James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes (comradebarnes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-10-10 00:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, bucky barnes (winter soldier), jean spangler |
Who: Bucky Barnes & Jean Spangler
What: Date night!
When: 10/8
Where: Okugata, then a diner in La Habra
Rating: PG
Status: Complete!
Bucky wasn’t sure how many ladies still had to dance before the end of the shift. He’d gotten a little impatient and rushed the last girl’s ending, for which he’d gotten a death glare, so now he was focusing as hard as he could on playing the piano. Still, he wanted it to be over, as amusing and enjoyable as this place was. He wanted to be out with Jean. The lady who dressed and acted like that, but still liked the idea of dinner at a greasy spoon. Natasha’s warning was still in his ears, but he ignored it.
Jean had finished dancing before the other girls - first on, first off - so by the time Bucky was done playing, she was standing by his piano in a black pencil skirt and dove grey blouse. Her blood red lipstick was, as usual, perfect.
Eventually, Bucky was done for the night, bidding a goodbye to the others and looking up at Jean. “You look great,” he said, by way of hello. “How’d it go, you think?” Jean had seemed to dance well, but he knew better than anyone that opinions differed.
“I think it went swell, judging by how nice my tips are.” She smiled, reaching out to wrap her arms around him in a friendly, loose hug. “How’d things go for you?”
“Good! I think I messed up Jenny’s outro, she gave me the death glare. I’ll have to apologize.” Bucky liked that hug. He returned it, keeping his hands in a place where she couldn’t accuse him of being fresh. “Otherwise, though, it’s okay.”
“She likes chocolate.” Jean smiled up at him. “Just don’t give her too much, she’ll think you’re sweet on her.” Jean didn’t immediately let go of Bucky, instead keeping that hug going as long as she could.
“Well, I can show her I’m interested in someone else.” Bucky teased, immediately hoping he wasn’t being too forward.
“You are? Who is she, I’ll claw her eyes out.” Jean smirked, tugging him down a little by his tie to kiss him.
He liked that. Bucky smirked against her lips, one hand around her waist. “I don’t two-time, I swear. You ready to go, doll?” He liked this retro thing they had going. It was silly, and made both of them smile.
“Sure am. Where’re we headin’?” She liked it too, and she let one of her arms wrap around his waist.
“How about Monte’s?” Bucky named a diner style spot down in the valley. “Should be pretty empty by this hour.”
“I know that place, I love it.” She smiled and threaded her fingers with his, thrilled to be walking with him. “You want to drive?”
“Sure. I kind of like it, honestly.” Bucky smiled a little. He opened the door for her with his free hand, heading for his car. “If you can stand to be driven around in my sad little car.”
“I like your car, so there.” She grinned when he opened the door for her, kissing his hand as they walked to his car. “You’re adorable, so thank you for taking me.”
“Don’t know what a high class dame like you sees in me,” Bucky kidded. He opened her car door first, then went around to get in. “Traffic should be pretty okay.”
“You’re sweet,” Jean smiled. “I just have a soft spot for the sweet fellas, especially after being around so many rough ones.” She chuckled a little to herself.
“Yeah?” Bucky shrugged. For a minute he debated, but eventually talked about it. ‘You heard about those dreams that people in the OC seem to have?”
Jean chuckled. “Yeah. I’ve had a couple. I thought I was going nuts for a while, but no black marias have shown up at my apartment yet.”
“Why would they?” Bucky raised an eyebrow. “I was just going to say that in mine, so far, I’m in the Army - the typical square-jawed All-American boy.”
“I dream I’m in the ‘40s.” Jean chuckled. “Guess it explains why I’ve always been a little retro, huh? And you are a square-jawed All-American boy. Why do you think I like kissing you so?”
“Aw, you’re just saying that. Though the dreams do explain the way you talk.” He stole a look at her as he started the car, grinning. “It’s kinda sweet. Charming, even.”
“Aww, ain’t you just the bee’s knees.” Jean grinned, turning his head to steal a kiss before they pulled out of the parking lot. God bless lip stain for not smudging.
Bucky just grinned, heading into traffic. “So what are you in the ‘40s, Miss Jean? Maybe a soldier’s woman?” He hoped she didn’t get the wrong idea with that question. He didn’t dare think that she might give him the time of day long-term.
“Oh, no. Some sort of businessman’s. I got married at nineteen, had a kid ten months after the wedding day. Is it bad if I don’t think it’ll last for dream me?” Jean sighed. “Soldier would’ve treated her better. She’s a dancer, just like me, but she still thinks she’ll be a star. I know I won’t, not anymore.”
“I don’t judge any girl for trying, though.” Bucky shook his head. “Today or back then. Especially a single mother. Or a mother with an absentee husband.” He got the vibe that the husband didn’t stay around too long. He did smile a little. “Dream me is all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. All ‘aw, shucks, Cap’ and all that.” He laughed.
“That’s kind of cute,” Jean grinned. “I’m just glad you’re still that cute here.” She took his free hand and kissed it.
“Hopefully I’m not that naive.” Bucky made a face. “That does kind of bug me. I know the score.” But he did smile when she took up his hand.
“You’re not.” Jean squeezed his hand. “Do you think I could be with a fella who was naive? That’s just not something I could tolerate for long.”
“Well, good.” He smiled a little. “In the dreams I’m pretty ... I don’t know. That Bucky will swallow any line. I don’t want to be stupid. You’re not stupid.”
“You’re not stupid, Buck.” Jean chuckled. “I haven’t even had time to give you a line yet!” Jean grinned lopsidedly, still holding his hand.
“Aw, were you gonna try?” Bucky laughed, swinging into the parking lot.
“Nope, I was just gonna be honest and say that I think you’re swell and kinda like you some.” Jean laughed at herself, feeling a little silly for using the antiquated jargon. But hell, it was fun.
“Yeah?” Bucky kind of blushed. “I don’t really see why, Miss Jean, but I’m tickled.” He meant it. She was just fun to be with, pure and simple.
He stopped the car and came around to open her door, just because he could. “Shall we?”
“Let’s.” She grinned, taking his hand and stepping out of the car with him. Kissing him on the cheek, she walked hand in hand with him into the diner, excited to just sit and talk with him for a while.
They got a booth in the back easy enough, and Bucky smiled at her. “So. You look like you’re taking to the club really well. We’ve already had Sandra and Melissa quit because they didn’t like the hostessing part of it, but I’ve seen the men with you and they look fascinated.”
“It’s just a matter of listening to them and making them think that they’re the apple of your eye.” Jean smiled, shrugging to herself. “I’m a good listener.” She’d learned a long time ago that people did stuff for you if you if they liked you.
“You seem like you would be.” Bucky nodded. “Pretty women are kind of expected to be - it’s kind of annoying, I bet. But you are actually good at it. Do you enjoy it, or just get through it?”
“Don’t tell Yuriko, but the hostessing stuff? I mostly just get through. I love dancing, but ... I don’t know, sometimes I wonder if I keep giving little bits of my soul away, will I run out?” Jean tucked a dark black strand of hair back into place, grateful when the waiter brought out her chocolate shake.
Bucky mimed zipping his lips and throwing away the key. “Why do you have to give up anything?” he asked earnestly, looking over at her, once the waiter had left. “Does it have to be personal?”
“I don’t know, sitting there and pretending I care - isn’t that personal?” Jean smiled, leaning down girlishly to sip her shake in lieu of lifting it up.
“Not necessarily.” Bucky shook his head, oddly charmed by her gesture. “I would treat it like part of the job - I mean, can a shrink care about every single patient all the time? I wouldn’t think so.”
“I’d hope they do, otherwise they’d be a damn awful shrink, don’t you?” Jean smiled lopsidedly, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin. “You care about every song you play, I can tell.”
“Yeah, but it’s not people.” Bucky sipped his beer. “It’s just music. It can’t take anything out of me. I don’t want you to explode.” It seemed a sad waste.
“I won’t, I promise.” Jean chuckled. “If I get to that point, I’ll get out. Well. Not too far.” She put her hand over Bucky’s. “I’ll always keep in touch with you, Buck.”
“I hope so.” Bucky smiled. “Jean, you’re pretty swell, but you always talk so down on yourself.”
“Do I?” Her dark eyes went wide. “Well, you’ll have to do somethin’ to let me know when I’m being so.”
“Just ...” Bucky trailed off. “The best example I can bring up is that you always say you’re just a dancer, just a girl who wanted to be a star. I think you’re a damn good dancer, and you can be a star in your own way.” He blushed instantly, knowing he was laying it on thick and hoping she didn’t laugh at him.
She didn’t. Jean looked at him fondly, smiling broadly. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me, James Barnes.”
“Well, I meant it, but now I’m really embarrassed.” Bucky looked up at her, not entirely sure why he’d got so smitten so fast. “I mean, I do really like that I think your legs are ten yards long, but that’s not the reason I was interested.”
“It was my ass, wasn’t it.” Jean winked. “To tell the truth, I work on it way harder than I do my legs.”
“I’m a leg man.” Bucky grinned. “Just ... I don’t know. The first time I saw you I wondered what could bring a knockout like that to a place like this.” He liked their folksy old way of talking to each other; it was almost a code for the two of them.
“To the club? Well, a girl’s gotta do things to keep food on her table. And anything that keeps me dancing and in smokes. Speaking of, do you mind if I do?” It was one of the few places that turned a blind eye to California’s smoking laws, which was why she liked it so.
“No, even though it’ll get me going.” Bucky chuckled. He fumbled in his back pocket for his crumpled pack of Luckies, getting his lighter out to light hers. “I’m still shocked I can run marathons while still doing half a pack a day. I should probably have died or my lungs exploded or something by now.”
Her hands disappeared into her purse, coming back out with a cigarette holder that she outfitted with an unfiltered Pall Mall. “You are preaching to the choir, Buck.” She barely had to lean forward to get him to light hers. “I’m probably going to pop my clogs when I’m fifty.”
“You and me both, sister.” Bucky lit hers, then his, sighing as he exhaled. “I don’t think anyone would care except Steve, though. Steve Rogers is my best friend, and he’s after me all the time to quit. I tell him I’m working on it.” Which he was - it had been two packs a day six months ago.
“Is he that handsome looking blond fella? The one who seems even more of a boy scout than your dream self is?” Jean chuckled. “He keeps calling me ‘ma’am’ online, I’m gonna get a complex.”
“Yeah.” Bucky laughed. “Yeah, that’s Steve. During the war he had to dress up as this superhero type, I guess - called him Captain America, and I was his sidekick, in the dreams. Couldn’t have picked a more baseball-and-apple-pie guy to begin with.”
“He seems sweet. I hope his lady treats him well.” Jean blew a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling. “Guess if you have to dream of the war, at least you have a friend there.” She wondered if her dreams would turn awful; so many people had warned her.
“I only just met his lady. I feel slighted.” Bucky clutched his chest in mock offense. “But no, she seems nice, and she’s sure pretty. I hope he doesn’t embarrass himself.” He was teasing; Steve would be fine, but he was his best friend; Bucky had the right to joke around.
“If he does, you’ll be there to point it out, right?” Jean smirked; she understood a best friend’s prerogative.
“Oh, of course.” Bucky snickered. “I’m sure he’d do the same thing for me.”
“That’s what friends are for, Buck.” Jean grinned, winking and putting her smoke down when the waiter came over to take her order. She got bacon, eggs, toast, and grits, blushing a little when she thought of Bucky’s reaction. She hoped he wouldn’t comment.
He didn’t; he ordered the same, plus pancakes. After the waiter left, he looked over at her. “So, have you been settling into the county? Make any friends? How’s your place?” He was curious, more than anything. She could tell him to go take a hike if it was intrusive.
“Oh, I’ve lived here for ages. I’m just a luddite, I didn’t have the internet until recently.” She resumed smoking, crossing her legs and smiling. “Is that a big surprise?”
“No.” Bucky smiled. “You’re old school, Miss Jean. Even notwithstanding the dreams. I just think you like to keep to yourself.” Which made him all the more tickled that she liked to spend time with him.
“I am pretty quiet, have been since I was young.” It had surprised everyone when she’d been the one of her high school class to get pregnant.
“I was almost the exact opposite.” Bucky smiled a little. “I was loud and kind of bad. Half the reason they sent me on to the army in the dreams was that they could keep an eye on me.” In real life, he’d been boisterous, but not quite as criminal.
“You weren’t bad, you were enthusiastic, I’m sure.” Jean toed off her heels, putting her feet up on the booth next to Bucky.
He couldn’t resist; he laid a hand on her foot and up to her ankle, idly rubbing. “I was pretty crazy. But I got wise earlier in real life than I did there. I kept my nose clean in high school and so on.” He smiled up at her.
Jean closed her eyes, trying not to outright groan. She was a dancer; her feet and ankles always hurt. “So you’re a good boy, then?”
“Have been lately. Why, would you prefer I be bad?” Bucky was blushing almost before he’d finished talking.
Jean just chuckled, and innocently resumed sipping her chocolate shake. But she did meet his eyes while her lips were wrapped around the straw.
Yeah, that sent some blood around. But he was usually a good guy, and he tried to keep it together. “Why do I think you’re going to be the death of me?”
“Do you want me to be? You’re way too young and pretty, Buck. You should stick around with me for a few more years, first.” She grinned at him, giggling a little. But then the waiter interrupted her and that just set her to laughing and blushing all over again.
Bucky was laughing too, and he looked over at her with something approaching sheer joy. “Breakfast food is godly,” he said, looking down at their plates with a chuckle. “And it’s a date, by the way. You and me, popping off at fifty, from too much of everything good.”
“It really is.” Jean picked up a slice of bacon, lady like as ever, and nibbled happily. “Deal,” she grinned. God, he was going to be the death of her. How did she keep acting cool around such an adorable man?
The meal was delicious and they took their time with it. When he was full, Bucky sat back, sighing. “I may have to roll out of here.”
“I’ll help push,” she teased. Jean leaned over the table, careful not to muss her clothes by leaning onto a plate. Then she pressed her lips to his.
Mm. Hadn’t expected that, but he certainly wasn’t about to protest. She was soft and willing, and Bucky sighed before sitting back with starry eyes.
As first kisses went, it was one of her favorites, and Jean smiled sheepishly. “Thank you,” she murmured.
“You’re the one who went for it. I should be thanking you.” Bucky smiled. “Wanna blow this pop stand, and maybe go someplace to neck?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Jean murmured. “May I go to the ladies’ and powder my nose?”
“Course.” Bucky rose, stretching his legs, but he stayed by the booth, smiling, suddenly nervous.
Jean went to the restroom, quickly brushed her hair, popped a few mints, and refreshed her perfume. When she was satisfied her breath was sufficiently minty, she came back to the table. Only one guy whistled at her, and she smiled to herself.
Bucky glared, but didn’t do anything else; he’d only looked, and besides, Jean could take care of herself. He just waited for her to come back, then offered her his arm.
Taking his arm, she tipped his head down for another kiss. It’d let the hooter know his place, and she did want to kiss Bucky again anyway.
That worked for him too. Bucky grinned, wrapping one arm around her waist. “C’mon,” he said. “Let’s skedaddle.”