Chapter Text
“Good morning, Mr. Barnes.” A young woman chirped from her library.
“How are you, Mr. Barnes?” An older man spoke as Bucky passed by him on the public bench, reading a newspaper.
“Beautiful weather, isn’t it Mr. Barnes?” A police officer greeted him as he was putting cuffs on a drug dealer with drugs in his possession.
“Good day, Mr. Barnes.” The drug dealer had greeted too, before being pushed into the cop car.
Every person he passes on the sidewalk always greeted him as such, being formal and giving a curt nod, to acknowledge his presence. He loved it. He loved how he can get anyone to follow him whether it’s residents, politicians, and police officers. He loved to run a town that was practically his where he could do crimes without anyone batting an eye. Oh how he loved being a ruthless man who makes his riches on corruption, protection, and other illegal business.
Currently he was heading to a small bakery, Sweet Treats, to offer his services. He wasn’t sure who the owner was but he was sure glad to learn that there was a business for he always loved to eat. Upon entering the small bakery, you were busy making muffins when the small bell attached to your door rang. You looked up, wiping at your face with your wrist, not noticing that you smeared flour on it.
“Morning, Mr. Barnes. How are you today?” You asked, trying not to let venom drip in your tone. You nearly wanted to gag because of it since you always hated Bucky. Now he was in your bakery and you wanted to know why, you hoped that it was just to buy an item that he’ll make a quick in and out trip for. He lightly smiled at you, not wanting to tell you that you have flour caking your skin.
“Ah, so you’re the owner of this quaint business, YN. And please, call me Bucky.” He greeted you. You were glad that the counter separated the distance between you because you couldn’t handle his presence. “And I’m doing fine. I just wanted to talk to you about business.”
You knew where this was going. He was going to ask if you wanted his protection. “Mr. Barnes-I mean Bucky, as much as you like to protect people with your services , my business doesn’t need protecting. Now will you be ordering anything or could you please see your way out?” You were now annoyed by his appearance and you weren’t afraid to show it. Bucky looked at you, slightly surprised that you wouldn’t give in to him.
“You sure, sweetcheeks? It’s a one time offer and I’m telling you now that this city ain’t safe unless I’m protecting it.” You stopped mixing your muffin mixture to get a good look at him. You were glaring but you noticed that over the years of living in this town, the ruthless James Barnes started getting soft in the middle but his blue cold eyes stayed the same as before. You also hated how he referred to you with a pet name instead of your real name.
“I’m sure, Bucky. If I needed protection, I would let the police do that instead of you goons.” He nearly chuckled at you but shook off what he would say. This was the first time in a long time that someone who “belonged” to him was ever fighting back. Normally he would scare the person into getting his respect, but for you, he sort of liked your feistiness.
“Alright doll, I’ll be out of your hair then. But before I go, can you pack me one of those muffins to go?” He immediately reached in for his wallet to pay while you listened. Upon walking away to get a small bag for it, Bucky was busy observing your ass.
“Would you like the chocolate chip, blueberry, or chocolate banana?” You asked, not noticing his stares.
“One of each.” He replied. You then walked to the register, giving him the items and his total.
“That’ll be $9.97.” Bucky handed you a crisp one-hundred dollar bill, making you groan internally since you didn’t have enough change for it in your drawer.
Though, what he said to you was unexpected. “Keep that change doll. Have a nice one.” He grabbed the muffins and before he left your bakery he spoke once more. “Also, you got some flour on your face. Just letting you know.” And then he left while you felt embarrassed and shocked with the bill in your hand.
-
As Bucky made his way to his office, he was met by two of his men, Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson.
“Hey, Buck. Where have you been?” Sam questioned, following Bucky inside his office along with Steve.
“He went to talk to YN, the owner of Sweet Treats.” Steve replied, answering his friend’s question. “And about that, did she ask for protection?” He asked, looking at his best friend eating your chocolate chip muffin.
“Here.” He pushed forward the bag and offered both men the sweet treat which they hesitantly took. “She told me no.”
As they all ate into the food, they were amazed by how good it tasted. The muffin was soft and sweet and they all took a moment to finish it before speaking up.
“Wow, these are really good.” Steve pointed to his stuffed mouth as he chewed on the blueberry muffin. “But do you want us to destroy the business? I kind of don’t want to…” He said hesitantly, knowing that if people denied to buy Bucky’s protection, their business will be destroyed so that they have no choice but to get it.
Bucky shook his head vigorously. “Oh god no! Even if YN didn’t buy it, I want you both to make sure nothing happens to her bakery. I enjoy her treats.” He couldn’t get the taste of your muffin out of his mind and wouldn’t want anything to happen to you or the business since he liked it alot.
Sam and Steve gave each other a look which Bucky caught on. “What?” He inquired with a quirk of his brow.
“Don’t know, boss. Just… you became soft all of a sudden.” Sam laughed to himself. “The Brute being all delicate doesn’t look good on you.”
Bucky rolled his eyes playfully. “Well in that case, get to work! Both of you! We still got a business going and it isn’t going to run itself. Here, deal with this guy.” He began all serious again, tossing a file to the men with a picture of an older man. “He hasn’t paid for protection in the past two months. If he doesn’t have the money, shoot him and take what you can.” Sam takes the file while Steve takes his gun to check if he has bullets in the clip.
“You got it boss.” They both mumbled before leaving the office.