CHAPTER 2


I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

Okay, so Johnny Cash wasn't really his era. But he enjoyed the sadness in the raspy voice of Cash and could relate to most the lyrics as well. That was something Bucky didn't have too often, especially when he tried to listen to this new music. When he said that once, Sam had just looked at him and scoffed. "Yeah, just keep on pretending like you guys didn't have lyrics about sex or shit. Cap told us already that much about your oh-so-prude era." Bucky could only shake his head at that comment. At least they hadn't been talking about selling drugs or partying or that stuff. Of course they hadn't been saints, you would have to be a real fool to believe that! But he liked to think that times were simpler and not this complicated back then. Bucky still had problems adapting to the world as it was now – he hadn't been iced like Steve but as the Winter Soldier he didn't have too much time to actually experience anything. He had been alive but that wasn't what you would exactly call a fulfilled life. So he was getting used to all the new stuff together with his best friend which made things a bit easier. He really enjoyed this invention of the internet where he could just research anything he needed to know. That really made things easier, even though he had been shocked at some of the developments in the world. They had been sent into war with the promise that that would be the last time anyone would have to go to war. Oh boy, they really had been proven wrong on that one! Bucky couldn't believe just how much destruction was still going on all over the world and he promised himself that he would try to end at least some of it. That was the purpose of the Avengers after all, wasn't it? Trying to leave the world behind just a little bit better than it had been before.

"Hey Buck, we wanted to grab some drinks, popcorn and watch a movie. You in?" Steve popped his head into the room where the brown-haired super soldier was currently sitting at his table, brows furrowed and eyes fixed onto a paper in front of him. The blond one smiled to himself and leaned against the door frame. It was good to see Bucky occupied with something that didn't remind him of his actions as the Winter Soldier or of the guy he had been before all of this. He knew that it wasn't good to spend too much time on the past as you were only forgetting the reality you were living in. Bucky lifted his gaze from the essay you had given him and looked at Steve. "Who is we? Because if you're trying to make me third-wheel you and Sharon again, I'm definitely out." He asked with a smirk on his face. He liked Sharon, he really did – but it was just too awkward to sit next to her and Steve like an old nurse that watched over the kids! A faint pink blush appeared on the cheeks of the other super soldier as he quickly shook his head. "Nah, we as in Natasha, Sam, Bruce I think as well, and Tony. On today's list is-" He stopped, tapping his body with one hand and finally took out a small notebook out of his ass pocket, quickly flipping it open. "Ah, yes. Jurassic Park. Apparently, that's a really good movie about dinosaurs or something. You coming, then?" Steve shot a questioning look at his best friend before a smirk plastered itself on his face. "Or are you going to correct Y/N's essay all night so she will smile at you oh so brightly and hug you and call you her hero again?" With every single word, Bucky's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

"That was one time. And no, I do that so that she can learn from her mistakes and continue to keep her grades up." He defended himself but it was all wasted time and words because Steve simply chuckled and shook his head. "You got it bad, man. You really should ask her out, you know – she sounds like a real catch." Bucky's mouth opened and closed without a word coming out, making him look like a fish on dry land. He resolved to simply shaking his head and getting up. There was no way he would continue correcting your work now, Steve and the rest of the team would tease him endlessly for it. And he really wasn't in the mood for that right now. "Oh shit. It's Friday, right? That means any take-out place will be packed and it will probably take us ages to actually get some food." Sam could whine like a small child sometimes which caused Natasha to only roll her eyes at him. The two of them bantered a lot, shooting comments at each other like bullets. Bruce and Tony were standing on the other side of the kitchen aisle, surely talking about some high-level technology that no one else understood. Just as Sam had said that though, a shot of guilt went through Bucky. He normally went to the diner on Fridays, talking a bit with you and just escaping all the craziness of the tower. But as he has already agreed to watch that movie with the rest of the team, that was not possible anymore. The questioning expression on Steve's face brought him back to the kitchen and he shook his head a bit, a sheepish look making its way onto his face. "Sorry, what did you say?" Steve grinned at his best friend. "I said that you always go this diner where they apparently make delicious burgers and fries. And that we could probably go and pick some stuff up there." The sheepish look on Bucky's face faded and he just looked wide-eyed from one Avenger to the next. "I think that's a great idea, you spend a lot of time there so it can't be that bad, right?" That was Bruce, the calm and deep voice making Bucky feel better on the spot. He liked the doctor, he never asked too much and simply accepted everyone as they were. He also was very much in love with Natasha, which amused everyone. The green monster and the Black Widow – quite the concept if you asked Bucky! "Well, uhm. Yeah, I-I guess we c-could do that." Damn it, why was he stuttering now? Natasha had one eyebrow up and a very slight smirk on her lips while Steve could barely hold himself together. "I mean, yeah that's no problem. I can go now, but it'll probably take like half an hour to get everything." Bucky was quick to add and turned around to grab his jacket and wallet as Steve put a hand on his shoulder. "Nat and me are gonna join you, we still need a few drinks and snacks from the store. And we can help you carry everything." On the inside, he wanted to just punch his friend right across the face but Bucky managed a small smile and simply nodded. He didn't have any intention to actually bring one of them with him into the diner – you didn't know about all of his and he very much wanted to keep it like that.

Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it

It's gotta be rock on music
If you wanna dance with me

Today was incredibly full, even for a Friday. Ever since you had opened the doors to the diner, there had been not one minute for you to sit down or have a quick snack or anything. You were lucky to manage a few sips of soda in the back of the kitchen every now and then before bringing out plates again. Still, you missed one particular customer. He never missed a Friday at the diner and you had to tell yourself not to worry too much about it. Who knew what was going on in his life, there was like absolutely no justification for you to worry about James. When you thought about it, there wasn't even too much that you knew about him. He was in his late 20ies, probably already early 30ies. He had a troubled past he didn't want to talk about too much and he spoke fluent Russian and German. His knowledge of jazz music was impressive, but then again he didn't really know anything about modern pop-culture. When you had been brainstorming about a good Halloween costume and proposed Leia from Star Wars, he had simply looked at you with an empty face. Apparently, he didn't know anything about Star Wars or Star Trek or even Rocky! But James was a complete gentleman and you liked him a lot. He was sweet to anyone at the diner, always asking if you had troubles with college or needed a ride home. But as your grandmother had taught you, there was no way you would let a nearly complete stranger drive you home.

Today's music was more Rock'n'Roll which fit the mood of the whole audience. Loud chatting and laughter mixed with the sound of plates, knives and forks clattering and you could already feel your headache coming. You had just brought some plates with leftover food into the kitchen and watched the diner empty just a little bit when you spotted him. He was standing outside of the diner with a really pretty woman and a huge guy with a cap on which hid most of his face. You didn't have time to properly look at them though as some customers waved at you. So, you quickly wiped your hands on the apron that hung around your waist and made your way through the tables to get their plates and their following order.

"And here I thought I would have to miss you dearly until next week. The usual, three times?" You finally greeted him when James made his way to the bar, looking a bit awkward and shooting glances over his shoulder every now and then. His friends walked slowly behind him, smiling at you. "Hey Y/N. Nah, we're going with the big one six times and as a take-out." He responded while shifting his weight onto one of the stools in front of the bar. "Alright, but that might take a bit. Today's a packed one, I have no idea where all these people came from." You shrugged apologetically but still smiled at him and his friends who were now sitting down as well. "Anything I can do for you in the mean time? Coke for you as usual I guess, and for you two?" Your gaze went onto the two others who hadn't introduced themselves yet. The guy still had his cap on which left his eyes in the shadow and she was wearing the hood of her sweater on her head, covering most of the shining red hair. Her eyes darted through the room quickly and you could've sworn that you had seen that face somewhere before. "A beer for him and another coke for me, please." She then said in a raspy and deep voice which surprised you a bit, but you simply nodded and smiled at them again before ripping of the page of your little notebook and making your way into the kitchen.

You didn't really have time to chat with James or his friends during their wait for the food which disappointed you. Just a few sentences here and there before you had to go and pick up some more orders, bring plates out or back into the kitchen. Finally, the number of guests had significantly slimmed down but – lucky you – that was just at the exact time that their food was ready to go. With a small smile, you brought out the bags of food and placed them on the counter. "I've put in some of the special sauce for you guys, it's a favourite around here. And a menu as well, so the next time you can just call and Emilio will bring you the stuff home." You explained and watched as they nodded their approval. "Thanks, Y/N. I'll see you next Friday with your essay, didn't have too much time to correct it yet." James smiled at you which caused you to chuckle. "That bad, yeah? I should probably really take up on that offer of yours and get me someone to talk with me in German for hours on end." This made the woman turn around with a big grin on her face. "I think James will be more than happy to do that, wouldn't you? Mein Deutsch ist leider ein wenig eingerostet." You nearly dropped the glass in your hand that you had been drying. That woman spoke German, too? And without the slightest trace of an accent as well? Your eyes darted from her to James who had stopped dead in his tracks with a stony expression on his face. "Natasha…." His voice wasn't more than a whisper but the sound of it still managed to send shivers down your back. She simply shrugged and waved at you quickly before exiting the diner, leaving you and James behind. He groaned silently before turning around and looking at you with a sorry expression. "I'm – well, uh – I'm sorry. She can be a lot sometimes." The smile reappeared on your face and slowly, you began to dry the glasses again. "It's really okay, James. If you don't want to do that, that's completely fine, you're already a big help with correcting my essays and all that stuff. I'm really asking too much of you with everything so yeah, I'll just find someone at college who is good at German or over Facebook." Before you could drabble on, he lifted a hand to silent you and shook his head. "Y/N, that's completely fine. I'll help you with your German, no problem. But I have one condition." You tilted your head to the side, raising your eyebrows in question. "I get a pot of this special sauce every time." A laugh escaped your mouth at the sight of his sheepish expression and you could only nod at that. "Es ist mir ein Vergnügen." You replied and watched him leave the diner with a huge smile on your face. Oh boy, you really had it bad for that guy.

Mein Deutsch ist leider ein wenig eingerostet. = My German is a bit rusty.

Es ist mir ein Vergnügen. = It's my pleasure.