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

Thirty-Seven

"So, uh, this is what you've been doing?" Steve questioned, looking over all the different pottery projects waiting to be put in the kiln.

"Yeah," Bucky confirmed, blushing as he watched Steve curiously looked over everything. Crossing the room, Bucky entered a closet. For a moment, Steve thought that he should follow, but soon enough Bucky was returning with a beautiful lilac and teal ombre wave cylinder vase. Sheepishly, Bucky said, "I was waiting for the perfect moment."

"This is for me?" Steve asked with his brows arched high in his surprise.

"Who else?" Bucky teased, theatrically glancing around since Steve and himself were the only two left after everyone else went home. Handing the 13" tall vase to Steve, Bucky explained, "I planned on getting some flowers. Ya know, make it a thing."

Steve pressed his lips together in hopes of keeping his smile in check, but it was obviously a lost cause. Graciously taking the vase from Bucky, Steve held it close to his slender frame, knowing that he was going to cherish this for the rest of his life.

Steve could see it now. He'd have the vase out for everyone to see. Their children would pick flowers from the yard and Steve would place them in the vase and say, "Daddy gave this to me the day that I told him I loved him. He made this for me because he loved me too." And their children would probably be annoyed with hearing the story for the millionth time, but Steve wouldn't care. He'd smile over at Bucky and Bucky would wink, just like he always did.

"Thank you," Steve said, standing on his tiptoes so he could sweetly kiss Bucky.

As Bucky settled his hands on Steve's slender hips, Bucky pressed another kiss to Steve's lips as he asked, "You like it?"

"I love it," Steve honestly answered. Sharing another kiss, Steve spoke around Bucky's lips, "I love you."

Holding Steve closer, Bucky confessed, "I don't think that I'll ever get tired of hearing you say that."

Chuckling, Steve ducked his head and buried his face in Bucky's broad chest. Nuzzling closer as Steve admitted, "I don't think that I'll ever get tired of saying it."

"That's why we're perfect for each other, babe," Bucky whispered, kissing the top of Steve's head.

"Meant to be," Steve half-mocked.

Bucky playfully pinched Steve's side, getting the smaller boy to squirm while teasingly pouting, "I'm trying to be romantic."

"Trust me, you don't have to try hard," Steve confided, pressing a kiss to Bucky's collarbones.

As Steve went to back away, Bucky tightened his grasp, causing Steve to silently question him. Bucky mockingly whined, "I just want to hold you a little bit longer."

Absolutely melting, Steve tried to be nonchalant while he teased, "You know we have all night, right?"

"Yeah?" Bucky asked, feigning surprise. Playfully, Steve rolled his eyes and shoved at Bucky's shoulder. Of course, that only caused Bucky's grin to grow. Stretching all the way up to his steel-blue eyes, crinkling them beautifully.

"You're so funny," Steve sarcastically stated, pulling away from Bucky.

On Steve's heels, Bucky leaned in and whispered, "You love it."

Carefully setting the vase down on a table by the door, Steve shrugged his jacket on. His cheeks as red as tomatoes while his blush crept up to the tips of his ears, Steve joked, "That's it! I take it back!"

"No," Bucky theatrically whined reaching for Steve to pull him in again.

Steve was quick to move out of his grasp and held his hand up to keep Bucky back. Securing the vase in his arms, Steve continued, "Nope! That's it! You're too much!"

Bucky was fondly watching Steve as he wistfully admitted, "I should've told you that I loved you sooner."

"Yeah?" Steve asked, glancing over at Bucky as they started heading down the hallway. Bucky nodded his confirmation and Steve honestly questioned, "So, why didn't you?"

Shrugging, Bucky shoved his hands into his pockets, "I didn't think you'd want to hear it."

"You didn't?" Steve watched Bucky, noting the solemnness that washed over Bucky's expression.

"I mean," Bucky started and consciously avoided looking at Steve as he admitted, "We were hooking up with other people."

"You," Steve corrected, "You were hooking up with other people."

Bucky winced, "Right." Turning to look at Steve, Bucky apologized, "Sorry about that, by the way. If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have hooked up with anyone else. It's just that when Brock said that you two were hooking up, I just didn't want to --"

"Wait," Steve paused. Stopping dead in his tracks on the sidewalk as he asked, "Brock said what?"

"That you two were -- I mean, uh, weren't you?" Bucky's brows furrowed, obviously trying to make sense of everything.

"No," Steve exclaimed, just as confused as Bucky was in that moment.

"But... after we..." Bucky strategically cleared his throat. Alluding to their demise without actually have to say it aloud, "You two were... We're, uh..."

"No," Steve repeated, incredulous. Realizing that Brock had manipulated the entire situation for his own benefit made Steve sick to his stomach. No, not sick. Pissed. Steve was pissed. His jaw tightly clenched and he wanted nothing more than to go to the library and beat the absolute shit out of Brock.

"The Valentine Mixer?" Bucky asked, his own expression turning stony in his own realization.

"Brock and I have never been together," Steve firmly stated. Stepping closer to Bucky, Steve continued, "The one and only time that Brock and I have ever kissed was when he kissed me at the mixer. And I immediately rushed out of the house to vomit."

Bucky chuckled at that and immediately wrapped his arms around Steve's waist. Bucky half-teased, "So, I don't have to worry about you running off into the sunset with him?"

"You never have to worry about that," Steve tugged at the collar of Bucky's jacket and told him, "With anyone. You never have to worry. You're the only one that I want to be with."

"Good," Bucky smiled, leaning down to kiss Steve. And although Steve was more than happy to revel in Bucky's soft lips and the way that he held him close, Steve couldn't help but feel bitter about the time they lost and the heart ache that was caused.