Devotion

C17: Jealousy

The next day, Steve was anxious to leave the entire time. He actually had plans for once, and I could tell it was eating him alive. The whole day he was smiling and laughing, filled with a sort of happiness I haven't seen from him in a while.

By the time 6 rolled around, he was already dressed and bugging me to leave.

"Are you ready yet?" He called from his room.

"Yes, why?" I mumbled from the couch.

"I want to leave." He whined.

"Steve you sound like you're 5 right now."

"I know, I know."

"Well get out here. What are you wearing?" I shouted.

I heard the door open and he walked down the hallway and stood at the end glancing at me.

I stared at his tie and nice coat and felt a smile creeping on my face as his face pried for an answer.

"Well don't you look nice." I teased him.

He was messing around with his hair behind his neck and staring at the floor. I stood up from the couch and showed him my casual nice clothes and he smiled.

"You do too." He whispered.

"What?"

"Oh... Nothing. Does that mean we can go now?"

"Fine, fine."

*********

When we got to the dance hall, Steve was more calm, but still overflowing with excitement.

"Steve relax." I laughed as we entered the open doors.

"Sorry your usually the one going to these types of things."

"Actually in case you haven't noticed I haven't been to a dance in like 2 or 3 years." I said as we walked inside.

"Why?"

I guess he threw me off guard with that question because I honestly didn't know how to answer.

"Uh... I don't know, I guess I just lost interest in going anymore."

"Or because you've been too preoccupied with watching over me..." He whispered almost guiltily.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No. I just feel bad that you're not really getting to live your life."

I looked over to him. He looked remorseful as he stared at the floor with his hands in his pockets.

You are my life, Steve.

"Trust me, Steve. If I wanted to be out doing something else, I would. But contrary to your belief I actually like spending all my time around you."

"Really?" He looked up with a smile.

"Yeah..."

I felt a hand on my shoulder, but when I looked over to Steve I noticed it wasn't his.

"Bucky?"

I turned around.

"Oh hey Linda! We were just about to look for you two."

"Well no need." She reassured.

"Where's Mary?" Steve piped in.

"Oh uh over at the drinks table I think, she was looking for you earlier."

"Thanks, I guess I'll head that way then." Steve smiled.

He left in the direction of Mary, as I was left with Linda in a small crowd of people.

"So would you like to dance?" I offered out my hand to her.

"I think I just might." She laughed.

We walked out into an opening where other pairs were dancing to an upbeat song. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the music with me. We stared dancing as I searched the room for Steve and Mary. I saw him lead her onto the floor from a different direction, smiling as the two found their way in the crowd. He was laughing. But it wasn't because of me. For some reason this irritated me.

"Bucky what's wrong?" Linda whispered.

"Hmm. What? Oh sorry nothing... I was just finding Steve."

"Don't worry, he's with my sister, nothing is going to happen. I promise." She smiled.

"I know. Sorry." I smiled back.

The music tone switched from upbeat to slow as I grabbed Linda's hands to start dancing. I watched as Steve looked around him and tried to copy what they were doing, with Mary.

"Oh no." I laughed.

"What?"

"Steve's a disaster."

She turned her head towards them and laughed as we watched him try to pull it off.

"Where did he learn to dance?"

"He didn't." I laughed.

We kept in rhythm as the song continued on. I kept staring over at Steve, who was failing, but doing so well at keeping his cool. Mary was still smiling, which was good for him, but for some reason I despised it. She was smiling. At Steve. My Steve.

What am I jealous? Come on, Bucky!

As the song ended, I let go of Linda and walked towards the drinks table as she followed behind me. Steve saw me and pulled Mary behind him to get here with us. I got something for Linda and then for myself as Steve came over to me.

"Hey you two."

"Hey!" Mary waved.

"Are you having fun?" I asked Steve.

Mary and Linda laughed, knowing what just happened.

"Um yeah I think." He whispered to me.

I leaned in to his shoulder and stepped away from the girls.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Not really. I just... something ... I guess I'm tired."

"Do you want to go?"

"Not yet. I'm sure I'll feel better." He attempted a smile.

"Okay. Just let me know."

I grabbed my drink and handed it to him as I put an arm around Linda, who was still talking to Mary. They were laughing at something she said and Steve was silently walking back over to us.

I looked over to him expecting a smile, but instead what I saw on his face was the same look I was giving earlier.

Why was he mad?