Chapter 2: Drum Roll
The three men step back into the elevator in Torres' building. Sam has a box of knitted beanies and scarves to take to the VA with him. Torres is twitching, ready to move on. He sports a new Super Mario themed green mushroom beanie, proudly. A 1-up, because you said he needed an extra life with all the wounds you've helped treat from his Falcon wing trials. He's still hoping Sam will tell him he's the new Falcon. He's ready to continue helping people outside his military experiences. Bucky is now carrying the record, guarded like it was precious metals or jewels. His face is stoic. He's deep in thought.
"So, Abuelita, huh?" Torres braves the silence. It remains silent as all eyes move from Torres to Bucky. Bucky's expression softens for a second before he glares at Torres.
"I like her." Sam beats him to speaking.
Bucky has to ask; he needs to know. "Abuelita? She's not old Torres."
Torres smirks, "I didn't say she was my Abuelita. She has old lady hobbies and habits. She knits. Doesn't own a tv. She's an outgoing introvert. But mostly it's the knitting that earned her the nickname."
"Do you know her real name?" Sam is curious too.
"Of course, I know my best friend's name! If you ring her apartment the name says Abuelita. She thinks it's funny and likes the anonymity. It keeps people from ringing her bell to get into the building." Bucky likes anonymity too. He likes Abuelita more and more the more he learns about her.
"And the first aid kit?" Sam again. Bucky forgot about that. What was that about?
"EMT, but that's her story to tell." Torres states seriously. Why does he look so solemn now? "Oh, and be good to her."
"I will be, don't give me the big brother talk. I don't need you trying to hurt me." Bucky snaps.
"Bold of you to assume she would need me to hurt you." Torres deadpans back.
Bucky is up early the next morning. Nothing new, at least he escaped some nightmares last night. He wants to look nice for this date and he's hoping for a second. A sweater? But would his gloves look out of place if he went for a softer look? Does he need them? Surely not in front of Abuelita, but the general public? Maybe a sweater is a second date look.
He's changed three times by the time he needs to leave to meet you at your apartment. He buzzes to get into the building. When you answer he says, "Hey, it's Bucky."
And when he's met with silence he corrects, "James, it's James. Hey Abuelita." The giggle he receives at that is the greatest sound he's heard in years.
"Come on up," you say while unlocking the building's door for him. Now all you have to do is find your left shoe. Nope, he came up faster than you can find it. Opening your door sheepishly you exchange hellos. He looks fantastic in that navy blue Reglan crew neck sweater. Are you underdressed?
"I've buried this shoe somewhere. Help me find it while you explain Bucky?" you ask.
"Sure," he begins and looks at your right shoe. You are wearing leggings and a sweater with an open (Chris-cross) back that shows part of your lacy bralette. Bucky wonders if it's ok to see the undergarment. Was it deliberate? And how did you lose a whole boot? Are those dinosaur socks? How are you cuter wearing a beanie?
He is endeared by all of it. You're adorable. "It's a nickname my friends call me. My middle name is Buchanan…..Here. Under the couch?"
"Oh yeah, I was so done with the day the last time I wore these that kicked them off as soon as I walked in the door." You take the boot gently grazing Bucky's left hand. You have no idea if he can feel it. The move doesn't go unnoticed by Bucky. You were so casual as though you hadn't noticed it was his Vibranium hand. Placing the boot on your foot and standing to grab your purse you ask, "Ready to go, James?"
"Bucky, doll. I'd rather you called me Bucky." He states as he gently pinches the sleeve of your sweater with his Vibranium hand to move it back up your shoulder. He's not touching you, but it's a surprisingly intimate act. This close he can smell the intoxicating scent of your perfume. The scent is so relaxing that Bucky wants to get even closer to you and see if the smell is more intense behind your ear or in your hair. First kisses are supposed to happen at the emend/em of dates. So instead, he stills and runs the cold tips of his fingers down the open back of your sweater. But that's not what makes you shiver. It's him. Purely Bucky's presence and tenderness. "And yeah, I'm ready."
Trying to compose yourself you manage to get out "Yeah. Great….Coffee?...Bucky."
"Speaking of nicknames," Bucky begins, "You're Abuelita on the door. And in my phone. (You both grin cheekily. You're glad he noticed how you saved your number for him.) Is that what you would rather I called you? ... Not that I mind."
Anything. Whatever you want. He's still so close to you.
"Ynez. My name is Ynez."