this isn't a halloween request per se but I was hoping you'd write bucky x reader coffee shop au? It can be halloween or fall themed! Thank you <3
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader
Warnings: Nothing but wholesome, fluffy, humorous content 🧡
Notes: why do I like coffee shop AUs so much LOL
Count: ~700
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Bucky is 96.7% sure that the barista at his local coffee shop is flirting with him.
Granted, it's been more than a hot minute since anyone had flirted with him, but he's pretty sure.
It's either flirting, or you want to fight him.
"Hi, stranger-not-stranger," you greeted him as he stepped through the doors with the bell ringing. "Have you considered telling me your name today?"
Bucky continued up to the counter as if he hadn't heard you. This was his thing—or their thing?
Despite being pardoned for all his crimes as The Winter Soldier, Bucky isn't eager to make himself known in any way. Most people can't really recognize him without his long hair, and his resting face doesn't carry that boyish charm displayed in the museum.
He doesn't want to risk it and never gives his real name anywhere, even coffee shops. After weeks of your pleading, the only thing he's given you is that his first name starts with a J, but he goes by his nickname B.
He's gotten cups with Brody, Brandon, Jim, Jacob, Justin Bieber, and whatever else you could guess.
"One medium black coffee, please. Two cream, one sugar," Bucky politely ordered.
"Name?" You asked with a twinkle in your eye.
"Sam," Bucky answered.
"Oh, so we're just straight up lying today, huh," You reply with a tinge of scandal in your voice. "C'mon," you plead. "You're starting to make me think you're a serial killer on the loose. Just give in and tell me your name."
"I would be a terrible serial killer on the run if I came to the same coffee shop multiple times a week," Bucky cocked his brow at you as he pulled out the change from his pocket. He looked at you and your pleading eyes and felt a strange uncomfortable pull in his chest. "For my nickname, the second letter is U."
"Alrighty, I can work with that," you muttered, smiling as you got some hint about the handsome stranger's name.
You made his coffee, which took a little longer than usual, but Bucky didn't mind. He looked around and saw the Halloween decorations you were putting up.
Once you finished, you passed Bucky the warm cup. He takes a sip and initially grimaces as it's not what he was expecting.
"Pumpkin?" He furrowed his brows at you but took another sip.
"Tis the season and all," you smiled at him. "Taste good, doesn't it? Made sure it wasn't too sweet for you."
"And if I hated it?" Bucky asked, and you shrugged.
"Then I would make your sad black coffee with two cream, one sugar and send you on your merry way but I feel like that would just prove men with J names suck."
Bucky actually choked mid-sip as he chortled. He's confused about why J names are being discriminated against, but he smiled lightly anyway when he saw how pleased you looked.
"Good thing I go by my nickname then," Bucky said.
"Very good indeed. You need to broaden your horizons, my loyal paying customer. I imagine coffee flavors have gotten a lot more variety since the 40s."
Bucky snapped his eyes up to meet yours. They twinkled with mischief. "How did you—"
"The strangest thing happened to me yesterday. The Falcon actually came into this little cafe, isn't that crazy? Sam Wilson is quite the chatterbox. Likes to brag about how his friend, Bucky, comes here often. He said something about either the coffee had to be really good or it might be the pretty barista," you tilt your head with a smirk.
Bucky has already planned Sam's murder in 62 different ways.
"I said, 'Bucky? That's a really weird name.’ But Sam was so kind to clear up the confusion."
No, Bucky actually has 76 ways to kill Sam.
Bucky cautiously looked at you. "So, why are you asking for my name if you know it?"
Bucky watched as you tapped your index finger against the counter as you rested your chin in your other hand.
"Just wanted to see if you'd actually give me your name," you shrugged with a smile, seemingly not offended at all. "Serial killer you're not fortunately."
Then, you lift your finger to point at his cup, and Bucky tilts it up slightly to see the name written on there.
James 'Butthole' Barnes.
As he said, you're either flirting with him, or you want to fight him.
"So," you chuckled at him. "Is it the good coffee or the pretty barista?"