Chapter Text
Nobody went to the local gym after 8pm. Not when Bucky Barnes frequented the place at that time.
But today, someone was there.
Someone who would definitely not want to come back after this day.
A man about his age was on the treadmill. He had been there some time if the amount of sweat clinging to him was any indication.
He had jet black hair and a lean muscular body much like a swimmer's.
Bucky looked at the treadmill beside the other man's and contemplated.
Owing to his intimidating stature and rather scary poker face Bucky had found it hard to socialize. Especially now that the Avengers had disbanded, Tony and Natasha dead, Steve an old man and Clint living with his family. Banner busy doing his thing. Doctor Strange and Wanda busy with magic stuff and the spider guy being just a kid.The only company he had was Sam Wilson, and he could be rather annoying.
So, Bucky lived a rather solitary life.
Hence, the fact that the people in the gym had isolated him had hurt in the beginning, but he understood where they were coming from. He wouldn't want to be around a infamous killing machine either. Especially if said guy was working his muscles.
So when Bucky took to running on the treadmill beside the other man, he half expected the stranger to run away screaming.
He most definitely did not expect him to give a casual nod and a smile.
The unknown man had bright green eyes and a cute smile accompanied by dimples on both sides. His sculpted features spoke of rugged handsome looks, giving him the air of a guy who could turn a girl's knees to jelly with one look. But his smile was kind. Innocent like a child's.
Bucky blinked. He didn't know what to do. Social interactions were not his fortè.
So he said to the other man, the first thing that came to mind, "You have pretty eyes."
The other man laughed. A beautiful sound, one like that of waves on a beach. But Bucky couldn't dwell on it for long. His cheeks flamed in embarrassment. He had only just opened his mouth to apologise when the other man spoke.
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." He said with a smile. "Thank you. I am Percy Jackson. You can call me Percy."
Bucky blinked. Not believing his ears. But he didn't question it.
Giving a smile of his own, Bucky said, "I am James Barnes or Bucky Barnes. You can call me James or Bucky."
If Percy recognised him, he gave no indication of it. He smiled and continued jogging.
They jogged in silence for some time. Then, Bucky felt the need to speak up.
"You new around here?" He asked.
"Nope. I've been a New Yorker all my life. But I'm new to the neighborhood. My previous apartment burnt down." He grimaced. " But on the plus side, I'm closer to my workplace now."
"Cool. What do you do?"
"I'm a Marine Biologist. I work at the National Marine Centre across the block." He smiled while saying this. Talking about his job seemed to make him happy. Must be a nice feeling, Bucky thought.
"Nice. But why Marine Biology?"
"I've always like the ocean. It's creatures have fascinated me from the time I was a kid. When I grew older and learnt that a job like this existed, I decided to go for it." He smiled, then a quizzical look overtook his face, "Why? You looking for a job?"
"Something like that." He nodded. "I just never thought about doing a full time job. I'm former military so I have some allowances. But I would definitely like one, though I don't know where to start."
Percy looked contemplative for a moment, until his expression cleared and he smiled towards Bucky.
"My best friend has a flower shop nearby. He's looking for an assistant as his wife's pregnant. The shop's nearby. The working hours are reasonable. And the pay is good. You could give it a try if you want." Percy finished, looking oddly hopeful.
"Really?" Bucky asked. "I don't know if I'll do it. But I don't see a problem with trying. How do I apply?"
"I don't know all the details for sure. But the shop's name is 'Pan's Paradise'. If I remember right, there should be an advertisement for the post in tomorrow's newspaper. Check it out if you want."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Besides, that's what the guy beside you at gym is for. To talk serious stuff or utter nonsense."
This time Bucky laughed along with Percy and ended up feeling lighter than he had in a long time.
"So, you gonna be coming here often then?" Bucky asked the question that had been running in his mind. It would be nice to not always be alone.
"Oh yeah definitely. I'll be here later from now though. I had a long meeting at work today and wanted to stretch my muscles. Most of my workout's already done. I might come by 8:30 most days."
"Great. I am usually here by 8 every night. The gym's mostly empty then, as you can clearly see. So I guess we'll be meeting more often now."
"That sounds great" he said, turning the treadmill off. "I've to get going now. It's been a pleasure James." He nodded with a smile.
"Same here Percy."
Bucky watched as Percy drank water and wiped off some sweat with his towel. He shouldered a blue gym bag and turned back to look at Bucky.
"Hope you have a good night Sergeant Barnes." He said, and walked out of the gym.
But Bucky couldn't reply, because unlike he had initially thought, Percy Jackson had known exactly who he was and had made casual talk with him. He hadn't shown any signs of discomfort or hesitance. No disgust or weariness. Ofcourse, he could've been a villain in disguise. But that seemed highly unlikely with how the conversation had progressed. Jackson had gone so far as to recommend him a job, at his best friend's place even after knowing that he was a renowned assassin.
After being brainwashed, turned into a super soldier, being made to kill several hundred people and managing to live for a hundred years without looking a day older than 35, there was very little that could surprise Bucky Barnes, and Percy Jackson had done exactly that to his fragile little heart.