A/N: This chapter would not have happened without my beta @lokissoul That’s not a joke. She’s a saint for putting up with my crap. Please don’t hate me, okay? This was important to understanding where Bucky is at in his life.
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Orion takes off towards the swing set curls bouncing in the breeze as she runs through the open grassy field. She dodges other kids, toys and a few dogs on leashes, but it’s a path she’s perfected. She knows every rock and bump and hole that tries to keep her from getting to the playset.
“Stay where I can see you and if anyone tries talking to you what do you do?” Nat shouts after her. Orion turns back to her aunt and holds up both fists, grinning. Nat laughs and waves her permission allowing the little girl to get back to top speed.
“Her daddy know you taught her to punch strangers?” Y/n asks, grinning.
You looked down at your watch, relieved that just like your son you were going to make it to work on time. Bucky really relieved your worries when he offered to drive you to work, him saying that it was better since he wanted to get to know the mother of his daughter’s best friend. As you were telling him the directions, you were surprised he would turn in the right direction before you even go the chance to finish your directions.
“You know Brooke mentions that she wants to invite Isaac over,” eyes fixed on the road, “and was wondering if you don’t mind setting something up, Brooke would be ecstatic,” his smile growing just thinking about how happy his little girl will be.
“Yea I don’t see why not, Isaac practically jumps at any chance to play,” agreeing with him, already knowing how he’s going to be jumping with joy when you would mention it.
“Great hopefully we can get a date sorted soon,” Bucky quickly glanced over at you with a smile.
Your face slightly warmed up, since his words for some reason being misinterpreted in that your children’s playdate would be a single date with him. Reminding you that you it has been a long time since you have even been on a date, because your free time was usually devoted to your son.
Not sure what to say, you just focused back on the road, noticing that you were almost at your workplace, “uh, you’re going to make a left at that stop sign,” pointing at said stop sign.
You hummed to the beat of the music, Bucky smiling to himself as you were so comfortable around him. You were ready for him to turn left; however he quickly turned right, already parking his car, not expecting that at all. .
“Uhh, I know that this sounds weird, but left is the other way,” pointing to the side of the street you should have been on, “but if you want to drop me off here its ok, thank you so much for the ride,” already getting ready to hop out of his car, and hoping that maybe what you said came off as a bit rude.
“I know, it’s just I need to park, before my spot gets taken, I’ll walk you to your work though,” he said as he turned off the car and reaching into the backseat to pull out a blue sleeved shirt to go over his black tee.
You eyed him curiously not understanding what he meant, but none the less he was doing you the huge favor for even giving you a ride to begin with. He quickly downed on his blue work shirt, his name ‘James’ embroidered on the side, as he told you to stay put. You gathered your things, as Bucky opened your door, bright smile on his face.
“Thanks, Bucky, I would have still been on the bus if it wasn’t for you,” you admitted as you brushed your hair out of your face, feeling so small as he almost towered over you.
“I don’t mind driving you, I mean we work near each other to begin with,” he said with a smile.
“We do?” you questioned.
“Yea, you see that garage shop over there,” he said pointing to a car repair shop just down the block.
You nodded as you both started walking heading to the cross light.
“I work there,” he continued as he pushed the button for you both to cross, “that’s why I didn’t mind taking you, now let’s get you to work before your late,” he said as he gestured you to walk as walking man sign turned on.
“You don’t have to Bucky, I mean I don’t want to make you late either, you’ve already been a big help,” not wanting to take too much of his time, always in your nature to put others ahead of yourself.
Bucky chuckled, “I own the place, and no one can get mad at me, besides it’s just me working in the morning today. And I’m pretty sure no one is going to be there right at the start of the day, I can afford to be a few minutes late,” his hand landing on your back to tell you that you weren’t going to talk him out of dropping you off at work, “unless you don’t want me too, I’ll understand if you do.”
“No, that’s not it!” taking a step forward, giving into him and really hoping you weren’t coming off as rude, “it’s really cool that you own your own shop.”
“Yea, it was hard to start, but it’s doing well so far, get a good flow of customers. Plus its nice not having anyone breathing down your back, I’m my own boss,” his voice really showcasing how proud he was of his shop, “may not be a doctor or lawyer, but pays the bills. Don’t hesitate to come on by if you ever have car troubles, I’ll make sure to give you a family discount,” smiling over at you, making you really admire how handsome he really was.
“Is this some sort of sales pitch?” you teased, “because hate to break it to you, but I already sent my car to repair to another repair shop,” you finished.
“Just saying,” his shoulders scrunching up, “you should best mechanic in this part of town,” he said with confidence.
“Says who?” smirk on your face, and slowing down your pace, not wanting to stop talking to him at all and judging by how he matched your pace…neither did he.
“Says myself,” his tone just as playful as yours, “but seriously though stop by sometime, don’t be afraid to ask for help or a repair,” being very sincere to you.
“Yea, I’ll keep that in mind if anything happens, but I hope it doesn’t don’t think my wallet would afford constant car troubles,” you laughed.
“Guess not,” laughing along with you. You stopped in front of your job, Bucky stopping as well, looking up at the name of your shop, “figured you work in a bookstore,” smile growing on his face as his blue gaze met your eyes, somewhat entrancing you, trying to keep yourself from getting lost in them.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” placing your hands on your sides, your eyebrows furrowing wondering if he was trying compliment your or insult you.
“it’s nothing bad, just…,” trying to find the best way to correct his wrong, his mouth opening and closing unsure of what to say. He was worried that if he did say what he planned to, it may upset you, “nothing never mind,” his hand scratching the back of his head, his cheeks gaining a pink color.
“Ok,” forgetting about what just happened, mainly because you were too bust enjoying the view of this big strong man being so bashful over a simple question.
You looked at the watering can by the door, sign that your coworkers already assigned you to water the flowers outside the shop, but then again you were the one that suggested it and even picked out your favorite flowers to plant. You picked up the can, sighing as you realized that it was empty, thinking that the least they could do was at least fill it up to save you the time.
“Watering duty?” pointing at the can.
“Yep, but I don’t mind, I mean I sort of was the one that nursed all these flowers to begin with,” pointing at the flowers that lined the store.
“Really?” his blue eyes slightly widening, “I can barely keep a plant alive for more than a week, what kind of flowers are they?”
“the white ones on the bush are gardenias, the red and magenta flowers are peonies,” pointing out which ones they were, glad that they were in full bloom, so he could really appreciate them, the morning air slightly tinted with the scent of the gardenias, “they’re my favorite flowers,” you quietly said but by the way Bucky lifted his eyebrows, you blushed knowing that he heard it.
“They’re really pretty,” he said softly, as his left hand reached out to touch the soft velvet petals of the gardenia. He was careful, treating them as if any sudden or wrong movement would cause all the petals to fall off. However this this allowed you a good opportunity to see the beautiful tattoos that were inked across his skin, hints of gears, stars, trees, and more scattered across his arms, all coming together to form an intricate monochrome piece.
Bucky’s arms were beautiful, firm muscles all across his arms and basically his whole body, giving away how fit he was. His muscles were so prominent throughout his body, it wasn’t that you were interested in him, but you couldn’t help but stare at an attractive man, especially when his tattoos basically screamed to be looked and appreciated. You trailed up his arm, seeing how each one was so unique, reaching to the hem of his sleeve, wondering what more lied underneath. But before you could let your imagination begin to wonder, your eyes met with his crystal blue ones with a smirk very present on his face.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to stare,” your face starting to heat up, “I mean, I know I did, but,” groaning because you were just making things worse.
He chuckled, making your face heat up even more in embarrassment, “its fine, I mean I guess my tattoos are just as much for my eyes as for anyone else’s,” looking down at his tattooed arm.
“They’re beautiful though,” not even caring that your cheeks were on fire.
“Thanks,” his smile ever present with the pink tint still on his cheeks, “so I was asking if you want I could give you a ride to pick up our kids,” he asked his voice losing that playful tone replaced with a soft tone.
“Sure, do I meet you here or at your shop?”
“I’ll swing by and pick you up, now hate to cut our conversation, but I think it’s time for you to go, before you’re actually late,” the bright smile back, his head gesturing to the door.
You looked down at your watch and he was right, you had to go inside and clock in. You thanked him and dashed inside, already feeling the curious stares of your coworkers, knowing that they were going to ask who you were speaking to…but you didn’t stop at all. As you were clocking in you couldn’t shake the heat off your cheeks, feeling that it skyrocket, when he said ‘our kids’. You brought your hands up to your face, letting out a sigh, you were an adult and yet here you were swooning over Bucky like a schoolgirl. You shook your head, wanting to forget those feeling, labeling them as a sign that you needed to go back on the dating scene soon…and preferably not with him.
