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

Nine

Trying to avoid looking at Bucky at all, Steve opened the door, ready to lead the group out of the dorm. However, he paused when he found Brock standing there in the hallway. There was a nervous smile on his lips and a small bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"Hi," Brock greeted a stunned Steve.

"Hi," Steve replied.

Directing his eyeline to the bouquet of red and yellow roses, Steve heard Kristin behind him complain to Sam, "How come you didn't get me flowers."

"Because you hate flowers," Sam replied.

To which, Kristin argued, "I do not."

"Yes, you do," Sam incredulously retorted, "You hate when they die."

"Okay, but that's beside the point," Kristin stated.

Snapping his gaze back to Brock, Steve gestured towards the flowers and sheepishly questioned, "Are those for me?"

"Jesus," Sam declared behind Steve, seemingly dumbfounded by Steve's inexperience, while Brock confirmed with a soft chuckle, "Yeah."

Remembering that he was standing in the doorway, blocking his friends, Steve took a step out into the hallway and out of the way. As Sam and Kristin left the dorm, Brock held the flowers out for Steve. Graciously, Steve took the small bouquet and couldn't help but smile down into the bouquet as he admitted, "No one's ever given me flowers before. Thank you."

Bashfully, Brock scratched at the back of his neck and told Steve, "It's not a big deal."

"Still," Steve smiled over at Brock and repeated, "Thank you. They're beautiful."

At that, Brock attempted to keep his grin in check, and failed. Before he could say anything, however, Bucky loudly asked, "Ready to go?"

Looking over at Bucky, Steve's brows briefly furrowed. Bucky's expression was unreadable for the most part. And that alone was enough to sound a warning bell in Steve's mind. Usually Bucky at least looked mildly cheerful. But in that moment, Bucky looked more than just a little annoyed.

With furrowed brows, Steve averted his gaze downwards to look at the beautiful, vibrant bouquet in his hand. It might've been wishful thinking for Steve to hope that Bucky's mood had shifted because he was jealous. Jealous of what, exactly? Steve wasn't sure. After all, Bucky could have anyone he wanted. Hell, as far as Steve knew, Bucky got everyone he wanted.

Answering Bucky, Steve gestured towards his dorm, "I'm just going to put these..."

Bucky nodded in acknowledgement, but didn't say anything. A thought flitted through Steve's mind: is Bucky jealous of me? Steve shook his head. There was absolutely no way that would even be possible. No one was ever jealous of Steve, and that was how he liked things. It was just a silly thought. An implausible thought.

After all, if Bucky wanted to see Brock, he could.

Unless Bucky only wanted him now that he thought Brock was unavailable. Which was preposterous. Brock wasn't unavailable. At least, as far as Steve was concerned.

Not knowing what to do with the bouquet, Steve simply sat them down on the bathroom counter before quickly leaving the dorm again. Locking the door behind himself and trying not to think about how Brock was waiting for him. Trying not to think about how Bucky was waiting either.

Shoving his keys into his pocket, he left his hand there too. As the three of them started heading down the hallway, Bucky took his place in between Brock and Steve. Practically solidifying Steve's assumptions while Bucky asked Brock, "Where's Nat and Clint?"

"Well," Brock started, letting out a deflated breath, "When I went to Nat's dorm, there was a special do not disturb sign on the handle."

"Wait," Bucky scoffed, "Like a rubber band or something?"

"No, like an actual door hanger that was decorated in glitter," Brock clarified.

"You've gotta be shitting me," Bucky loudly chuckled. Turning to look at Steve, Bucky playfully nudged him with his elbow as he teased, "Maybe I should've gotten one."

Steve was almost entirely positive that Bucky wasn't insinuating that he should've gotten one so that Steve would've never found out about him sleeping with other people, but that was the first place that Steve's mind went. So, when he averted his gaze and solemnly stepped into the elevator, Steve consciously chose not to look at Bucky. Steve also chose to stand in a space where he'd be closer to Brock.

"Why would you need one? You seeing someone or something?" Brock asked, hoping to sound playful rather than pissed.

Which he wasn't exactly succeeding with. Especially not when he seemed more than just a little conscious to Steve's mood shift. Of course, Steve didn't mind much in the moment. In fact, he was glad to have Brock there.

Even if Bucky was giving him a rather confused -- and confusing -- look as he answered Brock, "Not currently. Just being optimistic, I suppose."