Chapter Text
I can't keep my eyes off of him. I mean does he have any idea how gorgeous he is? He's bound to notice me staring at him. But it's hard not to. He lives up to the old cliché: tall, dark and handsome. Then there are those incredible blue eyes.
You're still staring. Pull yourself together for goodness sake! You don't want to get caught staring, that'd be really embarrassing!
But he's so handsome. OK I’ll admit I have a thing about men with long hair, it’ll always get my attention. But the hair has to be well kept, clean and neat, not dirty or straggly, He has the most lovely thick dark hair. It sits just on his shoulders and looks so soft and shiny. I love the way it flicks round when he turns his head and takes a moment to settle back into place. I so want to run my fingers through it.
Oh gods! He's seen me looking at him, he's looking right at me. I can feel a nervous smile spreading over my face. He fixes me with a stare from those incredible grey-blue eyes, before his expression softens and a slight trace of a smile teases his dark pink lips. Look away you fool before you start blushing! I look down and pick up my coffee, taking a sip.
I've seen him in here quite a number of times. First time I saw him, I stood behind him in the queue. I was half asleep and I must admit I thought I was dreaming, he's easily the best looking guy I've seen in a long time. He towers over me, he must be at least 6 foot tall and strongly built.
On that first morning it looked like he'd come from the gym, as he was dressed in black sweatpants and a hoody with his hair tied back in a ponytail. From watching him, I got the idea that he's ex-military, as he has the air of a soldier about him. I noticed he kept his left hand in his pocket, I wondered if he'd been injured somehow. Perhaps he lost the use of that arm?
Since that first chance encounter I've seen him in the coffee shop fairly regularly. I've never spoken to him, I just daren’t, I get so nervous. He seems friendly enough though. He usually gets a his coffee to go, except when it's quiet, in which case he'll order cake or a pastry along with a coffee and sit in a comfy seat near the door and spend a while there.
None of these observations alter the fact that I've just made eye contact with him and I'm doing my level best not to blush. He’s been served and has come over to sit at the table opposite me. I risk looking up again and he's looking down, but he's still smiling slightly. Today his hair is loose and he absent-mindedly runs his fingers through it.
He's wearing a long-sleeve red top with a button up neck that clings to his muscular chest, accentuating his broad shoulders and biceps, revealing that he definitely works out. Plus a pair of deep blue jeans that hug his legs showing he definitely does not skip leg day.
Seems my assessment that he'd lost use of his left arm was incorrect as he used it to pick up his coffee. But he does have an artificial hand, made to look like metal robot hand. I know that artificial limbs are improving all the time and people have all kinds of designs on them. Never seen one like his though. The rest of his arm is hidden, but it seems to be the same as his right one, with the exception of this incredible prosthetic hand sticking out of his sleeve.
I'm staring again and he’s definitely noticed. I can feel my face burning. I must be as red as a tomato by now. He smiles shyly. He glances at his left hand and back up at me and looks down, chewing the inside of his cheek nervously.
Great! Well done you, you've made the poor guy feel uncomfortable. You're such an idiot! I look down, at the cake in front of me staring at it. Maybe if I sit here long enough he'll finish his coffee and go. Maybe if I sit here long enough the Earth will swallow me up. I continue staring down, I daren’t look up.
I hear a noise from opposite me. He's moving, surely he can't have finished so quickly, he's only just sat down.
I look up again and he's standing right there in front of me. He looks a little nervous, his left hand is tucked in his front pocket of his jeans.
“Pardon me, I don't wanna seem too forward, but would ya mind if I join you?,” he indicates the seat next to me with his other hand, “If ya don't mind some company, that is.” He pushes his hair out of his face, tucking it behind his ear, smiling as he does so.
I'm smiling like an idiot, but I can't say anything. Eventually I nod, temporarily rendered speechless, (well I hope it's temporary!).
He steps away to pick up his coffee and cake, then returns, placing them on the table and pulls up a chair, resting his left hand on his lap. He flashes a reassuring smile.
I look at him, he's breathtakingly beautiful up-close. His blue grey eyes shine when he smiles, his deep pink lips stand out against his olive skin, he has a strong jawline, dimpled chin and cheekbones you could cut yourself on. Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming! He looks at me, that slightly nervous look reappears, he starts chewing the inside of his cheek again.
After what seems like an age he speaks again, his voice as soft as velvet. “I noticed you in here a few times. You're the only person I've seen who doesn't seem bothered by me being... different.” His voice trails off slightly, as he looks down at his left hand. He falls silent running his right hand through his hair, looking at me expectantly.
For gods sake don't say anything stupid! But do say something!
“There's nothing wrong with being different, it's the different people that you meet that you remember, not the ones that are all the same.” I hear myself say. Oh well done! That was stupid! I smile nervously, hoping I haven't blown it.
“Glad to hear it, I like that attitude,” he falls silent again, as if distracted. “I must admit I haven't spoken to a beautiful dame in I don't know how long,” he pauses again. “Seems like decades,” he smiles briefly, before he runs the tip of his tongue over his bottom lip, then bites his bottom lip gently before letting it go. He still looks nervous.
“Phrasing it like that I can believe it's been decades! You sound like something out of a second world war film.” I laugh nervously. Oh you did not just say that! Get a grip! He's come over to talk and you're gonna scare him off saying stupid things like that. He's obviously as nervous as you are, if the lip biting is anything to go by, your dumb remarks won't help matters. I glance down briefly, trying to prevent myself from blushing even more than I already am.
He doesn't react at first, then a smile spreads slowly across his face. “Yeah, I guess I do kinda sound like that,” he sighs gently.
“Sorry, that probably sounded rude,” I say, wringing my hands together.
“No, no, that's fair, I guess it does sound old fashioned,” he says dropping his head, letting his hair fall into his face, before looking back up with at me through his hair with puppy dog eyes. Then he pushes his hair out of his face with his hand and flashes me a brilliant smile.
I giggle quietly and smile at him, feeling the blushing subsiding as I continue talking to this unusual but charming man. I take a sip of my coffee as I start to relax. I find myself mirroring his gestures, as I push my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear.
“I guess I should introduce myself, my name is James, but everyone calls me Bucky.”