"Getting better!" said Bucky to Katie, a few days later during their boxing class.
Katie grinned, proud of herself. "Thank you!" She turned back to the bag.
Bucky hesitantly approached. "But don't forget," He lightly corrected her posture. She almost didn't feel it. "Keep your back straight."
Katie's face burned as she straightened back up. "Oops, I always forget that."
Bucky shrugged. "A common mistake." He cast a quick, small smile at her, which she gladly returned.
"Do you want to go for coffee after this?" Katie suddenly asked.
Startled, Bucky just blinked at her. "Like, without Steve?"
"I mean...yeah." Katie nervously wrung her hands. "You know what, never mind, it's fine - "
"I'd like that. Coffee." Bucky cut in, still blinking. Katie was asking him out. Sort of. Okay, not really, but it made him nervous all the same. He turned away, a stupid grin on his face. Katie wiped her forehead.
(Later)
"...and it was hilarious. We all laughed so hard, but then I ended up getting detention..." Katie was saying. Bucky was listening intently while sipping his coffee across from her at the local vintage cafe. It was their favourite place to meet. Suddenly, Katie paused and looked at him. "You don't talk much, do you?" she pointed out.
Bucky shook his head. "Not unless there's something worth saying." he replied.
"Yeah, I get ya." Katie looked out the window at the passing traffic. "It's weird." she mused. "This world we're living in. It's so different from the forties."
Bucky shrugged. "I think it's better." Katie looked at him quizzically. "We had the war." he clarified.
"True." There was a moment of silence before Katie spoke up. "So, how did you get so good at boxing?" she said, changing the subject.
Bucky leaned back. "I trained myself back in the forties. I guess it just gave me something to do with my time." he explained. "How about you?"
"I have anger management issues." Katie replied, point blank. "It's a good stress reliever."
Bucky nodded. "That it is." He smiled. "I should have guessed, you have red hair."
Katie laughed. "You know it's a misconception."
"Is it?" Bucky said, suspiciously. "I've seen you punch."
Katie shook her head. "I'm part-Irish, so…" She stirred her coffee, chuckling. "One time I was in the store with my mother and I wanted candy, but my mom said no, so I threw a tantrum for the next hour."
Bucky laughed, and Katie grinned. There was nothing like seeing Bucky laugh. His eyes crinkled around the edges and his nose would scrunch. It was enough to make anyone melt, and that included Katie. Her heart leapt in her chest. "Wow." sighed Bucky, shaking his head.
"Yup. I was the kid from hell." nodded Katie, feeling proud of herself but also slightly discombobulated. She spilled her coffee all over herself. Bucky gasped and handed her a napkin.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Oh, yes. Just...coffee. Makes me jittery." She swallowed and avoided his eyes. She looked out the window at the squirrel crossing the power line. "So, squirrels! Am I right?" He squinted at her, but didn't prod any further.