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

Twelve

Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the kiss that he shared with Brock. Maybe it was finding Sharon being consensually groped by her crush. But if Steve was a betting man, he'd wager that it was finding the love of his life making out with someone that wasn't him.

Rushing out of the back door, Steve leaned over the deck railing as bile aggressively left his body. Panting, Steve attempted to spit the remaining taste out of his mouth. But the bitterness was still there, unfortunately. And the saltiness from the tears that streamed down his heated face wasn't helping matters either.

"Steve?" Bucky's familiar voice came from behind Steve.

Pushing himself away from the banister, Steve wiped his mouth on the purple sleeve of Kristin's sweater. More due to his clumsiness than his buzzed state, Steve stumbled over his own feet. Before he could fall though, Bucky was there to catch him.

"Let go," Steve demanded, pushing at Bucky.

"You're drunk," Bucky insisted, not budging one bit. No matter how much Steve weakly tried to get Bucky away from him. Bucky even had the audacity to tell Steve, "And you need your jacket."

"Oh my god," Steve rolled his eyes and pushed at Bucky's broad, stable frame. The bitterness wasn't just in his mouth though as Steve sneered, "Why do you even care?"

"Are you serious?" Bucky scoffed, keeping a secure grip on Steve's slender waist as to help Steve's balance.

With furrowed brows, Bucky studied Steve. It was clear just how hurt Bucky was by Steve's question. It was also clear that Bucky was determined in figuring out what Steve was actually thinking in that moment.

However, before Bucky could question Steve any further, Steve completely dissolved into a puddle of tears. And one would assume that Steve's blurred vision would make it easier to ignore the absolute despair that washed over Bucky's torturously handsome face. Instead, that seemed to be the only thing that Steve could focus on, causing more tears to spring up. Caused a rattling sob to break through Steve's frail frame.

Not being able to hold himself up any longer, Steve allowed his thin legs to give out beneath him. Completely ignoring his well-being while also being aware, and finding a bit of comfort in simply knowing that Bucky was there to catch him. Even if it was just in the context of making sure that Steve wouldn't get physically hurt, instead of the context of his heart.

Tightening his secure grip, Bucky graciously lowered them until they were sitting on the cold deck. Despite Steve's need to run and be as far away from Bucky in that moment as possible, Steve couldn't deny that being wrapped in Bucky's wiry, strong arms was comforting. In fact, Steve felt the sudden urge to allow Bucky hold him and comfort him.

So, Steve turned in Bucky's arms and buried his face in Bucky's broad chest. Momentarily Steve felt bad about staining Bucky's soft, pale pink sweater with his tears and snot. Not to mention how awful he felt considering he had just vomited.

All in all, it wasn't shaping up to be a good night for Steve. Of course, Steve hadn't really thought that it would be, but he still expected something better than this. Especially with how good his day had been before the party.

"Hey, it's okay," Bucky reassured, rubbing his large hand along Steve's naturally crooked spine in a comforting manner. Smoothing down Steve's messy, floppy blond hair, Bucky asked, "Wanna talk about it?"

"No-oh," Steve hiccupped between sobs, nuzzling closer while tightening his grasp on Bucky's torso.

"Okay," Bucky surrendered, just holding Steve and allowing Steve to hold him, which Steve greatly appreciated.

Yet, the longer that Bucky held Steve, the more Steve longed for more than what they were. More than what they had. Sure, their whatever hadn't lasted necessarily long, but Steve still found himself missing everything. Missing the cuddling. Missing the kisses. Really just missing Bucky.

With his mouth softly pressed to Steve's hair, Bucky questioned, "Should I get Brock?"

A new bout of tears started spilling from Steve's blue eyes, but he still somehow managed to find the strength to pull himself away. Wiping his wet face on the borrowed sweater's sleeve, Steve begged for his tears to cease. Sniffling, Steve assumed, "I'm sure that you want to get back to Sharon."

"That's not," Bucky paused, studying Steve's flushed face. The palpable sadness radiating from Bucky was too much for Steve, causing more tears to build in Steve's eyes. Before Bucky could continue, it was suddenly obvious just how loud the party was and Bucky briefly looked around at the craziness. Bucky pleaded, "Let's get outta here."

Instead of declining Bucky's offer the same way that he declined Brock's, Steve simply agreed. Desperately needing a bed. Whether it be his own or Bucky's, Steve didn't care. All he knew was that he didn't want to be alone.