Jump then Fall: Falling Series 2 (Modern Stucky College AU)

Six

Valentine's Day had never been Steve's favorite. Everything draped with nauseating Pepto-Bismol Pink and velvety reds? No thank you. It just wasn't something that Steve found aesthetically pleasing. Especially not after a long night as he waited for in the unusually long line for his regular coffee order: Vienna Roast Red Eye, no sugar, no cream.

To Steve's dismay, the entire coffee shop was dripping with those loathsome colors. But it wasn't just the colors either. There were large cut-out paper hearts, heart doilies, and even construction paper conversation hearts. Hell, there was even a large heart pinata strung up in the middle of the room.

"Do you think there's any candy in there?" A familiar voice whispered in Steve's ear.

Knowing only one person would sneak up on Steve like that, Steve wasn't even surprised in the slightest when he turned to find Bucky there. Of course, Bucky would be there. Of course, Bucky would be there and be that close to Steve. Seriously, all Steve would have to do was turn an inch more to be able to press his lips to Bucky's.

Not that Steve was going to do so, however.

Instead, Steve took a step to the side. In doing so, allowing Bucky to take his spot beside Steve in line. As they stood there, Steve's gaze trained on Bucky's mouth. His red, red lips were just as attractive as they always were, but that wasn't why Steve was watching Bucky's mouth in the moment. No, Steve was looking at Bucky's mouth because he seemed to be moving some type of candy around in there.

Bucky kept his gaze trained ahead of them and conversationally questioned, "Thinking about kissing me?"

Choking on his own saliva, Steve's cheeks instantly tinted bright red as he immediately averted his gaze. From beside him, Bucky chuckled under his breath before patting Steve's back while asking, "Are you okay?"

Steve nodded and took a hit from his inhaler. As he put the inhaler back in his jacket pocket, Steve weakly claimed, "You're eating candy?"

"Oh, right!" Bucky confirmed, pulling a box of conversation heart candies out of his jacket pocket. He shook the box and asked, "You want one?"

Realizing that the line seemed to be, momentarily stopped, Steve sighed and held out his hand, "Why the hell not."

Pleased, Bucky opened the small box and peered inside the box while shaking it around as he looked for one. Just as Steve was about to tell Bucky that he didn't care what color, Bucky reached his hand over to drop the candy in Steve's awaiting hand.

A tiny blue heart dropped into Steve's palm. For a moment, Steve had assumed that Bucky would brush is hand along his own. When he didn't, Steve tried not to take it too personally. Instead, he popped the candy into his mouth while pretending that he didn't see the clear, "Be Mine," written on it.

"Thanks," Steve said as he chewed the slightly chalky candy that the conversational hearts typically obtained.

"Yeah, well," Bucky stuffed the box back into his pocket. He kept his hands there and teased, "You know you already have my heart. So, it's the least that I can do."

"Whatever," Steve good-humoredly scoffed while playfully bumping his shoulder against Bucky's arm. Still not tall enough to actually reach Bucky's shoulder.

Not that Bucky seemed to mind as he removed his hand from his pocket and slung his arm around Steve's slender shoulders. It wasn't the first time that Bucky had done so since their whatever ended. But it still made Steve feel conflicted. Especially when he wanted to run far away from Bucky while also longing to be even closer.

However, once the pair moved up in line and Bucky dropped his arm from Steve's shoulders, Steve pathetically wanted nothing more than for Bucky to wrap him up and hold him close. Especially once they reached the cashier and Bucky ordered for himself and for Steve too. Even paying for both drinks.

"You didn't have to do that," Steve softly stated as they moved off to the side to wait for their caffeinated beverages.

"I know," Bucky conceded. With a shrug, Bucky continued, "I just thought it'd be nice. Plus, it's my favorite holiday."

Shocked, Steve couldn't help but chuckle, "Shut the fuck up."

"It is," Bucky chuckled too. Shrugging again, Bucky chewed on his own lower lip, "I just love it."

"Valentine's Day is such a lame holiday though," Steve commented, sure that Bucky was just messing with him. When Bucky's flawless cheekbones started tinting pink, however, Steve suddenly realized that Bucky wasn't joking. With his brows furrowed, Steve asked, "What do you like about it?"

"Well," Bucky started looking around at the coffee shop, "I love the pinks and purples everywhere. I love the doilies. And the teddy bears." Bucky shrugged while running his fingers over the decorative teddy bear on the counter, "I love how it just feels like love and romance is in the air."

Steve should've known. Bucky always seemed like a hopeless romantic. And in that moment, Steve considered leaning forward, pressing a passionate kiss to Bucky's attractive red lips. Considered pulling Bucky close, to feel his body against Steve's. Considered tangling his fingers in Bucky's soft brown tresses. Considered nibbling on Bucky's lips. Nibbling along his prominent jaw. Nibbling down Bucky's neck. Allowing Bucky to lift him up. Longing for Bucky to press him up against the wall. Longing to be his.

Steve's chest clenched once Bucky directed his gaze to him. Being an open book, Steve was sure that Bucky knew exactly what he was thinking. Was absolutely positive that Bucky would call him out for it.

"Bucky!" The barista called out. Bucky stepped around Steve to take their drinks from the usual barista, and Steve could hear the girl apologize, "Sorry for interrupting."

"It's alright," Bucky assured with his stupid, charming smile. The same smile that he was wearing as he held out Steve's Red Eye to him. Bucky reiterated, "We were having a moment."

"No, we weren't," Steve scoffed, rolling his eyes while despising how easy it was for him to blush.

"Whatever! We were to," Bucky incredulously argued. As the two left the crowding coffee shop, Bucky pleaded, "You can't deny that we were having a moment."

"We were having," Steve paused, taking a drink of his piping hot beverage, "A non-moment."

Bucky scoffed and watched Steve. Even playfully narrowing his eyes as he studied the petite blond. Finally, Bucky let out a deep, theatrical breath as he caved. Wrapping his arm around Steve's shoulders again, Bucky momentarily assented, "Sure, a non-moment."