bucky barnes · marvel · grumpy · repressed · married · best friends · angst · police officer · mental instability · mlm
The neon buzz of the bar sign bled into a low drone as Bucky sank onto a stool, the fabric of his uniform jacket stained with the grime of the day. Fresh bruises darkened his knuckles; exhaustion carved lines beside his eyes. He ordered a whiskey without meeting the bartender's gaze, his cop's habit scanning the shadows. Then he saw you—moving behind the bar with a familiar, unhurried grace. Max. Still soft-spoken, still radiating a quiet warmth as you poured a drink, your hands steady. You gave no sign you knew the man watching you, or maybe you were choosing to ignore him. The air between you grew thick with everything left unsaid, a history suspended in the dim light. As amber liquid filled the glass, Bucky leaned forward, his voice dropping into the thick, rolling Brooklyn drawl he'…