week six
Steve runs into the classroom, only a couple minutes late. He comes in quickly, mumbling an apology under his breath, then goes straight to his desk. He’s pleased to see that the other students left it empty for him. He slides onto a chair and shrugs off his coat, then takes his books out of his bag. They haven’t started doing any exercises yet, Ms. Santiago explaining what they’ll be working on today. He sighs, the adrenaline finally wearing down. He overslept, of course he did, and then couldn’t find his notebook. He’s dressed in a loose pair of dark jeans and an oversized blue sweater, the only items of clothing he could find in a hurry. His hair’s a mess and he knows he looks a bit worse for wear. His lower lip is still a bit swollen and his cut cheekbone is the perfect mix of deep purple and angry red. The cut on his eyebrow looks better, though his Ma still insisted that he wore a band-aid on it.
He’s not as bad as he thought he would be, if he’s being honest. After Bucky patched him up and left, Steve was fast asleep, drained from work and the fight. His Ma didn’t wake him up, and she was terrified when she saw him in the morning. She checked his ribs, thankfully none of them broken. His chest was still bruising badly, but he didn’t have to go to the hospital, which he counts as a win; he’s got a fair share of Sarah’s fussing, though. She said he was good to go, so he went on with his classes as usual. He didn’t see Bucky on Wednesday, nor Thursday, but the guy has been texting him, asking for updates. It was endearing, Steve thought, the way Bucky cared about his well being. He told the brunette that he was feeling good, which was only a small lie. Sure, he wasn’t at his best, but he had it worse. His ribs still hurt like a bitch and the cut on his lip stings whenever he smiles too much, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. The only thing that’s a pain in his ass is that colorful bruise on his cheek. He sees it from a corner of his eye whenever he looks down and everyone keeps asking about it. When Sam first saw him, he laughed so hard he almost cried, of course after making sure Steve’s not in pain. Peggy gasped and started fussing over him, and Sharon said she’s gonna need a visual of the asshole that’s done it to him so she could kick his ass. They all were surprised, and suspiciously pleased, when they found out it was Bucky who helped him and patched him up later. They’ve been asking Steve for updates in their group chat almost every hour and he always sends them a single middle finger emoji.
Don’t get him wrong, he’s glad his friends care so much about him. But… But. What feels like a couple of days ago, he was still furious with Bucky and couldn’t hold a single conversation with him. Sure, it changed after Tuesday, but it’s not a 180 degrees change. They’re friendly, and yes, Bucky texts him every once in a while, but they’re not friends per se. However, Steve would be lying if he said that he didn’t enjoy Bucky’s company. It was nice and felt somehow familiar. It wasn’t awkward or tense, like Steve expected it’d be when he realized it was Bucky in that alley. They fit well and even the silence felt natural. He’s got an insight into the brunette’s head and he finally understood why Bucky keep answering Steve’s question in Spanish.
Bucky is… well, he is a lot of things, now that Steve comes to think about it. Just like when they were in his apartment, he can think of a couple things to describe to guy. He’s obviously caring and genuine. From what Steve’s observed, he’s also incredibly smart and thoughtful. He has that kind of aura around him that just draws other people. He smiles easily and any conversation with him just flows naturally. It also helps that he’s aesthetically pleasing to look at. His pale, icy blue eyes light up whenever he approaches a subject he likes, and when he beams, his eyes crinkle in the most endearing way. His wavy brown hair falls on his shoulders, framing his face and making his eyes stand out. Even when it’s in a bun atop of his head, a couple of strings fall out and rest gently on his forehead. And his jawline, oh God, his jawline. Steve’s fingers itch to draw the guy even thinking about it. His face is sharp, cheekbones standing out, making his cheeks look a bit hollow. His lips are plump and pink, especially when he worries his lower lip between his slightly crooked teeth. On top of all that, he’s also well built, every shirt he wears stretching on his chest and biceps. Steve’s not blind and he can’t deny that the guy’s handsome. Breathtakingly so. Steve’s not sexually attracted to him, or to anyone really, but he still likes to look at Bucky’s large frame. He was always fascinated by the way muscles work and move, given the fact that he never had much himself. It’s one of the reasons he’s focusing on his human body class so much. Steve finds bodies so inspiring it always pains him that his is failing more often than not. The way bodies move, the way muscles flex, each one responsible for a different part, it’s always been engrossing to him.
“Steve?”
He blinks, realizing the entire class is looking at him and he’s staring at Bucky and oh Jesus.
“Steve, are you with us?” Ms. Santiago says, lifting her eyebrow.
“‘M sorry,” he mumbles feeling his cheeks burn. Bucky sends him a lopsided grin, wiggling his eyebrows and Steve wants the Earth to swallow him up.
“Pay attention, please,” the teacher scolds him, and moves on with the class.
Steve pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose and looks down at his notebook. He absentmindedly drew a pair of eyes, with thick long eyelashes. He groans, swearing inwardly and rips the page out, then puts in in his bag. There’s no wonder in whose eyes those are, and his cheeks flush even more. He pulls his phone out of his pocket to check the time and sees one unread message, sent a couple minutes ago.
Bucky Barnes: do i have smth on my face
Steve sighs, knowing he’s been caught staring. He decides to play dumb, though.
Steve Rogers: no, why?
He turns the screen off, but leaves the phone on the desk. Not a minute has passed when he gets a reply.
Bucky Barnes: u were starin
Steve Rogers: were not
Bucky Barnes: were too
Steve Rogers: jerk
Bucky Barnes: punk
Steve bites down on his lip to keep the smile from spreading on his face, then hisses quietly when the cut stings again. He shakes his head slightly, hearing Bucky chuckling on his left, then pockets his phone. He wills his blush to go away, looking at Ms. Santiago, casting a quick glance at Bucky before.
*
Steve turns a knob and pushes the door, coming inside of the apartment. He sighs, knowing he’ll finally be able to relax, and shrugs off his jacket, toeing off his shoes. He takes a beanie off his head and runs a hand through his hair.
“I’m back!” Steve calls, going further into the entry hallway.
“In the kitchen!” His Ma shouts back and he follows her voice. “How was work?” She asks when he enters the room.
Steve shrugs. “Busy,”he states, then comes up to Sarah, who’s sitting on one of the stools, and gives her a quick peck on the cheek. “You?” He takes a glass out of the cupboard and pours some water in it, then takes a long sip.
“Tiring,” she sends him a small smile. “Feeling any better? Let me check that cuts.”
“Ma, I’m fine, stop it,” he motions for her to sit down again, as she already started standing up.
“Stevie--”
“I’m not one of your patients, Ma,” Steve interrupts sternly and she winces. “‘M sorry, I’m just…”
“I know, leanbh, I know,” she reaches out for him so he grabs her hand, squeezing gently.
“Whatcha bakin’?” Steve hops on the stool opposite her and nods his head towards the oven.
“Spinach cake with cream and pomegranate.” Steve makes a face. “Cut it, Steve, it’s really good!” Sarah chuckles seeing his expression.
“Yeah, I’ll pass,” he shakes his head, grimacing.
Sarah swats his arm. “Your loss,” she shrugs. “So, how’s the boy that helped you? What was his name again?”
“Bucky. And he’s good, I think. I dunno, haven’t talked to him that much, really.”
She smiles. “Well, that’s too bad. He seems like a nice young gentleman.”
“Ma…” Steve whines, rolling his eyes. He knows where this is going. Every time he meets someone new, Sarah starts planning their wedding. She knows about his sexuality and has always supported him, but, as she puts it, she can’t stand to watch him being alone. Steve knows she means well, but he still wishes she’d stop.
“What? Can’t a mother be looking forward to seeing her only child in a healthy relationship?” She smirks, pretending to be offended. They’ve had this conversation a thousand times already, but she loves bringing this up. Deep down Steve knows that she just wants him to be happy, but, well, it’s not really that simple.
“I don’t even know if he’s bi, let alone if he’ll wanna be in a relationship without sex,” Steve grumbles. When he came out to Sarah, she insisted on educating herself in his sexuality so now she knows a lot. He’s glad though, because their conversations flow much more easily now.
“Well, maybe you should. He seems nice,” she squeezes his hand, then gets up to check the cake.
“You haven’t even met him!” Steve points out, chuckling.
“I didn’t have to! He stood up for you, didn’t he?” She sends him a knowing smile over her shoulder, then takes the tray out of the oven and puts it on a cooling rack.
“Well, yeah, but--”
“No buts, Stevie,” Sarah cuts him off, narrowing her eyes as she sits down again. “Do you like him?”
“I do. I mean, I dunno… I guess he’s not as bad as I thought at the beginning,” he shrugs one shoulder, looking down.
“Oh?” Sarah breathes, raising her eyebrows.
“He’s the guy from Spanish,” she still looks lost, so he explains. “The one that kept answering for me? I’m sure I told you.”
“You mean the one who knows a lot of languages and hangs out with the redhead Sharon was asking about?”
“You sure have a selective memory,” Steve chuckles. “But yeah, that’s him.”
“I remember the important things," she winks at him, then takes a sip of her tea. “Speaking of, how’s Sharon? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Oh, uh, she’s good, I guess. You know her,” he shrugs. “She wanted to walk me to work today so ‘no one would jump you Steve, I’m worried.’ She was waitin’ just outside my classroom.”
“That girl’s got brains, just like Peggy,” Sarah shakes her head fondly. She fell in love with both of Carters when Steve started being friends with them and nothing has changed. “See, she goes after what she wants. You could learn from her.”
“Ma…” he whines. “I’m real good just where I am right now, thank you”
“I know you are, leanbh, I know. I’d just like to see you with someone who loves my boy as much as I do,” she squeezes his hand and sends him a small smile.
“I know, I just… Look, I--I like him, alright. But just as a friend. ‘S all there is and I’m--I don’t wanna project somethin’ that isn’t even there on him. I barely know the guy.”
“Steve, honey, I’m not pressuring you into anything. Just keep an open mind, yeah? And I don’t even mean that Bucky guy, even though he sure seems nice. Just, anyone, really. I just want you to be happy.”
“I know, Ma. I know.”
*
Steve groans turning off the alarm on his phone. It’s been vibrating on the nightstand for the last five minutes and he can’t ignore it any longer if he wants to stay sane. He throws the phone somewhere on his bed and rubs his eyes. It’s Monday morning which means he has to go to work. He sighs, running a hand through his bed hair, knowing this will be a long day. Steve’s agreed to work nine hours today, instead of the usual six, because one of his coworkers has to leave early. He figures it’s the least he can do, bearing in mind that they come in for him whenever he’s sick.
Steve sits up and stretches out, popping his spine, then goes straight to the bathroom, noticing Sarah’s already gone to work. He relieves himself, then grabs a quick shower, relaxing under the warm spray of water. Once he’s done, he brushes his teeth and runs a comb through his wet hair. Then, he goes back to his bedroom, puts on beige slacks and throws on a white tee with a black blazer. Steve gives himself a quick once over in the mirror and, happy with the outcome, pockets his phone and puts on his glasses, as well as the hearing aid. He doesn’t even bother to make the bed, knowing he’ll crawl straight back into it once he’s back, and goes to the kitchen. His Ma left him some pancakes for breakfast and his mouth waters just at the sight of it. He makes a mental note to thank her later as he’s taking his first bite, and then pulls out a container with pasta he’s prepared last night. Steve doesn’t usually bring lunch with him, buying something there, but even he knows he won’t last nine hours on a single sandwich.
After he’s done with breakfast and took his pills, he shrugs on his coat, puts on his boots and leaves the apartment, checking his phone on the staircase. It shows one unread message and Steve expects it to be either from Sam, telling him about how his date last night went, or Peggy, asking him to keep her table at Starbucks ready. He clicks on the app and is surprised to find it was neither of them.
Bucky Barnes: good luck @ work tday
*
“I’m home, leanbh!” Steve hears Sarah even before he hears the door open. He smiles, jumping off the stool in the kitchen and goes to the entry hall.
“Hi, Ma,” he gives her a quick peck on the cheek and takes the grocery bag out of her hand. “How was work?”
“Ahh, you now how it is,” she dismisses, taking off her jacket and follows him to the kitchen.
“You did extra hours again,” he states the obvious, knowing starting this conversation yet again won’t change a thing. They’ve had it what feels like a thousand times already, but it always ends the same.
“Stevie, you know I can’t leave those poor people just because my shift is done. If they need me, I’m there,” Sarah says calmly, sitting down and nodding her thanks to him as he slides a glass of water her way.
“There’re other nurses too, Ma.”
“And they need my help as well.”
“I swear to God…” Steve mumbles, heating up dinner for her. He decided to make her favorite Irish potato dish, only the vegan version that they both perfected.
“Is this colcannon?” She beams, lighting up.
“I realized you were workin’ late, so,” he shrugs, giving her the bowl. “The least I could do. Oh, and--” his phone chimes in that exact moment and he quickly takes it from the kitchen island, reading the message.
“And?” Sarah asks, taking a mouthful of her dinner.
“... what?” He furrows his brows, looking up at her. “Oh, right, thanks for the pancakes, they were great,” Steve sends her a quick smile and looks at his phone again, typing.
“Tell them I say hi and that I’ll be waiting for them this weekend,” she says in between bites.
“Wha--Who?” He looks up confused, pocketing his phone.
“Peggy, Sharon and Sam! You’re talking to them, aren’t you?” She shakes her head, amused, taking a sip out of the glass.
A bit goes by, then, “I… yeah,” he swallows down, looking anywhere but at his Ma. She can tell whenever he’s lying.
“Steve… Leanbh, look at me,” Sarah stops eating, fork mid-air.
“Yeah?” He finally looks up, his cheeks already tinted with pink.
“Who were you talking to?” She smiles encouragingly.
“Ma, I’m not a child, c’mon…” he whines, knowing he’s been caught.
“You’re my child, Stevie,” she shakes her head, taking another bite. “Besides, I wanna know what’s going on in your life, I feel like I barely see you!”
“Oh God…” he breathes, running a hand down his face. And they say he’s dramatic. “Bucky,” Steve sighs.
“Bucky?” She cocks her eyebrow.
“Yes, Ma, I was texting Bucky. Y’know, that guy from Spanish?”
“Lose the attitude, Steve, I know who he is. Just, the last time we talked about him, you told me you two are not even friends.”
“What attitude? I was just… never mind,” he shakes his head, groaning. “He texted me this mornin’ and we kinda kept talkin’. ‘S not what you think, Ma, really, we’re just… Why am I even talkin’?” Steve mumbles.
Sarah smirks, seeing how consternated Steve is. She says nothing though, finishing her dinner.