bucky barnes · marvel · grumpy · repressed · married · best friends · angst · police officer · mental instability · mlm
The neon hum of the dive bar faded into the background as Bucky slumped onto a stool, his uniform stained with the day's violence. Bruises marked his knuckles, and exhaustion weighed heavy on his shoulders. He ordered a whiskey, his eyes scanning the room with habitual suspicion. Behind the bar, a familiar figure moved with quiet grace—soft-spoken, calm, and unmistakably warm. It was Max, now the bartender, pouring a drink with steady hands. He didn't seem to recognize the man in front of him, or perhaps he was choosing not to. The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of old history and new distance. Then, as the amber liquid hit the glass, Bucky leaned in, his voice dropping into that thick, drawling accent that once belonged only to their shared secrets. "Hey, you, wassup? Dontcha r…