Chapter 18
Steve woke with a start. His back ached from sleeping on the sofa all night, and he was acutely aware of how full his bladder was. He shifted to relieve the pressure, and realised he was laying on someone. He hoped more than anything that someone was Bucky. Things were about to get extremely awkward if not. He peered up, squinting ineffectually before realising he didn’t have his glasses on. The someone he was laying on was a pink and black blur, but the glint of silver told him it was definitely Bucky.
“Bucky? Hey, I’ve got work in an hour. Do you know where my glasses are?” Steve nudged Bucky’s shoulder (or what he thought was his shoulder) and the other man snorted awake, looking at Steve blearily.
“Wha-?” Steve squinted at Bucky’s face, trying to decipher his expression. “Oh, yeah, your glasses. They’re right here, gimme a sec.” Steve tried (and failed) to not look at the strip of skin exposed when Bucky stretched his arms above his head. He could feel his cheeks heat up and prayed Bucky didn’t notice.
Once his glasses were safely on his face, he almost wished Bucky was still a blurry figure. He’d forgotten how devastating he was. Even more now, with his droopy eyes and sleep mussed hair. Bucky grinned sleepily at him, his entire face lighting up, and Steve was helpless to smile back. It was a few minutes of smiling dopily at each other before Bucky seemed to mentally shake himself. “You want breakfast before work? I think I have eggs and bacon? And coffee of course, although I doubt it’s as good as anything you’ve got at the shop.” Bucky rubbed his lips self-consciously, something Steve found ridiculously endearing each time he did it.
“That sounds great, thank you. Do you think there’s any chance I could use your shower? I mean, I don’t have any clothes, but I can just put these back on. I doubt you’d have anything that would fit me.”
“Yeah of course you can. There’s a pack of spare toothbrushes under the sink, help yourself. I’ll just grab you a towel.” Bucky jostled Steve slightly as he stood up, making Steve even more aware of how desperately he needed to use the bathroom. “If you jump in the shower, I’ll get started on breakfast and feed Soldat. God knows that dog’s probably been waiting forever, impatient bastard. I’m surprised he didn’t wake us. I might even have a shirt you can wear. It might be a bit baggy, but hopefully it’ll be okay?” Bucky looked at Steve hopefully, and Steve was stunned to realise Bucky wanted Steve to wear his shirt. Like they were dating.
“Uh sure, yeah. I mean if you don’t mind?” Steve followed Bucky towards the bathroom, waiting while Bucky got him a towel and showed him how to use the shower. Pretty soon he was standing under the hot spray, letting the pressure hammer on his stiff joints. He hated sleeping on the sofa as it always fucked his back up. He used Bucky’s shampoo and body wash, revelling in the scent of him before he realised how creepy he was actually being.
He entered the kitchen, hair still wet and wearing a black t-shirt of Bucky’s that basically drowned him, savouring the scent of coffee and bacon. He blinked, looking at Bucky’s broad shoulders as he stood in front of the stove. He turned, and Steve choked back a laugh. Bucky was wearing a floral pink apron, complete with frills and cursive script that read, ‘Stand aside, I’m shittin’ miracles’. Bucky grinned at him and his cheeks turned slightly pink, “yeah, laugh it up, punk. I’ll have you know it was a gift from my grandmother.”
“Well, in that case…” Steve raised an eyebrow, pleased to see Bucky’s cheeks darken further. He wasn’t used to being the one who flustered other people, and it was a nice change of pace. Bucky guestered at the coffee pot and Steve nodded gratefully, pulling out a chair and sitting down with a tired huff. This time it was Bucky who looked at him with his eyebrow raised. “I didn’t get much sleep last night. No offence, but you aren’t all that comfortable.” Bucky huffed a disbelieving laugh and shook his head.
“Sorry I couldn’t be more accomodating, your highness. You were the one who fell asleep on me.” Steve shrugged, unapologetic. Bucky brought the plates over to the table, setting one down in front of Steve and sitting opposite him. Steve found he liked this banter between them. It made him more comfortable, knowing Bucky could give as good as he got, bickering like lifelong friends. He ate his (truly heavenly) eggs and bacon with a small content smile on his face, almost wishing he didn’t have to go to work and ruin this perfectly domestic moment. They weren’t even really dating yet, but Steve was reluctant to leave Bucky’s kitchen.
Eventually it became too late for Steve to put off leaving any longer. He was already going to be a few minutes late. It was times like this he was eternally grateful he worked for his best friend. What’s a few minutes when you have gossip about how you spent the night at your crush’s apartment? He left feeling lighter than air, the morning with Bucky lifting his spirits higher than anything had ever done before. Even the bitter cold outside couldn’t dampen his spirits. That probably had something to do with the oversized hoodie Bucky had thrust at him before he left, telling him to try not to freeze to death.
He arrived at work trying desperately to hide the goofy smile on his face, but Peggy was as sharp as ever, “well good morning to you! Where have you been, huh?” Steve ducked into the back room, removing the hoodie and tying his apron on, resolutely not thinking about Bucky’s own apron. Peggy followed him, handing him a cup of coffee, smirking slightly at Steve’s red face.
“I’m sorry I’m late, Pegs. Won’t happen again.” Steve grinned cheekily at Peggy, trying to put off the impending conversation. He really didn’t want to explain where he’d been. It was pointless, especially as Peggy wasn’t stupid. She’d already noticed the hoodie and oversized t-shirt he was wearing. It didn’t take a genius to work it out.
“I’ll forgive you if you tell me where you’ve been, Steve. You’re not ever late. I was worried, you know.” Steve almost fell for the concern in Peggy’s voice. He almost felt bad until he looked at her face. He’d known her long enough to know when she was hiding a smile. She was practised in deception (Steve was pretty sure she’d been a spy at one point) but apparently not when it came to Steve.
“I’m sorry Peggy, I really am. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Steve sighed. Peggy looked positively gleeful, waiting for the moment Steve broke and told her. Steve lamented the fact that he had such manipulative friends, and sighed again. He grinned to himself and looked at Peggy, summoning all of his pitiful acting skills to look suitably chastised. “I was actually at Bucky’s last night. For the art classes I’m giving him? We started watching a movie and I fell asleep. I, uh, stayed at his.”
The reaction Peggy gave was worth all the teasing he was sure to get when she’d recovered. She honest to god shrieked, and thumped him on the arm. Steve rubbed his arm ineffectually, already feeling the bruise. She smirked at him and Steve braced himself for the onslaught. But Peggy simply smiled at him softly and whispered that she was happy for him.
The day dragged, because of Steve’s exhaustion or his eagerness to see Bucky that night, he wasn’t sure. He realised pretty early on the thing between them was more than just a passing fling. Bucky was someone he could see himself grow old with, or at least be with for a long time. But he didn’t want to scare the other man off- it had only been a few weeks. It was just so easy to be with Bucky, whether they were talking or just sitting together. They had no expectations from each other, something that made Steve feel warm inside. It wasn’t often he got that ease with someone and he resolved to keep Bucky around as long as he could. He hoped the date he’d planned helped with that.
As soon as he got home that night he jumped in the shower again, wanting to look as good as possible for the art class tonight. He tried not to look too closely at the reasoning behind this and simply got on with washing the smell of coffee from his body. He also definitely did not wish he was standing in a different shower with someone who will not be named. Not at all.
As the weather had taken a turn for the better, he decided to walk to the art class, bundling himself up in his scarf, coat and Bucky’s hoodie. He’d already decided to wash it before he returned it, so he was just getting a good wear out of it before he did wash it. Steve kept up the litany of reasons for his behaviour all the way to art class, but it did nothing to hide the fact he wanted Bucky. Wanted him in every sense. This was further solidified by the look Bucky gave Steve as he walked through the door. The heat in his gaze intensified when Steve took his coat off to reveal Bucky’s hoodie drowning his skinny frame.
“Hey Buck” Steve grinned at him nervously, wondering what exactly he was doing. Why was he wearing Bucky’s hoodie to an art class? It was going to get ruined!
“Stevie” Bucky breathed back, offering a charming grin that absolutely did not make Steve blush. It was just hot in the room. “You look good. Uh, I mean how are you?” Steve tried not to be charmed by Bucky’s own blush, but it was difficult. He opened his mouth to reply when the teacher walked in, calling for attention. Steve silently cursed his luck and settled in for the lesson.
As soon as the teacher called for the end of the lesson, Steve turned towards Bucky, intending to ask him about their date tomorrow, but he caught a glimpse of Bucky’s work and was distracted, “Wow, Bucky, that’s really good! You’ve really improved!”
“Thanks, I have an excellent teacher.” Steve ducked his head self-consciously, “I mean, she’s just really great.” Steve’s head shot back up to see Bucky grinning at him teasingly and felt embarrassed all over again.
“Well that’s just great, maybe you should ask her out instead.” Steve smiled to let Bucky know he was joking, “I mean, I was getting ready to ask you out tomorrow but I guess it can wait so you can take our teacher out. What’s one night spent together when you can have an eighty year old woman. I bet she’s got some life in her yet.”
“You little shit!” Bucky exclaimed. Probably louder than he intended as a few people looked over to them, Peggy and Natasha included. “Wait were you really gonna ask me out tomorrow?”
“Well, yeah, Buck. We discussed this the other day. It’s still a surprise so you need to be patient. I’ll pick you up at 12, okay?” Steve lost some of his cockiness when he was asking Bucky, but he plowed on regardless. He didn’t run from things like this, especially if it made him uncomfortable. That generally meant it was worth it, in his experience.
“Yeah, 12 sounds great Stevie. Uh, I know it’s a surprise but what should I wear?”
“Oh! Yeah, just something casual. We’ll be walking around a bit so maybe wear comfortable shoes? I don’t know really, I haven’t actually done this before. Jeans, comfortable shoes and preferably a top. But, you know, that’s optional. I’d sure appreciate the view.” Steve winked and delighted in Bucky’s blush.
“Shut up Steve. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” Bucky looked hopefully at Steve, picking his bag up and tugging his coat on. Natasha materialised next to him, waiting to leave. Steve nodded and smiled again. To his surprise, Bucky leaned in close and hugged him tightly. “That hoodie looks good on you, you should definitely keep it.” Steve spluttered and blushed, much to the amusement of Bucky, Natasha and Peggy.
“See you tomorrow, Bucky!” Steve squeaked, all but running out the door. Damn, how did Bucky make him so flustered?