Summary: Bucky just wanted a cup of coffee after his latest mission. Not only did he get his coffee, but he also met the woman of his dreams while dealing with a rude customer.
Warnings: meet-cute; minor violence; jerk customer
A/N: This was another Flash Fiction Friday piece I wrote a while ago. It was one that made it so easy to introduce Boyfriend!Bucky and Girlfriend!Reader into my Avengers-Style Domesticity AU.
Bucky Barnes Masterlist | Character Masterlist
“Are you stupid or something?”
The man’s voice carried around the semi-busy cafe.
It certainly brought Bucky Barnes out of his brooding thoughts about his punk of a best friend and his best friend’s wife. Steve had been beside himself at his wife being kidnapped, pushing himself until he’d damned near blew himself up to save her when they finally rescued her. She’d been in rough shape, but she’d been able to walk out on her own. Bucky had never been more relieved to see the whole incident finished, having sat beside her until word came down that Steve would survive his stupidity.
A glance past the few customers standing in front of him, Bucky could make out the man’s reddening face as he sputtered at the shaking barista standing on the other side of the counter. The young woman couldn’t be more than seventeen. Certainly, she’d done nothing to deserve this man’s incoming vitriol at whatever simple mistake that had been made.
If a mistake had happened at all, he couldn’t help thinking.
True to fashion, the man started ranting at her and her supposed lack of competence at her job. His voice grew louder and more obnoxious with each passing moment. His face grew redder even as spittle joined his words, dotting the pristine counter separating them.
The more the man shouted and berated, the more the poor young woman shook. Her few attempts at an apology couldn’t be heard as the man shouted over her.
Exhaustion from his latest mission waned as purpose and righteous rage filled Bucky.
Sidestepping the other customers, he approached the man with a quietness that came all too naturally to him after so many years as Hydra’s asset. The man didn’t have a clue what was happening until Bucky’s hand grabbed his collar and jerked the man to the tips of his toes.
“Apologize to the lady.” Bucky’s tone remained quiet, calm. None of his growing rage at this man appeared either in his voice or in his demeanor. He didn’t need it to. “Then, take your drink and leave.”
“It’s not my fault this little bi—”
The man never got the chance to finish his statement.
With one well-placed punch, the man slumped within Bucky’s hold, passed out cold.
Turning his head to the side with raised brows, Bucky caught sight of one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. Fire flashed in her gaze as she shook her hand from the punch she’d delivered to the man’s face.
You reminded him of the warrior women he’d read about in the years he’d been hiding from Hydra after breaking free. They’d been fierce and brutal yet loving and kind to those who’d been powerless under previous warlords. Folklore and history books didn’t do them near the justice that you did in that moment in his mind.
“Sorry,” you said in a breathless voice, “I really don’t like bullies.”
Unbidden, Bucky’s lips twisted into the first smile he’d managed in near three days. His earlier rage shifted to an interest he hadn’t felt since his pre-war days. His next words fell out of him without any thought but rather from some deep place within him that wanted your attention fully and completely. “I’m Bucky.”
You shook your head, a laugh giving way to relieve what inner rage you’d had towards this man. After a moment, you finally met Bucky’s gaze with a grin, offering up your name to him.
“Can I buy you a coffee after I take out this trash?”
“I’d be upset if you didn’t,” you said, full cheek.
Not only did Bucky end up buying you a coffee as well as a sweet treat, he made sure his tip to the poor barista more than made up for the earlier unpleasantness.
To his surprise, he wasn’t the only one leaving her bigger tips, either. Most of those waiting in line with him left near the same amount, all expressed their sympathies for her and wished her a better day before taking their orders and heading back to their days.
Happier tears replaced her earlier frightened ones.
All in all, Bucky considered that day a turning point. Not only had he helped stop a bully in a way that would’ve made his punk best friend proud, but he’d gained a loving girlfriend who embodied that same fighting and generous spirit.
Maybe a little unbridled rage could bring about some good after all.
Rude customers are the worst. Like you may have reasons to be this way but don't treat the staff like shit. There's a reason they're working here so don't downplay their skill because of your prejudice believes. Imagine yourself in their position dealing with you, how pleasant would that be given the fact that you have been working for hours now with no break. There is NO reason to treat other people with disrespect especially people in customer service. If you have trouble with that just keep your damn mouth shut, please
Customers who complain and harass the retail workers about the store’s prices should go fuck themselves. They’re just workers. They don’t set the prices so leave them be
I would like to share with you all one of the reasons I love my brother so much:
• Customer service - gass station •
Customer: trying to buy cigarettes. does not have ID
My brother: tells customer he can't sell them then
Customer: makes excuse for not having ID
My brother: reiterates he can't sell them
Customer: (rudely) you really can't sell them!?
My brother: looks at screen, completely ignoring customer until they realize he's not giving selling it to them..
That customer had to sit there, in complete silence, just waiting. probably thinking he is doing something so they can have their cigarettes only to realize he isn't doing anything at all- that no, he is literally just ignoring you until you pay for your other stuff. Absolute power move, he didn't even need to say or do anything. Just- wait.
