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

Twenty-Nine

Half of Steve's red eye was drunk by the time that Steve made it to the library. Although Steve was fine with Bucky tutoring in his dorm, Bucky had insisted on tutoring at the library. A part of Steve felt like that was the absolute worst place to tutor.

Sure, there was books. Lots of books. Duh.

But there was also Brock. Muscly Brock. Muscly, librarian Brock. Muscly, librarian Brock who had a crush on Steve. Muscly, librarian Brock who had a crush on Steve that also didn't like Bucky very much these days.

Shaking his head, Steve made his way through the library. Bucky had been occupying the same table for the past two weeks, so it wasn't difficult for Steve to find him. Which was convenient for Steve. Cut down on searching and left very little time for Steve to run into someone else. Another brunet, more specifically.

However, when Steve found Bucky, he paused. Slightly ducking into the book stack, so Bucky wouldn't see him. Peeking out from between the shelves, Steve watched as the girl that Bucky was tutoring sit way too close to Bucky. Not only was she sitting close -- too close -- but she was also leaning in. Leaning in. Pressing in. Lifting her hand and trailing her fingertip along the shell of Bucky's ear.

"What cha doing?" A person whispered, startling Steve entirely.

Nearly causing Steve to spill both coffees in his hands as he turned to find Brock. With his cheeks heating up from him being caught, Steve tried to act as nonchalant as possible. Which, admittedly, wasn't very convincing.

Steve's heart was still aggressively thrumming in his chest from the scare and he questioned, "What?"

Brock smirked and crossed his arms along his chest as he repeated, "What cha doing?"

"Nothing," Steve answered unconvincingly. Looking around at the books, Steve lied, "Just browsing."

"Just browsing," Brock repeated. Clearly trying to fight his own grin, Brock glanced at the coffees and asked, "With two drinks."

"Yup," Steve fibbed, trying to keep up the ruse. Of course, all Steve really wanted to do was to turn his attention back to Bucky and his touchy pupil. He continued his charade though, "Cramming, ya know?"

Brock quirked his brow and nodded, not believing Steve in the slightest. Glancing over Steve's head in the direction that Bucky was in, Brock's eyes briefly narrowed. At Brock's expression, Steve's eyes widened as he wondered what was going on.

His heart's rate started to pick up and Steve quickly turned to look back at Bucky. The pair was still sitting at the table. The girl was still sitting entirely too close to Bucky. But now Bucky was looking at her. Steve didn't want to think about how his heart prematurely dropped into his stomach as he prayed to any god or goddess out there that Bucky wouldn't close the distance between him and the girl.

Don't do it. Don't do it. Please, for all that is holy. Please, DO NOT do it. I'll do anything if you stop him from leaning in. I'll call grandma more. I'll make sure to always answer when mom calls.

I'll... I'll give up... something. Junk food? Gone. Mom would be proud. Coffee? Sayonara. It'll suck and I'll be beyond grumpy. But it'll be worth it.

Bucky held the girl's wrist and gave her a soft smile before setting her hand on her own lap. Patting the hand once it rested on her own lap, Bucky turned his attention back to the books on the table.

Letting out a breath of relief, Steve didn't realize that he had been holding his breath until that very moment. Brock must have noticed though.

Especially when Brock let out a low whistle from behind Steve and mocked Steve, "I was sure he was going to kiss her. How about you?"

"No," Steve lied.

"Could've fooled me," Brock whispered.

Brock's breath was entirely too warm on the back of Steve's neck and Steve took a step away from Brock. Turning to look at Brock, Steve firmly stated, "I trust Bucky."

"Could've fooled me," Brock repeated, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Steve narrowed his eyes as Brock started walking away, and was quick to take a few steps to follow the brunet. For some reason, Steve felt as though he needed to defend himself, and to also defend Bucky. So, Steve repeated, "I trust Bucky."

"Okay," Brock shrugged off Steve's comment.

"I do," Steve continued.

"Yeah?" Brock questioned, studying Steve. Brock's arms were crossed along his chest, and Steve attempted to mimic Brock, but couldn't due to the two cups of coffee in each of his hands. As a smirk tugged at Brock's lips, Brock asked, "Why."

"Why?" Steve repeated, his brows furrowing.

Brock nodded his confirmation and clarified, "Why now? You didn't a few months ago."

"Things are different," Steve justified, holding his shoulders back. Trying to elude to more confidence than he was feeling under Brock's scrutiny.

"How do you know things are different?" Brock asked, taking a step back, so he could lean against the bookcase.

Steve tilted his chin as he lamely said, "Because they are. Bucky wanted them to be."

"He could've just said that because he wanted you," Brock doubted. "I mean, you don't know what he could really be doing."

"What? No," Steve argued, sure that he knew Bucky better than Brock. Steve continued fighting for his point, "Bucky said he wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

Brock scoffed, "Because he already did hurt you."

"No," Steve protested and explained, "We just weren't on the same page."

"Right," Brock scoffed again. "But you're on the same page now?"

"Of course," Steve simply stated, averting his gaze. Brock rolled his eyes. Clearly still not believing Steve. Which just pissed Steve off even more. In his anger, Steve sneered, "Why do you even care?"

"I just do," Brock brushed off.

That wasn't good enough for Steve. If Brock was going to push and push and poke at Steve. Well, Steve was going to give it right back. Steve shook his head and said, "No, I want to hear it."

Briefly, Brock's jaw clenched, and he narrowed his eyes as he studied Steve. Brock took a step towards Steve while he harshly asked, "You want to hear it?"

Steve gave a curt nod in reply. Brock leaned in then. Ducking his head, so he could whisper directly into Steve's ear. His breath hot on Steve's ear as Brock grimly confessed, "I'm in love with you. I only want the best for you."

As the anger left Steve's body, he felt an overwhelming sadness. Sure, he had asked for it. But by the way that Brock took a step back and morosely smiled at him, Steve knew that he shouldn't have. A heavy melancholy tinted the whole scene as Brock softly asked, "Happy now?"