A/n
Requested by OH-THE-IRONY so very long ago.
Also a lot of y'all wanted this to be next so here it is!
-Hope

(August 2016)
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Steve watched as Bucky huffed as his hair fell over his face for the fifth time that minute. The brunette had tried to put his hair in a ponytail but it was at that awkward length where you couldn't do anything with it.

Also no matter how much Bucky washed and combed it, it always looked messy and unkept. It made Bucky feel like he was unable to move on with his life, it reminded him of his Winter Soldier days when good hair was the least of his priorities. Maybe if my hair was different, he always thought, it would be easier to be James again.

Steve sighed, "Buck, why don't you just get your hair cut." Bucky looked up at his friend who sat across the lounge on a black leather sofa. "Pardon?" He asked. "Why don't you go to a hairdressers and get your hair cut?" Steve repeated.

"Well my old barber is probably dead and I don't know any others." Bucky answered sadly. "I can take you to the girl that cuts my hair. And I think that she also cuts Sam's and Natasha's. She is amazing," Steve offered. Bucky smiled and nodded. "I'll ring her now," Steve continued, "go and get ready, she will probably do it today." Bucky leapt off the sofa and left Steve on the phone. He quickly washed his hair before throwing on a cleaner shirt and jeans.

*

The girl that Steve had talked about owned a small, family-run hair salon on the Manhattan side of the East River. She ran the business with her brother and his boyfriend, however most of the time it was just her alone in the shop. She didn't really get many customers other than the odd Avenger and dock worker. Her so called uniform consisted of a band shirt (the band changed daily), blue or black denim shorts and Captain American inspired converse.

She was on the phone when a customer entered. "Josh, look I have to go. I've got a customer......yeah okay.....enjoy your date....say hello to Tyler for me alright? See ya." She put the phone down and turned to see who had walked it.

It was her most loyal customer, Steve, and a handsome stranger. She greeted the tall blonde with a hug like she always did. When they pulled away, Steve started the introductions.

"Hello Y/n, this is my friend Bucky. Bucky, meet Y/n." Bucky walked forward and shook the woman's soft-yet-strong hand. "Hiya Bucky, pleasure to meet you. It's nice to put a face to a name. Steve's told me all about you." She winked playfully sending Bucky into blushing/awkward mode. He mumbled how it was nice to meet her too.

"How can I help you guys?" She motioned the worn chairs for them to sit. "Bucky's hair is driving him insane. Do you think that you could- I don't know- just make it better and less of a pain? I have a picture of his old hair of that would help?" Steve offered as he relaxed into the soft cushions. Y/n nodded and took the photo that Steve held out.

The man in the picture looked like a separate person from the man in front of her. Where his hair had been rich and well groomed, it was now limp and messy. Where his eyes were cheeky, they were now wary and tired. His eyes still held their azure hue and flecks of emerald and his jaw was still sharp and defined and proud, although now it was smothered in stubble.

"Sure I can do this. I can add in a shave as well if you want?" She placed the picture so it leant against a mirror and lead Bucky into one of her hairdressing chairs. Bucky nodded. "How long will it take? It's just that I've been called out on a mission?" Steve showed the message notification on his phone. "I'm not sure, although after I'm done I could drop Bucky back at the tower. I'm gonna close up anyway." Steve thanked her and said farewell to the pair before leaving.

The shop was now quiet until Y/n put some music on her phone. Bucky recognised the band playing as Pink Floyd, the same band that adorned her shirt.

Y/n pulled Bucky's chestnut mane out of the hairband and ran her long and slim fingers through it, untangling knots and just getting a feel of it. "I see that you've already washed it." She smiled at Bucky's face in the mirror. He nodded. "Thank you, it's actually saved me a lot of time."

After a while Bucky started talking to Y/n a bit more.

"What were the 30s and 40s like?" Y/n asked as she cut his hair. With every sip more of his scraggly hair fell to the floor and less like the Winter Soldier, Bucky became.

"Well times were hard, with the Depression and all. I spent most of my time looking after Steve or working to try and support us. We went out sometimes to dances but Steve could never get a dance and I felt bad. I was a ladies man back then," he chuckled, "when the war started- well when the war started in the US- things got trickier. Steve wanted to sign up and I didn't want to leave him. He obviously got rejected and I refused to volunteer. There was no way I'd willingly leave Steve by himself. But then I got drafted and I had to leave." He explained. Y/n listened deeply, finding his soft Brooklyn accent relaxing and warm.

"Did you have a sweet heart?" She asked. "No, I had flings and dates but I never loved anyone. The gals back then were different than the gals now. Back then, all women wanted was a GI husband to parade around the neighbourhood and boast about his army rank and how brave he was. All the girls I knew were brought up to rely on men for everything, it was just the way society was then, and I didn't like it."

"But surely the girls were all glamorous, I've always loved the vintage fashion. They all looked so beautiful."

"None can compare with you doll. If you were in the 1940s, you'd have the whole of Brooklyn trying to date you. I would have been one of those fools."

She blushed deeply and looked away from his calm, oceanic eyes. "Are you flirting with me, Sergeant Barnes?" She asked as she ran her brush through his freshly cut locks.

He smirked, "Is it flirting if I'm telling the truth, Miss L/n?" He responded. She laughed.

Bucky's heart leapt when he heard her laugh. It was like its soft and pure sound had unleashed a feeling that Bucky hadn't felt in a long time, true happiness. It was like raindrops healing a drought ridden land, like air filling the lungs of a choking man, the sun escaping from its confines behind a cloud.

He could smell vanilla and cinnamon on her skin as she applied shaving cream to his face and stood in front of him. Teeth the colour of snow appeared from behind soft, black lipsticked lips. He gazed into her warm eyes as she told him not to move and ran a razor across his cheek.

She repeated the motion for a few minutes on his cheeks and jaw until Bucky's they were clear of hair. Her face seemed to come closer to his until they could feel each other inhaling and exhaling.

Their eyes locked and when it seemed that their lips would meet, her phone blasted The Star Spangled Banner, which meant that Steve was ringing.

The pair snapped out of their daze and Y/n pulled away and answered the phone. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Bucky wiping the foam of his face and smiling at his new appearance in the mirror.

"Hi, Y/n. How's it going?"
"I've just finished. We should be heading over to the tower soon. How was the mission?"
"It went okay. It was pretty quick and simple. Can I see what miracles you have performed?"
"Sure, I'll send you a photo. See you in a bit!"
"Bye Y/n, and thanks."

She put down the phone and turned to Bucky. "He wants a picture." She made him stand up and smile as she snapped a picture and sent it to Steve.

"How much is it?" Bucky pulled out his wallet and pulled out a $50 bill. "Will this be enough?" He raised an eyebrow. Y/n shook her head. "Nah, it's free. See it as a favour." She ushered Bucky out of the shop and locked up. "Take it come on, please." He practically begged her. She ignored him and got in the car, waiting for him to get in before she could drive.

"No Buck, really it's fine. Keep your money, I don't want it." She ignored Bucky's exasperated arguments for her to take the money, instead turning up her car radio and singing loudly until he stopped.

By now it was almost dark but the Avenger's tower stood proudly like a beacon against the dusk sky. Flecks of red and amber dusted the dark blue and the sun shone lazily while balancing precariously on the horizon.

"Red sky at night, Shepard's delight," Y/n mumbled under her breath. "Pardon?" Bucky looked across that her. The sun's soft glow cast shadows across her face that danced as they drove past streetlights and buildings.

She turned the radio off as they stopped outside of the Tower. They sat in warm silence.

"Thanks for everything, Y/n. I look more like an actual person now." He flashed a small smile which she returned. "No problem, Bucky. Anytime. You look very handsome." He blushed.

He went to leave the car but turned around and sat back down. "Hello again Buck-"

"Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" He interrupted. She shook her head. "Will you go on a date with me, doll?" He said quickly, as though adrenaline was coursing through his veins. Oh wait- it was.

"Yes of course, Bucky. I'd love that." Her cheeks ached with the grin that caused her eyes to crinkle and cheeks to redden. Bucky's face mirrored hers.

"Great! Yeah, amazing! I'll pick you up at 7:30, where should I pick you up?"

"I'll text Steve to give you my number and I'll text you my address. Is that okay?" Y/n proposed.

"Yes that's great! I'll see you tomorrow, doll!" Before he got out of the car, y/n placed a soft kiss on his cheek, leaving a black lipstick mark in its wake.

Blush heated the cheeks of the man and the woman equally, as did a smile.

"Bye Bucky Barnes," she waved as he entered the tower. "Bye Y/n L/n".

As she drove of she saw a piece of paper on the passenger seat.

A $50 bill.

"Damn it, James."

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A/n
Did you like it?
Yes? great!
No? Oh well.

I'm going back to school in less than a week so I'm writing as much as I can, enjoy the updates folks!

Stay Alive
-Hope.