A Place to Fall: Falling Series 1 (skinny!Steve x Bucky Barnes College AU)

Thirty-Eight

"What are you even talking about?!" Bucky questioned in mock outrage. "There is no way -- repeat, no fucking way -- that the 2013 Evil Dead is better than the original!"

"Well, it is," Steve doubled down on his supposedly controversial opinion. Lifting his cup to hide his smile, he took a drink of his Vienna Roast Red Eye.

Bucky playfully narrowed his eyes, studying Steve. Steve arched his brows, questioningly, and Bucky said, "Alright."

Bucky took a drink of his Soy Chai Latte, seemingly to buy himself some time. Which had Steve entirely intrigued. Even more so when he felt Bucky's foot caress his underneath the small round table. As Bucky set his cup down, he licked his lips free of any remnants and said, "You're entitled to your wrong opinion."

Steve wasn't quick enough to hide his smirk that time. But he didn't necessarily care in that moment that Bucky saw. Not when a smile of his own crossed Bucky's face. So, instead, Steve teased, "You're stubborn, you know that?"

"I'm stubborn?!" Bucky incredulously questioned, with his eyes comically wide. Pointing accusingly, Bucky said, "You're one to talk."

Playfully, Steve rolled his eyes and leaned forward, hoping to persuade Bucky, "Have you even seen the movie?"

Instead of answering, Bucky took another drink. Which, of course, immediately answered Steve's question. Steve shook his head, but the smile stayed on his face. Noting Steve's disbelief, Bucky teasingly challenged, "I don't need to see it. I already know that it's not worth it."

"How can you say that?" Steve scoffed. Sighing in slight annoyance, he said, "You can't make a statement like that without seeing both films."

"Okay," Bucky agreed.

That made Steve pause and his brows briefly furrowed, "Okay?"

"Yeah," Bucky confirmed. He turned his gaze downwards, looking down at his hands that were resting on the table -- almost touching Steve's hands -- Bucky suggested, "Maybe over Thanksgiving break... or something... we can watch it."

Shocked, Steve just stared at Bucky for a moment. Sure, this wasn't the first time that Bucky had asked Steve to hang out. But this offer didn't seem like a platonic hang out. It seemed like more.

Or at least, that was what Steve was hoping it meant.

Before Steve could answer however, the barista cleared her throat. Gaining both boys' attention, she apologized, "I gotta close up."

"Right," Bucky said, quickly standing up and pushing his chair in, "Sorry."

"It's alright," the girl assured.

"Thank you," Steve told the girl, putting a few extra dollars in her tip cup.

"Thank you," she smiled, walking around the counter to lock the door behind the pair after they threw out their finished drinks and left the café.

Walking down the dark street, the duo walked close to one another. Not touching, but close enough to where it would be very easy to brush their hands against one another's by accident. All it would take was for Steve to just --

"So," Bucky started, instantly gaining Steve's attention. Admittedly, it wasn't that difficult for Bucky to do so. Still, Bucky had it, and he continued, "Maybe Saturday? Watch some movies? Get some takeout?"

For a moment, Steve just stared at Bucky and the first thing that popped into Steve's mind also tumbled out of his mouth, "Are you asking me out?"

Bucky pressed his lips together and turned to look at Steve. Studying Steve before answering, "Well, that depends."

"On what?" Steve's brows furrowed.

Bucky shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck, "On whether you say yes."

"Oh," Steve turned his attention forward again and he bit his lower lip to stop himself from grinning too wide. Noticing the almost nervous way that Bucky was fidgeting, Steve tried to appear as nonchalant as possible. After all, it wasn't particularly often that Bucky acted like this. So, Steve asked, "What kind of takeout are we talking about?"

"Whatever you want," Bucky sincerely answered.

"Then how can I refuse?" Steve replied.

The smile that crossed Bucky's face lit up his whole face and Steve couldn't help but match it with his own. And when Bucky took his hand in his, Steve swore that he would float off without Bucky anchoring him.

In a comfortable silence they headed towards the residence halls. Steve didn't want their night to be over though. Not yet. And Bucky must've been feeling the same because his steps slowed.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street," Bucky stated. Steve quirked a brow up at him and Bucky continued, "The original is better than the remake. You can't deny that one."

"Okay," Steve conceded, "But that's just one example."

Bucky nodded and, after a moment, added, "Friday the 13th."

"I think that's more a sequel than a remake," Steve corrected.

"No," Bucky argued, "The 2009 was a reboot."

Steve playfully rolled his eyes, "But you already know who the killer is. It's a sequel."

Bucky shook his head removing his hand from Steve's. They were just standing there on the sidewalk now, facing each other. With an arrogant smirk, Bucky placed his hands on Steve's hips and shrugged, "Agree to disagree."

In reply, Steve scoffed and chewed on the inside of his lower lip. Allowing himself to touch Bucky, he ran his hands up Bucky's chest while Bucky slid his hands around to Steve's back, holding the petite blond close.

Leaning in, Bucky ran his nose along Steve's with a feather-light touch. Steve's breath hitched and Bucky quietly questioned, "Can I kiss you?"

Eagerly, Steve nodded and softly replied, "Please," before gripping onto the collar of Bucky's jacket, pulling him in for the kiss.