It's Always Been You

Chapter 8

It's not like Steve to be so smitten by someone.

Sure, Peggy had almost all of his undivided attention back in the forties, when he didn't realize that loving his best friend was even an option. Maybe he did it just to forget about how they would hold hands and even kiss each other's cheeks. Maybe he didn't want to be in too deep in his feelings for someone he could never have.

But Bucky. God, Bucky. He's managed not to only infiltrate Steve's brain and replace every single thought with the image of him laughing over a stupid joke that Steve made, but to also make Steve's heart flutter when he's close.

Steve can't express his feelings, no matter how bad he wants to. Just say it straight up, he thinks to himself, but everything's gotta be perfect. He deserves nothing less.

It's noon when Bucky wakes from his slumber, and Steve almost jumps to the sound of feet hitting the floor. His enhanced hearing has made him more alert to every small noise, and the fact that he's been on edge about the mission working doesn't help.

"Good... morning?" Steve says, smiling. He knows Bucky's never been a morning person, and it warms his heart knowing that that aspect of him hasn't changed even when everything else has. "There's lunch downstairs," he offers, "or we could order room service."

Bucky gives him a lazy, lopsided smile that makes Steve's heart skip a beat. "Gimme a minute. I'll shower and we can head downstairs," he replies, stretching. "That was probably the best sleep I've gotten in like, five years."

"Weren't you asleep when you were dust?" Steve asks, thankful that Bucky doesn't take the whole dusting tragedy too seriously. It has always fascinated him how Bucky can turn anything, no matter how grim, positive.

"Well yeah, technically, but it wasn't nice at all. I had this strong feeling that you were just out there doing something stupid. Like you always do," Bucky replies, making Steve chuckle. He grins when he hears it, the sound that has successfully driven every single girl (or guy) away from his mind.

"To be fair, I am pretty stupid."

"You admit it! You did do something stupid! I knew it. Wilson owes me five bucks," Bucky cheers, pumping his fist in the air. "So, uh..."

Steve raises his eyebrows, urging Bucky to continue.

"What did you do, exactly?"

"That's for another time," Steve tells him, smiling. "Go shower. I've been waiting for your sleepy ass for hours."

"You mean you've been watching me sleep?" Bucky gasps, faking his shock. "How scandalous!"

"Shut up," Steve orders, flustered. He prays to whoever's listening that Bucky can't hear his heartbeat picking up.

***

The restaurant Steve picked out isn't the best, but it works. Hell, they could be homeless and it would be all okay. Steve's good as long as he's with his baby, after all.

Baby, Steve thinks to himself. Bucky is older than him, but him being smaller than him makes him think that Bucky is his to protect.

With his maroon t-shirt hanging down from his shoulders and a black pair of jeans, Bucky looks more than amazing. His hair is ruffled a little bit, just how Steve likes it.

They each take their seats opposite each other, this time Steve facing the door instead of Bucky. None of them want their past experiences to interfere with their present anymore.

"Hi, Buck."

"Hey, Stevie."

"So..." Steve trails off, biting his lip.