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

Fifty-Six

"Steve?!" A voice called behind him. Looking up from his phone and turning around, Steve found Brock with a red solo cup in hand. Which was fitting considering they were at a frat party. A frat party that Sam and Kristin begged Steve to go to. There was a large grin on Brock's face and he leaned in, so Steve could hear him over the blaring music, "I didn't know you were gonna be here!"

"Neither did I," Steve replied, taking a drink out of his own cup. Slightly wincing at the vodka as it went down his throat. But Steve didn't mind the burn. All Steve wanted to do was to forget about Bucky.

Of course, that wasn't likely anytime soon. Especially not with people like Brock asking, "Where's Bucky?"

How the hell would I know? Steve mentally questioned. Aloud, he told Brock, "Your guess is as good as mine!"

Brock's brows furrowed and he started, "I thought...?"

Raising his cup in a so-did-I kind of way, Steve quickly downed the rest of his beverage. Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, Steve gestured towards the bar and said, "I'm gonna get another drink."

Steve wasn't able to walk around the muscular boy though. Brock set a large hand on Steve's small shoulder, effectively stopping Steve in his tracks. With a concerned expression, Brock questioned, "Are you okay?"

"Perfectly fine," Steve deadpanned. Pushing Brock's hand off his shoulder, Steve attempted to walk around the boy again. A tad more bitter than Steve had originally planned, Steve mocked, "New year, new me!"

Purposely stepping in Steve's path, Brock declared, "I think you should go home."

"I think," Steve sharply retorted, aggressively poking at Brock's chest, "You should mind your business and have fun."

Steve's statement and attitude rubbed Brock the wrong way in that moment. The way that Brock's jaw clenched, Steve was sure that they were going to fight. Which, Steve had to admit, didn't seem like the worst way to get out his frustrations while also getting his point across. And although Steve wasn't one to typically start fights, there was always exceptions for everything.

What Steve hadn't taken into consideration though was that Brock would physically throw Steve over his shoulder. In fact, Steve was so caught off guard that for a moment, he was silent for a solid five minutes. Steve didn't gather his bearings until Brock was well on his way back to the dorms and the frat music was just a dull thud.

"Put me down," Steve demanded, squirming as much as one could when they were treated like a sack of flour.

Brock stopped walking and asked, "Do you promise to go back to your dorm?"

Steve thought about it and falsely agreed, "Okay."

However, Steve was never known for his abilities of fibbing. So, Brock continued walking towards the residence halls. Since the frat house wasn't particularly far from the dorms, it didn't take Brock long to reach them. Brock had never been to Steve's dorm and he asked, "Which one is yours?"

"Like I'm really going to tell you," Steve scoffed.

"Fine," Brock answered and turned as he threatened, "I'll just take you to Bucky's."

"No!" Steve yelled. Steve demanded, "Do not take me there!"

"Alright," Brock replied, pausing on the sidewalk. Mostly to himself, Brock asked, "Jesus, what the hell happened between you two?"

Although it was obvious that Brock wasn't actually expecting an answer, Steve still felt the need to say, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Maybe you should," Brock shrugged, making sure to securely hold onto Steve as he did so.

"Maybe," Steve bitterly retorted, "I don't want to."

"Christ, you're stubborn," Brock muttered. After a moment, Brock asked, "Ya gonna tell me where you live? Or do I need to start calling everyone in your phone?"

With a sigh, Steve instructed Brock and was relieved when Brock set him down just outside of the building. For a moment, Steve thought about running back to the party. But Steve wasn't fast. He was sure he wouldn't have been fast even if he didn't have asthma.

Plus, Brock stood there beside him.

So, Steve simply unlocked the door and unwittingly led Brock over to the elevator. Of course, Steve didn't act surprised once Brock climbed into the elevator with him. What Steve was surprised with was just how relieved he felt that Brock was there.

Sure, Steve had Sam. And Clint. Hell, Steve even still had Bucky. But with his broken heart, it was nice to have Brock there. The same way that Steve figured it would be nice to have anyone else who wasn't involved in the matter there with him.

Steve was even mildly relieved when Brock continued following Steve out of the elevator and down the hall to Steve's dorm. Once there, Steve half-assumed that Brock would just leave. But considering just how Brock had stayed with him all the way to that point, Brock also stayed once Steve unlocked the door and entered his dorm by himself.

For a moment, the two just stood there. Both consciously choosing not to look at each other. It felt... odd. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was Brock's stubbornness to see Steve home. Whatever it was, Steve surprised both of them when he asked, "Will you stay?"

After taking a minute to study Steve, Brock nodded, accepting the invite. Joining Steve and closing the door behind himself.