Number From the Bathroom Stall

Steve sighed again, battling internally over whether or not to do it. He had been increasingly lonely ever since he broke up with his boyfriend. He had hit up a bar and found a number on the bathroom stall. It said 'For a good time call 1875-328-7789 ask for James xoxo'. Now he was debating whether or not he was drunk enough to call it.

Finally he pulled out his phone and mentally said 'what the hell' and dialed the number. It rang once and Steve hung up. He let out a breath, making the decision to get another drink before trying again.

He needed to forget about that dick he'd caught cheating on him and this James might just help him do that. After a few more drinks. Three drinks and four more attempts later, Steve was locked in the bathroom with the phone ringing for real this time. After the fifth ring Steve was about to hang up when a gravelly voice answered.

"Hello?" the man asked.

"Uh, yeah, um, well, I'm Steve and uh, I got uh, your number off the stall at Benny's bar. I'm uh, looking for James"

"This is James. Whatcha want Stevie?"

"Um, well, I'm sorry. This was a bad idea. I'm just drunk. I'm sorry" Steve said quickly hanging up.

Steve scrubbed a hand down his face. Great, just great. He'd finally worked up the courage and that's what happened. No wonder his boyfriend cheated on him. He's a loser.

"That's it" Steve said to himself "I'm getting smashed"

He exited the bathroom and ordered another beer. He was about to take a sip when his phone rang. Sighing he set his drink down and answered it.

"Hello?"

He felt a tap on his shoulder. Steve turned around and saw the most gorgeous man he'd ever seen. He had shoulder length brown hair and stunning blue grey eyes. Steve was dumbstruck.

"Hey Stevie" he said in a familiar gravelly voice.

"Do I know you?" Steve asked.

"It's James, I live upstairs. You sounded cute and thought I'd head down here and see just how cute you were" he said suavely.

"Oh" Steve said dumbly.

"Glad I did. You got a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Need to know if it's a one night thing or if I have a shot at something a little more serious"

"I had a boyfriend. He cheated on me and we broke up. That's kinda the reason I'm here" Steve admitted.

"Well Stevie my boy I can guarantee you won't remember the dumb bastard's name when I'm through with you. Unless you got somewhere else to be" James said.

He seemed nervous, if that was possible. Could he possibly be nervous about talking to Steve? James cleared his throat. Steve shook his head and smiled.

"Nope, got nowhere to be and nothing to do. Wanna beer James?" Steve asked.

"Too soft how 'bout a whiskey? And please my friends call me Bucky"

"Oh so we're friends now?" Steve asked coyly.

He saw Bucky's face drop. Was he really upset?

"Oh, James is fine"

"I'm kidding Buck. Lighten up"

He patted the stool next to him and Bucky hopped up. Steve ordered his whiskey and took a swig from his own drink. He examined Bucky closely. He had scars on the back of his right hand. When he went to grab his drink with his left hand Steve saw a glint of metal.

"What happened?" Steve asked.

"What? Oh, I lost my arm in Iraq. Hurt like a bitch. Stark industry's gave me this fancy new one as a consolation prize. Works just like a real one. I sometimes forget it's fake that's how good the damn thing is" Bucky said "Kinda the reason I'm still single. If it doesn't scare 'em away I accidentally hurt them"

"I served in Afghanistan. I've seen some horrible stuff and dealt with quite a few wounds myself" Steve said.

"So?"

"So, it's gonna be tough for you to scare me away" Steve said with a wink.

"I think I'm gonna like you Stevie" Bucky said "Wanna head upstairs?"

"Sure"

Steve paid his bill and accepted Bucky's hand. As this gorgeous stranger led him upstairs to his apartment Steve couldn't help but think that he was so glad he called that number on the bathroom stall.