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

Fourteen

Once done, Steve put his toothbrush back in its designated spot, and splashed some water on his face. As though that would help him in any way. Of course, it didn't. And since Steve didn't want to spend too much time in the bathroom, Steve was quick to leave.

Stumbling out of the bathroom, Steve found Bucky sitting on the edge of his bed. Bucky had been staring down at his clasped hands, but with the ruckus that Steve had caused, his gaze immediately snapped to Steve. It also led Bucky to stand from his spot to help Steve as much as he could.

"You okay?" Bucky sincerely asked, gently grabbing onto Steve's elbow to help the smaller boy with his balance.

"Yeah," Steve nodded, his voice hoarse.

Nodding, Bucky helped Steve sit on his bed and then took a step back. Bucky shoved his hands into his pockets and Steve couldn't help but watch him. Looking up at Bucky now while Bucky consciously chose not to watch him, Steve knew that he was the most beautiful person that he had ever seen. With a jaw that could cut glass and a smile that put the sun to shame, Steve knew that he never had a chance. Especially not with those luminous eyes of his.

"You sure you're okay?" Bucky questioned, glancing over at Steve.

"Yeah," Steve reassured, chewing on the inside of his cheek. Swallowing down the growing lump in his throat, Steve apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't know that I was an emotional drunk."

Bucky softly chuckled and said, "You're fine. You don't have to apologize."

"I just, uh, feel bad that you, um," Steve sighed through his nose, "That you had to leave the party."

"It's alright," Bucky shrugged, running his hand through his hair as he continued, "I was probably going to leave soon anyway."

"Right," Steve nodded. Looking down at his hands in his lap, Steve assumed that Bucky was going to leave again, and he said, "Yeah, okay."

Slightly shuffling his feet, Bucky declared, "I should, um, I should... I mean, you're okay, right? So, I should probably --"

"Stay," Steve pleaded, looking up at Bucky. Bucky studied Steve, causing Steve's chest to clench as he figured, "You don't have to. I just --"

"I'll stay," Bucky loudly interrupted, surprising Steve completely. Not just with the words themselves, but with the sheer volume and delivery of them. It was almost as though Bucky had been suppressing them for too long and was jumping at the first opportunity to share them.

Bashfully, and blushing, Bucky lowered his voice as he continued, "I mean, if you want me to."

"Yeah, I want you to," Steve confirmed. Steve was sure that his cheeks were red, but he didn't care in the moment.

"Okay," Bucky agreed, biting back his own grin. With that, Bucky shrugged out of his jacket and gestured towards Steve, "Want me to hang it up for you?"

Almost forgetting that he was still wearing his jacket to begin with, Steve quickly shrugged out of the garment and handed it over to Bucky. Sheepishly, Steve said, "Thanks."

"No problem," Bucky smiled, crossing the room to hang their jackets up. Slipping off his shoes while by the door, Bucky glanced over at Steve to find him taking off his shoes as well.

Once their shoes were off, Bucky crossed the room back to Steve. For a moment, Bucky just stood there while Steve sat there on the edge of his bed with his hands on his knobby knees. Steve wondered if he should ask Bucky to sit down.

Before Steve could make up his mind though, Bucky took a seat beside him. Not too close, just close enough for every cell in Steve's body to long for Bucky. Long for Bucky to move closer. To reach over and pull Steve into him. To be held.

Bucky cleared his throat, gaining Steve's attention. Bucky kept his gaze forward, off Steve as he asked Steve, "Should we, um... Are you, uh... tired?"

"Sure," Steve nodded and stood from his bed. When he stood, he was ready to strip down, but now he wasn't so sure. After all, they weren't together. Would it be weird to sleep in his boxer briefs? Should he sleep in pajamas? A little helplessly, Steve started, "Um..."

"It's not like I haven't seen it before," Bucky smirked.

Steve softly chuckled, agreeing, and was glad that the air seemed a bit lighter. More at ease, Steve grabbed at the back of his neck to pull the borrowed sweater over his head. Due to his poor balance thanks to the alcohol, Steve stumbled in the process of removing his sweater. Before he could fall though, Bucky grasped his hips to steady him.

Pulling the sweater off completely, Steve fixed his plain white t-shirt, and bashfully looked down at Bucky, "Thanks."

"No problem," Bucky sincerely smiled, almost reluctantly letting his hands drop from Steve's hips.

Steve tried not to show how crushed he was in that moment as he took a step away from Bucky to remove his own skinny jeans. Only then did Bucky stand from his spot on the bed to start removing his own clothing. At that, Steve prayed that he wouldn't get a boner.

Once Steve was done to his socks, boxer briefs, and white t-shirt, he climbed into his bed. Moving to lay closest to the wall, so there'd be enough room for Bucky too, Steve briefly wondered if Bucky would even want to share a bed with him. After all, they weren't together. And even though they were friends, they weren't exactly cuddle buddies.

"Do you, um... I think I have an extra blanket in my closet," Steve finally stated.

"I mean," Bucky paused, gesturing towards Steve's bed, "If you don't... We don't, uh... I can sleep on the, um, floor if you prefer."

"No," Steve protested. Even in that moment, Steve knew that he was just a little too loud and he blushed as he clarified, "I just wasn't sure if you'd want to... share a bed."

"Okay," Bucky confirmed, allowing his eyes to roam over Steve's petite frame. Realizing that Steve had caught him looking at him, Bucky blushed and averted his gaze down to the floor. Glancing back at Steve, Bucky pinched his own white t-shirt and asked, "Do you mind if I take this off?"

Steve attempted to blink away all the dirty thoughts that he was having in that moment, he silently shook his head in reply. Bucky smirked and pulled off his undershirt. Tossing it in the pile on the floor with the rest of his clothing, Bucky climbed into the bed beside Steve.