#smalltown bringdown

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Hypothetically...

Birch (listed below) | Campus AU | The Club AU | Sweet Treats | Illuminate AU

Smalltown Bringdown, When the Weight Comes Down, Little Bones, Fully Completely, Looking for a Place to Happen

[darkmasterlistyouneveraskedfor]

Finished Series

Steve Rogers

Happy Together

Sugar, Sugar (Sugar Daddy AU)

Insubordination

Get Your Fix

Eye for an Eye (Mafia AU)

Getaway (Nomad Steve)

Grace, too (Stripper AU)

When the Weight Comes Down (Biker AU)

She

Edge of Time (Apocalypse AU)

Bucky Barnes

Breach (Winter Soldier)

Heart-Shaped Box

Smalltown Bringdown (Biker AU)

From Eden

Stucky

Witness (Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes)

Yours, Mine, and Ours (Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes)

Tapestry (Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes, Medieval AU)

kiss me in the d-a-r-k / Summertime sadness  (dad! Steve Rogers, professor!Bucky Barnes, boss!Loki)

Painted Windows

Blue Jean Baby (Porn AU)

Bent, not broken (Winter Soldier & Captain Hydra)

Thor

What was, What will be

Little Bones )Biker AU)

Peter Parker

Let me be your ruler (Peter Parker, Mob AU, MCU)

Loki

Fully Completely (Loki)

Zemo

Candy Coated (sugar daddy au)

Sam Wilson

Looking for a Place to Happen (biker au)

Multicharacter

Omerta (Loki & Bucky Barnes, ft. Steve Rogers and Thor, Mafia AU)

Eye of the Storm (Thor & Loki)

Frailty, thy name is woman (Peter Parker, Steve Rogers, Edwardian AU)

Northern Exposure (Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes)

Hue and Cry (Bucky Barnes, Helmut Zemo, Medieval AU)

Staycation (Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers)

Too much is never enough Epilogues (Loki, Thor)

Too much is never enough (Thor, Loki)

Oh, what a night (Brock Rumlow, Steve Rogers)

Andy Barber

A Place Like This (Lumberjack AU)

Lee Bodecker

Push

Arvin Russell

Of something beautiful, but annihilating

Clark Kent

Splintered

As You Wish (Medieval AU) 

Portrait of a Dangerous Man (Mob AU)

August Walker

Blowback

[thisisarcanereverie]

Will you continue the pawn series? Also I loved it, it was fantastic read. ❤❤

Yes absolutely! I am writing the last chapter (for now) currently. I am going to make this series into a sort of mini series under a far larger series (if that makes sense) the best example I can come up with is Smalltown Bringdown series I believe it's called. Kind of something similiar like that series.

[cherienymphe]

Lol, Bucky's girl meeting Steve's girl in P&S would be like: "Y/N saw another woman of vague description sitting on Steve's couch. "Y/N, this is Y/Other/N" Bucky said." Though, Roo pulled it off pretty well in Smalltown Bringdown and When the Weight Comes Down! I read When the Weight first and didn't realize the reader had met the other reader until I read Smalltown Bringdown. I'm not trying to convince you to make the readers meet! You do you, queen!

Yes roo pulled it off really well!

[giorno-plays-piano]

I’ve read all your fics about Bucky and I love them!! Especially the two warlock ones. I was wondering if you’d have some suggestions for other dark!bucky fics, maybe some of your favorite reads from other writers.

Thank you so much dear! I'm really sorry it took me so much time to answer your ask 🙈 I tried to remember all my favorite dark!Bucky fics and made a little list for you.

__________

Smalltown Bringdown by @darkficsyouneveraskedfor is the one that has biker!Bucky, and oh boy I love it so much. The author also has tons of other dark!Bucky fics, so I recommend going through them all!

The Faceless Old Man Who Secretly Lives In Your Home by @tansypoisoning is just a MASTERPIECE and no, I'm not joking!

Winter Is The New Summer by @nellblazer has prison guard!Bucky and believe me when I tell I was shook when I read this one!

Beach Waves by @nikki-writes-stuff was among the first ones I've read, but I'm still coming back to it time after time. This is one of the best Bucky fics that has kidnapping <3

Stay by clarissa_writes has some delicious smut and very possessive Bucky.

If anyone has some more recommendations, please throw them in! ❤❤❤

[deerskewl]

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27?

2. Favourite merc?

Don't make me choose :( but if I absolutely have to, it's Spy or Medic. For obvious reasons, I think.

3. Least favourite merc?

I don't want to say that I have a least favourite merc, because I love all of them, but..... I suppose I don't have as much of an attachment to Soldier? Which sucks because he's really cool I just don't hold him as much as I do the others?

4. Casual or Competitive?

Imagine being good enough at the game to play Competitive, this post was made by the me gang. Yeah no I play Casual on Attack/Defend and Payload exclusively.

5. First map you ever played?

I honestly don't remember, probably Upward? That sounds about right. Or uhhh Dustbowl?

7. How many hours do you have for TF2?

*quickly loads up Steam to check* uhhh that's 234 hours exactly :)

8. When did you start playing TF2?

I. uhhh don't exactly know? I got into it about 2016 but I didn't know how to play it— wait I can check my achievements uhhhh 2017 it seems! Whack.

10. Favourite song from the TF2 soundtrack?

I gotta be honest with you, I actually love More Gun a lot?? Of course all three of Medic's themes and specific Dapper Cadaver I love a lot too but there's something about Engie's theme that just makes me go :)

11. If you had to main any merc for the rest of your life, who would you choose?

Either Pyro or Sniper, actually. While I don't have as many hours on Sniper I think I could play him just as well, and I think both of those are the most versatile for me? Because while I love playing Medic sometimes you just need to go feral and burn shit down but also stand 20 ft away from everyone at all times and I already live in a constant state of anxiety I don't need to play in a constant state of anxiety as Spy.

14. How did you hear about TF2?

I'll be completely honest. I have no fucking idea. I think I just.... somehow saw one of the Meet The Team videos and went HOLY FUCK, combined with my cousin introducing me to the game?

15. Favourite thing about TF2?

Every part about it, it's fun. The game is fun to play, the characters are so interesting and wonderful, the ideas people come up with, the fanart and fanfiction is creative and brilliant. Of course I'm sidestepping around problems like the aimbots and the people with horrifically bad takes, but if you know where to keep yourself, then TF2 is just overall really nice and fun.

19. Loadouts?

OHH BOY OK. I'll go with the ones I have actual loadouts for sjdnjs:

For Pyro I usually have stock Flamethrower (Smalltown Bringdown Mk.II warpaint) or Backburner, Shotgun and The Lollichop for weapons, then Candy Cranium (painted A Deep Commitment To Purple and renamed "no braincells only candy"), Party Hat and The Sub Zero Suit for cosmetics.

For Medic I have the Blutsauger, stock Medi Gun (Night Owl Mk.II warpaint) or Quick-Fix, and Ubersaw (Smissmas Sweater warpaint) for weapons, and some combination of the Dad Maddendoktor, Madmann's Muzzle, Derangement Garment and Pocket-Medes.

For Sniper I have stock Sniper Rifle (Autumn Mk.II warpaint) or the Huntsman, stock SMG and the Shahanshah for weapons, and only Wagga Wagga Wear (painted Mann Co. Orange) for cosmetics :')

For Spy I have the Diamondback, Your Eternal Reward or stock Knife (Seriously Snowed warpaint), either stock Sapper or Red Tape Recorder (I really want the Ap-Sap tho,,) and the Cloak and Dagger for weapons, and........ no cosmetics lmao. I actually put The Spirit Of Giving on him because since I've never given any gifts it shows no heart on it and I just think that's really funny, and I was half tempted to put the Ghostly Gibus that I got while playing Pyro on him just to look like One Of Those Players but I ended up not doing it lmao.

23. Funniest moment while playing TF2?

I don't remember many but I think the best one was playing Medic on 2Fort, sitting in intel with my friend who was playing Engie, and just. somehow managing to mow down like three Scouts with just the Blutsauger because they just kept running at me in a straight line and whatever damage they dealt I healed near instantly. Rip to them but I'm different.

25. Favourite cosmetic? (Any class)

Honestly I love the pocket cosmetics so much. They're so cute!! I would kill for like. Actual pocket plushies in real life. I would like one (1) Pocket Medic please. And a Pocket Pardner. And an Itsy Bitsy Spy-der. Hold them soft and gentle.

26. Favourite voice line? (Any class)

LISTEN I LOVE ALL THE VOICE LINES SO MUCH but NOTHING will compare to like. All of Engie's voice lines. And Medics!! I love both of them. Engie's Bam Pow Bap with the Gunslinger and his I'm wolverine mean you son of a bitch and Medic's GET THEM, RAUS RAUS are such wonderful repeatable statements. Though nothing will be funnier to hear in-game than SPY_PAINCRITICALDEATH03.WAV.

27. Favourite weapons? (Any class)

The Backburner is a really fun weapon to play Pyro with if you're sneaky! Getting around people do deal critical hits 100% of the time is WONDERFUL, but only in certain situations because of the +150% airblast cost :/. I actually wanna try playing with the Thermal Thruster to be able to get behind people easier in open-air maps? And I think Your Eternal Reward is a good knife for Spy if you're like me and can't switch from knife to sapper quick enough to get the Engie and then the Sentry? Plus it works well with the L'Etranger and the Cloak and Dagger (in theory! I don't actually have the gun in-game I only put this together via looking at stats). Also the bows for Sniper are really good too, not just for Medieval Mode. I actually find it easier to use than the actual rifles at times but of course that means you have to get closer to the fight, and therefore closer to death.

[americasass81]

Elope, grope, and nope: Getaway!Steve, Witness!Bucky, Smalltown Bringdown Bucky

This feels like payback for something 😂

Elope - Smalltown Bucky, Grope - Witness Bucky, Nope - Getaway Steve

[don-lichterman]

Now Playing at Jamfest (https://t.co/EUsa9BI0Kk) 03. Smalltown Bringdown by The Tragically Hip Listen Now at (https://t.co/r6QfOtT5zG) at The Station Not For The Faint of Heart! https://t.co/orDtMtLTVZ

Now Playing at Jamfest (http://www.JamFestRadio.com ) 03. Smalltown Bringdown by The Tragically Hip Listen Now at (https://radio-host.com/8004/stream ) at The Station Not For The Faint of Heart!pic.twitter.com/orDtMtLTVZ from Twitter @DonELichterman https://twitter.com/DonELichterman/status/1390496687114887177 via https://twitter.com/DonELichterman

[ao3feed-buckybarnes]

Smalltown Bringdown

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/39lHL06

by theimaginesyouneveraskedfor

You live in a smalltown run by a biker club. When your boss gets into debt, you find yourself drawn into the crossfire.

Warnings: blood, violence, more to be added.

This is dark!biker!Bucky and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Words: 3440, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America (Movies)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Rape/Non-Con

Categories: F/M

Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Steve Rogers, Howling Commandos

Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Reader

Additional Tags: Biker AU, dark!fic, Dark fic, biker!Bucky, Bucky Barnes - Freeform, steve rogers - Freeform, AU

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/39lHL06

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Hi Roo! Are any of the men you write into exhibitionism?

I write too many to really think of allllll. But I'm gonna scour the brain caverns here.

Getaway Steve, he fucked her against a window right.

Sugar Sugar Steve

Smalltown Bringdown Bucky

Too Much Is Never Enough Loki

Unearthly Desires Loki

No Time This Time Tony

Let me be your ruler Peter

Creep! PETER

Oh whatva night Brock

Portrait of a Dangerous Man Clark

All Lloyds

Push Lee

That professor Ransom fic

False Flag Nick Fowler

Any Rafe Cameron

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Bucky is so fine in every fanfic you make him

I don't know if I should be thinking of Cabin Fever or Smalltown Bringdown or Heart-shaped Box

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Smalltown bringdown bucky and LTlf Lee cos you know they would be tussling for top dog and I’d happily be in the middle ☺️

The big bad vs the sheriff. I'd love to see it.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

i just wanted to say that when i'm having a bad day i always go back to my favourite fics of yours - you have such a way with words and i love pretty much every single one of the fics you write. i reread these almost every month: The Prince and the Pauper, Tapestry, Smalltown Bringdown, Watching, Waiting…, Crushed and  Calling to join them the wretched and joyful. They are just THAT good, andi love you fro writing them <3

Aw thanks. Hope your not having such a bad day today 🙂

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

I am so sorry that you got bad news today! I hope everything turns out well 💙

To distract you: If all your readers would meet up who would be instant best friends?

And if they all do team up again a team up of the guys, who would win?

Unfortunately it's not something that can turn out well but it's just something you have to face.

Anywho. I think Bee from Who’s the Boss and Muse from the campus au would get on.

Teach from campus au and reader from She

Bucky’s reader in Smalltown Bringdown and One Night reader.

I'd love to hear who yall see together.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Smalltown Bringdown 2

Warnings: blood, violence, more to be added.

This is dark!biker!Bucky and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: You begin your search for a new job but times are tough.

Note: Here’s part two. I’m planning on making this a relatively short series, think Eye for an Eye. I’m having fun with Biker!Bucky and next chapter should be🔥 To those who take the time to read, thank you. Love you guys!

Please, leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

The Birch Branch Bakery was just across the street from the Chipped Saucer. The old plaque beside the door read 'Est. 1887'. It had passed hands from one Hollorin to the next. Barbara, or Babs, Hollorin was the latest in the line of plump delicatessens. She had her father's rosy cheeks and boomong laugh. You faintly remembered the round old man from your childhood though he had long passed.

Babs smiled as you entered.  She was rarely anything but cheery, certain to offer any child a sample of her famous chocolate mousse. You slid your resume across the counter and she offered you a taste. You passed.

"It's a long shot, I know," You said. "But Jimmy's clearing house… well really, just tossing out an old lamp."

"Oh, hon, you know I usually just hire students. I can’t offer many hours. No tips either."

"I know," You shrugged. "But I could find something else to fill in the blanks."

"I'll think about it, okay, sweets?" She took your resume from the counter. 

"Thanks," You paused before the glass display. "Could I get a slice of lemon meringue? You know mom would kill me if I left without grabbing her a piece."

“Of course, dear.” Babs smiled and took the pie out from the stand. 

She set a slice carefully in a box and tied a bow around it with string; the usual fare. You took it with a smile and thank you. 

The door rang as you stepped out onto the street. Your last stop was the used bookshop/hobby store, Lloyd’s. You pushed inside as you balanced the box in one hand and greeted the old man sat behind the counter. Lucius was half off his stool as he bent over the model plane and carefully dobbed some clue along its body. His hair was streaked grey and black and lines betrayed a smile even when he was grimacing at a particularly tedious project.

“Hey, Lu,” You greeted as he looked up through his narrow glasses. “Just figured I’d drop by…” You neared and held the box against your hip and rested your folder on it. “Hand in a resume for good measure. I know, I know, not much going around but--”

“You not at the Saucer anymore?” He finished securing the wing and sat up with a groan.

“Not since a few days ago.” You slipped out a page and carefully placed it beside the toy plane. “We’ll see if I’m in the government’s lap by the end of the month, though.”

“Oh, dear, that’s terrible,” He took your resume and held it out as he tried to focus through his lenses, “That Jimmy’s a real slimy one. I’ll spare you my true thoughts, out of courtesy.”

“I’ll say it myself. He’s a bastard,” You added. “You know I never mind your language, Lu.”

“Certainly your mother didn’t like me teaching you all those pretty words,” He chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.” He turned and set the paper down behind him on the shelf of unsorted books. “Might not be full hours but I could use a hand or two. Let me have a look at the books and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thanks,” You said. “Mind if I have a look before I go.”

“By all means,” He grabbed his tube of glue, “You always were my best customer.”

You nodded and headed back to your favourite section. He always had the most eclectic collection of biographies. A man in love with cinema, he’d given you a copy of Lena Horne’s memoir and stoked your own love for the past. Nestled in this shop was a peculiar array of nostalgia. A time you never knew but felt like your own. A childhood spent in the golden era with Astaire and Hayworth.

After a moment perusing, you chose a book on Tallulah Bankhead and headed for the counter. Lucius made no move to quit his gluing. You waved the book at him as you kept the folder and box under your other arm.

“On the house, dear,” He looked up briefly. “Your out a job and poor Tallulah’s been on that shelf for years. You give her a nice home. She’ll keep you good company.”

“Thanks,” You smiled and slid the book under the box as you adjusted your grip and moved your load in front of your stomach. “I’ll be back next week, Lu.”

“You will. I wanna know what you think of it.” He said. “She’s a special one.”

“Alright,” You chuckled and headed for the door. He cursed under his breath as he continued to fiddle with the model. 

You found yourself back on the main street. The old clock tower struck one in the afternoon and you headed towards the library. A black speck caught in the corner of your eye; the same which had drawn you several times that day. It was as if the town’s spectre was following you on your tour. You carried on and ducked into the small alcove between the suit shop and the pawn broker’s. You heard Lloyd’s door open and close.

You waited, five, maybe ten minutes, until you heard it again. The same footfalls that had echoed your own. That you had shrugged off as an effect of the small town. It was easy to feel followed in a place like this. It was hard not to cross paths with the same person several times over. The soles scuffed over the sidewalk as they trailed your former steps and the shadow in leather passed you by. You emerged from the alley and huffed. 

“There a reason you’re following me?” You asked.

Bucky stopped and chuckled as he pushed his shoulders back. He turned slowly, a smile on his face. “Am I?”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice earlier.” You growled. “Now, you don’t seem like you’re in need of employment and you’re not exactly the social butterfly of Birch.”

“I’m not?” He wondered. “People talk to me freely enough.”

“Is that what you’ve been doing? Talking?” You challenged.

“Well, I don’t get a chance to explore the town much,” He shrugged.

“And who would ever want to do that? You live here a week and you can retrace the map in your sleep,” You narrowed your eyes. “You still haven’t told me why you’re following me.”

“Can’t say that I am,” He stepped closer as he stared at the folder atop the small box in your arms. “How is the job hunt going anyway?”

Your nostrils flared but you didn’t answer. You could only watch as he opened the folder and slipped a copy of your resume free. He made a show of reading it before folding it and slipping it inside his jacket.

“Offer stands.” He said.

“Answer too,” You assured him. “If you’re so curious, I’m just now going to see my mother at the library. Save you the trouble of following me… you don’t seem the reading type.”

He grinned and tucked his hands in his pockets. “The pie will be a nice surprise,” He turned to let you through “Unfortunately, I do have to get back.”

“Mmmhmm,” You grumbled and slowly edged by him. 

You felt his gaze on you as you passed him. The heat of it lingered as you continued down the sidewalk. You didn’t dare to look back. You knew he was watching you. The eerie sensation did not relent until you shielded yourself beyond the library doors.

💀

You waited three days before you followed up. Things moved slow in a small town but not everything. Change was stark, too. As you stepped inside the same doors as days before, you found your welcome not so warm. The tea shop, also a cafe, was the first on your agenda. Doris smiled and took your order but was evasive when you asked after your resume. It was much the same at each stop you made. A hollow weight settled in your chest.

Babs was her usual jovial self but paled as you asked if she had even part-time hours for you. She shook her head and muttered about low sales in a small town and all those other excuses. You frowned but accepted the rejection. You bought a half-dozen macadamia cookies and headed out. At Lloyd’s, you found Lucius amid several stacks of book as he raised his brows at the titles.

“Lu,” You greeted. “Hey.”

“You finished that book already?” He asked without looking away.

“Halfway there,” You said. “I was just… checking in.”

“Mmm,” He set a book in one of the neater stacks. “Yes, I supposed you’d be by sooner than later.”

You stepped into the middle of the mess and glanced around. He was sorting by author and genre. No doubt a new haul from a resident clearing their shelves. You took a book and placed it in its respective stack. He paused and looked at you. 

“My girl,” He began hesitantly.

“I know, you got nothing for me,” You nodded. “Just like everyone else. It’s okay.”

“Well, that’s not what I was gonna say at all,” He reproached. “I don’t care what that goon says, I could use someone on Sundays and you’ll get a few hours Mondays and Tuesdays. Not much, I know, but I gather it could help.”

“Oh, Lu,” You smiled and squeezed his arm. “So… he… what did he say to you?”

“Some nonsense about books being flammable, like I don’t know,” He scoffed. “I got insurance on this place. My granddaddy was no fool when he opened this place. He wants to burn it down, he can go right ahead. My payout will cover fresh paperbacks and the newest gadgets. He’d be doing me a favour, really.”

“You don’t have to--”

“I seen it before. As young as you are, I know you have too.” He continued sorting as he spoke. “You should’ve never pulled that knife but were I a younger man and there, I might’ve done the same.”

“Trust me, I know it was stupid,” You uttered. “Especially now but… Artie’s heart was about to burst.”

“Artie’s been on the edge of a heart attack for six years. I’m surprised those brutes didn’t push him over it,” Lu shook his head. “You got a place here, dear. Maybe look for something online. I don’t know much, just enough to order stock, but I’m sure you could find something. Town like this and a man like him, you won’t.”

“Thanks,” You set another sci-fi novel in a pile. “I appreciate it, really.”

“I know it’s not much,” He frowned. 

“No, no, I’ll make do,” You assured him. “But Lu…”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t go getting yourself hurt over me.”

“I’m an old man.” He winked at you and grabbed another book, “I’ll do whatever I want.”

💀

You stopped in front of your mother’s house. You were tempted to kick over the metal beast that greeted you. It wasn’t hard to guess at its owner. You held your key up and admired it. A nice long scratch along the gas tank? Maybe a tear in the leather seat? You weren’t that stupid.

You took your usual detour to the back. Ash was sitting at the back door, growling. He perked up when you came through the gate but didn’t move. He let you pet him but you kept him outside as you slipped inside. You listened as you kicked off your shoes to the voices in the kitchen.

“That’ll be her,” Your mother said. She was friendly enough but you sensed the tension in her voice. “You need sugar?”

“No, black is fine,” Bucky answered and the hairs stood on your neck. 

You walked into the kitchen and ignored the man at the table as you crossed to your mother. She filled a mug with coffee as you set down the box of cookies. 

“Mom,” You greeted her with a smile and turned to the unexpected and unwanted visitor with arms crossed. “What do you want?”

“Hon, be nice,” Your mother poked you as she picked up the cup. “He just came here to talk.”

“Here,” You turned and took the mug from her. “You guys done talking then?”

“Not with me,” She said quietly and whispered as she turned her back to him. “Don’t go starting more trouble.”

You brushed past her and went to the table. You set the mug down and slid it across to him. “Fine. Talk.”

“You know, Mel, I think I’ll take some milk,” He said over your head.

You rolled your eyes as the fridge opened and closed. Your mother placed the carton of milk beside him with a small spoon and retreated.

“Now,” He poured the milk and stirred his coffee slowly. “I just wanted to see how the job hunt was going.”

“I think you know.” You sneered. “Mom, can you excuse us for a minute?”

“I don’t--” She began but stopped. “I’ll go check on Ash.”

You waited for her to leave. You folded your hands on the table and glared at Bucky.

“How dare you come into my mother’s house like this.” You snapped. “You think you’re scaring me?”

“If I wanted to scare you, you wouldn’t have walked into such a peaceable scene,” He returned evenly. “I don’t do half-measures.”

“Don’t you threaten her,” You retorted. “You can hound me but I will not have you going after her.”

“I haven’t done anything.” He smirked. “Really, you are paranoid. I have offered you a job and I have even offered my personal reference to your prospective employers.”

“Bullshit,” You said. “I know what you’re doing. I told you, I’m not interested. I got a job.”

“Oh?” He raised a brow. “Where’s that?”

“None of your business,” You snarled. “Now thank you for the offer but I will again politely decline it. Thank you.”

“How much?” He asked.

“What?” 

“How much is he paying you? I know it’s that grumpy old man with his books,” He scoffed. “Twelve hours a week. You think you can survive on that?”

“I think I told you no three times and I’m not gonna say it again.” You said.

“Sixteen an hour plus tips,” He took a drink of coffee. “People are generous when they drink.”

“Not interested.” You said through your teeth.

“Eighteen,” He countered. “Benefits too. You think Lucy gets her kids to the dentist for free.” You repeated yourself and he chuckled as he ran his fingertips along the stubble that lined his jaw. “Twenty.”

“You almost done your coffee?” You asked.

“You were a lot quieter in school,” He mused. “Didn’t realize you were so damn stubborn.”

“You need a waitress and you offering money like that, you can just head down to the Saucer and shout it out. They’ll be snapping at you.” You said.

His lips curled and he gripped the edge of the table. He took another gulp of coffee and cleared his throat. “I don’t know if you’re that oblivious or you’re playing with me.”

You were quiet. You stared at him dumbly. Heat crawled up your spine.

“I don’t want a waitress. I want you.” His jaw squared and his eyes sparked. “And while it was cute to see you holding that knife to my man’s throat, I can’t have you running around kicking dirt in my face.”

You swallowed and kept your expression staunch. “Not interested.” You enunciated the words carefully.

He clicked his tongue and tilted his head. He laughed darkly to himself and finished his coffee. His chair scraped loudly as he stood and took his coat off the back of it. He pulled the leather on as his eyes met yours. 

“You just remember what happened to your daddy.” He intoned.

“I don’t remember him at all,” You said through the twinge in your chest. “Your club made sure of that, didn’t they?”

He growled and rounded the table. You looked up at him as his fingertips glossed over the tabletop. He leaned down until his lips nearly touched your cheek. 

“You’ll remember your ma, though.” Your hand shot up and he recoiled, quick to catch it. He smiled as he squeezed your wrist. “You think about my offer one last time.” He said slowly. “You can come get your apron on Monday… or I’ll be dropping by on Tuesday.”

He stood straight and released you. He smoothed his leather jacket and strolled through to the back hallway. The door opened and you heard your mother’s surprised greeting and Bucky’s sickly farewell. Your mouth was dry and your heart raced as if you had just run a mile. 

You stared at the old oval frame between the windows. Your mother under the arm of a man who shouldn’t have been a stranger. A man who you seemingly took after. Who, despite his absence, could teach you an important lesson; know when to stop pushing your luck.