged elsewhere; somewhere where he could learn who he is and who he will be.

"Thank you." Bucky said; he wasn't quite sure what else to say. "Are you still going to come on Saturday?"

"And miss the opportunity to flirt with Addie Turner? Never." Sam said with a laugh. "It was very kind of Charlie to invite us over. I can't even remember the last time I was invited to a barbecue."

"She wanted to." Bucky said, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, everyone's excited. Especially Wanda. Okay, I gotta ask, why are you wearing a tie?"

Bucky self consciously looked down at the black tie around his neck; not necessarily tied to perfection but the best he could do with a failed memory. "We are going on a date."

"What are you guys doing?"

"Seeing a movie. I think. And getting ice cream."

Sam tried, and failed, to hide a smile. "Okay. Lose the tie. Wear your black jeans and a normal shirt. Nobody in this century wears ties on dates anymore."

Bucky frowned and moved to look in the mirror. Blue eyes met the mirror and his frown deepened. He didn't recognize the man he was; or who he had become. He wasn't the old Bucky, the one that danced with woman and fought off Steve's bullies. And he wasn't the Winter Solider. He still struggled with who he was.

"I'm too overdressed." Bucky said. He untied the knot around his neck. "Fuck."

Sam laughed, "You've known this girl for almost a year, and been living with her for months. I mean, hey, I don't know how or why, but she obviously hasn't found a reason to kick you out. Just relax, man."

"Should I get her flowers? I don't even know her favorite ones."

Sam breathed out a laugh and headed towards the door; already excited to tell Steve all about this moment. "Roses. Red ones. And don't over do it on the cologne this time."

Aw how cute
I don't want to adult today :/
I love you all
We are almost at 6k reads that's unbelievable