Next To Me // A Stucky Au

Chapter Nine

It was a few days after the concert and Bucky and Steve were wandering around the town centre, where all the shops and resturaunts tended to be. For the most part, they hadn't bought anything, although Steve was determined to get himself a new set of pencils. They talked happily as they walked the streets, which were filled with an early March sunshine that had melted the snow. It was almost as if the day was smiling at them. Bucky certainly was, as he walked the busy streets with Steve. He couldn't think of any place he'd rather be.

"James!" Bucky twirled around when he heard someone calling his name from behind him, Steve looking around as well, curious to see who it was. Bucky was confused. No one called him James, apart from Peggy when she was really, really mad.

They finally caught sight of two teenage girls, probably around 15, that were calling his name. Bucky had never seen them a day in his life. "We were wondering if you could take a photo with us," one of the girls said shyly.

Bucky agreed, still confused, and smiled as the girls took a photo with him. They walked off, high giving each other and giggling. Bucky caught sight of Steve snickering at him and he walked back over to Steve, who the girls had both ignored.

"Shut up," Bucky said to Steve, who was using all of his will power to stop himself from laughing at Bucky.

"I told you you were famous," he said. "Look, there's a nice looking cafe over there, do you wanna stop for lunch?"

Bucky looked over to where Steve was pointing and agreed. The cafe looked warm and cheery, and Bucky could smell the fresh pastries and cakes even before they walked through the door. They ordered, Bucky trying to be healthy and get a croissant and Steve deciding he didn't care and getting a big slice of cake.

"Steve, where do you put all that?" Bucky asked jokingly, gesturing at his nearly empty plate. "We barely even sat down!"

Steve laughed at chatted with Bucky until Bucky had finished as well. "Hey Buck, you can play the piano, right?"

"Yeah, but it's been a while since I played on an actual piano. Why?"

Steve nodded to the back of the room, where a beautiful, mahogany grand piano stood. "It says anyone can use it."

"Steve, I'm not sure-"

"Oh come on Bucky, it'll be fun. Besides I wanna see you play."

"Ok then." With that they headed over to the piano and Bucky sat down at the stool. There weren't many people in the cafe, because it was nearly two in the afternoon, and normal people don't have lunch at two I the afternoon. He sat down, his fingers fluttering over the keys for a minute, bringing the notes back into memory. Of course, Steve had never heard it before, it was new.

A tune started to flow out of the piano and Bucky started singing.

'I'm sorry mother,
I'm sorry I bring you down,
Well these days I'm fine,
No, these days I tend to lie.
I'll take the western train, just by the side of Amsterdam,
Just by my left brain, just by the side of the tin man.

I'm sorry brother,
I'm sorry I let you down,
Well these days you're fine,
No, these days you tend to lie.
You'll take the western train, just by the side of Amsterdam,
Just by you're left brain, just by the side of the tin man.

Your time will come,
if you wait for it, if you wait for it,
Its hard, believe me, I've tried,
But I keep coming up short.'

Steve watched, mesmirised as Bucky played the piano. He looked beautiful. All the worry Steve hardly even noticed was there was gone from his face, and he just looked so peaceful. Steve wished he could pause this moment and just stay in it forever.

Of course, the song had to come to an end at some point, and Steve tried not to be to disappointed. Of course, when Bucky stopped Steve gave him a huge round of applause, along with the few other people who were sat in the cafe. Bucky went pink from seeing how many people were watching him, but smiled all the same. He and Steve walked out the cafe and back into the sunshiney March day.

They walked for a while and found themselves in a park, were the spring buds were just starting to peek through. Steve and Bucky eventually came and sat down on a bench, underneath a blossoming tree.

"Look at the blossoms, Buck," Steve said, looking around at the trees in amazement. "Aren't they just beautiful?"

Bucky tried to look at the trees, but it was hard to tear his gaze away from Steve, who just looked to cute with the blossoms behind him. "Yeah, but they aren't as beautiful as you, Stevie."

Steve went bright pink and looked at Bucky , who looked was looking around at the blossoms again. Had he really just said that?

"Hey, Buck," said Steve. Bucky turned his head towards Steve.

"Ye-" he barely even got a chance to speak before Steve slammed his lips into Bucky's. For a moment, it was pure bliss. Just them, the park and the blossoms, existing in their own little bubble of joy. Bucky curled his arms around Steve's waist, and smiled against the other boys lips. All to soon, Steve pulled back and opened his eyes. Bucky wished that they could stay this close all day, he would never get bored of Steve's eyes. Never.

"I'm so sorry, Buck," Steve said, a shocked expression forming on his face. "I'll just go."

He got up and walked off. "Steve!" Bucky called after him, "Wait!"

But it was to late, Steve was already to far away to hear Bucky, and Bucky was left alone on the bench, surrounded by blossoms that didn't look so cheerful anymore. The shock and realization of what just happened finally caught up to him, and he realized that he had not only kissed Steve, but Steve had left him straight afterwards. If only you had been quicker, his brain told him, he wouldn't've gone and he'd still be here.

If only.

A/n: WHATTTTSSS UUUPPPP!?!?!? You guys have no guys how long I've been waiting to write this chapter. It was even epicer then i thought it would be. Favourite chapter I've written so far. Please don't hate me tho. Or do hate me, that would be funny. Hope you have a good time. Thanks for reading. Peace out fuckers.