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

Ten

For the most part, they walked in silence. Steve in the middle probably had something to do with it. But Steve was trying to actively ignore that specific awkwardness while also trying to tamp down the longing that swam through his veins to have Bucky closer. The longing to have Bucky wrap his arm around him and pull him in. Even after the elevator, Steve still couldn't help but long for Bucky.

To combat his desires, Steve shoved his hands into his pockets. And perhaps if it wasn't February in New York, it would've seemed odd to see them all walking with their hands shoved deep into their own pockets. But considering how the wind was biting, it didn't seem odd in the slightest.

Approaching the house, Steve started to relax. Sure, the music was sure to be too loud. The beer might taste stale. And the air might be hot, perhaps even muggy. But at least the party would be an excellent distraction. Or at least that was what Steve was hoping for.

The three walked up the steps of the fraternity house and as Steve went to follow Brock inside, Bucky tugged at his elbow. With furrowed brows, Steve looked up at Bucky. Bucky was worrying his lower lip with his teeth, causing an uneasiness to wash over Steve.

"Everything okay?" Steve questioned; his voice dripping with concern.

"Yeah," Bucky quickly reassured, although his expression didn't quite match. Steve was about to repeat himself when Bucky asked, "Can we talk?"

Of course, that only made the anxiety rise in Steve's petite frame. Steve studied Bucky, "About what?"

For a moment, they just stood there staring at each other. The longer that time stretched on, the more Steve wondered if Bucky actually had anything that he specifically even wanted to talk about. Especially since they were just standing there with Bucky's hand still holding Steve's arm while he comfortingly stroked Steve's elbow.

"Is this," Bucky started before immediately pausing. His brows furrowed and he averted his gaze. Seemingly trying to think of what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. Steve recognized something flash across Bucky's expression, but couldn't place it. Instead, Steve silently waited for Bucky to continue.

Finally, Bucky questioned, "Are you and Brock dating?"

Steve's brows were set in a deep, heavy furrow. Of course, Steve and Brock weren't dating. How could Steve even think about dating Brock when he was, very clearly, still completely and irrevocably in love with Bucky, and Bucky alone? It just didn't make sense to Steve, and Steve scoffed, "What? No."

Studying Steve, Bucky didn't seem all that convinced. There wasn't the usual playfulness that Bucky usually masked his expression with. No, this time, Bucky was completely serious in his evaluating. Which caused Steve's heart to drop down into his stomach.

"You sure?" Bucky asked. Steve nodded his confirmation, and Bucky continued, "But he brought you flowers."

"Maybe, um," Steve started, feeling a lump form in his throat. Pausing, to keep his emotions in check. Averting his gaze, Steve focused on the pale pink sweater that Bucky was wearing underneath his jacket. Shrugging, Steve attempted to downplay the whole gesture, "They're just flowers."

When Bucky didn't say anything, Steve chanced a glance up at the handsome brunet. Thinking that Bucky didn't hear him, Steve wondered if he should repeat himself. After all, it wasn't very often that Bucky was speechless.

However, Bucky had heard him. Clearing his throat, Bucky dropped his hand from Steve's elbow and said, "Right. Just flowers."

Seeming deflated, Bucky went to step around Steve to enter the house. Yet, Steve reached out and took hold of Bucky's hand. The gentle gesture stopped Bucky in his tracks. Directing his gaze from their linked hands to Steve's face, Bucky brows briefly furrowed as he looked over Steve's face, searching for something.

Finally, Steve asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Bucky assured, fixing a grin on his face. His expression softened, but the coil in Steve's stomach didn't. Especially not when Bucky pulled his hand from Steve's grasp. Though, as Bucky companionably patted Steve's shoulder, he couldn't help but feel a little better.

Giving Steve's slender shoulder a comforting squeeze, Bucky suggested, "C'mon, let's get a drink."

And despite the grin on Bucky's face, Steve could tell that there was something bothering him. Steve had spent months watching Bucky. Had spent months recognizing the subtly that Bucky used. The subtly that he masked under his playfulness. The playfulness that Bucky used as a shield. A shield to what exactly, Steve wasn't sure. But Steve knew that it existed.

Lord knows that Steve knew Bucky's face better than his own on most days, if only due to Steve being completely captivated by everything that Bucky Barnes was. Everything that Bucky wanted people to think he was, and more.

Well, at least, that was what Steve thought. Whether it was true was still up for interpretation. Even more so when Bucky playfully rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm securely around Steve's shoulders as he led them through the crowded frat house to the kitchen. To the very room that Brock happened to be waiting for them in.

Dropping his arm from Steve's bony shoulders, Bucky graciously took the unopened beer that Brock handed him. Steve did as well, and the pair immediately popped the top to their drinks as Brock held his own up in a toast.

Brock proposed, "To cupid!  May the bastard be kind!"

Steve and Bucky raised their bottles in solidarity, and all three took a drink. As they stood there, Steve chanced a glance over at Bucky. Out of the corner of his eye, Bucky flirtatiously winked, causing Steve to feel just as bubbly as the alcohol in his hand.