So This Is Love (Chubby!Bucky College AU)

Part 3

You're so fucking exhausted. Midterms are done and over with, but you're still stressed and wound up tight. You've hardly seen Bucky, but you still hear him and his guests next door. You've made an effort to not be around when he has girls over because you just need to focus your assignments. You still make an effort to make sure Bucky feeds himself and the girls, leaving out food and water for them before you leave for the library or some coffee shop.

You arrive at the apartment just to change out of your work clothes and to grab your school stuff. Bucky and his date are on the couch, making out.

He pulls away when he sees you looking in disarray and he's immediately worried.

"Hey," you murmur a greeting to the both of them and head to the kitchen.

Bucky excuses himself and he joins you, watching as you pull out a box of pasta and some pasta sauce. His brows furrow, "What're you doing?"

"Making dinner for you and your friend. Gotta make sure you guys have food after you fuck or whatever. Then I have to change and grab my stuff and head to the library to study," you mumble to him.

He walks over to you, taking the ingredients out of your hand, "Peaches, you look exhausted."

You shrug, "It's whatever."

"Peaches, it isn't whatever. I'll ask my date to leave-"

"You don't have to do that, Buck. I'll do this and I'll be gone."

Bucky grabs your face and makes you look at him, "Sweetheart, you need rest." his thumbs caress your cheek, "You're always takin' care of me and the girls I bring around. Let me take care of you this time."

Your shoulder slump and you let out a sigh, "Fine. But are you sure-"

"Yes," he kisses your forehead, "Go take a shower and change into something comfy. I'll have my date leave and I'll make us dinner."

"Tell her it's my fault, okay? I don't want her to be mad at you." you look at him with tired, worried eyes.

Bucky softly smiles at you and you just...leave him in disbelief. You're so considerate and caring of him even when he can be an annoying asshole.

"Okay. I'll let her know," he whispers and guides you out of the kitchen and to your room.

When you close the door, he sighs, running a hand through his hair and heading back to the living room where his date was waiting.

"Hey, so my roommate isn't feeling too well and I have to make sure she's alright. Raincheck?"

She nods, "You're such a sweetheart," she stands up and pecks his lips, "Call me when you can, okay?"

He just nods and leads her out of the apartment. He then heads to the kitchen to get started on dinner.

_____________

When he's finished, pasta and garlic bread plated, he went to your room to call you for dinner. When he entered, he found you hunched over your desk, typing away at your laptop.

"Peaches, dinner's ready."

"I'll be out in a bit," you mumbled, not even looking his way.

He frowned and walked over to you, shutting your laptop.

"BUCKY!"

"You need to eat," he says firmly and you roll your eyes, "I will!"

"No, you won't. You'll end up sitting here until it's past midnight. You'll be starving, but too tired to get food. So you'll end up going to sleep on an empty stomach."

You scoff, crossing your arms over your chest, "That won't happen."

"Yes, it will. It always happens."

You look at him confused, "How do you know?"

"I pay attention," he mumbles and shakes his head, "Anyway, come on. We're gonna eat, watch a movie, and you're going to bed. No homework tonight."

______________

Bucky stirs from his sleep. He feels a weight on him and when he opens his eyes, he sees you fast asleep on his chest.

He smiles to himself as he notes the drool pooling on his shirt, some of your hair in your face. He moves them away and lets his fingers lightly brush against your cheek. You're so...beautiful.

He feels a fluttering in his chest. He'd feel this occasionally when he's with you, but lately, he's been feeling it more and more. He doesn't know if he can keep this in any longer. He's been hiding away his feelings for you for so long, vying for your attention and affection. But you seem to remain either oblivious or uninterested.

You groan as you wake up. You raise your head and wipe away the drool from your mouth, "Fuck," you mumble. Sitting up and moving away from Bucky, "Sorry."

"It's okay," he whispers and sits up, "Do you feel well rested?"

You nod, "Yeah," you stretch your arms above your head and you stand, "I'll go make breakfast."

You climb off the couch and walk over to the kitchen, pulling ingredients out of the fridge.

Bucky sits up and runs a hand over his face, he needs to pull himself together. He gets up from the couch, stretching his arms above his head, and then heads to his bathroom.

He turns on the sink, washing his face. He looks in the mirror and sighs, "You've been in love with her for two years, Barnes. She either doesn't care or doesn't see how much you care for her." He dries his face and groans, "I need to do better. Be better. No more games." he nods, agreeing with himself, "Yeah. No more games."

_________

After brushing his teeth and taking a quick shower, he walks out in a tshirt and sweats. You're at the stove, cooking some eggs and toast with avocado spread across it, waiting for the final piece.

"Hey," Bucky greets you again, leaning against the counter, "How do you feel?"

"Like I actually got a decent amount of sleep," you reply jokingly.

He smiles at you, "See what happens when you listen to me?" he nudges you with a smirk, but then he turns serious, "You really need to take better care of yourself, peaches."

You set down the spatula and ran a hand down your face, "I know. It's just-It's just there's so much going on and I have to get as much done as possible and-" you let out a defeated sigh, "I don't know how you do it, Buck. You're a full time student, you also work, and you still manage to date?"

Bucky shrugs, "To be fair, I'm not as dedicated to my studies like you are. But things are gonna change. I think-I think I'm gonna end my fuckboy streak."

You snort in disbelief, "Oh really? I'll believe it when I see it."

"Hey, I can do it!" he gave you a poke in the side and you giggled, "Have faith in me, peaches."

"Okay. Okay, I'm sorry. Guess I get to enjoy more peace and quiet, huh?"

"And you get me all to yourself," he leans in, pressing his head to yours and you push him back with an eyeroll.

"Oh no. This is gonna be bad," you murmur as you go back to cooking.

Bucky hums and presses a kiss to the back of your head, "I'll behave, peaches. Promise."