Chapter Text
“Oh come on.” Bucky groans, smacking the side of the vending machine as the M&Ms pack is stuck and he’s out of another set of quarters to retrieve the item.
He huffs, shaking his head. The summer evening air making his henley stick to him. He wipes the sweat pooling above his brow. Sam’s relentless teasing about his jacket returns to his mind. He backs away colliding into you making you drop your ice bucket.
The glow of the vending machine reflects from plastic wrapping and cubes.
“I’m so sorry.” He quickly picks it up before the packs of ice spill over.
“No worries, machine got you too?” You chuckle, pointing at a twix bar, stuck forward falling against the glass.
“That yours?” Bucky shakes his head in disappointment at the machine’s inefficiency.
“Yup, wasted an extra dollar it stayed there.” You sigh sadly, looking at the bar of chocolate longingly.
“That is horrible.” He comments a smile tugging at the corners of his lips when he sees your lips twitch.
You laugh, “I usually am not this heartbroken about chocolate bars.”
“It is a heartbreak I wouldn’t blame you.” He flashes you this deep grin that has you wanting to just never let it fade from his face.
“I actually do have an M&M pack in my room.” You recall the convenience inventory you’ve garnered during your one day stay at the hotel.
“I would not want to impose…” Bucky wants to smack himself, you’re gorgeous and he’s shutting down a chance to get to know you.
“Oh no, not at all I just went crazy at the convenience store and you can have it I prefer the Reese cups.” You explain, smiling when Bucky steps towards you.
The walk back is short, your rooms on the same floor as the machines.
Bucky notices your room is kept tidy, your small suitcase tucked away. You hand him the M&M bag. He gives you that signature devilish grin.
“So what do you need all the ice for?” He asks opening the pack to eat the chocolate goodness.
“Oh you know have a dead body in the tub can’t let it decompose.” You deadpan.
“Then you need more ice and probably more room freshener, also salt on the ice so it doesn’t melt quickly.” He adds with a shrug.
You look at him, is he, is he a serial killer? You pause the thought too worried to complete it.
“You don’t actually have a body right?” Bucky raises an eyebrow and eyes the M&Ms suspiciously.
“What no, I was making a joke. Also those aren’t poisoned.” You point out.
“I was joking too.”
Your jaw tenses, so does Bucky’s.
He takes in your form, the way your top accentuates your chest, the black lace intrinsic, so delicate, against your skin.
Bucky wants to know how your soft skin and curves would feel in the palms of his hands?
How would you feel wrapped around him?
“So what do you need the ice for?” He changes the direction of his mind.
“Bachelorette party, my friends and the bride are coming over and this is the midpoint of the party starting.” You turn sideward so Bucky can see the line of alcohol bottles.
His shoulders relax as he chuckles.
“Well, I hope you have fun.” He gives you that smile, the one you want to be the reason for each time.
“Thanks, what are you here for?” You ask, taking a bite out of your Reese cup.
Bucky watches the chocolate smear at the corner of your lips, he licks his own.
“Oh, well, just, I’m investigating someone.” Bucky can’t divulge too much information, Sam is probably thinking he’s missing, the motel was across from the drop site.
“Are you a cop?” You tilt your head, his eyes follow the chocolate on your lips, parting his own when you lick your bottom lip.
“No, not a cop no, just in the system, are you not from here?” He wonders.
“I was blipped.” You shrug.
“So was I.” He adds quietly, the silence comfortable.
You have a moment of bravery,
“I um,” you let out a breathy laugh, the lemon scent of the automated air freshener hisses through the air. You tug at your top, its shorter than what you go for, it towards the cropped end, but you feel good about it, hell you feel great in it.
“I don’t even know your name,” You begin.
“James, though friends call me Bucky.” He smiles offering his glove clad hand.
“Y/N.” You smile back shaking his hand.
Bucky raises his hand to your face, you look at the gloves, taking them in, slightly furrowing your eyebrows, then Bucky sees you shrug, and you continue to look up at him.
“You um, there is some chocolate.” Bucky breathes, he wants to facepalm and also know what was that little thought you just had?
“Oh um,” You scramble to get the chocolate away, wiping with a tissue, “Better?” You look back into his eyes.
He nods, “So, Y/N since you aren’t a serial killer, I’d like to ask for your number, if that is alright?” Bucky bites his lip, hopeful.
You blush, nodding, quickly getting your phone out of the pocket of your leggings.
“Here,” You unlock and hand it to him, Bucky enters his number, handing it back after saving it.
“I’ll just shoot you a text, so you have it too, is that okay?” You look at him hesitant.
“Please do.” He bites the inside of his cheek, hoping that doesn’t seem desperate.
You chuckle, sending him a text.
‘hey guy who bumped into me.
— the girl who gave you M&Ms’
When his phone chimes, he pulls it out laughing at the text.
His thumb taps across the screen.
You look down at your phone when it vibrates.
‘hey girl who gave me M&Ms,
I’ll get you that twix.
— guy who bumped into you.’
You chuckle, a few knocks sound off on your door.
As you open it your best-friend, Nia stumbles in clearly starting the party a little early, she squeals, “Y/N! Kayla and Akira are checking in to the other room—,” then pauses to look up at Bucky.
“Oooh someone was busy.” She teases.
You see Bucky blush in sync with you.
“I’ll um,” Bucky gestures to the door with his thumb.
“It’s um, it is nice to have met you.” You say.
“Likewise, Doll.” He gives you a wink, watching you blush is something Bucky decides would be his favourite thing about you.
“See you, James. Have fun too? I, um, hope it is productive.” You wave shyly, he waves back, walking back to his room.
Your best friend gives you a look, “Okay dish about Mr. James here, before Kayla comes in she’s being a bridezilla.”
You giggle, recounting the events as you prepare the drinks bucket.
———
“How long does it take to get M&Ms and chips?” Same quizzes lowering the binoculars turning to Bucky, no chips in sight.
“Man you forgot the one thing I requested.” Sam looks exasperated.
“Oh uh, sorry the vending machine was not letting go of anything.” Bucky shrugs his jacket off and his gloves.
“Then how do you have M&Ms?” Sam eyes the confectionary wanting a few.
“Oh, Y/N gave me a spare.” He shrugs.
Sam blinks, “Was she your friend from the 40s?”
“What?”
“Because I don’t know a Y/N, Barnes.” Same explains then raises an eyebrow at the pink tinge coating Bucky’s cheeks.
“Okay who is she? Where do I find her?” Sam teases, Bucky glares at him.
“I just wanna know if she has spare chips.” Sam raises his hands in peace.
Bucky explains as they switch positions to continue the stakeout and Sam places an order for take out.
———-
Its 1 am when Bucky’s phone rings, your name flashes across his screen. He smiles as he presses answer.
“Buckyyyyyyy.” Your voice is slurred.
“Uh, Y/N where are you?” He worries if you’re drunk and in trouble.
“Trying to hail a goddamn caaaab. Uber won’t co-come throuuugh.” You sing song.
“Are you alright, Doll?” Bucky follows the movements of the man exiting the building, he takes pictures from the positioned camera.
“No,” You sigh, Bucky tenses, half turning towards the door,
“I can’t stop thinking about youuu. Annnnd your very pretty blue eyeeees.” You giggle, Bucky wants to laugh as well.
“Well guess what, I can’t stop thinking about you either.” He admits, the warmth on his cheeks proof.
“Reaaally?” You hiccup.
“Are you talking to James?” He picks up the voice of your best friend she sounds equally if not more plastered.
“Yes, I-I ammmm,” You hum.
“He’s so hot.” She says, sighing.
“He’s cute too, did I tell you, did I tell you about his grin?” You grab her arm, shaking it for emphasis.
Bucky bites his grin back, he wonders if you will remember this, he wishes you do rather he wishes whatever is comfortable for you happens.
“What about my grin, Doll?” He is waiting to see what you have to say in this drunken gaze.
“Well, you knooooww when you bumped into me aaand I dropped the ice?” You ask, only dragging out a few words.
“Yes.” He nods, though you can’t see him, he’s taking a few more pictures for his intel.
“Yes when he was upset about the chocolate, shouldn’t be upset he could have you as dessert.” He hears your best friend again, he licks his lips at the prospect.
Maybe you could be his favourite dessert.
“Well when he, when heee helped the, ice pick-picking up, he looks at me, he looks up grinning like a devil. But I swear, I swear you could see angel wings and halo.” You explain to both him and your friend.
Bucky’s breath hitches, no one saw him as an angel. The devilish handsomeness he’d heard before but this, this he’s wondering just how drunk are you.
He misses what your friend says being in his own thoughts.
“I’m telling you, he has a halo tucked and hidden away somewhere.” You press on, completely serious.
He hears shuffling and a car door closing.
“Where are you, Doll?” Bucky asks, trying to decipher the sounds.
“I’m drunk in the back of the car, Buckyyyy.” You’re more calmer now, he denotes.
“Cab came through?” He wonders if he should wait out for you.
“Mmhmm.” You affirm, “I feel sleepy, is it normal to feel sleepy? Also hungry? Swear he has that halo hiding somewhere.” You enquire and state.
Bucky’s laugh echoes through you, even in your drunken state, you can picture your favourite grin.
“Tends to happen, Doll.” He tells you, you whine trying to find a comfortable spot.
“Are you sleepy?” He wonders as your breathing begins to even out.
He can hear your friends chatter away but he focuses on your breathing, it grounds him as he continues watching outside.
He sees the cab come in, you whine over the phone as you’re woken up, the call is cut off. Sam switches with him as he goes out, watching you, your best friend and two more of your friends enter your side by side placed rooms.
He retreats inside, smiling at the drunken exchange, deciding to bring you coffee in the morning.
———
The soft knocks on your door do nothing to dull the headache that is manifesting. You hear Nia groan, “Make it go away.”
You throw a pillow at her, “Why am I designated door answerer?”
“Because I can’t move or I’ll throw up.” She mumbles.
“You owe me coffee.” You grumble to her.
“Also you’re more pleasant to speak to.” Nia added sinking further into the mound of pillows.
Bucky wants to laugh, his enhanced hearing picking up the thump of your tired feet as you move closer toward his presence. Stifling a yawn you open the door, widening your eyes noticing him.
Bucky gives you a soft smile, he opens his mouth to say something but you shut the door.
“Uh, Y/N?” He asks loud enough, you slump against the door.
“James, I’m, I’m not decent.” You call out, looking at your cartoon PJs which has Marie from Aristocats all over.
“I for one think, Marie is an exceptional fur-ball.” He makes you smile, you open the door hesitant.
“There she is.” Bucky’s grin returns, your heart does a surge, it is that grin.
His azure eyes trail over you stopping for a few moments over your chest and hips where the PJs accentuate your curves.
“Um, did you need anything?” You ask, “I’m not opening the door much otherwise she’ll combust in the sunlight.” You nod your head towards the Nia occupied bed.
Bucky catches the purse that is coming your way.
Your eyes widen, “Oh right you’re not a cop but trained probably.”
Bucky wonders how are you not bulging your eyes out at his enhanced reflexes.
“You’re something else you know?” He shakes his head.
“In a bad way?” You fidget with the door handle.
“No, god no, if someone else saw that they would have run the other way.” He explains and you frown.
“You kinda explained about the not cop but something so I just think you’re some spy.” You chuckle.
“Some spy huh? Would some spy bring you coffee?” He holds up the delicious smelling beverage you moan at the scent as it almost begins driving the headache away.
Bucky swallows, that sound waking up thoughts he wants buried inside.
He hands you the cup, you gingerly take a sip, sighing in content.
“Thank you, really James, I needed this.” You offer him a smile.
“I preferred when you called me Bucky.” He says and you seem confused,
“When did I—, oh shit.” It clicks, the call, the falling asleep, calling him devilishly handsome.
Your entire body heats up,“Ja-James, I’m so sorry, I was so drunk god I probably bothered you,” You stutter.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Bucky grabs your hand, stopping your spiral, “That drunk conversation was really fun, had me worried for a while but then I saw you get in safely into the room, you’re really adorable.” He admits, “Also I’ve never been called an angel before.”
“Swear you have a halo hiding somewhere.” You repeat.
Bucky laughs, “Help me find it, little kitten?” He meant it teasingly, but your pupils dilate and Bucky takes note, smirking.
“Y-yeah.” You blush further, then clear your throat, licking your bottom lip.
“I really want to kiss you, kitten.”
Your eyes lock with his blue ones at his request.
“Jame—, Bucky,” you correct when he makes a face, “I’m not even dressed yet.”
“I’m in my PJs too.”
You notice under his leather jacket he is wearing sweats and a sleep t-shirt.
You take a breath in, stepping closer to him.
He’s much taller, Bucky hesitantly places his left palm against your cheek. It felt colder even with the glove.
“Jame—Bucky?” You question, wondering if it is a medical condition, his gaze hardens. Walls building themselves back up.
“Hey, it is okay,” You place your hand over his, keeping his palm against your cheek.
“Whenever you feel safe and comfortable okay? I won’t demand to know, the story, or the reason it is yours to decide to share.” You raise your own hand to his cheek, his stubble tickles as your stoke his warm skin.
“Is that, what you thought yesterday? When you saw the gloves?” He needs to know.
You nod, “I realised you’re wearing them for a reason, and it is not my place to say or demand to know.”
“Y/N,” his voice is full of emotion unable to say anything, how can someone be so considerate? Your fingers brush over his cheek.
“You do not have to explain or say anything.” You assure.
“Still want to kiss you.” He whispers, you smile.
“Still want to be kissed by you.” He smiles at your words, his right hand under your chin, tilting your head upwards, he captures your soft lips upon his own.
The kiss deepens, you try not to spill the coffee somehow Bucky grabs it and keeps it away with the other bag of Sam’s things, then pulls you close all without letting your lips move away from his. The scent of his cologne with pine and musk envelopes you, with a hint of vanilla.
Somehow you can taste chocolate on his lips, his hair so. soft under your fingertips. His hands roam over your sides pulling shivers from you, pressing you closer.
The taste of coffee surges through him, and Bucky knows it won’t be caffeine he’s about to get addicted toward.
It will be you.
Only you.