Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Bucky cursed under his breath, the Russian sounding harsh even to his own ears as he tossed the covers back and jolted out of bed. His body was drenched in sweat and he shook himself before rushing towards the bathroom, Jarvis turning on lights as he moved through his bedroom. “T-thank you,” Bucky said shakily, nearly stumbling into the bathroom in his haste.

Jarvis didn’t reply and instead turned on the bathroom lights and started up the shower. It was sort of the routine now. Any time he would wake from a nightmare, Jarvis would help him through the recovery, and although it happened less and less often as time went on, it still happened pretty regularly.

Shedding his sleep pants and t-shirt, he stepped into the already warmed shower, dipping his head under the hot spray. The never ending hot water supply at their new compound was amazing and he would forever thank Tony Stark for it…in the privacy of his own mind, of course. Tony’s big head really didn’t need to go getting any bigger.

The water washed over him, dripping down over his body and ridding him of the cold sweat he’d broken out in. He was shaking, minutely, but still shaking nevertheless and he tried to shove the uncomfortable thoughts from his nightmare aside, not wanting them to creep over him and throw him into a panic attack.

He shook his head, wiping the water out of his eyes and smoothing back his hair. He hadn’t looked to see what time it was, but he suspected it was well before 5am. He went through the motions, washing his hair and scrubbing himself down and before long he was back in his bedroom and dressed for the day in a pair of dark wash jeans and a long sleeved black athletic shirt.

He wasn’t exactly sure what he’d get up to this morning, but he figured a walk was in order if he was going to try and shake the uneasiness he felt still lingering at the edges of his mind. It was the beginning of October and he knew the early morning air would be slightly chilly and figured he could just grab a jacket and be alright in the coolness of the early morning. 

The rest of their apartment was quiet, Jarvis turning on lights for him as he made his way quietly down the hallway, past the kitchen and through the living room; being careful not to wake Steve who slept just across the hall from him in his own bedroom.

He slipped through the living room and pulled on a pair of boots at the door, grabbing his leather bomber before heading out onto the main floor. It was fairly quiet here too and when he pulled his phone out from his coat pocket, checking the time, he wasn’t surprised to see why; 4:47am.

He huffed, rolling his eyes. Only he would be up at the ass-crack of dawn on a bloody Monday morning. Even Tony probably wasn’t awake this early, and if he was, it was only because he hadn’t gone to sleep yet.

Carefully making his way down the stairs, he headed towards the front doors. He stopped in the entryway in front of the decorative mirror hanging above the side table they all seemed to use to stow odds and ends and picked up a black ponytail. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror and stared back at himself for a long moment.

He’d changed so much over the years and sometimes he’d be hit with an uncomfortable moment where the recognition of his new self was too startling to deal with. This morning he was okay though and he was grateful for it. He started combing back his still damp hair into a bun with his fingers and soon snapped the elastic in place to hold it back. He liked his longer hair now, no matter how much Clint teased him for it, especially when Natasha or Wanda had taken it upon themselves to braid it for him.

He actually didn’t mind the braids at all. He thought they did a good job keeping it out of his face. Always out of his face. He never did enjoy having it hanging in his eyes. He made eye contact with himself in the mirror one last time and pushed out a slow breath, willing the tension to bleed from his shoulders just a bit before he slipped out the door and into the cool New York early morning.

It didn’t take long for his feet to pick up their familiar path into the city. He’d done it dozens of times by now, but after nearly twenty minutes of walking, he decided to take a different course. He slipped down an alleyway between a couple of restaurants, wanting to cut across to the next street a bit faster. He was careful, picking his way around the couple of dumpsters and trash bins stowed aside for the businesses that backed onto the alley and by the time he’d made it to the other side, stepping out onto the sidewalk, he was finally able to drag in a breath.

Alleys could get pretty stinky, who knew? 

He’d barely made it two feet to the left before the light of one of the business’ across the street drew his attention. He blinked in confusion, his eyes focusing on the store front, its big bay glass window lit up inside. It was a coffee shop and all the lights seemed to be on. His brow furrowed as he looked across the street and it couldn’t be called an empty street, for there were a couple of taxis loitering, a few people walking wherever the hell they were walking to so early in the morning.

It was New York after all, the city that never sleeps.

He glanced around, making sure the way was clear before he cut across the street and headed towards the shop. He didn’t really recognize the area and with it being so close to the compound, it was a wonder he hadn’t stumbled upon the shop before. He couldn’t see anyone inside, however, and as he wandered closer, he wondered if maybe they’d forgotten to turn their lights out the night before; especially since he didn’t see an open sign on.

He shifted slightly as he drew closer to the window and peered inside, his eyes scanning the interior. For what, he didn’t really know. It looked like a cozy sort of place, done up in blacks, dark browns and cream colours. There were several small tables set up just inside with an electric fireplace burning off in one corner with a couple of oversized chairs facing it as well as a couple of lower coffee tables. There were display cases, mostly empty, though he thought he could spy a few treats already lining their shelves.

He smiled inwardly to himself. He always had been a sucker for sweets. Beyond the display cases and front counter where an ornate register sat, he could also see a large open kitchen. Towards the right there were a few wooden tables, what looked like ovens, a stove top, a sink and a few other appliances, including a beast of an espresso machine. Or at least, that’s what he thought it was. He hadn’t quite seen anything like that one before, not even Tony’s shiny espresso machine looked anything relatively close to it, in size or appearance.

Along the left side of the kitchen though, there was a stainless steel table with a desktop computer set up, a pile of books, papers and a closed laptop and what appeared to be the remains of a partially finished breakfast, coffee mug too. A workstation then. He thought to himself.

He blinked in surprise, when suddenly someone was walking through the open kitchen and across to one of the ovens. It was a woman. A very cute woman, with long wavy hair pulled back in a low ponytail that could only be described as caramel coloured; dark near the roots and progressively lighter towards the ends.

He blinked, his gaze following her shapely figure and she was rather shapely. With hips that were curved just right, a little waist and the black apron she was drawing around herself was only aiding in accentuating her features. He wouldn’t mention her breasts…no, it was definitely too soon for that.

He swallowed, not really acknowledging the sudden clenching in his gut as he watched her tuck some loose strands of her hair back behind her ear before she was donning a pair of oven mitts and opening up one of the three ovens that lined the far right wall. She bent to pull a tray from inside and Bucky quickly averted his gaze, feeling for all the world an intruder and maybe just a touch creepy.

He waited a beat, glancing up and down the street to see if anyone was watching him, relieved to find that the few people who were milling about were too busy on their cellphones or reading from papers and sipping their morning coffees. When he felt he was in the clear, he turned back to the shop and the woman therein.

She was busy at the glass counter now, setting the muffins she’d just pulled from the oven into the glass case to display. She was singing, or at least, that’s what he thought she was doing. Her no doubt soft lips moving along to whatever song she was singing along to. There were little pieces of paper in the shape of a coffee cup with each of their respective flavours written in black ink at the front of the case and he let his eyes flicker over them curiously. There must have been at least ten different kinds of muffins and that didn’t include the shelf of pastry titles still to be filled or the cookies or even the cakes.

He inwardly groaned, watching as she pulled open a fridge with several cakes and a few other treats stored before she was setting them up on display too. He watched her for a while, the play of a smile on her pretty pink lips, the way her ponytail swayed back and forth as she moved about. She was no longer back behind the counter now, having abandoned the set-up of her display cases to instead pull the chairs down from atop the tables and get ready for the day’s customers.

She was soon wiping down the specials board and replacing it with new ones that consisted of a cappuccino, a muffin and a breakfast sandwich. He was intrigued and he’d be a lying liar if he said it was only for the food. He shifted from one foot to the other, hoping he was still managing to stay well enough hidden from her view. But she appeared to be rather busy with her early morning preparations, so he figured he was safe for the time being.

The woman made her way around the kitchen, tidying up a few things here and there before she went to the sink, glancing up at herself in the mirror just above it. He watched as she stared back at her reflection, unmoving save for the steady rise and fall of her chest with each breath beneath her apron. 

She was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans from what he could tell and a three-quarter length sleeved cream shirt and the black apron she had put on had a simple coffee cup outlined in cream on the front. As she looked down into the sink in front of her, she pulled her hair free of her ponytail and gathered it back into a higher ponytail this time. She slipped the elastic she’d had about her wrist firmly in place and gave herself another quick once over.

He wasn’t sure what kept him pinned in place for so long. He thought maybe it was the cute way she pouted at her own reflection a second later and licked her thumb, wiping away a smudge of something that looked like flour high on her cheek or just the way she continued to smile, even while singing along to her music. It must have been close to half an hour of him just standing around watching her make her morning preparations. He felt all the worse for it too. 

“You’re such a creeper, Buck,” He muttered to himself, pulling out his phone and checking the time.

5:28am…Steve wouldn’t even be up yet. Though by 6am, he’d be up and out of the compound on his morning run.

He wondered what time she opened and he glanced up at the name he’d seen on the front of the small building. Diana and Co. The corner of his mouth twitched. He wondered if that was her name. She looked like she could be a Diana. He bit his lower lip, gaze straying over to the old wooden door to the cafe. There were hours posted, but from where he was standing, he couldn’t quite make them out.

He glanced back inside and watched as the woman busied herself at the beast of an expression machine, doing whatever she needed to do to get it up and running and he figured he was safe to get a proper look at the hours posted while she was distracted.

So, being super stealthy-he was, after all, a master assassin-he took a couple of steps closer to the door and read the sign. Well, would you look at that. He thought to himself. They open at 5:30am. He blinked, glancing back towards the window, only to find the young woman looking through the glass from behind the now full display counter, gaze fixed solely on him.

He blinked in surprise. He’d been found out and he didn’t even know if he wanted to go in, but then she was smiling at him and beckoning him inside and Christ, he couldn’t very well run away now! He’d been intending on scoping the place out for a few days before even daring set foot inside, if you could believe it. But now he didn’t really have a choice in the matter, did he?

He glanced down at the old fashioned iron handle and as he went to take hold of it, the metal of his hand caught his attention and he pulled on the glove he’d had stashed in his pocket to cover it up. He pushed down the uncomfortable thoughts about why he’d done that and grasped the handle with his right hand, pushing open the door.

He was immediately met with the strong aroma of coffee beans, cinnamon and baked goods and his mouth filled up with saliva so fast, he had to swallow. And then the music hit him and it was not what he had expected, not at all.

It was odd. He didn’t think he’d ever heard music quite like it. Not even in Tony’s lab. He had to mentally shake himself, watching as she went to her computer and lowered the volume to nearly nothing. “Good morning,” The woman greeted cheerily, having moved to the counter next to the display case, wiping her freshly washed hands on a tea-towel.

He couldn’t help noticing as he took a couple of steps into the cafe that she’d missed more flour on the side of her face and somehow a splotch of what looked like chocolate on her neck. He thought it was adorable and some secret part of his brain was whispering; wouldn’t you like to lick it off? Of course he shoved that into a box and then into another box for the time being...maybe to be explored later when he could actually think properly.

“Good morning,” Bucky returned, hoping his smile looked natural and not at all nervous; the butterflies in his stomach were fluttering anxiously already.

“I haven’t seen you around here before, is this your first time at Diana’s?” She asked, her voice sweet like melted chocolate.

She leaned her elbow against the top of the display to her left as she regarded him and he felt drawn to her in a way he couldn’t quite understand. He took a few more steps towards her and now that he was much closer to her, he could really make out the colour of her hair and it did look every bit the caramel, nutmeg and coffee colours that he was sure made up most of her recipes. 

She was pretty, gorgeous even, and he was hard pressed to say he’d ever seen a pair of eyes as dark as her chocolate depths were. “Yeah-“ He breathed, barely able to contain his awe. “I don’t live far from here, but I uh, don’t get out much, apparently,” He added lamely, a dry chuckle escaping him.

She smiled at him, the corners of her eyes crinkling adorably and there was a sparkle there, shimmering in the flecks of amber around her pupils. He wondered how old she was, she couldn’t be older than himself, er, if you didn’t take into account all the years of cryo he’d endured. “Ah, then I’ve got to work extra hard at pleasing my new customer,” She said teasingly. “What do you typically like to drink for your morning coffee? Or are you a tea drinker?”

He gave her a timid smile, his voice coming out a tad shy. “I like coffee and tea, though lattes have always been my favourite.”

She positively beamed at him. “Please tell me you like sweet lattes.”

He quirked a brow at her curiously, his smile growing just a touch more confident. “I…might have a thing for sweet things in general.”

And of course he realized what he’d said the second he’d said it and felt like he was the biggest dork ever, because he really hoped he’d not just made a fool of himself and somehow let on to the fact that he was completely enamoured by her and he had barely even spoken to her. He knew little to nothing about her. But that didn’t mean he didn’t want to know more.

But then she laughed, bright and happy and genuine and he was in trouble. Oh boy was he ever in trouble. “Ohh! Do I ever have a treat for you then. You just wait right here,” She insisted, obviously excited as she pulled herself away from the counter and went towards the Beast as Bucky was sure he’d later coin it.

He could do nothing other than what she’d asked. He stood exactly where he was, watching her fiddle with the machine as she started grinding the espresso beans and packing them into the portafilter to compress them. Soon she was steaming the milk and all the while Bucky watched her in awe. She was quick, fluid and seamless in her movements and she surprised him when she suddenly turned and asked over her shoulder, “For here or to go?”

“Here,” He managed to croak, hoping he didn’t look as awestruck as he currently felt.

She smiled again, still sweet, nodding as she picked up an oversized black coffee mug and set it down beside her. She picked up some kind of sauce bottle and drizzled a bit around the edges of the mug before grabbing a few shakers of things he couldn’t quite decipher and then she was adding a couple of them directly to the steamed milk and stirring them in with a spoon. 

After that, she poured the espresso into the mug, added the hot milk and spices and then topped it off with whipped cream from the fridge and on top of that, added more spices from the shakers she’d gathered.

“Voila!” She announced, picking up the steaming hot latte as she made her way back over to the counter and subsequently, him. 

Bucky looked down at the mug offered to him and smiled curiously before reaching out and tentatively taking it from her outstretched hands. “Thank you,” He murmured, gaze flicking back towards her pretty face. “W-what is it?” He asked, her hands falling away once he’d gotten a good grasp on it.

He couldn’t help noticing the way her eyes darted towards his gloved hand and he swallowed hard to push down the sudden nervous lump that wanted to lodge itself in his throat. “Take a sip first and then I’ll tell you. But be careful, it’s going to be really hot,” She warned gently, that twinkle still in her eyes.

His lips quirked again, wanting to truly smile. “No kidding,” He teased.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh great, you’re going to be one of those customers. Just what I need,” She teased back.

He chuckled, shaking his head at the banter before blowing lightly on the drink, taking in the dark flecks of what looked like nutmeg and maybe cinnamon on top of the whipped cream. He thought he could smell caramel too and he tentatively raised the mug to his lips before taking a careful sip.

He closed his eyes the second he’d tilted the mug, letting the hot liquid just barely touch his tongue to gauge the temperature. When he found that it was indeed hot, but not scalding; he took a bigger sip, along with some whipped cream.

The pleased hum-that he would later deny had been anything more than a hum and had certainly not been a groan-that escaped him was embarrassing enough that he cut it short and quickly lowered his mug. Okay, so it was amazing. He swore he could taste caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe even some kind of chai in there too and Christ it was sweet in the best kind of way and he thought he could drink this forever.

“Well?” She suddenly prompted, a nervous smile gracing her pretty pink lips as she watched him intently. “What do you think?”

His gaze snapped back to her, noting the slight flush to the tops of her cheeks and the eagerness reflected in her eyes. She truly wanted to know what he thought about the drink and was eager to see if he had enjoyed it. She was crazy to ever think that someone wouldn’t enjoy something so delicious, but he did suppose that not everyone liked sweet stuff.

“This is incredible-“ He blurted, unable to help himself. “I-I’ve never had anything like this before. What the heck is it?”

She laughed, bright eyed and beautiful and his smile stretched, turning easy and relaxed and he shook his head at her lovely reaction. “It’s sort of a secret…but it’s a new recipe I’ve been toying with. You see, Starbucks likes to make this thing called a Pumpkin Spice Latte and it seems to be all the rage right now and I thought…I like caramel and spices, why not make a Caramel Spiced Latte instead?”

Bucky shook his head in disbelief. “A Caramel Spiced Latte? Can’t say I’ve ever heard of one of those before, but I’m sure as hell glad I got to try it. This is amazing, it’s like, the perfect level of sweetness and it’s got that bit of spice and oh man-“ He breathed, taking another quick sip and swallowing down the liquid gold. “That is chai and vanilla too!”

She laughed, pleased with herself, despite the bashful smile and the way she ducked her head and attempted to avert her gaze. “I’m glad you like it so much…” She trailed off, her gaze flicking back up to his face.

Bucky blinked, realizing she was asking for his name and did the only thing he could think of. Lied. “James.” 

Sort of.

Technically it wasn’t really a lie…except he felt like it kinda-sorta was. The only time people tended to call him James were when he was in trouble or you know, being scolded for eating the last slice of Clint’s special pizza. He still didn’t know what was so special about it and he figured he never would.

“Diana,” She introduced herself, still smiling tentative, bashful. “It’s nice to meet you, James. So...think I’ve got you hooked?”

“I’ll say-“ He breathed, before he even managed to think about stopping himself.

She laughed, smiling brightly across at him from the other side of the counter and he was so, so screwed. “You’ve definitely earned yourself another regular customer if this is something I can have just about every day,” He tried to recover.

What he really wanted to say was something stupidly cheesy like, hooked on a sweet little thing like you...the drink’s really just a bonus, sweetheart. But that would have been incredibly cheesy and waaay over the top and he wasn’t sure he could pull off the whole flirting thing that easy anyway. He knew he used to be good at that sort of thing, remembered bits and pieces of his life before, taking pretty dames out for dinner, desserts, drinks and dancing. But he wasn’t exactly sure that was something he was even remotely capable of doing now.

He was a different person. He didn’t know exactly who he was anymore, but he was slowly figuring it out, thanks to Steve and the rest of the Team. But it was still daunting at times and he didn’t think he was quite ready to get into the whole dating scene...not when he felt like he was still a complete wreck nearly half the time.

Okay, so it should be noted that this is a horrendous exaggeration on Bucky’s part. He was not indeed a complete wreck nearly half the time, maybe like...12% of the time, but that’s what happens when you have a terribly weak sense of self-esteem. It happens to the best of us and he’s getting there, honest. But it still takes time and patience and lots of friendly reminders and sometimes, in Steve’s case, a bout of angry yelling and swearing up and down that Bucky is and always will be everything to him and that he is totally, absolutely, without a doubt, worth it. 

No matter what Bucky ever says or thinks. He will always be worth it.

So there it is...but back to Diana and her lovely voice drawing him back to the present.

“I’m glad to hear you say so. Is there anything else I can offer you? Maybe a breakfast sandwich, muffin, a piece of cake or pastry?” She asked lightly, gesturing towards the display case as well as the board behind her listing all of their breakfast and lunch options.

“Oh, I-I’d love a muffin. Those blueberry ones look pretty delicious,” He agreed, giving her a lopsided smile as he eyed the row of tempting treats.

She laughed lightly, shifting and sliding open the glass back to pull out a muffin. He watched as she picked up a dessert plate, draping a black napkin over the centre of it before she settled the muffin down onto it as well. “You certainly have good taste in treats,” She agreed, presenting him with the plate.

He smiled, shaking his head lightly as he accepted it, only to set it down on the counter between them. “Thanks, how much do I owe you for the latte and muffin?”

She smiled again, that sweet, adorable smile and he watched her eyes light up as she murmured, “It’s on the house.”

Bucky blinked in surprise, a gentle smile tugging at his lips as he tipped his head towards her. “Thank you, that’s not necessary…but something tells me you’re not going to let me pay for it anyway.”

She laughed lightly, shrugging as she turned at the sudden sound of an oven timer going off behind her. “You’re catching on~” She singsonged, waving a hand at him as she went back into the kitchen to save her next batch of what he realized were more muffins.

“Go have a seat and enjoy your muffin, James. I’ve got to get back to work, but feel free to stick around and if you need it, the wifi password is ‘Diana is a dork’ no spaces and all lowercase,” She went on, grinning when she saw the quirked brow he was giving her.

He shook his head, about to ask her about that, when the door behind him opened, the bell chiming above it to announce a new customer. “It’s a long story, but I blame the boys,” She laughed.

It was on the tip of his tongue as he started to move aside for the new customer, but then the newcomer was greeting Diana and he decided he’d maybe ask later. He was curious about who the boys were exactly, but maybe she’d share that with him later…if he decided to press…and you know, come by again.

Let it be known that he was going to come by again. So he settled in on one of the oversized leather chairs by the electric fireplace and made himself comfortable. He tried to keep to himself, enjoying his muffin and latte and after a while he pulled out his phone to fiddle around with; all the while surreptitiously watching as Diana conversed with the young man who’d come in and then the next one and soon she was greeting customers pretty regularly.

It was nearing on 6:30am when a door at the back of the kitchen by a set of stairs popped open and out stumbled two men, groaning and yawning in unison. They were both blonde haired and blue eyed young adults. They couldn’t have been older than twenty, maybe twenty-one and they looked very tired. “Dyyyy-“ The taller of the two whined, snagging the unsuspecting woman around the waist as she leaned over her workstation, gaze intently focused on her computer screen.

She startled a bit, then laughed as the younger man buried his face against her shoulder and let out a very big yawn. “Carter!” She laughed, squirming away from him and elbowing him in the side. “Good morning to you, sleepyhead. Put this on,” She directed, picking up an apron from one of the stools next to the table she’d been working at.

He pouted, glancing over at the other young man who’d come upstairs with him. “If I have to work before breakfast, than so does Becks.”

The other blonde, who appeared slightly younger rolled his eyes, already picking up another apron from a hook by the door he’d entered through, slipping it on before coming over and pecking a kiss on Diana’s cheek. Diana simply smiled, pressing a kiss of her own to his cheek before motioning them over towards the register.

“I’ll make you both breakfast if you’ll just man the front for a few minutes. Omelette or French toast?” She asked, already moving towards the stovetop.

Of course they both blurted one of each and she stared them down with a very unimpressed look for all of five-seconds. “I meant to say omelette,” Carter muttered, giving the other an exasperated smile.

“That’s what I thought,” Diana sighed, turning back to the stove and missing the look the two men shared with one another; though they didn’t miss her smile.

Just then about half a dozen or so customers bustled inside and the two men found themselves bombarded with drink orders and requests for muffins and lots of other breakfast goods. Diana continued to prepare them breakfast, however, knowing that they’d have it covered and would ask if they needed any help.

And Bucky was really at a loss. There were these young twenty-some odd year olds with this woman who couldn’t be that much older than them and yet, they’d both been rather affectionate towards her and she them. At first he thought that maybe Carter, whose name he had overheard, who’d hugged and nuzzled up with her was her boyfriend, but then she’d gone and kissed the other, even younger man’s cheek and he really wasn’t sure what to think.

Maybe she liked them young? He wasn’t one to judge, but somehow that didn’t seem right either. He mentally shook himself, glancing out of the corner of his eye to see Diana flipping an omelette and casting a glance towards the two men in question. He wondered at the other name he’d heard, Becks, and didn’t have to wonder for very long.

“Beckett!” A young woman laughed, rolling her eyes as she shoved at his arm.

The younger of the two had popped around in front of the counter to wipe down a table and had stopped to talk to a petite brunette. She was blushing, her cheeks incredibly rosy as she looked up at the blonde as he leaned on the table smiling dopily at her. “What? You do look really pretty this morning and well, every morning for that matter,” He defended, smiling fondly at the young woman.

“Gosh, how can you just say things like that?” She chuckled, covering her mouth to stifle her giggle.

Beckett grinned. “It’s the truth.”

“Becks, get your butt back over here and stop tormenting Mary. Her poor cheeks can’t possibly get any redder, so let her alone,” Diana called over her shoulder, smiling fondly at him.

Beckett rolled his eyes, conceding the point as he let his eyes wander over Mary and noted the pretty blush she was sporting. “Alright, alright. Sheesh, gotta get back to work before Momma’ Dy throws a hissy fit-“

“Do not, call me Momma Dy, or so help me-“ Diana breathed, narrowing her eyes at the young man while she brandished a spatula in his direction.

The blonde rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to Mary, watching her sheepish grin. “You’re gonna’ get into trouble,” She told him.

Beckett laughed, shrugging as he pulled himself away from her table, returning back behind the counter to bump hips with Carter who was busy at the espresso machine making a cappuccino and grinning like a lunatic. “You know how much she hates that-“ Carter started, but Beckett quickly interrupted.

“Oh, don’t I know it,” He agreed, moving over to link arms with an annoyed looking Diana.

“Come on, Dy. You know I’m only teasing,” He consoled, freeing the spatula from her death grip and moving to grab a couple of plates to rescue his omelette before she got any bright ideas to massacre it; it’d happened on more than one occasion and he really would like to eat an omelette without it being smushed into a bajillion pieces.

Diana pouted. “It’s just…you know how old that makes me feel.”

Beckett blinked, schooling his face into the most innocent expression he could manage. “Oh Diana-“ He breathed. “But you don’t look a day over 35.”

She blinked, her cheeks suddenly flushing and then she was grabbing the spatula from his hand and smacking him on the arm with it…repeatedly. “Why you little!” She gasped, obviously very unimpressed.

Beckett was laughing hysterically by this point, despite his trying to get away from her swats and Carter was grinning as he tried not to laugh and ignore the pair of them as he attempted to take a customer’s order. “I’m sorry!” Beckett cried, practically cowering as she smacked his side with the spatula, getting egg all over him. “I take it back! You’re 29 forever, right!? I got that right, didn’t I?” He tried to apologize through his uncontrollable laugher as he looked to Carter for help.

Carter just smirked, shaking his head as he tried to keep his full attention on the young man in front of him that was clearly distracted by the little fit happening in the kitchen. “Sorry about them,” He apologized, handing over a chocolate chunk muffin, laughing lightly when the young man just shrugged, giving him a timid smile as he handed over a five.

“Damn right I’m 29,” Diana muttered, ceasing her swatting now that Beckett was successfully in a crumpled heap on the kitchen floor.

“Not a day older,” Beckett wheezed, still trying to catch his breath.

Bucky didn’t realize it at the time, but he was grinning from ear to ear. He’d watched the entire exchange with an idiotic smile on his face and as soon as he did realize, he quickly picked up his latte and took another sip to hide it. Whatever the three of them were, he definitely wanted to figure it out.

“Just for that, you get to clean the ovens today and don’t even think about asking Carter for help. He’s the only good help around this place and I really wish you’d be more like your brother, but I know, I know. I’m asking for too much!” Diana tutted, not entirely able to stifle her amused smirk when she caught sight of Bucky watching them over the rim of his coffee mug.

He flushed, quickly looking away and completely missing the way both Carter and Beckett followed Diana’s gaze towards his table. He also missed the thirty-seconds of recognition and startled disbelief shared between the two young men as they glanced back and forth between each other, then to Bucky and then back to Diana who was putting their omelettes on a couple of plates for them.

They were quickly being distracted, however, when she called them over to sit down and told them she’d take over watching the front while they ate their breakfast. As they slipped onto their stools by the desktop computer, carefully shifting some of the books and paperwork out of the way, they shared a very pointed look with one another before leaning in to whisper to each other as inconspicuously as possible.

“Is that who I think it is?” Beckett muttered quietly, hiding behind his cup of coffee.

Carter cleared his throat, lifting his own mug to his lips. His eyes darted back to the table where Bucky sat and he inhaled sharply before turning his gaze back to his omelette. “I’m pretty sure, yeah.”

“Christ-“ Beckett breathed. “D-do you think she knows who it is? I didn’t serve him, did you?”

Carter shook his head, letting out a breath. “Me either. Pretty sure he’s been there for a while though. I didn’t even notice him. There’s no way she’s figured it out.”

Beckett nodded, cutting up his omelette and starting in on it. “So…what the hell is he doing here?”

Carter shrugged, glancing as inconspicuously as possible towards the man’s table. “Getting coffee?”

Beckett barked out a surprised laugh, nearly choking on a bite of his omelette. “Y-yeah, how about that?”

Carter rolled his eyes. “I’ve done a lot of reading about him. I think it’s kind of amazing to have him in our cafe, I mean, he’s the longest surviving POW and just…the shit he’s been through is just awful. I can’t even begin to imagine, let alone comprehend what he’s gone through and to just be here…”

Beckett nodded, looking down into his cup of coffee. “I remember watching the trial he went through last year. Can’t believe the shit they tried to pull over on him. Treatin’ him like a criminal when he’s been a victim nearly all his life,” He shook his head in ager, pushing out rough a breath.

“Yeah,” Carter breathed, glancing towards Diana who was busy laughing lightly as she leaned on the counter chatting with one of the young university girls from Mary’s table.

“If Captain America stood up for him, you know he’s a good guy, Carter,” Beckett murmured, nudging him gently with his elbow.

Carter nodded, gaze flickering back towards Bucky who was watching Diana laugh, a timid smile tugging at the brunette’s lips. “Yeah,” He simply repeated.

.

“Hey, so, I’ve got a silly question,” Diana announced quietly sometime later as she shifted on her stool at her computer.

She was clicking around on YouTube for a solution to her inadequate cream cheese icing and wasn’t having any luck. So when Carter leaned over her shoulder to get a look at the screen and huffed, “Still can’t get your icing to come out right?” It was the only plausible question that that’s what she had been intending to ask. Or so he thought.

So when she turned and grimaced slightly, avoiding his eyes, he realized he’d been dead wrong. “Well, yeah, I’m still stuck on making it taste as good as it looks. But no, that’s not what I was going to ask,” She whispered.

The whisper was new. Diana rarely whispered unless it was to talk about a customer behind said customer’s back and that was a rare thing, however, it was something that they’d all apparently taken part in as of late. “Okay…?” He prompted curiously.

She huffed, glancing back at the screen and scrolling through the list of videos. “I was going to ask if the brunette was still sitting by the fire.”

Carter blinked, casually turning and scanning the cafe for said brunette. He already knew who she was referring to, but he figured he’d have a bit of fun anyway. “Uh, you mean tall, dark and broody?” He asked teasingly, gaze flickering over to the aforementioned brunette who was tapping away on his phone.

Diana rolled her eyes. “I was going to say tall, dark and handsome, but sure, I guess he does look kind of broody, in a nice way.”

“In a nice way,” He repeated, chuckling.

Diana rolled her eyes again and he smirked. “No, he left ages ago. Why do you ask?” Carter lied.

Diana blinked, her expression barely able to contain her disappointment. Bingo. He thought, biting his lower lip and elbowing her. “He’s still here, you dork.”

Diana pouted. “You’re not nice. I just wanted to know if he was still here, is all. And his name is James.”

Carter tried very hard to hide his smirk as he cleared his throat. “You don’t say?”

“You don’t say, what?” Beckett suddenly chimed in, sidling up next to them and knocking his older brother with his hip.

“Nothing-“ Diana hastily covered, knowing very well what kind of mischief he might get up to.

She got up from her spot and went about wiping down the baking table to distract herself instead. “Oh, it’s definitely not nothing. What’d I miss?” Beckett asked curiously, looking between the pair.

Diana huffed, but gave no further information and Carter rolled his eyes fondly as he gestured vaguely towards where James was sitting. “Did you know his name is James?” Carter asked, raising a brow in question.

Beckett tried very hard not to grin as he glanced over at the aforementioned brunette who was currently looking out the big bay window into the busy New York street. “You don’t say?” He said, over-exaggerating his words and enjoying when Carter had to stifle his smile. “He looks broody,” He added as more of an afterthought than anything.

Diana scowled and Beckett looked confused when she directed it at him but then Carter burst out laughing. “That’s what I said.”

Beckett smirked, rolling his eyes as he took up Diana’s newly vacated seat. “What about him?” Carter prompted. “You just wanted to know if he was still here?”

Diana sighed, untying her apron and hanging it up with a few others on the back of the pantry door. “He’s a new customer. We talked a little this morning and I just wanted to know if he had stuck around without getting caught looking and now I’m going for a run before I’ve got to prep for lunch, so I wanted to ask you to make sure to pop over and see if he needed anything.”

Carter hummed, glancing towards his brother. “I’ll go check in with him then, see if he needs anything.”

Beckett was chewing his bottom lip, obviously a bit nervous. They’d decided not to acknowledge the fact that they knew who he was. He was clearly just trying to enjoy his morning out and they didn’t want to ruin his first visit to their cafe by being gushing fans or anything.

“Thank you, Carter. I’ll be back in an hour, just going to slip upstairs to change,” Diana reassured, heading towards the back set of stairs that led up to her own apartment.

“No problem, Dy,” Carter acknowledged and she smiled over her shoulder at them before disappearing up the stairs.

Beckett cleared his throat, capturing his brother’s attention. “Good luck~” He singsonged, making a beeline for the register to serve the mom and daughter that’d just walked through the door.

Carter rolled his eyes, smiling fondly as he wiped his hands on his apron and headed around the side of the counter, eyes flickering over the other tables to see if anyone might need anything. He got stuck talking to a couple of regulars for a minute or two, not that he minded. He liked this part of the job, the socializing, making sure everyone was doing alright and enjoying their breakfasts.

By the time he got to Bucky’s table, the brunette was trying very hard to keep his gaze occupied and not appear at all like he’d been watching the younger man flit from table to table, talking with the customers and collecting dishes and such. He seemed good with the customers and well spoken and he wondered truly how old he was. He still looked very young, but he definitely didn’t appear like your typical teenager.

“Well, hi there,” Carter greeted, aiming for casual.

He succeeded, for the most part. “Uh, hey,” Bucky returned.

“Can I get those dishes out of the way for you?” Carter asked, already reaching for the empty plate and mug.

“Oh sure,” Bucky agreed, lifting them to help add the dishes to Carter’s already full hands. “Thank you, the muffin was really good and the latte was to die for.”

Carter smiled. “Glad to hear it. What kind of muffin did you have?”

“Blueberry,” Bucky murmured.

Carter chuckled, looking down into the mug Bucky had handed to him. “Diana’s great at making muffins. I’m glad you liked it. Did-did she give you the new Caramel Spiced Latte? She hasn’t even put that one on the menu yet.”

Bucky blinked. “Uh yeah, it was really good. I told her I’d never heard of such a thing before but it was really fantastic.”

Carter smiled, gaze softening. “She’s a creative one, that’s for sure. But I’m glad you liked it. Is there anything else I can get you?”

Bucky glanced towards the display cases and let out a breath. “You know what? I think I’d like to grab a dozen muffins to take with me. Lots of hungry coworkers.”

Carter smirked. “Ah, she’s got you hooked. Come up whenever you’re ready and we can pick the ones you want.”

Bucky grinned a little wryly as he nodded, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “O-okay, I’ll be up in a minute, just gotta make a phone call.”

He could feel his phone vibrating with new text messages and missed phone calls where he’d shoved it in his pocket and he figured it was probably Steve wondering where he was. It was just after 8am and usually they’d hang out together after his morning run and workout and Bucky had totally skipped his workout to instead hang out at the cafe.

“Sounds good,” Carter agreed, nodding before he was slipping back off towards the kitchen to get rid of the dishes.

Bucky pulled out his phone, glancing down at it before clicking on Steve’s three missed calls and returning one. “Buck-“ Steve greeted nervously. “Where are you?”

Bucky rolled his eyes. “Stevie, I’m fine, I promise. I went out for a walk this morning and got a bit sidetracked. I’ll be back in twenty minutes, okay?”

Steve let out a relieved sigh. “Sorry, Bucky. I’m sorry. You know I worry, would it have killed you to send me a message though?”

Bucky sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry, Stevie. I hate the texting thing. But I’ll leave a note next time. I promise I’ll be home soon and I’ll even bring you a treat, okay?”

Steve hummed, as if thinking it over and Bucky’s smile spread. “Blueberry or Chocolate?”

“Oh-“ Steve breathed. “Chocolate?” He asked hopefully.

Bucky chuckled, glancing towards the display case with all the muffins. “Sure thing, pal. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay,” Steve conceded. “See you in a bit.”

They hung up and Bucky pocketed his phone before making his way up to the counter by the register where Carter greeted him with a big empty box. “Which ones were you thinking?”

Bucky cleared his throat slightly and looked into the case at all the different choices. “How about one of each and then the last few can be extra chocolate and blueberry?”

Carter nodded, scooping up the box and going to fill it with his requests. “Sounds good, be right back.”

Bucky nodded, pulling out his wallet and fiddling with a few bills. While he was busy stuffing a twenty into their tip jar, wholly absorbed in his task, he missed Diana slipping down the back stairs and catching sight of him doing so while waiting at the register. She hastily grabbed Beckett and motioned him towards the pantry.

“Do me a favour and grab some of that caramel almond bark and go give it to James. It looks like he’s getting something to go,” She prompted and Beckett scrunched his face up.

“Why can’t you give it to him?” He argued, already moving to get a packet of the pre-wrapped specialty dessert she reserved for only her favourite customers.

“Because I’m in my workout gear, I look like a fool. Now go,” She urged and he rolled his eyes, parcel safely in hand as he did what she asked.

He sidled up next to his older brother at the display case and cleared his throat. “Diana wants you to give this to her new friend.”

Carter raised a brow inquisitively and Beckett shrugged, shoving the little packet at him before darting off to help another customer. Carter was left shaking his head in amusement as he finished packing up the box of treats and soon he was face to face with Bucky once again. “How much do I owe you for the muffins?” He asked lightly, already having pulled a twenty from his wallet.

“It’s 15.75$,” Carter announced, setting the box on the counter between them. “And Diana wanted you to have a bag of our specialty bark to try.”

He figured he could throw her under the proverbial bus and see where it got them. Bucky blinked, his cheeks heating a little. “Oh, that-that’s really sweet of her, thank you,” Bucky said gratefully, handing over the twenty. “I uh, don’t need any change back either. Thank you again and please tell her I said thank you for the treats.”

Carter smiled, shaking his head as he accepted the twenty dollar bill and put it into the register. “No problem, and she’s actually just getting ready to head out for a run, you could thank her yourself if you like?” He said a little too loudly as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder and ducked slightly aside so that Bucky was treated with the view of Diana at the back door all done up in her workout gear.

Of course she heard him. It wasn’t the biggest distance between the back door and the register. She flushed when she looked up from tying her shoes and was met with Bucky’s gorgeously steely blue eyes. He waved at her, picking up the bundle of bark as he smiled crookedly at her. “Thanks, Diana,” He called shyly.

“No problem-“ She insisted, standing back up and greeting Bucky with the sight of her in very tight black leggings, little cutouts in floral patterns all down her legs along with a long sleeved navy blue fitted athletic shirt. “See you around.”

Bucky nodded, “See you around.”

She smiled shyly and then she was darting out the door so fast that Carter and Beckett really tested their self-restraint. They were literally two-seconds away from bursting into laughter and they were really glad when Bucky turned his attention back to Carter, giving him a nervous smile before he too was ducking out of the place like a bunny on a mission.

“So, that was hilarious,” Beckett agreed once their laughter did get the better of them.

Carter laughed, trying to stifle it against his shoulder. “It really was. I hope he comes back.”

Beckett grinned. “Oh, he’ll be back alright.”

When Carter just looked to his younger brother curiously, he rolled his eyes. “He’s got a thing for her muffins, couldn’t you tell?” Beckett muttered, waggling his eyebrows.

Carter stared at him for all of five-seconds before he groaned, “Oh for the love of-that was awful.”

Beckett grinned, waggling his eyebrows again. “Yeah, well, it’s me. What did you expect?”

Carter rolled his eyes, huffing lightly. “Uh huh, come on, let’s get the lunch stuff organized before she gets back.”

Bucky was careful to get rid of the box the muffins came in and when asked where he’d gotten them from, he’d merely said, “The Supermarket.”

No one had questioned him, but Natasha had definitely noticed the light dusting of pink across his cheeks that his stubble didn’t quite manage to hide. She didn’t press though and she wasn’t the only one who noticed something either. Over the course of the morning, each of the Avengers had managed to catch Bucky in a smile, but it wasn’t until he outright laughed at something Steve had said, that the others really took notice.

Bucky didn’t laugh. Well, he did, obviously. But no one ever seemed to be lucky enough to hear it. Steve could coax it out of him when the brunette’s mood was right, but it was a rare thing. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy or that he was feeling down or anything; he just didn’t share his feelings as openly as he may have once done.

Back before everything, he’d been very vocal in sharing his emotions, always laughing and smiling, showing that he was happy or frustrated or whatever mood he was in at the time. But since coming back to Steve, it’d been a hell of a lot harder for him to vocalize his feelings or really anything for that matter. He’d been deprived for so long of the ability to do so that it became more and more difficult to just let go and express himself. Express nearly anything.

From simple things, like wanting something to drink, or even a second helping of food. It was incredibly difficult for him to ask for anything in the beginning and they understood and did their best to help him work around it. It got better, but then they realized something else. Bucky never said no to anything and that was a whole other kind of problem. One that they’d all had to sit down and discuss and Bucky had been immensely relieved by their understanding and he’d made great progress in saying no to stupid trivial things like not wanting anchovies on his pizza, please and thank you. Or not wanting to join Steve for a workout because he wasn’t feeling up to it. They understood, that’s all that mattered.

He was learning that it was okay to say no as well as say yes to the things he wanted and he could always ask for whatever he needed and he’d been told that the worse that could happen was that he’d be told no and they’d work something else out instead. It’d gotten better, really.

But the whole feelings aspect of it all was much, much harder for him to handle, but he was adjusting. Clearly, if he was laughing so openly, if not still a bit soft and timid around the majority of the Team. So when he was caught smiling down into his cup of milk by Tony who just happened upon the scene in his quest for coffee, it made the genius pause, phone held out as he’d been typing away, momentarily forgotten in his grasp.

Tony had stopped and stared, the conversation of the other Avengers around him continuing on. So of course he did the only thing he could think of and carefully tilted his phone to snap a photo of the brunette and that timid smile on his face. There was no shutter sound, because Tony wasn’t an idiot, and pocketed his phone before anyone had noticed. Except for Steve, Steve always noticed and the blonde’s knowing smile was enough to get Tony’s eyes rolling as he came over and planted a kiss on his pretty cheek.

“Hi there,” Tony greeted his lover, leaning over and scooping up the blonde’s cup of coffee to steal a sip.

“Hey yourself,” Steve murmured, trying to nuzzle against Tony’s jaw.

Tony chuckled under his breath, leaning in to the man’s light nuzzle for a moment before drawing away. “What’s all the fuss about?” He asked, gesturing towards the rambunctious group around the kitchen island devouring their breakfast and treats.

“Bucky brought home some muffins for us and they’re really good. You should try one before they’re all gone,” Steve told him, reaching out for the plate of muffins and earning himself a few narrowed gazes.

He smirked, rolling his eyes. “Tony gets one too, right, Buck?”

Bucky blinked, his gaze straying towards the genius. “Of course Tony can have one. I brought home enough for everyone,” He said quietly.

Tony beamed at him, hand reaching out only to hover over the plate where there were only four muffins left as he tried to decide which one to try. “Thanks Buckaroo.”

Bucky’s smile was soft when he shrugged and looked away for a moment, bashful, before he pointed towards the one closest to him. “I think this one is chocolate and banana.”

Tony’s grin was blinding. “Two of my favourite things.”

“Hey,” Steve pouted.

Tony laughed, picking up the muffin and unwrapping it carefully. “Oh sweetheart. You know you are my most favourite thing.”

Steve laughed, obviously pleased as he rolled his eyes and let Tony plant a messy kiss on his cheek. Bucky groaned. “Please get a room you two. Your sappiness is making me sick.”

Steve guffawed, as did Tony…for all of a second and then Tony was bursting into happy laughter. Bucky was right pleased with himself at the response he garnered and couldn’t help the dopy smile he shot his best friend when Steve just looked at him with a fond smirk tugging at his lips. Obviously he was happy that Bucky was having a good day and the fact that Natasha, Clint, Wanda and even Tony hadn’t said anything about Bucky’s good mood was enough for Steve to thank them in the privacy of his own mind; for now.

Bucky wasn’t really all grossed out by their displays of casual affection. He was thrilled that they’d filled each others lives the way they did. Tony needed Steve and Steve needed Tony. They’d started dating well before Bucky had come back and Bucky was beside himself when he’d found out. 

They’d tried to keep it a secret for nearly two months before Bucky had become so frustrated with the pair thinking that he was oblivious, that he’d outright dragged Steve down to the genius’ lab and practically thrown them together, shouting; “For the love of whatever bloody God and Gods that exist! I know you two are together, so stop hiding! I’m thrilled for you idiots, really, I am! So just kiss already and be done with it!”

They’d looked at each other sheepishly, apparently knowing that keeping a secret from a world’s master assassin was idiotic and they’d been fools to try. So they’d apologized, kissed and that had been that. Though Tony did make a smart remark along the lines of; “Nice way to convince us that you’re okay with it by shouting at us, Bucky bear.”

Bucky had blinked in surprise at him before laughing, rolling his eyes as he’d smiled shyly, his nervous and bashful self returning all at once. Steve and Tony were right pleased with the outcome of that conversation though and they immediately went back to kissing, hugging and touching in any way they could get away with in front of him and the rest of the Team.

The rest of the day had then passed in much the same fashion and Bucky was grateful for it. The little reprieve that morning had been a blessing and he didn’t realize it until he was settling in on the lazy boy with Steve and Tony curled up on the sofa opposite him, Natasha and Wanda settled together the love seat with Clint sprawled on a few pillows at their feet, that he hadn’t once thought about the nightmarish thoughts he’d awoken to first thing that morning. 

He propped his chin in the palm of his hand, leaning against the arm rest of the chair he was settled in and glanced around at his friends…before sneaking a hand into his hoodie pocket and pulling out a small piece of the caramel dark chocolate almond bark Diana had given him.

The first taste was like heaven and he savoured it, letting it rest on his tongue as he sucked on the treat and let the flavours wash over him. This was probably his new most favourite thing in the world and he secretly wondered if he went to bed right now, if anyone would notice. He really wanted it to be tomorrow already so he could go back to the coffee shop. And with that pleasantly silly and adorable thought, he rolled his eyes and tried to pay attention to the movie they were watching. It was one on Tony’s list and he was sure the pop culture references would be ones that he needed to remember if he didn’t want the genius to drive him bananas in the near future.

And later that night, he didn’t think too hard about why curling up in his bed to sleep was so easy without the thereat of, will this be another sleepless night full of nightmares and faces? He didn’t care. He could brave it if it meant enjoying the rest of his day once it was over and getting to see that pretty caramel and coffee haired young woman again.

.

Bucky managed to wait until Steve left for his morning run before he headed down to the coffee shop. He wanted to avoid any questions if possible, not wanting to let on to his secret. He wasn’t even really sure what his secret was exactly. He figured it was something to do with the fact that he didn’t want to share Diana…even though she wasn’t exactly his to share. He just-he wanted to see where this went-see where this new fragile sort of thing would go.

Even if it went no where, just a casual friendliness between them during his morning walks that would ultimately lead him to the cafe, he’d still take it. He loved his friends, the Team, even if he wasn’t exactly on the Team. They still treated him as if he were and he still went on small recon missions to help out whenever he could. They did call him in for the big trouble though and he’d be the first to jump in and cover Steve’s self-sacrificing ass whenever necessary. Which was, like, always.

Tony and Bucky sort of maybe bonded over how idiotic Steve could be at times and although Steve was incredibly happy that they’d worked out everything together, he really wished they didn’t choose that particular thing to really connect over. But what can you do?

So when Bucky showed up around 6:40am to find Carter and Beckett manning the cash and taking care of the customers at the front, while Diana was busy at her kitchen prep table, tongue pressed firmly against the inside of her cheek as she painstakingly applied icing to row upon row of cupcakes? Well, he was hard pressed not to start grinning like an idiot as soon as he got a good look at her.

And she was just as beautiful as he remembered. Her long wavy hair was tied back in a low ponytail, her cream coloured shirt on again with a pair of skin tight black leggings which he was trying very hard not to admire so thoroughly. She had the same apron on today, although, they all wore similar ones, so maybe the same, but you know, different. And she also wore a pair of headphones on over her ears and he figured she was in the decorating zone.

His lips quirked ever so slightly as he took up his place in line, the boys and Diana not having seen him just yet. Diana was obviously very preoccupied her task as she was bent over the table slightly and watching what she was doing with a careful eye, but as soon as it was his turn and he was face to face with Carter, the blonde haired young man with bright blue eyes’ gaze widened in surprise. “You came back-shit, I mean-damnit, I owe Becks a cookie.”

Bucky’s smile was curious, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. “I did come back and why do you owe Becks a cookie and what’s a Becks?” He tried to wheedle.

Carter laughed, gesturing to the younger blonde who was staring at him in surprise from the other side of the display case and of course Bucky knew he was Becks. He just had to play dumb for another minute. “My younger brother, Beckett,” Carter gestured towards him. “I owe him a cookie because-“

“Because I said you’d for sure be back,” Beckett spoke up, coming over to greet him. “I’m Becks or Beckett, whatever you prefer and this is my older annoying brother, Carter. And we already know your name is James because Diana told us and yeah, we knew you’d be back,” He said confidently.

Bucky’s smile was even more curious now, his eyes narrowing. “What made you so certain I’d be back?”

Beckett laughed, a knowing twinkle in his eyes as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder in a clear gesture towards Diana. “You like her muffins.”

Bucky blinked, the most glorious blush ever spreading across his cheeks as he stuttered over what to say to, well, that. “I do like the muffins she bakes, you’re right,” He managed to croak, recovering from the boy’s obvious tease and trying to steer the conversation in a less than scandalous direction.

Beckett grinned, elbowing Carter who looked rather scandalized by the whole conversation. “My brother, ladies and gentleman, he thinks he’s a class act,” Carter muttered, shaking his head.

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head and trying to will the blush from his cheeks. “Well, yes, I came back and not just because of her muffins,” He muttered, rolling his eyes when Beckett snickered. “I like the atmosphere. It’s quiet and cozy and the treats are delicious and that latte was pretty amazing too.”

Carter smiled warmly at him. “I’m glad you came back and that you like it here. What can I get you this morning? Maybe a breakfast sandwich and another latte? I can’t make that one she gave you yesterday as well as she can, but I make a wicked vanilla chai latte.”

Bucky nodded, a gentle smile escaping him as he nodded. “A vanilla chai latte sounds great, Carter, thank you and I’d love to try that bacon and egg sandwich on whole wheat bread, if that’s alright?”

“Of course it’s alright,” Carter said breezily, missing the way Bucky’s smile faltered ever so slightly as he turned away and started working on the latte.

Beckett had moved off to get the sandwich ready for him and Bucky was left with a moment of disappointment in himself at having asked if it was alright. Of course it was alright, he knew that, he just forgot himself for a moment. He knew he could ask for things and he was allowed to have them. It was silly for him to worry over it and he knew that too, but he couldn’t help the swirling thoughts starting to gather in his gut.

“Did you want a muffin or something sweet to go with your breakfast too?” Beckett asked him softly, having turned to see Bucky and the pinched expression he wore.

“Oh,” He said nervously, trying to school his face into something more normal. “Yeah, uh, maybe I’ll try that chocolate banana one. A friend of mine really enjoyed the one I brought home yesterday.”

“Oh awesome, man. That’s definitely my favourite. Why don’t you go have a seat and I’ll bring your order over, you can settle up later,” Beckett told him, giving him a reassuring smile.

“Sure, uh, thanks,” Bucky said earnestly, gesturing towards the little table by the fireplace, happy that it was still free. “I’ll just be over there.”

“No problem,” Beckett agreed, going back to fixing up his sandwich.

A few minutes later, Beckett delivered his sandwich, muffin and latte for him with a cheesy smile before he was leaning his hip against a nearby table. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable back there. I was just teasing you.”

Bucky smiled, sitting back a bit and observing the young man. “Nah, I wasn’t exactly uncomfortable. Just a bit surprised.”

Beckett chuckled, nodding as he conceded the point. “I get it, don’t worry. I am sorry though if I upset you, my tongue likes to get away from me sometimes.”

Bucky smiled tentatively at him. “Don’t worry about it, really. Can I ask you though? I-is uh, Diana your sister, by the way?”

The young man’s eyes widened slightly and he shook his head. “No, not exactly. Though she is like a sister to us. She’s actually our Guardian.”

And it was such a simple and yet loaded word and it had Bucky’s heart nearly skipping. Guardian could mean any number of things and usually when you heard it used in a way such as this, it was as a result of something tragic.

“Oh, sorry to pry. I just-you all seemed really close yesterday and you obviously know each other well-” Bucky went on, only to be interrupted by Beckett’s soft laugher.

“You saw the spatula incident then, didn’t you?” He teased.

Bucky grinned. “Yeah, I did.”

Beckett folded his arms in front his chest, smiling as he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, we’re close. Been under her wings since I was 13, Beckett 15 and we’ve known her since we were just little heathens.”

Bucky’s gaze softened. “That’s nice, to have each other like that.”

Beckett blinked, watching as Bucky’s gaze darted away towards the kitchen where he knew Diana was still decorating the cupcakes. “It is nice. She’s special to us and uh-“ He cleared his throat a bit, thinking over how he wanted to phrase his next words. “Just an FYI…she only gives that caramel almond bark to people she likes and that list is pretty short.”

Bucky’s smile was shy and a bit more nervous than he’d like to admit when he met the young man’s gaze once again. “She doesn’t even know me.”

Beckett shrugged, turning to start back towards the counter. “No, she doesn’t. But I’m sure she’ll get to.”

Bucky’s smile was tentative as he looked down at the latte and the rest of his breakfast. He raised the latte to his lips and managed to catch Carter’s curious gaze as Beckett passed him by, whispering something Bucky couldn’t hear to him. Carter’s smile was genuine when he gazed back and nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Bucky spent the next hour or so enjoying his breakfast, watching people come and go, playing on his phone and actually sending Steve a message to let him know all was well and that he’d meet him at the pool for 9am for a swim if he felt up to it. He was having a good morning, just enjoying the atmosphere and the quiet while he let his gaze wander.

And it did wander. Mostly back to where Diana was hard at work still decorating her cupcakes. No longer with icing, but now with little sprinkles and decorations that he couldn’t quite make out from where he was sitting. Carter was busy restocking the display case and tidying up while Beckett took care of any customers after the early morning rush had passed. It was definitely a busy place, but it seemed to be busiest between 6:30am and 7:30am and now it was much calmer.

For a coffee shop in New York City, it wasn’t overly packed, but he could tell that most of the shop patrons were regulars and probably intensely loyal to the place. He liked that. So he just sat and watched, flicking around on his phone and keeping to himself for the most part. But around 8am, a male customer popped in, making a bit of unnecessary noise as he strode up to the counter where Beckett was standing going over some paperwork, and Bucky’s gaze was immediately drawn to him.

Something about him had Bucky feeling on edge. The way the guy carried himself just screamed asshole in every sense of the word and Bucky grimaced slightly, wondering if he was overreacting. Little did he know, he’d be proven right soon enough.

“Hey squirt!” The man greeted, approaching the counter and smacking a hand down to lean heavily against the wood.

“Damian,” Beckett returned cooly, gaze lifting from his paperwork to settle on the man. “What can I get you?”

“Well, how about you go grab Diana for me? I’d like her to make my cappuccino,” Damian announced, gaze flicking towards Diana who was still bent slightly over the table at an odd angle as she placed some of the finishing touches on her cupcakes.

Her headphones were still firmly on over her ears and drowning out the noise of the shop and she hadn’t heard Damian and Beckett conversing. From where Bucky was sitting, he could have sword he’d seen Carter shoot her a nervous look, almost willing her to look up and stop bending over the table like that, because sure enough, Damian was apparently a huge asshole and was eyeing her like a piece of meat.

“Diana’s busy filling out an order and she really can’t be bothered this morning, sorry. I can make your cappuccino, just the regular then?” Beckett prompted, shifting to block his view of Diana as best he could and making it painfully obvious that he was losing his patience with the man already.

Damian blinked, narrowing his eyes at the younger man and shaking his head. “Uh, no can do. Go get her for me, I want her to make it so I can chat with her for a bit. She never talks to me otherwise,” Damian muttered in annoyance.

Beckett rolled his eyes. “I wonder why,” He muttered under his breath.

Damian’s eyes widened and he sneered. “Listen you little shit-“

“Hey-“ Carter interrupted, darting over towards the two when he saw that Beckett looked to be about a second away from lunging over the counter at the man. “Easy guys.”

With his sudden exclamation, Diana had apparently heard him, her music not having been loud enough to drown them out and she stood up, turning around and knocking her headphones from her ears to settle around her neck. “Wha-“ She started to breathe, until she caught sight of Damian and Beckett looking like they were going to start a physical fight any second.

Shit. She thought, tossing her headphones aside and moving swiftly towards the register where Beckett and Carter now stood together. “Uh, hey guys, what’s going on?” She asked hesitantly, moving to put herself closer to the fray.

“Diana!” Damian suddenly exclaimed, all smiles as he turned his attention towards her. “We were just talking about you.”

Diana shot Beckett and Carter a look that screamed, I’m sure you were, and turned her attention back to Damian. “Damian, good morning. How can we help you?”

“Oh, I think the question is, how can you, help me,” He sighed, leaning a bit more on the counter in an attempt to get closer to her.

She blinked, wanting to tell him to fuck off but knowing that was poor hostess etiquette or something. “Okay?”

He laughed, throwing his head back and it was so fake, so pretend and it rubbed her the wrong way on so many levels. “Oh, sweetheart. I was just telling your employee here, that I’d like a cappuccino and what better person to make it for me than you? You already know me so well, Diana. Don’t you think you’d like to maybe get to know me more?”

She tried very hard to suppress her grimace as she let out a fake sad sigh. “I’m sorry, Damian. But I’ve told you before, I’ll gladly make you your morning cappuccinos, but I’m keeping our…acquaintance strictly professional. I am your barista and you are my customer, that’s all.”

Damian pouted. “But Diana,” He whined. “We could be so good together, can’t you just go out to dinner with me and let me prove it to you? It doesn’t even have to be dinner, we could have lunch back at my place, a little afternoon delight-”

“She said no-“ Carter interrupted angrily. “For the hundredth time!” He snapped.

“Carter-“ Diana whispered harshly, touching his elbow to try and calm him down.

But Carter was already working himself up, annoyed and frustrated to hell with this asshole and Beckett wasn’t fairing much better, having shifted closer to the counter and seemed to be debating whether or not if stabbing him through the hand with the order puncher would be too much.

“This doesn’t concern you two anyway, so why don’t you run along and let the adults talk for a minute-“ Damian muttered.

Diana shot him a very unimpressed look. “Don’t talk to them like that,” She warned.

Damian floundered for a moment, torn between wanting to scold the children and impress Diana without pissing her off. “Yeah, Damian. Don’t talk to us like that,” Beckett taunted.

Diana shot him a flat look and Beckett tried to cover his pout as he looked away, but it all only seemed to irritate their customer. “Listen, Diana-“ Damian pleaded, trying to ignore the other two. “Just one date, okay? One measly date and I’ll prove-“

“Enough-“ Carter snapped. “She doesn’t want to date your sleazy ass-“

“Carter!” Diana gasped, grabbing the blonde by his bicep and attempting to get him to walk away before this got any worse; she just needed to separate them so she could deal with Damian on her own.

She should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy, but Carter did let her move him to her left by the display case while she stepped up next to Beckett and tried to block him from Damian’s view. However, no sooner had she done so, did Damian’s mutter of, “Fucking faggot-“ under his breath, immediately draw her attention.

Carter had gone stock still at her side and she could feel the way his entire body seemed to tense and it made her very bones suddenly fill with ice and her blood heat like fire. Her gaze met Damian’s and he seemed to realize that not only had she heard him, but so did Carter and Beckett, who was now staring murderously out from behind Diana at him. Damian blinked, about to do something, probably not apologize, but he didn’t get the chance.

“What did you just say?” Diana whispered, her voice like venom.

Damian cleared his throat, standing up a bit taller. He seemed to struggle with how to play this and he forced out a laugh. “Oh, come on, Dy, baby. You have to know your boy’s a faggot by now?”

Diana’s cheeks grew red, the angry splotches spreading down her throat, her eyes narrowing as she stared him down, now seeming to stand just that much taller than him as she started past Beckett and around the side of the counter; apparently faster than any of them realized.

“How dare you-“ She hissed. “How dare you-“ She nearly shouted. “You come into our business, our home, insult my boy, expect to play it off as if it’s no big deal and still hope that I’ll go out on a date with you?!” She yelled, hands clenched into fists at her sides. “Get the fuck out of my shop this instant or so help me-“

Damian shook his head, chest puffing up in indignation as he tried to take a step forward, only to meet with the chest of what would appear to be a brick shit-house as Bucky put himself between Diana and the man. “I believe,” Bucky muttered cooly. “That the lady asked you to leave, so you’d best be going.”

Damian blinked, cheeks heating with embarrassment when he realized he stood an absolutely zero percent chance at winning this argument or any kind of physical fight now that said brick shit-house was involved. “Fine-“ He muttered, shaking his head and cursing them all under his breath as he started for the door, many of the cafe’s patrons shooting him awful disgusted looks as he passed.

Bucky turned around then only to be met with Diana’s anger melting into exhaustion and relief. “Thank you,” She whispered, her voice filled with sincerity as she met his worried gaze.

He nodded, swallowing hard as he looked her over, making sure that she was actually alright. He had gotten up the second he’d heard the asswipe’s slur and had carefully and quietly made his way towards them, knowing that he’d step in the second it was required. 

He glanced over her shoulder then to where Beckett was watching Carter with a worried look on his face. “You should-“ Bucky started uncertainly, motioning towards the boys and she quickly nodded, still staring at him with relief shining in her eyes while seeming to understand as she turned and walked around the side of the counter.

Beckett felt her hand on his arm as she slipped past him, her fingers leaving a reassuring warmth around his forearm before she let go of him to go to Carter. Carter was hastily wiping down one of the baking tables, head ducked and face pinched. She could only see his side profile and she knew he was upset, holding it all in because that’s just what he did.

“Carter?” She murmured softly, trying to get his attention.

When he didn’t respond, only continued to wipe down the table and turn his back more towards her, she frowned, curling a reassuring hand over his shoulder. He flinched bodily away from her and the soft hurt sound she made at that made him pause, gaze flicking uncertainly towards her at his left. “I’m sorry-“ He choked suddenly.

“Hey, no,” She said firmly. “You don’t need to be sorry for anything, my little love,” She murmured soothingly, wrapping him up in her arms and drawing him close.

He choked back a sob and she frowned, pulling him in tighter, his nose tucking into the crook of her neck. “D-don’t call me that,” He choked, trying to sound annoyed.

She laughed lightly, pressing one hand to the back of his neck and rubbing circles against his lower back. “My little love?” She asked and when he nodded, she rolled her eyes. “But you love it when I go all Mommy Dy on you,” She tried to tease.

His laugh was wobbly around the edges and despite his face being buried against her neck, she knew he was smiling. “Come on, sweetheart, nothing to be sad about, okay?” She tried to reassure.

He nodded, drawing away from her a bit, still unable to meet her gaze. “He’s right, you know.”

Diana’s gaze turned piercing, her hands grasping his biceps painfully hard. “Don’t you dare, Carter Anthony Mathews,” She threatened.

He grimaced at the middle name drop and tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let him. There were tears in his eyes and she hated them there. “You listen to me, Carter,” She demanded. “You are not a faggot, that word is awful and so derogatory and degrading and hurtful. So get it out of your head. What he said was wrong, on so many levels, and I won’t have you thinking that about yourself for one more second. Do you hear me?”

Carter nodded reluctantly and soon she was forcing his chin up to meet her gaze. “You love who you love, just like the rest of us. If it’s a man or a woman, so be it. Hell, if goats are your thing, then so be it-“

“I don’t love goats!” He protested.

Diana blinked in surprise at his outburst, but then she pouted adorably. “You don’t love goats? Are you crazy? Have I not shown you enough baby goat videos in your youth? They are so beautiful and they make the funniest noises-“

“Oh my God!” Carter guffawed, pushing her lightly away from him in exasperation.“You are ridiculous!”

Diana pursed her lips, trying hard not to laugh. “Oh, come on, you love me.”

Carter laughed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Yeah, you lunatic, of course I love you.”

Diana’s gaze softened and she smiled at him sweetly. “How you can go from sweet and motherly one instant to dorky ridiculous Mom in the next, is beyond me,” Carter guffawed, shaking his head.

She laughed, smiling at him knowingly as she reached up and tapped a finger against his nose. “You have much to learn, young Padawan,” She teased.

Carter spluttered for a moment and then Beckett’s howling laughter was reaching them and he tried so hard to stifle it and was obviously failing miserably. Carter broke out into a wide grin and Diana just smiled and looked between the pair, obviously proud of herself. “Star Wars references? Really?” Carter asked in disbelief.

Diana snickered, her nose scrunching up adorably as she shrugged, moving to bump hips with Beckett as he came over to check up on them. “I’d make an awesome Jedi,” She informed them, waving a finger at Carter.

The blonde laughed, shaking his head. “Nah, you’re too much of a princess for that.”

Beckett smirked and Diana just rolled her eyes, but then it was if a lightbulb was going off over her head and her eyes widened. “Hey, maybe that’s what I’ll be for Halloween! Princess Leia in the-“

“Don’t say it!” Becket yelled, at the same time Carter said, “No!”

“Gold bikini?” She asked, a pout gracing her features, big brown eyes wide and hurt.

“Absolutely no gold bikini-“ Carter threatened. “We already have enough trouble with guys ogling you as it is, we don’t need you flaunting yourself in a bikini.”

Diana rolled her eyes. “Fine, then I’ll just be Leia in her combat gear. I’ll even make the space buns and everything.”

Beckett laughed shaking his head. “No way, Dy. I think you should go as a real princess this year.”

Diana pouted, looking between the pair. “Really? Like, frilly dress and crown and crap? That’s boring,” She muttered disapprovingly.

Carter snickered and Beckett rolled his eyes. “Nah, not exactly. I was thinking more along the lines of Warrior Princess.”

Diana blinked. “Like Xena?”

When both of the boys just gave her a blank look, she rolled her eyes. “Okay, so not Xena.”

Beckett chuckled and shook his head. “I was thinking Wonder Woman.”

Diana’s cheeks flushed lightly. “Oh, I don’t know.”

Carter frowned. “Why not? I think you’d make a great Diana Prince.”

Diana shrugged, moving away from them slightly, apparently a bit uncomfortable with the idea. “No, I don’t think I want to be Wonder Woman for Halloween.”

Beckett pouted, shooting Carter a glance. “Come on, Dy. You’d be a great Wonder Woman. You were about two-seconds away from knocking Damian on his ass and could you imagine yourself in her outfit? All that crazy armour and awesome sword and shield and, you’d get to wear a tiara.”

Diana shot him a worried glance, clearly nervous about the idea. “I’m not strong like her though or you know, pretty, like that. That actress who portrayed her was gorgeous, I couldn’t do her justice in the looks department or the…er, all around goodness that Wonder Woman stands for.”

Carter scoffed and Beckett groaned, loudly. “Excuse you, Diana,” Carter muttered in annoyance. “But you’re definitely wrong on both of those fronts.”

“It’s decided then-“ Beckett announced. “You’ll be Wonder Woman for Halloween, Carter will be the same thing he’s been every year since he was eight and I’ll be Luke Skywalker because he’s totally awesome.”

Carter laughed lightly, shaking his head as he glanced over at Diana who looked torn between annoyed and fond. “Ugh, why do I put up with you two again?”

Carter and Beckett both grinned at each other before saying in unison, “Because you love us!”

Diana merely rolled her eyes, huffing out a breath as she turned back to her cupcakes and muttered, “Damn right I do.”

.