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

Fifty

The holidays were always a busy time for Sarah Rogers. Being a registered nurse, she worked hard and often. Especially during the holidays. Growing up, Steve hated it. Hated that everyone else seemed to get to spend the holidays with his mom except for him. But mainly, Steve felt guilty. Admittedly, Steve knew that he shouldn't feel that way. But just because he knew that it was ridiculous didn't negate that he still felt like a burden from time-to-time.

Trying to push the negative thoughts from his mind, Steve tried to be happy with the little time that he was getting with Sarah today. Steve was also trying because Bucky was with him. And Bucky was meeting Sarah for the first time.

Yes, Sarah knew that Steve was gay. But this was the first time that Steve was bringing a boy home. That alone was nerve-wracking. Not to mention that it wasn't just any boy either. But a boy that Steve really, really liked. A boy that Steve could see himself falling deep and hard for.

It felt like a make or break moment. With shaky hands, Steve unlocked his apartment door and was greeted with thick clouds of smoke and the smoke detector blaring throughout the apartment.

"Mom?" Steve called out, worried.

"Hi, sweetie," Sarah greeted her son while waving a decorative throw pillow, directing the smoke to exit through the open patio doors.

"Uh," Steve started, glancing around the small, old apartment to see what was burning.

"Do you mind if I," Bucky questioned, gesturing up at the blaring detector above the doorway to the kitchen.

"Go ahead," Steve pleaded, heading further into the apartment. Still a bit confused, Steve asked, "What...?"

"I kind of fell asleep and burnt the green bean casserole," Sarah softly confided to Steve. Once Bucky turned the detector off, the silence was almost deafening and Sarah greeted the brunet, "Hi, honey, I'm Steve's mom, Sarah."

"Bucky," he introduced himself, slipping off his shoes before further entering the apartment to properly greet the petite woman. Holding his hand out towards her and everything. Which pleasantly surprised both of the Rogers, and Sarah graciously accepted Bucky's offer. Shaking Sarah's slender hand, Bucky stated, "It's nice to finally meet you."

"You too, sweetie," Sarah grinned at both boys.

When Sarah winked at Steve, Steve felt a blush spread across his face and he asked, "When's your shift?"

"Six," Sarah answered, glancing over at the clock that revealed the time to be a little after three. Cheerily, she assured, "So we have plenty of time to eat and watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and just... give thanks."

"Sounds like a plan," Bucky sincerely smiled. He gestured towards the kitchen and asked, "Do you need help with anything."

"Afraid it might be a little too late for that," Sarah deadpanned, poking fun of herself. However, she did have a hint of remorse as she admitted, "Unfortunately, the only dish that's ruined happens to be Stevie's favorite."

"It's okay, Mom," Steve reassured. If Steve was to be honest, he was still slightly full from eating at the Barnes'. Not that he'd tell Sarah that, of course.

Sarah fondly cupped the side of Steve's face in her hand, causing his blush to momentarily deepen. Once Sarah's hand dropped from her son's face, Steve discreetly glanced over at Bucky to find him watching the pair fondly. Only making Steve's blush spread even more, all the way to the tips of his ears.

Averting his gaze, but not being able to hide his smile, Bucky shoved his hands into his pockets and asked Sarah, "You sure you don't want any help?"

"Positive," Sarah confirmed, heading over to the kitchen. She gestured towards the couch, "But feel free to make yourself at home."

"Okay," Bucky agreed, moving to take a seat on the floral sofa.

Although Steve would've loved to join Bucky, he knew better than to do so. Instead, Steve started for the kitchen. Bucky grabbed his hand on his way, however, and Steve took a moment to exchange a casual kiss with Bucky first.

"I'll be right back," Steve informed Bucky, pressing another kiss to Bucky's attractive red lips.

"Okay," Bucky smiled adoringly up at Steve while letting go of Steve's hand.

The Rogers' residence wasn't a large, spacious area. Practically the complete opposite of the Barnes' brownstone. So, it didn't take many steps for Steve to reach his destination. It also wasn't unusual for Sarah and Steve to whisper while discussing Bucky in the narrow kitchen.

"He's cute," Sarah started the conversation, reaching and taking the plates from the cabinet over the sink.

"Mom," Steve chastised. Although it was obvious that Bucky couldn't hear them, Steve still felt the need to look over his shoulder to make sure that Bucky wasn't there.

Playfully, Sarah pinched Steve's side to regain his attention. Steve was never a good liar. But he was especially an open book to Sarah. And even if Steve wasn't, he was sure that Sarah would be able to easily gather that Steve, in fact, found Bucky to be very cute. Mainly because Bucky simply was a very attractive young man.

As Sarah handed the plates over to Steve, so he could set the table, Sarah's grip remained on the dishes, "He seems very nice."

"Mom," Steve quietly groaned, not wanting to discuss this. When Sarah's brows arched expectantly however, Steve conceded, "He's very nice."

Happy with Steve's comment, she removed her grip from the tableware. Steve rolled his eyes and mentally begged his body to pull itself together long enough to not spend the whole afternoon a blushing mess. It was the least that it could do after all.  Of course, there was one other thing that Steve could pray for.

Please, god, don't let Mom embarrass me, Steve internally pleaded, hoping that all of heaven would hear him out.