THIEF | BUCKY BARNES

SIXTY SIX

DATE
❝I'm reading your mind, Sarge.❞

Odessa glanced up at the clock as she wiped the tables, it was 9:58pm. He had two minutes until he said he was going to be here. Although it wasn't their first date, or their first impression of one another, the girl felt nervous.

"He'll be here." Leah announced as she helped the girl wipe the tables. Leah and Odessa both worked late on Thursday nights and were often the ones to close up.

The brunette let out a heavy sigh as she rested her hands against the bar. Odessa jumped as the door swung open and in walked Bucky with a bouquet of flowers.

"Well, if that's not the most adorably old fashioned thing anyone's ever done." Leah spoke up from behind the bar.

Odessa just smiled up to Bucky and grabbed the flowers from his grip. She brought them to her nose and grinned.

"They're beautiful." She uttered, going to step forward and kiss Bucky, but he gave her a look as if to say that they had an audience. "I'll be done in a few, Leah, keep him company?"

Leah nodded as Odessa rushed to the back to finish cleaning up. She made sure that the rosters were all in order and who knew they'd like be working the next shift. She sent a quick photo of the chalk board into the group chat so that the others would know.

She headed back to the main room as she heard Leah question Bucky,

"Wait, how old are you?"

"A hundred and six." Bucky responded without missing a beat and that is when Odessa decided to make herself known again. Leah just laughed at Bucky, thinking it was a joke. But Odessa didn't miss the way that Bucky chuckled anxiously.

"What's up with your gloves?" Leah questioned curiously.

Bucky raised his hands and looked down at his gloves, his eyes flickering to Odessa anxiously.

"I-Um- have uh, poor circulation." Bucky shrugged, he couldn't think of anything else to say.

Odessa walked around the bar and grabbed herself a beer, flashing a playful smile at the man sat in front of her. Leah was harmless, except when it came to the amount of questions she was asking.

"I'm all done." Odessa muttered to the girl. "I'll lock up for the night."

"Okay, we'll I'll let you two play a game." Leah said as she bent down and pulled out the game 'battle ships'. "We keep some games around for boring shifts. And with that, I'll be off."

Leah grabbed her coat and keys in one swift movement before heading towards the door. She blew a kiss at Odessa before rushing out.

Odessa shook her head, turning her attention back to Bucky who had just tried to stop the fortune cats arm from waving. He furrowed his brows as it carried on waving at him.

"It doesn't stop, Buck." Odessa muttered as she leant across the bar and pursed her lips for a kiss.

"Then it's stupid." Bucky whispered back, leaning forward and pressing his lips against the girl. "How's work been?"

"Quite, a lot quieter than yesterday." She shrugged. The evening shifts were never too busy, which the girl didn't mind. It meant that she could just sit around and talk to Leah, who was normally on the same shift as her.

~

Odessa sat staring at Bucky, her head in her hand and narrowed eyes. Bucky looked at her with furrowed brows and questioned,

"What are you doing?"

"I'm reading your mind, Sarge." She teased.

"Please don't." Bucky responded softly.

"Why. What are you thinking about?" Odessa questioned curiously, causing Bucky to just wink at her in response. "B-8."

"Uhh," Bucky looked at his board, picking up a piece and saying, "hit." He thought it best to avoid the question.

Odessa covered her mouth as she tried her hardest not to laugh, it was clear that Bucky had no clue how to play battle ships. Despite reading the instructions, but Odessa wanted to see how long it would take him to own up.

"Drink." She pointed to one of his many beer bottles. Bucky rolled his eyes and took a swig of his beer. "Jed wants to know when he can next see you."

"Whenever he wants, I miss the kid." Bucky smiled. He loved spending time with Odessa's siblings, they always seemed to be happy. "F-4."

"Miss." Odessa leant back in her hair and looked at the man carefully.

"O, can I be honest with you?" Bucky questioned the girl. Odessa hummed in response. "I have no clue how to play this game."

Odessa burst out laughing, causing Bucky to look at her confused. She stood up from her seat to go over and sit on Bucky's lap. Her hand cupped his cheek as she gently connected their lips.

"I know." She whispered. "Shall we head home?"

"I think I want to stop by Yori's, but I'll walk you home and then come back as soon as." Bucky explained, ever since earlier Yori and his son had been playing on Bucky's mind.

"Okay." Odessa nodded.

~

Odessa waited in the living room for Bucky to return. He walked in and his shoulders were slumped. Bucky didn't hesitate in laying down on the couch and resting his head on Odessa's lap.

She didn't say anything, instead she just combed her fingers through his hair and hoped it would sooth him. She watched as Bucky pulled his gloves off angrily before throwing it to the floor.

Bucky wrapped his arms around the girls torso and shuffled closer. He just wanted to be next to her.

Odessa understood that Bucky didn't want to talk, so instead she turned on the TV, not expecting to see the new Captain America.

The girl scowled in disgust, she knew that Sam had just handed over the shield. Now, they had given it to someone new. Someone who didn't even know Steve. Someone who didn't know what he stood for.

"That is complete and utter bullshit."