#lumberjack!steve

“Bucky recommended you when he heard that I needed new furniture.” Steve’s eyebrow rose at your statement as this was the first time he heard anything about that.

“Did he?”

You nodded and noticed that you hadn’t told him your name and provided it then. “I've taken over the cafe in town, but the furniture has seen better days and I finally need to replace it.”

“I don’t know what Bucky has told you, but it’s only me here. You should hire a company that would be faster.” How could someone be so handsome and still so grumpy? Maybe he was just like Bucky, who had also come with a death glare into your shop and it took a good strong coffee and a piece of cheesecake for him to warm up and to grace you with a short-lived smile.

“I don’t want fast; I want something good. I want something long living and to be honest, I can’t pay for everything at once. I have a café in a small town. I don’t make a fortune, even though Bucky comes in regularly, but I still need to replace the furniture. So, replacing it piece by piece would be totally fine with me. That’s it if you’re up for it and we can agree on the design and price,” you smiled at him.

“Wait, does that mean the cheesecake he brings is from you?”

“Yeah, it’s my grandma’s recipe though. Would you consider it though? You can come to the café and take a look, we could discuss everything and you get a piece of pie and coffee for free,” you offered.

Steve agreed to come over to take a look and when you wanted to tell him where it was, he told you he knew and he would come over before noon the next day.

You were busy bringing Frank his daily coffee when he was spending another break in your café, when you heard the bell above your door announcing a new customer. A smile was on your face when you spotted Bucky and the blonde you had met the day before. You weren’t sure if Steve would really come, but you were happy that he at least decided to take a look.

“So, what can I bring you gentlemen?” They had taken a place at the window.

“Coffee please and what pie can you recommend today?” Bucky’s behavior was way nicer since the first day he had stumbled in.

“Do you want a coffee too? Or are you more of a tea guy? I have hot chocolate too?” you asked Steve and ignored Bucky’s second part of the question.

“Coffee is fine, thanks,” Steve’s voice sounded kind of raspy as if he didn’t use it very often and it sent a chill down your body.

“Okay, I’ll bring you some variety of pie too,” you winked at Bucky and left the two. You took a slice of chocolate pie, carrot cake and apple pie with muffins on a plate and carried it towards their seats with the coffee in the other hand.

“No cheesecake today, sorry guys,” you said while placing the things in the middle of the table.

“You didn’t have too,” Steve said but was interrupted by Bucky.

“Shut up and try it. You won’t repeat that after you had a taste,” Bucky was already stuffing his face with some of the chocolate cake.

“I have no doubt that it will be delicious, you still didn’t have too,” Steve sent a short smile your way.

“Oh shush,” you waved at him and watched him taking a bite of the apple pie. The look on his face when he tasted it filled you with pride.

“This is really good,” his voice came almost out like a moan.

“Thank you,” you beamed. “So, as you can see I don’t have a lot of tables or anything. But they are old, one chair actually broke yesterday. Luckily no one got hurt, but it’s time to replace it. And the surfaces of the tables don’t look good anymore so I covered them with tablecloths, but I’d rather have them without them.”

“Let me take a look at the chairs first so there won’t be another accident.” After eating and drinking their coffee Bucky said his goodbye while Steve turned over the chairs and tightened some screws. “The others look good, let’s see what you want and I’ll tell you if I can manage it and we’ll see about the price. Actually a few things look good so I can just go over them and don’t have to replace them.”

“Sounds good. You want another coffee or something else?”

“A coffee would be nice,” he said almost shyly and took a seat at the counter. In the end the both of you agreed on something and Steve said his goodbye with the promise of calling you and telling you when he would pick up the first things.

Texting Steve became the norm. You had to coordinate what to do and how you want some stuff done right? The little pictures you got were just a bonus. You started talking about other stuff too and sometimes you were woken up with a picture of the sun over the forest.

Steve was actually someone who was awake before you sometimes. Owning a café meant to get up early so the early birds could get their caffeine at your place. And while you were never one to be constantly on the phone you noticed that you eyed it more and more and tried to listen to the small vibrations that would mean an incoming message.

You learnt pretty early that Steve wasn’t really living alone in his secluded cabin. He had a Bernese Mountain Dog that was keeping him company and pictures of Murphy came in frequently.

After you told him you didn’t mind a dog in your café, he brought his pet over the next time he wanted to take some measurements. You quickly greeted the massive dog and placed a bowl for him in a corner next to your counter where he could drink in silence. After the first time you even bought some dog snacks and soon there was a corner especially for Murphy in the café.

But you also visited Steve to see the progress of the furniture. You watched him sawing and plane down the wood with his big hands. You had thought baking was relaxing, but you soon learned that watching Steve work and having the snout of a big dog in your lap was a different kind of relaxing.

Bucky had this little twinkle in his eye when he visited the café now and you were just waiting for him to comment the friendship you and Steve had.

Steve was confused when he stood in front of your closed door. Sure, it was Sunday morning but the two of you had made an appointment to get the top for your counter in the shop that day and Steve was also a little over ambitious and had three more chairs in his truck. He took his phone out of his pocket and dialed your number. Murphy was sitting next to him staring at the closed door.

It took a while for you to pick up the phone. “Hi, Steve. I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize the time, I... I’ll open the door for you, give me a few minutes.” You were living right above the café so Steve thought you’d be there in two minutes max. But he waited a few more minutes and started stroking Murphy’s fur who started to get impatient. When you opened the door Steve was a little confused to see you in sweatpants and a very big hoodie. And fuzzy socks on your feet. It wasn’t an unpleasant look – actually the opposite of it, but Steve had never seen you that way.

“I’m so sorry. I just... my back is killing me and its been hurting for a few days, but today when I woke up I couldn’t really move. I couldn’t even put shoes on my feet,” you admitted and let out a quiet laugh. Murphy who was used to being greeted immediately by you let out a loud whoof and pushed his head against your belly. Your face showed the pain but you patted him never the less until Steve pulled him away by his collar. “I don’t think I can help carrying...”

But Steve didn’t even let you finish. “I’ll do it. Just sit down, I guess. Can you sit?” You nodded. Steve then pointed to a bench and then he told Murphy to go to his corner. He went back to his truck and got the toolbox, before he started disconnecting the table top of the counter.

“You’re going to the doctor tomorrow, right?” he asked while he was busy with the job.

“Yeah, I don’t think I can open tomorrow if there isn’t a miracle happening.” After a while Steve walked outside and you didn’t realize what he was about to do until you saw it. “Steve you can’t lift that alone! Oh, um never mind. Obviously you can,” the last part was more for yourself than him but it must have been still loud enough as he was chuckling. And you had to wipe the (hopefully) imaginary drool from your face as you saw Steve lifting that big piece of wood on his own.

Conversations ran dry as Steve was busy doing whatever he was doing and letting out noises that should have been illegal.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow and bring you to the doctor, okay?” he asked when he finished and whistled for his dog to get up.

“You don’t have to do that,” you tried to.

“I know, but I want to. Are you okay on your own today?” You nodded and walked with him towards the door.

“Yeah, I’ll be okay.” He raised an eyebrow at you. “I promise to text you if I need help, promise.”

“Text me anyway,” he said before he walked towards his truck and opened the door for Murphy.

Steve picked you up the next day and told you he left Murphy at home so he wouldn’t hurt you accidentally. He opened the door of his truck for you and made sure to drive extra slow over the uneven street to not hurt you further.

The doctor gave you pain meds and ordered you to rest. You had to close the café, but there was no way that you could work. “I have to go though, but I’ll make sure to,” Steve started when he helped you up the stairs to your apartment.

“You don’t have to do anything, Steve. You already did a lot so thank you.”

In the end you had to usher Steve out after he made sure that you had enough water next you at the couch, a blanket, some food and the remote for the TV.

The faint yell of your name accompanied with some knocking woke you up. You tried to get up, but couldn’t and winced when the pain in your back started to make itself felt again.  The phone that you had pushed under your pillow vibrated and when you finally pulled it out you saw Bucky's name on the screen.

“Finally,” you heard his voice through the speaker. “We’ve been trying to reach you for a while now. I’m standing outside of your apartment.”

“I can’t move,” you breathed out.

“I’m coming in,” was all you heard before he ended the call. It didn’t take long for Bucky to stand next to you.

“How did you even get inside?” you asked bewildered, but the tall man in front of you only shrugged as if it was a normal thing to get inside apartments without a key.

“Mother Hen told me to check on you when he couldn’t reach you. I also have orders to take you with me if your back is worse, which it seems like it is. We’re going to pack some stuff and then I’ll bring you over to a nice cabin for a little vacation.” The smirk he gave you did nothing to make you forget about the breaking and entering, but it didn’t take long for him to pack some stuff. And then you remembered the cake that was still in the café and wouldn’t survive any longer so you told him to pack that and take it with him.

Bucky wasn’t as patient with you as Steve had been when you made your way down the stairs. You had to stop a few times and it wouldn’t surprise you if Bucky would just start carrying you downstairs. He didn’t say it out loud and you noticed that he tried to be patient.

“I’m sorry,” you said when there were still three steps in front of you to take.

“No, don’t be. I’m sorry, don’t rush.” Bucky led you to his car and put the bags in his trunk while you struggled to get in the car.

“Jeez, next I need a walking cane,” you mumbled when you were finally in the car and Bucky started it.

“Don’t worry, I bet Steve will make you one then,” Bucky chuckled and you slapped his arm lightly. The brunette made sure that you were safely inside the cabin with your bags and the cake he scored still in the car before he left you to go back to work. He told you that Steve should be back soon and that you should call if you needed anything.

You stood awkwardly in the room. It wasn’t as if you had never been in the open room which combined the kitchen with the living room, but still. The owner of the home wasn’t there. In the end you decided to sit down by the comfortable chair next to the huge window that was holding a big cozy blanket. You spotted a book on the table next to it and decided to give it a try and you were lost in a new world until you heard a car approaching. Murphy barked and only stopped after Steve opened the door and he ran up to you so you could pat him.

“Hi,” you said awkwardly when your eyes met with Steves.

“You had me worried there when you didn’t answer your phone. Buck told me he had brought you over,” he said while he pulled off his jacked and hung it on the rack next to the door. “Of course the jerk didn’t make sure you have something to drink. Do you want,” he started.

“Coffee, please,” you interrupted him and he nodded. Murphy had abandoned you after he had got petted and walked over to Steve in hope of getting something to eat. Not long after Steve placed a streaming mug next to you.

“Thank you,” you said and watched him walking away collecting something. He placed candles around the room which caused your eyebrows to rose. What was happening? Your heart was beating faster.

“Do you want to eat something? We should make something warm, while we still can,” Steve asked and you were more than confused. Candlelight dinner?

“While we still can?” you repeated dumbly.

“Yeah, because of the storm. We might lose the power, that’s why Bucky picked you up.” He stopped placing a candle in the kitchen and turned around. “He surely told you about it, right? I didn’t want you to be alone because there is a storm coming and I won’t be able to come over and help you.” He studied your reaction. “He didn’t tell you, uh? And you still came?”

You decided to take a sip from your coffee instead of answering. You struggled a bit with getting up, but you were stubborn to help preparing dinner and assured Steve that you couldn’t sit or lie anymore. While you were busy chopping some vegetables Steve excused himself for a moment and came back in some more comfortable clothes. While Steve looked good in jeans and flannel it was nothing on him in sweatpants that emphasized his ass. You had to force yourself to give the vegetables your attention again.

Dinner was a quiet event, although not an uncomfortable one. A few sentences here and there, but nothing more. The silence was disturbed by the rain hitting the roof and windows. “The storm might last two days,” Steve voice suddenly said. “You can get the bedroom of course. I’ll change the sheets right after dinner.”

“Steve I won’t kick you out of your bed. I’ll take the couch,” you tried to say but Steve’s head was already shaking in a no way.

“If you think I would let you sleep on the couch you’re wrong. And especially with your back.” You raised your hands in surrender and were rewarded with a dazzling smile from Steve. Did he become even more beautiful every day? Or was it just that he wasn’t as grumpy around you anymore. Or maybe the pain meds were fully kicking in now. Whatever it was, you still watched his ass when he walked out of the room to change the sheets of his bed.

“You wanna play some cards?” The deck was already in his hands when Steve asked you.

“I haven’t played cards in a while.”

“Yeah, it was a dumb idea. I only thought that if the power goes out,” Steve started to ramble.

“I didn’t say it was a dumb idea only that I haven’t played in a while. And I hope you’re not a sore loser because I will beat you,” you smirked and pushed the stool in front of you out with your foot to show him he should sit down there.

“I hope you’re not a sore loser,” he quipped back and started to pull the cards out of the box.

The power did go out that evening and you only stopped playing when the wind was so loud that you couldn’t hear the laughter of the other one. Murphy whined and pressed his nose against Steve’s leg.

The three of you actually spent the whole next day isolated in Steves cabin. And while it wasn’t a perfect situation it was still a nice day. And evening. And even a relaxing night because Steve’s bed might be the comfiest you had ever slept in. And so you weren’t surprised that your back felt way better and when you woke up the next day and the storm was over. You couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed to go back to your old life.

“Seems like we’re able to go back to our normal life,” you said when you stepped into the living room and spotted Steve.

“Yeah. These next days will be my busiest, they always are after a storm,” Steve said and gave you a mug. He was still wearing these sweatpants – and you still hadn’t decided if they were a blessing or a curse. “Do you want to go back home, or... not that I’m throwing you out. You could always stay.”

“Thank you, Steve. But I feel way better and I think I’ll open the café today. And I don’t think I can let you sleep on the couch again. I bet you want your bed back, or else I need to tend to your sore back. Not that I wouldn’t,” you winked at him. Steve and you both got ready and Steve dropped you off at your café.

“Thank you so much,” you kissed his cheek before you got out of his car. “Don’t be too busy to text,” you added before you closed the door.

Steve was too busy to text you. He didn’t lie, these were the busiest days for him. But you also had a lot to do at the café. You needed to bake something fresh and it needed a good sweeping. You were glad that you and Steve got up so early.

It was only at the end of the day when you were laying in your bed that you texted Steve:

You need to tell me where you bought your mattress. Mine sucks after sleeping two nights in your bed!

It did take a while for a reply to arrive and you were almost asleep when your phone buzzed.

You’re welcome to use mine anytime. Sorry I didn’t text you. Day was so busy! I hope you’re feeling better. Might fall asleep soon, sleep well!

You were too tired to reply but smiled none the less. The next days were busy for Steve while yours became quieter once you had everything done in the café. Frank told you he missed you and your food while you were closed and it was nice to know that someone appreciated you.

Bucky also came around, but not the person you wished to see the most. Texts were rare, but they were there and they made you feel more comfortable. It was Saturday evening when you suddenly got up. You packed a few things and checked that your phone battery wasn’t low before you got into your car and drove the now familiar way towards Steve’s home.

You drove slowly once you arrived at the wooden area, afraid that some deer would jump in front of your hood. But you managed and you saw the light in Steve’s little workshop.

“Hey stranger,” you said once you stepped inside the small room and closed the door behind you to keep out the cold.

“What are you doing here? Did you drive here in the dark? It isn’t safe, you could have called, I would have picked you up,” he said but stopped once you reached him and put your arms around his waist until he finally put his arms around you too. The smell of wood filled your nose along with Steve’s detergent.

“I missed you,” you mumbled into his chest.

“I missed you, too. I wanted to come over tomorrow, but I wanted to finish this first. I wanted to be done with it before that, but the storm came.”

“What is it?” you asked and regretted it, when Steve let go of you.

“I made you a new sign for your shop,” he said and stepped aside so you could see what he had been working on. There was a huge wooden plate with coffee cottage on it and a wooden cup of coffee next to your shop name. It must have cost him some time for all the details.

“Oh Steve, it’s beautiful,” you said and let your hands fall over the curves on the wood.

“Careful, it’s not finish. I don’t want you to get a splinter,” he stopped your hand and took it into his one instead before he pressed a soft kiss against the back of your hand. “What are you doing here?” his voice was low and you almost didn’t understand him.

“If I remember correctly, you told me I was welcome to use your bed anytime. And I’m not used to a week without seeing you. If I’m overstepping just say so and I’ll go home.”

“You’re not overstepping. You’re right where I want you to be,” he pulled you against him and his beard brushed your cheek before he brushed his lips against your skin. “Let’s go inside. It’s warmer there and I’ve been told I have a really comfortable bed.” You could hear the smirk in his voice.

“Don’t get cheeky, I only came for the bed,” you didn’t sound convincing at all.

“Right,” Steve chuckled and pulled you along towards the cabin.

Masterlist | Part 2