After her little performance the night took a turn. Sarah brought the kids to bed before Joaquin had the splendid idea for the adults to go to the nearest dive bar.
"Come on, it'll be FUN," he said, mocking all the adults. "What are you guys old?"
"Well technically I'm 107," Bucky said from his spot on the log.
"Shut up man," Sam said, throwing his bottle cap at him.
"I, for one, love the idea." Charlie said getting up and removing Bucky's jacket, handing it back to him. "I'm gonna go in that house and change and when I come back out you guys are gonna be ready."
Charlie scurried in the house and Bucky stared after her. Her dress swished as her hips moved and she disappeared into the darkness. He was distracted by snickering coming from beside him and he turned to look to find Sam and Joaquin practically in tears.
"What?"
"You're doing the staring thing," Sam laughed.
"Shut up," he said, finishing off his beer.
"Even better is he's doing it after Charlie," Joaquin said.
"You know you can tell me I'm right Bucky you won't combust." Sam said.
"Right?"
"Yeah I told you you'd like her."
"I don't like her."
"Is that why you're staring after her?" Joaquin laughed.
"You guys know I'm a highly trained assassin right? Like you're actively trying to piss me off?" Bucky said, tossing his bottle in the fire and standing up.
"Look man, give it a chance. What's wrong with having a little fun?" Bucky just stared them down as they finished their drinks. Sarah came back out to meet them after convincing Mr. Lou to babysit, Charlie following closely behind her now clad in tight dark jeans, a white t-shirt, a leather jacket and some boots. Bucky did his best to keep his eyes from wandering to her lower half as they all walked to their cars.
"I'll drive guys," Sarah said unlocking the van. They all filled in and made their way to the bar. The dive looked like a beacon in the darkness as they approached. The yellow lights of the parking lot filling the sky. Once she parked they hopped out and Charlie laced her arm with Sarah as they entered the dive. The room smelled of beer, sweat, and old cigarettes despite it being non-smoking inside. The jukebox played old country softly in the background. Bucky could swear it was almost as if he was having a flashback of the bars back home in the good old days. They joined the girls at the bars, drinks already having been ordered.
"Tequila? Really?" Sam quipped.
"Makes the clothes come off," Joaquin joked. Bucky glared at him for having said such a thing.
"It's a song." Charlie whispered in his ear, placing a hand on his arm. He could swear there was electricity between the two of them. So much so he had to double check she didn't touch his metal arm and get shocked.
"Alright gadies and lentlemen," Charlie said, clapping her hands and rubbing them together before handing out the shots of tequila and the limes. "As a fourth grade teacher I have to say I don't get to do this very often so, may as well do it the right way. A toast to my friends… Life is a waste of time. Time is a waste of life. So why not get wasted all the time, and have the time of our life."
Everyone raised their glasses to clink and said their here here's before slugging back the liquid. It wasn't lost on Charlie that Bucky was making eye contact with her as they drank. In fact, for the rest of the night his eyes were on her and she knew it. A small piece of her liked the attention though she wouldn't admit it aloud. No; she knew he was only here for a short stay and the soldier probably had no interest in her the way he'd piqued hers. The guys played pool while her and Sarah danced the night away to shitty hair metal songs, singing into their beer bottles and taking many more shots.
"Hey gorgeous, you wanna dance?" The chubby biker pushed his luck though he was asking Sarah not Charlie. She took his hand and they began to dance sloppily across the floor. Joaquin and Sam were still running the pool table, which left Bucky to his own devices leaning up against the bar. Charlie joined him at his side, happily buzzed and just a little more bold than she'd have normally been.
"Je vais le regretter demain matin," she quipped.
"Je ne savais pas que tu parlais français," Bucky responded. She hung her head and laughed.
"I actually speak a few languages. But you're in the bayou, Bucky everyone speaks French."
"So how do we get these drunk idiots home?"
"Not feeling the party?" Charlie said, swigging back the last of yet another beer.
"I'm not a party kinda guy. Not anymore," Bucky said, a quick flashback of him dancing all night long flashing through his brain from 1943.
"So no chance you'd join me for a dance?" she said, turning to him. He gave her a glare, clearly over the night's festivities.
"Vel'mi zly vojak," she said, shrugging and giving up another one of her languages before joining the men at the pool table.
"Come on Joaquin! We're dancing!" she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the little dance floor. It was perfectly innocent but Bucky's grip on the bar stool next to him could've split it in two. In such a short amount of time this woman had sent his mind into a haze, one he hadn't ever recalled being in. Even when he was younger the women pre war didn't quite get him this riled up and never in 24 hours or less.
"You gonna sit on it or break it?" Sam said sliding up next to him.
"Get lost Sam," Bucky said, throwing back another shot, though he had switched to vodka now.
"Alright man whatever you say…" Sam said, grabbing his friend's shoulder. "But just so you know, she's coming with us tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?"
At the end of the night Bucky drove everyone home. Sarah was barely coherent, Joaquin and Charlie were singing show tunes albeit poorly, and Sam was laughing at Bucky's reaction to the chaos. Sam insisted everyone stay at the house and after much protest Charlie settled into the couch. Her eyes shuffled a bit when she heard someone plop down on the floor next to her. Looking over she spotted Bucky on the floor in front of the couch next to her.
"What on earth are you doing James?" she asked, turning to her side and throwing her arm down to the floor poking him in the chest.
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"It looks like you're sleeping on the floor. Surely that can't be comfortable." she said, biting her lip. That did not go unnoticed by him.
"I sleep on the floor every night."
She sighed and rolled back to her back before getting comfortable herself. She didn't need to have him elaborate, PTSD was something she was familiar with. His admission struck a chord with her as she pictured him sleeping on a floor night after night.
Stars shining bright above you…
Charlie began to sing and for the first time in a while a genuine smile grew on Bucky's face. Unbeknownst to her of course, and he drifted off to sleep to her voice…
That night was the longest night of sleep Bucky had gotten in a long time, and uninterrupted by nightmares was another feat in and of itself. He sat up and stretched his arms over his head, noticing that Charlie was no longer on the couch. He checked his phone on the coffee table; 8:30am. He was shocked. He hadn't slept past 5am in years. He got up from his floor bed and folded the blankets before staggering to the kitchen stretching his back.
"Good morning, creepy sleepy," Sam laughed pouring some coffee into a mug.
"Creepy?" Bucky gruffed, grabbing the mug from him.
"I almost checked for a pulse when I came down this morning. You're always up before the sun."
"I know. It's a strange feeling for me too." he said, sipping the dark liquid. It was a strange feeling. The refreshment that a full night of sleep had given him was very welcome. He felt lighter almost.
"So maybe you'll actually enjoy yourself today." Sam said.
"You never told me what we're doing…" Bucky trailed.
"There's a fair in town, we're taking the boys. Joaquin and Charlie are coming too. I figured since everyones in town we might as well extend the fun." Sam wiggled his brows.
"Jeez I haven't been to a fair since before the war." Bucky rubbed the back of his neck.
"Biggest one around here. It's a lot of fun but we do have one problem." Sam piqued. Bucky raised a brow in confusion. "Our car is full so you're gonna have to go pick up Charlie."
"Why me? Can't Joaquin get her?"
"Joaquin hasn't stopped puking yet. Plus, you two seemed to get along just fine last night. Just go pick her up and meet us at the fair around 11. She'll know where she's going." Sam said, tossing him the keys to his truck before heading out to the porch to finish his coffee. Bucky hung his head before making his way to the bathroom for a quick shower. Kicking Joaquin out from his place in front of the toilet and making a joke about not being able to hold his liquor.
"You cheat! You have a serum to keep this bullshit from happening," Joaquin grumbled as he pulled himself up and dragged himself out of the bathroom. Bucky locked the door to the bathroom, and took in his appearance as the water he'd turned on got warm. The night of sleep had significantly lightened the dark under eyes he usually kept. He needed a shave, which he did, and he felt like he looked like a new person. It was unfamiliar, but a welcome face looking back at him. He dressed after his shower, slipping his leather jacket back on and his gloves. He didn't mind being a little warmer after the many years HYDRA had kept him in the cold. Louisiana was getting cooler but still 70 degrees, and he would look out of place with such an ensemble but it was worth it to hide the stares of passers by. He popped in Sams truck and glanced at the map he had given him to get to Charlies house. It was a fairly quick ride and Bucky took in all the sights as he passed the small bayou homes. Delacroix was full of history and it showed. The small houses of the past quickly turned into larger homes from the past, many with a dark history. He couldn't help the anxiety that creeped in when the driveways started having large front gates and the thought passed that maybe he had taken a wrong turn somewhere. But as he pulled up to the address and clicked the call button at the gate he was immediately let in. The gravel driveway was long, swampy on either side but the view was stunning. You couldn't see the house from the gate but after a few minutes of driving a large white house came into view. He pulled into the circle in front of the home, the large white columns of the three story home towering over him as he stepped out.
"What the hell have I gotten myself into…" he said as he walked up the front steps to the door. He rang the bell, the large red doors standing tall in front of him. A moment passed before one of the doors pulled open and he was met with an older woman's beaming smile.
"May I help you sir?" she asked.
"Uh- yeah. I'm here for Miss Ward…" he trailed.
"Oh she'll be down in a moment but do come in?" she said, ushering Bucky into the large foyer of the home. He was met with the view of dark woods and a large crystal chandelier hanging overhead.
"How old is this place?" he asked, looking around.
"Built in 1829 my dear. Quite the history. Originally it was built as a plantation home but when the Ward family acquired it it was a safe haven for freed slaves. The Wards kept many people safe here. Harboring them from the law. In its heyday it had a schoolhouse, a workshop, a black smith, and a tailor. All here to help the freed get educated and on their feet."
"So the Wards have always been kind people." he stated.
"The kindest. I've never met a Ward that wouldn't give the shirt off their back." She smiled proudly.
"Have you worked here long?" Bucky asked as she ushered him through the rooms and into a large kitchen. She poured him a cup of tea and gestured for him to sit at the island.
"51 years my dear. I've worked here since Miss Ward's grandparents lived here. My sons work here too. Both of them take care of the property." she said sipping her own tea.
"Louisa have you seen my purse?" A voice carried into the kitchen followed by its owner who Bucky instantly sat up at.
"Oh hi Bucky! I didn't expect you." she smiled at him. Her hair was curled similarly to the day before, the chocolate waves cascading to her waist, the front pieces pulled back and held by a flowered clip. She adorned another dress, this time a blue gingham print and white wedges. His heart nearly burst out of his chest at the sight.
"I hope you don't mind. Sarah's car is full so Sam sent me to bring you to the fair."
"Of course I don't mind. We have some time before we need to go. It's only 10 minutes away. Fancy a tour?" she smiled.
"I'd love one." he said, getting up from his seat. Louisa promised to have her purse by the time they left and Charlie led Bucky through the home. She showed him every inch, all the walls coated in history and family. Portraits and paintings filling every wall. She told him about the long history of her family and how they shaped the views of the south in the worst of times. The Wards had put their lives on the line many times in the fight for equality as the United States became a united nation. He couldn't help but watch her as she explained everything with such passion. Eventually they made their way to the back gardens a large barn coming into view as the walked.
"This- this is my favorite place in the whole world." she said before she grabbed his hand and dragged him faster to the barn. His breath caught in his throat at the feeling of her hand in his. The barn was old, very old but still had an elegant charm that only older construction could accomplish. A large wagon that looked like it belonged in a museum sat in the corner with the Wards name painted in fancy letters on the side.
"This stuff looks like it should be in a museum somewhere." he balked.
"My family has never had the heart. This stuff belongs to us, not rotting somewhere. I'll continue to take care of it just as my parents had and their parents before them." she said as she walked over to the stalls. A large chestnut horse with a white blaze stuck his out the opening to greet her.
"This is Roger," she said, giving his nose a pat. "And that big guy over there is Diablo." she gestured to the large friesian now also sticking his head out of the door behind Bucky. Bucky turned and was almost shocked by the horse's size.
"Hey big guy," Bucky said, patting the horse's enormous head. The horse lipped at his jacket and Bucky smiled wide.
"He likes you," Charlie said, waltzing over. "Diablo doesn't like anyone. You must be a better man than you think you are." She placed a treat in Bucky's hand for the horse.
"Or he's a horrible judge of character."
"Then what does that say about me?" she piqued.
"Oh I didn't-"
"Calm down James, it was just a joke." she said, slapping his arm. She looked at her watch and gasped, they had been at this tour longer than she expected.
"We have to go! But there's one more thing I want to show you!" she said, nearly skipping out of the barn. Bucky found her bubbly personality more refreshing than he expected. Normally this kind of energy would send him into a grumbling mess, but not her. He followed behind her to a garage to the left of the home. She opened the side door to let him in and waved for him to follow. She hit the button to open the garage door and it squeaked as it lifted, letting in the sun, revealing a sheet covering something.
"Did you want to take your car?" Bucky asked, pointing to the sheet.
"Something like that," she said with a wide shit eating grin before she pulled the sheet to reveal what was underneath. As it fell a large dark brown car was exposed. White wall tires perfectly pearly, the paint of the vehicle shimmering in the sun beaming through the bay door. The convertible giving view to the tan leather of the interior. Bucky swore his stomach dropped out of his ass in that moment.
"1941 Buick Roadmaster convertible in what I would say is damn near mint condition." she said watching him. His eyes were wide and fixated on the vehicle.
"Where on Earth did you get this?" he exclaimed.
"It was my grandfather's but he only brought it out for special occasions. It's got barely 1,000 miles."
"This is- this is-" he could barely speak. "Thank you for showing me this."
"Showing you?" She laughed before tossing him a set of keys. "You're driving it."
"You're kidding?" he said, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"Would I kid? When I saw you in the kitchen I knew I'd have to share this with you. How could I have a car from your time and not let you drive it? I'm not evil." she said with a laugh before going around to the passenger side. He opened the door for her and she slid into the passenger seat. No, no she was not evil. At that moment he was pretty sure she was an angel sent from above to make his life a little less shitty. He closed the door behind her and practically ran to the drivers side, sliding in and running his hands over the steering wheel. The thin tan wheel felt familiar in his hand, the heavily cushioned seats very different from the vehicles of today. He slipped the key into the ignition and the vehicle roared to life not for a second giving its age. He pulled the vehicle out of the garage, stopping to let Charlie grab her purse from the house. He let her out and waited for her against the door. For a moment he remembered the dates he had gone on before he enlisted. He'd lean against his dads old car at the girls front door many times, exuding a manly confidence in his heyday. Charlie popped out of the house and down the front steps handing him a pair of aviator sunglasses before slipping on her own. He gave her a confused look.
"They were my dads. Can't drive this car without the proper eyewear. Have to look the part," she laughed and he opened the drivers door for her to slip in. She directed him in the direction of the fair and the warm air blew around them as they drove through the bayou streets. The sun shone warmly into the car and the smell of funnel cake filled their senses as they got closer and closer to the fair. They parked and Bucky got out first to let Charlie out of the car. The timing was perfect as Sam and the family pulled up just a minute after them.
"Ok I see you Greased Lightning," Sam called as they drove by to park. Bucky looked at Charlie in confusion as she laughed.
