#nr100

You’d been texting back and forth with Bucky for a few weeks, a handsome stranger you’d met online, who lived in your same city. He had been so sweet right from the start and you just felt comfortable chatting with him. You’d hit it off, and loved chatting about your days and things you had in common. He seemed to have a really great sense of humor too, and often made you smile when you were having a bad day. You picked up your phone to reply.

Hey you! It was a day, but I’m comfy at home now. Glad the weekend is coming!

It had definitely been a day but you didn’t want to get into it right now over text.

I hear ya. Comfy at home sounds perfect! My favorite place 

I agree! Maybe it’s a good night for a glass of wine and a bubble bath

You hit send without really thinking, then busied yourself preparing your dinner. A few minutes went by before your phone pinged again, but when you checked it you immediately felt yourself blush.

Sounds nice doll, wish I could join you ;)

Oh gosh. You’d be lying if you said you hadn’t thought of meeting Bucky in person and seeing if he matched his gorgeous profile picture, but you hadn’t had too much flirty banter yet. You’d sent that without really thinking, trust him to want to join you at first mention of a bath or shower.

But, you figured, what the hell. It wasn’t like you wouldn’t imagine the same thing.

That would be nice, wouldn’t it ;)

Later that evening you sat in the bath you’d promised yourself, hair up in a bun, glass of wine in hand. It was as luxurious as you could get in your own apartment. Feeling cheeky, you took a selfie, bubbles up to your shoulders and glass raised to your lips, then sent it off to Bucky without a caption. You grinned, eager for his response.

It didn’t take long before your phone went off, and you were rewarded with a photo of him, shirtless, with a beer in hand.

Cheers darlin’ ;)

You couldn’t help but swoon over the photo, and the caption made you giggle into your wine. Another message popped up almost right away.

Looks relaxing though, hope you’re feeling better :)

What a sweetheart. You felt like you knew Bucky so well already, but you wanted to meet him in person, hear his voice, see him smile. You wondered if he would propose a meet up, or if you should ask him yourself? You decided to start small and see what would happen.

Any plans for the weekend?

You browsed through your social media while you waited for his response. It didn’t take long.

Not really, just gym and maybe coffee with a friend. You?

You were glad he asked, because imagining Bucky at the gym while you were in the tub was dangerous. You thought for a moment, realizing that you didn’t have anything in particular planned. It could be a nice quiet weekend in.

Nothing at the moment, which is a nice change! 

The phone was quiet for a while, so you sunk back into the tub and enjoyed the warmth, savoring your wine. When your phone went off again, the message made a giddy grin spread across your face.

Well, if you’re looking for something to do, there’s a great new pub downtown. Join me for a drink?

You actually squealed out loud. You couldn’t wait to set up a plan to meet him.

—–

The weekend came and you walked into the pub that Bucky recommended, a few minutes early, with your heart in your throat. Nerves and excitement were rolled into one, but you took a moment to take in the atmosphere from the lobby. It followed the trend of a lot of bars these days, darker colors throughout the space, cool art on the walls and really neat, old-fashioned style lights hanging above each table. It looked like they had lots of craft beers on tap and made all their own dishes in house.

You let the hostess know you were meeting someone here, and she smiled knowingly at you.

“Tall, dark and handsome?” You blushed and stuttered.

“Um, y-yeah. It’s our first date.” You smiled nervously and the hostess patted your arm.

“You’ll be fine, he seems really sweet.” She smiled again and led you over to the table where Bucky already sat. Your breath caught in your throat when you saw him.

He looked stunning in person, to say the least. Tall, muscular, shaggy brown hair that begged to have hands running through it. The most beautiful jawline and even more beautiful eyes. He stood as you approached, eyes sparkling, to pull out your chair for you and push it back in as you sat down.

“Hi,” you breathed.

“Hey there,” he answered, grinning, sitting back down across from you. He wore a grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up and he was so casually gorgeous in person that you didn’t think you’d be able to stop staring. “Nice to meet you in person.”

“Yeah… yes! Yes, you too Bucky,” you blushed, and fidgeted with your hands for a moment. “I’m nervous for some reason.”

Bucky smiled and you melted. You’d seen photos of him smiling already, but it was nothing like experiencing it directed right at you in person. It made your stomach flip and you were glad you were already sitting down.

“Don’t be nervous darlin’” you melted again at hearing him say that out loud. “We basically already know each other!” Bucky reached out a hand and clasped it over yours, and you blushed again. He was right, you’d been chatting almost every day for weeks already. His hand was so big and warm over yours, and you turned yours around underneath it, grasping it gently. He smiled again, this one was a little more reserved, almost like it was coming from a place he liked to keep private and protected. The way he looked at you made you feel like you were the only one in the room, like you were loved. Like he was already in love with you.

You held his gaze and tried to remind yourself to breathe. Bucky chuckled and asked if you’d like something to drink. You nodded and thanked him, happy for the small distraction.

The evening stretched out with conversation over drinks, a light, citrusy beer for you and something darker for him, and a few of the pub’s amazing appetizers. The longer you sat the more and more comfortable you felt around Bucky, as if you had known him for years. The conversation flowed naturally, you laughed together, he listened intently, and held your hand across the table. It was a perfect night.

You took a cab back to your neighbourhood after and he walked you down the block towards your apartment. He told you not to worry, he’d grab another cab back to his place after, and even though he looked more than capable of protecting himself, you still told him to let you know when he got home. The request had made him blush slightly, and it was the most adorable thing you’d ever seen.

The warm evening breeze blew across your skin, but you still shivered, and Bucky, like a perfect gentleman, wrapped an arm around your shoulders. You were engulfed in his warmth and his scent and you didn’t want to be at your place yet, you didn’t want this to end. It had all been so perfect, you already couldn’t wait to see him again.

“Well, here we are,” you said a bit sadly, once you’d reached your building. “I’ll be honest, I had a wonderful time and I’m sad that I’m home already.” 

Bucky smiled and lifted your chin.“I had an amazing time too, doll. Don’t be sad, I promise we’ll see each other again.” He smiled that private smile again, and brushed your cheek before leaning down to press his lips to yours. They were soft and warm, and delicious, and felt like home. You tried to keep a hold on your desires as he kissed you gently, but you couldn’t keep some of the passion from slipping in. Your hands reached up into his hair and he pulled you close against his body, and you melted into the kiss, into his warmth.

The kiss broke and Bucky leaned his forehead against yours, brushing some hair behind your ear. He held you close and the two of you just stood there, in each other’s arms as long as you could. It was a perfect, beautiful moment, and you couldn’t wait for more moments like this with him.

—–