gin, tonic & a lemon on top
Pairings: fluffy!bucky x bartender!reader
Summary: Maybe Bucky’s an alcoholic or maybe he just has a crush on the sweet like syrup bartender.
Warnings: alcohol consumption
Bucky Barnes, the college student struggling to put food on his plate, eating ramen noodles like any other in his shoes. The one who spends too much money on textbooks and tutors, now sitting at the bar of one of the few places good enough to pay a visit to.
Bucky has a knack for alcohol, not the bad type; he just enjoys himself a long-drink or a cocktail once in a while. It’s something that struck his interest oddly enough.
Now here he sat, a Knickerbocker Martini in hand but his eyes fixed on the woman behind the bar.
She’s somethin’ else.
Her all black outfit blended her in with the other staff if you didn’t care to look hard enough (or too drunk).
Bucky emptied his drink in one gulp, the dry vermouth stinging in his throat.
“Excuse me?” He called out, catching the attention of the girl. She walked over to him, a polite smile on her pink lips.
“What can I get you?”
“A gin tonic, doll.”
She went right ahead, grabbing a glass from behind her, filling the glass with ice and alcohol, a slice of lemon on top. She slid the drink in his direction taking Bucky’s money in return.
He stared at the drink for a minute, his eyebrows wrinkling. “Where’s the cucumber?” He asked, not rudely, but with a smirk playing on his lips.
The bartender chuckled. “Well, if you must know, Tanquery gin is actually infused with citrus fruit, not cucumber.” She leaned on the counter, pointing a finger at the drink. “That’s why we put a slice of lemon in it.”
Bucky’s lips parted slightly, dumbfounded by the knowledge he was hit with. He could smell her perfume from the close proximity.
-
Bucky send Steve a quick apology, arriving at the bar just in time for happy hour.
Although he could’ve hung out with Steve and Scott, he’d rather spend his time eyeing the pretty bartender, besides drinking.
Bucky slipped onto the bar stool he had almost claimed for himself and started to look around for her. He didn’t know her name, or if she even worked tonight, but he was hopeful nonetheless.
Just in time for him to order, she appeared around the corner, walking behind the bar. They locked eyes and Bucky flashed her a million dollar smile.
“You again. Should I be worried you’re stalking me?”
“Oh god no, but I should call the police on you and have them arrest you for being so damn pretty.” Bucky shut his mouth before he could say anything further. His face glowing red afraid he stepped over a line.
“Please do, I like being handcuffed.” She winked at Bucky and he chuckled.
“Kinky.”
“What are you having today?”
“Mojito.” Bucky said without looking at the small menu of drinks.
“Classic. I see.”
She went ahead and mixed his drink, throwing a few leaves of mint in a glass, lime and syrup. Ice was added and liquid. She finished off his drink with powdered sugar on top of a tree of mint.
Bucky took a sip from it, satisfaction written on his face. “No brown sugar?”
The bartender chuckled. “No, we make our Mojito the Italian way.”
“Why’s that?” Bucky took another sip, contend with the taste.
“Because the owner is Italian.”
-
The following week Bucky couldn’t wait to see the cute bartender again. Between classes he tried on different outfits to find one that would look good enough to catch her attention, but also casual enough to not seem desperate for it.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed though, his two friends teasing him and asking questions nonstop. Bucky wouldn’t give in to it though, his mind focused on the girl he was trying to impress.
The days ended slower than Bucky would like to and friday rolled around after all. He mentally prepared himself to make a move, exhaling heavily upon entering the bar.
Sat on the bar stool he had chosen as his favourite, he watched with curious eyes, the girl mixing drinks with ease, like it’s so engraved in her body she doesn’t have to look at the bottles to know which one is which.
“Hey there.” She smiled, approaching Bucky.
“Hey.” Bucky wiped his hands on his jeans. “Can you recommend something for me?”
She thought for a moment, grabbing all the ingredients, mixing them up and setting the finished product on the bar top.
Bucky was about to fish money out of his wallet, but she stopped him.
“This ones on me.”
Bucky’s cheeks warmed up from the gesture, shyly looking away from her eyes to the drink in front of him. Within seconds he could tell it was Tequila Sunrise, the orange to red gradient giving it away.
“A Tequila Sunrise?” Bucky quirked a brow, stirring the orange and red together.
“It’s my favourite.” She watched as he sipped. “I like my drinks like I like my men. Sweet.” She said, quiet enough for only Bucky to hear.
He choked slightly, making her laugh. She walked away tending to the other customers, her head turning to him, winking.
He forgot all about the move he wanted to make, too flustered to say another word.
-
“Just take us with you, Buck come on!” Scott whined.
“Yeah, we wanna know who took your sanity.” Steve followed up, smiling at his friend.
“No, you guys are just going to embaress me.” Bucky mumbled, sliding his arms through his jacket.
Despite all efforts to keep Steve and Scott away, they insisted and wouldn’t drop it until Bucky gave in, even following him outside.
They reached the bar, Bucky nervously biting his lip. Luckily for him, there seemed to be a good amount of people scattered around the bar to keep the barkeeper distracted.
He needed to find the courage somewhere within himself to speak up, but Steve took the lead waving his arm at the girl. Bucky lowered his head afraid of what might come.
“Good evening gentlemen, what can I get you?”
“I’ll have a uh,” Steve took a quick glance at the menu, “Apricot Lady.”
“One Bee’s Kiss for me.” Scott said, glancing over to Bucky to let him order.
He slowly lifted his head, surprise in the bartenders eyes as they connected with his. “A Moscow Mule.” He smiled shyly.
“Is that her?” Scott asked earning a confused look from her. Bucky’s cheeks tinting bright red.
She smirked, working on the three cocktails. “Depends on who I’m supposed to be.”
“Excuse my friends, they’re idiots.” Bucky glared at Scott and then Steve who were smiling, knowing exactly that she’s the woman he’s been so whipped for.
She set the drinks in front of the three men, tending to the other costumers at the bar.
“Why haven’t you made your move yet?” Steve looked at Bucky.
Bucky let his shoulders drop, his lips forming to a frown. “I don’t know if she likes me.”
“Aw come on, anyone with eyes can see that she’s interested to see what Bucky Barnes has in store.” Scott patted Bucky on his shoulder a reassuring smile on his face.
“Look, she’s coming back.” Steve nodded to her and Bucky’s gaze shifted from his friends to the bartender. “We’re just going to go get some fresh air.”
Bucky opened his mouth to protest, but both Scott and Steve were already out of reach.
“Your friends left you all alone, how rude.” She said, leaning her elbows on the bar top, her head resting in the palms of her hands.
“Yes, they uh - they.” Bucky stuttered, quickly trying to search for some confidence, unsuccessfully.
The bartender leaned in, her eyes warm and full of affection. “My shift ends in ten minutes, maybe I could accompany you instead of your friends.”
Bucky’s mouth opened slightly, taken back by the question.
“I promise I won’t abandon you like them.”
Bucky nodded a smile stretching across his face. “I’d love that.”
“What’s your name?” She asked, slowly moving away from the bar top.
“Bucky and yours?”
“Y/n.”