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

Nineteen

Starting over.

That was what Steve and Bucky had decided on.  Of course, it wasn't that difficult of a decision to make.  Especially not for Steve, at least.  And although Steve thought that he was the only one to be more than willing to dive into the relationship, he was more than just a little delighted that Bucky seemed to be doing the same.

And with all that starting over entailed, both knew that they needed to take it slow.  Needed to set things straight with each other.  And with everyone else.

"So, let me get this straight," Sam started, sitting across from Steve on his own bed while Steve sat on his.  "You and Bucky are —"

"Starting over," Steve confirmed.

"Right," Sam studied Steve for a moment.  Even narrowing his eyes at the petite boy as he genuinely questioned, "Why?"

"Why?"  Steve repeated with furrowed brows.

"Yeah," Sam confirmed and clarified, "What changed?"

Sheepishly, Steve averted his gaze while he thought  about the previous weekend.  Thought about the glorious night of the Valentine Mixer.  Thought about the beautiful, honest, vulnerable things Bucky said.  How Bucky had comforted him when he needed him the most.

As though Sam could read Steve's mind, he sighed.  A bit too defeatedly, in Steve's opinion.  Scrubbing his hand over his face, Sam started, "I'm not going to tell you what to do."

Uh oh, Steve couldn't help but think.  Feeling utterly guilty.  Especially since Sam had been there through it all.  Had heard both sides of the story.  Had picked Steve up and had been a shoulder to cry on.  Literally.  And now Steve was going to pretend that none of that happened?

Yeah, Steve felt guilty.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Sam finished, looking positively solemn.  Even though Sam didn't say it, Steve could still hear it in Sam's smooth voice:  he didn't want Steve to get hurt again.

"I know," Steve acknowledged.  Positively grateful for Sam and all that he has done.  Steve wanted to reassure Sam as much as he needed to reassure himself, so he said, "We're taking it slow."

"Is that what you want?"  Sam questioned, truly trying to get behind this and be supportive.  But also trying to make sure that his two friends were on the same page.

Silently, Steve nodded his confirmation and Sam asked, "Is that what he wants?"

"Bucky's the one who suggested it," Steve fondly answered while his cheeks started to tint pink.

A small smile crossed Sam's face at that.  Then, Sam teased, "If you two start making out at game night again, you're permanently uninvited."

"Okay," Steve giggled, agreeing to the new rule while thriving on the possibility of having that back.

"And although you don't need me to fight your battles," Sam started standing from his bed, "Just know that if he breaks your heart again, I'll kick his ass."

Steve smirked and playfully questioned, "I thought Bucky was your friend."

"He is," Sam easily answered.  Shrugging, Sam explained, "Doesn't mean he gets an exception.  Big Brother Sam is always ready to stand up for what's right."

"Oh my god," Steve chuckled, lilting to the side and hiding his face in his pillow.

Too much?"  Sam questioned once Steve's laughter died down.

"No," Steve honestly answered.  Throwing a pillow at Sam, Steve sincerely stated, "Just enough."

"Good," Sam smiled, catching the pillow and tossing it right back at Steve.

Just like that, everything was fine.  No, better than fine.  It was how it should have been all along.

Steve and Sam had always had this ease between them.  Something that Steve had never experienced before.  But even with them having that natural chemistry, Steve was still pleasantly surprised that Sam accepted this so easily.  And not only accepted it, but was supportive of his relationship with Bucky.

Steve wasn't sure what he did to deserve a roommate like Sam.  To deserve a friend like Sam.  Yet he was thanking all his lucky stars that they had been assigned to each other.  Not only did he meet Bucky, but he had gotten an amazing group of friends as well.

Which was more than Steve could have ever anticipated.  Especially after how the first seventeen years of his life had gone.

Steve knew that in his heart of hearts, he was the luckiest bastard there was.