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

Forty

After texting Bucky all night, Steve had slept through his alarm. If it wasn't for it being the class he shared with Bucky, Steve probably would've just stayed in bed. However, Steve wasn't about to miss a chance to see the brunet. No way. Not now. Not after that amazing weekend.

So, Steve pried himself out of bed and rushed to the bathroom to take care of his usual morning routine. Quickly brushing his teeth, Steve tried to be as thorough as possible with the limited time, but was still paranoid that he didn't get every spot. Steve was even debating re-brushing them, just make sure. After all, he wanted to have a fresh mouth for any impromptu make out session that could happen.

Which Steve was really hoping would happen again. And soon.

Slipping on his sneakers and his jacket, Steve grabbed his bag and opened his door. As luck would have it, Bucky was standing there with two to-go cups, one raised as though he was just about to knock on the door. Of course, once the door opened, and Bucky saw Steve, Bucky lowered his hand.

"What are you...?"  Steve asked with a confused smile.

"I thought you might need a little something," Bucky smirked, handing Steve one of the coffees.

"Thanks," Steve smiled. Fixing his messenger bag on his shoulder, Steve locked his door and walked with Bucky down the hallway. Contently bringing the cup up to his face, he could smell the delicious caffeinated beverage and took a tiny taste only to realize, "You know my drink order?"

"I mean," Bucky started with a shrug. Nonchalantly, Bucky declared, "It's not a difficult one to remember."

Steve didn't say anything to that. Instead, he silently stepped into the elevator with Bucky and made sure to keep his coffee in the hand furthest from Bucky. Hoping that Bucky would take that as a hint to hold his hand.

Unfortunately, Bucky didn't seem to pick up on it as the elevator opened on their floor and the pair stepped out. Steve was a little bummed. He assumed that Bucky would be able to read him by now.

"So, Saturday," Bucky began, following Steve out of the building. At the chill, Steve held his jacket closer, tighter to his frame, and Steve noticed Bucky studying him. Half-surprised when Bucky didn't offer to go back inside to get him another sweater or jacket to wear.

Instead, Bucky continued, "I was thinking that we could make a day of it. Watching both the phenomenal originals --"

"I wouldn't call them phenomenal," Steve scoffed, taking another drink of his coffee.

"And," Bucky playfully declared, regaining the conversation with a fond grin, "And then we can watch the dreadful remakes."

Theatrically, Steve rolled his eyes and said, "Some of those remakes are good."

"Yeah, okay," Bucky mockingly agreed.

Rolling his eyes again, Steve elbowed Bucky's side in jest. Bucky feigned offense, but only briefly before slinging his arm around Steve's shoulders. Pulling Steve impossibly closer as they walked towards their class. Wrapping his own arm around Bucky's waist, Steve nuzzled closer into Bucky's larger frame. Feeling entirely content, and thoroughly grateful when Bucky didn't pull away.

"A whole day, huh?" Steve teasingly questioned, looking up at Bucky.

Glancing down at Steve, Bucky did a quick evaluation of the petite blond. Bucky briefly bit his own lower lip and amended, "I mean, unless you don't want to."

"Are you kidding?" Steve scoffed looking up at Bucky.

Bucky shrugged, "I mean, you never know."

For a moment, Steve just studied Bucky. Not for the first time, Steve wondered what universe Bucky was living in. Did he really not think that Steve would want to hang out with him? Steve? Not want to hang out? With Bucky? It was almost laughable. Almost.

Steve shook his head, making Bucky ask, "What?"

"Nothing," Steve playfully rolled his eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off his face.

Walking into the classroom, the pair took their usual seats and Bucky sarcastically replied, "Okay. Yeah, I totally believe that."

Steve softly chuckled, but didn't have anything to say. Of course, it wasn't like Bucky really gave him a chance to say anything. Not like Steve minded though. In fact, Steve readily and happily welcomed Bucky leaning in close to softly converse with him.

"So, I was thinking," Bucky softly started, "We make a day of it. Watching the movies -- obviously. Cuddling -- a give-in. Make out? Possibly?"

Bucky gave Steve a hopeful look, and since Steve had already been hanging on Bucky's every word, Steve couldn't help but blush. Of course, Steve was also hoping for a hot, steamy make out session. But Steve didn't want all his eggs to be revealed just yet.

So, Steve averted his gaze and tried to seem nonchalant as he told Bucky, "We'll see."

And although Steve tried to act like he wasn't pathetically obsessed with everything and anything that revolved Bucky, Bucky wasn't completely oblivious. Bucky's smirk alone was enough to inform Steve that Bucky knew exactly how sprung Steve was.