Time {One-Shot}
A/N:This is for @sunmoonandbucky’s 5K Challenge. I had no idea what to do with this song...but I love the way it turned out. Congrats on all the followers babes, you deserve every last one of them! Pairing: Platonic!Bucky x Reader, mention of Sam x Reader Warnings: Soft Angst, Jealousy, Broken Plates
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"I don't know you but I want you all the more for that." A soft voice fills the cafe, pulling Bucky from his thoughts behind the counter. He knew from the moment they hired you that you were special, he just never knew how special you'd become to him. 1 Year 4 Months Earlier- You came in with your head in a book, waiting to meet the owners after calling about the Help Wanted Sign. At the table you looked from sparkling soft blue eyes into sharp green ones, already cutting into you. But you were quiet and polite and when the two slipped away for a brief meeting, you took the opportunity to continue reading a chapter that had you on the edge of your seat. Less than twenty minutes later, the pair had hired you.
"Words fall through me and always fool me and I can't react." The out-of-tune piano sounds almost melodic, accompanying Y/N's voice. He remembers that she asked to take a lunch break but he hadn't expected her to stay in the cafe. Listening to her play the only song she really seemed to know, he took in the peaceful atmosphere. Most of the guests were sipping drinks quietly or swaying to the crooning barista. 12 Months Earlier- While you tried your hardest to befriend both owners, Bucky was much more approachable. When you couldn't get the cash register to work, he was the one to show you the trick to making the till open. Someone jammed the espresso machine? Bucky made sure to help you clear it out and he was patient, so patient while you got your bearings in the little cafe. Dot on the other hand was never around and when she was, she would make more messes than actually help out. In just about five months since you started full-time, you could happily say that you and Bucky were friends. Too many times to count, you'd bring him a new baked good to try and a day later, find a book waiting for you. Bucky was good with recommending his favorites and either offering you his copy on loan or buying you a copy outright. He even went so far as to introduce you to his best friend Sam, another book nerd.
"And games that never amount to more than they’re meant will play themselves out." "That's $9.75 out of $10." Bucky smiles, handing over a quarter and a coffee to the guest. He's only half focused on putting the change in the drawer and chastises himself, when he nearly burns his hand trying to heat up the sandwich his guest ordered. But he was busy. Busy listening to Y/N's soothing voice and wondering just when he started feeling butterflies while looking at her. 10.5 Months Earlier- "It's been a long night." You smiled, finally flipping the sign over to CLOSED. Bucky was counting the register and offered a tired nod without looking up. "Do you want me to make something? I know you didn't take your break." Bucky finally asked, when you finished wiping the tables down and stacking chairs. "I should be making you something." You offered him a small smile, "You saved my ass during that rush." "I needed to come in and do paperwork anyways." He had chuckled. "How about we cook together?" You got him to agree and the two of you had sifted through leftover ingredients in the fridges making some sort of flatbread pizza. "I thought that old lady in the pink was going to lose it when you said we ran out of snickerdoodles." You had laughed, remembering how the old lady had practically turned into a tomato and demanded compensation, which didn't make sense because she didn't buy anything. "People love your cookies, Y/N. Which is why...I want you to keep making them so that we can keep selling them." "I..." "As your boss, I'm telling you that I love those cookies. How can you say no to this face?" He had asked pouting and your heart had fluttered and your widening grin had begun to hurt. That was until Dot showed up and your smile had all but disappeared as she took hold of Bucky's face and practically shoved her tongue down his throat.
"Take this sinking boat and point it home, we've still got time." Bucky really had tried his best to just be friends and a good boss. After all, Dot was nothing but good to him. But there was just something about Y/N. He couldn't keep himself away, as much as he really wanted to. Helping a few more customers, he gestures another barista over to the register, with the intent to restock the baked goods in the display case. But again, like a siren, he's caught in the music. 7 Months Earlier- After that awkward ending to a reasonably nice dinner, you had tried to pretty much keep to yourself. But Bucky wouldn't let you. "Hey! Book Nerd! Quit reading and come talk to me about it." He'd yell on your breaks. You obliged every time, happy to keep him as a friend. Happy to be there, even though he had the perfect girlfriend and the perfect bakery and the perfect life. You figured you could find that eventually, even taking time to hang out with his friend Sam more. Bonding over shared literature tastes and matching affinities for coffee.
"Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice, you've made it now." It wasn't until Quinn said "Yo...Bucky? You gonna restock the cookies or stare a hole into Y/N for the rest of the day?" that Bucky snapped out of his thoughts. "Shut up, you dick." He rolls his eyes, earning a laugh from the younger man. "You think she's into the creepy staring types? Maybe I'll have to start staring too." "Quinn, if you don't shut up, you're fired." "Okay, okay...I'll restock then. You take the register." The barista stalks into the back, pushing along a cart. 5.5 Months Earlier- Then it stopped. Bucky stopped recommending books. He stopped asking you to come talk to him, leaving you to read your books in silence. He stopped asking you to bake for the cafe. And then he stopped working his usual shifts with you. More often than not, you had been working alone. Toughing out the nights that got overly busy because of college students, in need of a caffeine and sugar high. You toughed it out. This had been the best job and the easiest to maintain, while going to school yourself. You couldn't really be mad that your boss had stopped showing signs of friendship, he was your boss.
"Falling slowly, eyes that know me and I can't go back." With nothing better to do, Bucky finds himself walking around the tables, picking up people’s discarded cups and wiping tables. He's unintentionally humming along with Y/N and she sends him a wink, causing all the butterflies in his stomach to flutter. He smiles at her and she goes back to playing, no longer holding him in her bubble of warmth. 4 Months Earlier- You were just finishing up cleaning the kitchen for the night when you heard shouting from the front. A loud crash filled your ears before you could clear the doorway and step out into the storefront. You watched Dot storm to through the front door and she turned to shoot you a daggered glare. You were about to turn back to the kitchen, when you saw Bucky on his knees, picking up the remnants of the plate that had once held your snickerdoodle cookies.
"And moods that take me and erase me and I'm painted black. Well, you have suffered enough and warred with yourself...It's time that you won." Bucky's focus on the butterflies quickly vanish when he notices a line that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The lunch rush... He sighs and quickly takes his spot behind the register and when Y/N tilts her head in question of needing help, Bucky is quick to wave her off, only wanting her to continue the song. Still 4 Months Earlier-"Hey, don't." You chided him, after grabbing the nearby broom. "I can do it!" He had snapped but you had ignored him, playfully kicking until he moved. After sweeping up every last splinter and cookie crumble, the two of you headed back into the kitchen. Noticing blood on his hands, you had taken him by his arm and pulled him to the sink. "I could've gotten it." He mumbles. "Yeah and cut your hands even more. Don't be an idiot." You had carefully run water over his hands, knowing full-well that he could've done it on his own. Satisfied that the small cuts would only require a bandaid and having gotten out the first aid kit, you let Bucky do the rest. "Thank you." He had said in a much softer tone, the anger all but vanished. You had just smiled lightly and began pulling out more ingredients. "What are you doing?" "Baking." "Why?" He had asked and you had laughed lightly. "You need fresh snickerdoodles, nurses orders." It hadn't taken long to mix up a batch and while they baked, you had made quick work of the dishes while Bucky wiped the counters down again. “This is none of my business, so feel free to tell me off or fire me or whatever. But I need to say it." You had stumbled over your words, having his full attention without realizing it. "Tell me." He asked, taking the cookies out once the oven chimed. "I just think that sometimes business partners don't make good love partners. You can have a good relationship or a good business but rarely both." You had shrugged and waited for him to yell. But he had taken a cookie, most likely burning himself in the process, and saluted you with it before digging in.
"Take this sinking boat and point it home, We've still got time." "Yo Bucky, my man. Can I clock out now?" Quinn asks, coming back out from the kitchen. "Let me check your drawer." Bucky sighs, taken away from Y/N and her song yet again. "You ever gonna make a move?" Quinn asks, having been at the cafe just over 3 months and understood the dynamic far better than he should've, in Bucky's opinion. "When the time is right." Bucky mutters, double checking his math and giving Quinn the thumbs up to leave. He watches Quinn wave at Y/N and her nod in turn, still expertly tapping on the keys. 2 Months Ago- "Just take it before I change my mind." Dot was exasperated, you could hear it when you stepped into the cafe for the evening shift. "Why are you throwing your half of this business back at me?" Bucky had asked, voice raising a couple decibels. " I'm not going to stay here and be unhappy. I won't be unhappy." She had snarled, throwing something...a ring? "Zemo is taking me to Paris! I don't need you or this rundown cafe." You could see from the look on Bucky's face he had been partially relieved and partially shaken by her words. Doing what you did best, you went into the bakery display and took a brownie, warming it. Pouring two glasses of milk and scooping up two spoons, you had guided Bucky to a table in the back and sat across from him, splitting the dessert. "I'm here if you need anything." You offered once he had taken a few bites and had some milk. "I think I'm going to need a manager." He groaned and you watched the gears turn in his head. "I'll do my best." Was all you had said before starting your shift.
"Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice. You've made it now. Falling slowly, sing your melody... I'll sing it loud." Bucky knows the song is coming to its end, having practically memorized it. Today's the day he decides, just after Quinn takes off. He checks the kitchen and wipes down the front counter, listening and humming again. When he looks up, he thinks he notices Y/N look away but Bucky can't be sure. As soon as the song ends he mentally notes; That's when he'll take my chance. 3 Weeks Ago- The vacation you had put in for, was extremely needed. You had spent the last month and a half pretty much acting as the general manager of the cafe. The work was tiring but you had promised to try and you were doing pretty okay at it. But three weeks of sun and sand had been just what the doctor ordered. Not only that but it had been a chance to spend time with a friend and catch up on the list of books you hadn't gotten around to. You were sure Bucky and Quinn would be great on their own; your special guys.
"Take it all...I played the cards too late. Now it's gone." Just as Bucky is about to cross over to the piano, he spots his best friend Sam. But before he can even call to his friend, he's making a bee-line for Y/N. Bucky watches Y/N jump up and he freezes as Sam wraps his arm around he waist and pulls her into a hug, kissing her temple. Y/N pulls away, face brighter than Bucky had ever seen it and then she's looking at him. He pastes on a quick smile and he barely hears when she says "I'm gonna go get food." Bucky manages to wave and stares as the two giggle and make doe-eyes at each other, his shoulders fall only when they're out of sight. Present- It's fairly new but Sam is wonderful and after a 3 week vacation together, you're determined that he could be everything for you. You know Bucky is single but you also know that he could have anyone; any supermodel that popped in from Soho. It isn't worth the heartbreak of letting him know your feelings. Plus, Sam is kind and he's smart and he likes you. There's nothing to worry about with him and you're sure your feelings for Bucky will disappear...it's only a matter of time.
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