Rent is due
Skip forward a week and there I was, sitting in my kitchen on a fold out chair with my head in my hands. This could be described as non-other than a shitty situation. Uhg.
The day Pierce fired me he paid me like a fifth of what I was supposed to get paid. But given at the moment I was seeing red, I forgot to thoughtfully check the money the bastard gave me, because I was more focused on trying to kick his ass. So skip forward a month and, even though working as a mechanic paid great, it wasn’t enough to make up for the money I was supposed to have and now I was short on rent.
I couldn’t ask my landlord for a little more time because I had done that last month, and the month before… I could ask for a loan, but I hated being in someone’s debt. It meant owing someone something and in the past that had never worked out for me that well. People always took advantage of situations like that and last time I swore to myself - never again.
So, no postponement and no loans meant no extra time nor more money. To conclude, today was the day I was gonna lose my apartment.
Terrible as this little apartment was, it had been home for a few years now and I was gonna have to find a new place.
Oh God, I was gonna have to find a new place!
Where do I even find one that would barely cost anything because I barely had anything?!
While I was busy freaking the fuck out I didn’t notice my phone ringing of the hooks. And apparently, the phone calls I missed were important, because not an hour later a certain blond was standing in front of my apartment, knocking on the door.
“Steve?” I asked, wondering why he was standing in the hallway, in front of my apartment door.
Oh no. He was in front of my shitty apartment.
I quickly ushered him out and closed the door, leaning against it.
“So, ehh, hi. Watcha doin’ here?” I quipped.
Steve quirked an eyebrow, “We were supposed to meet.”
That’s when it dawned on me that I had indeed agreed to meet Steve at his place to go out and grab lunch somewhere, and I totally forgot about that while I was having my own little crisis.
“Fuck.” I muttered to myself, rubbing my neck.
“Language.” Steve muttered back.
I snorted in response. A grown man that had been in the army, for God’s sake, was telling me to watch my damn language.
Ridiculous.
“It’s alright, Buck. So, what’s up?” Steve asked. I detected a seriousness in his voice he only used when he was worried. Probably so I wouldn’t try and lie to him. But how could I lie to a man with eyes that resembled the eyes of a damn puppy?
I hung my head, sighing, “I’m gonna lose my apartment.”
“What?” Steve almost stuttered. I just sighed again. Steve was taken aback, keeping silent for a moment, “Wanna let me inside and talk about it?” Steve softly suggested.
“Well ehh...” I rubbed my neck again, feeling incredibly self-conscious. Steve was rich, had a great hotel room which was probably worth more than everything I owned and could very possibly think less of me for owning... well, nothing.
“Buck.” Steve put a hand on my shoulder and made me look up, “I don’t care if it’s not five stars. You know that, right?”
“Okay.” I gave in after debating with myself a little. I opened the door and lead him into my scarcely furnished apartment.
~
“Do you have a place to stay?”
“I can ask if Natasha’s got some space. I know Scarlet and Samantha don’t.” I was muttering to myself more than I was answering Steve’s question.
“You know, you could stay with me.” Steve made it sound more like a question than an offer.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Of course, you can stay with me. It’s not like I don’t have the room for it. And I’d like the company.”
A (probably very goofy looking) smile broke out on my face and I flew up to hug Steve, who was taken aback for only a second before hugging me back.
“You’re a lifesaver! I’ll just be a couple of days and then I’ll be outta your hair.” I promised.
“Don’t worry. You’re welcome.” Steve smiled as I pulled back from our crushing hug.
He is a very nice hugger.
Steve ended up being a great help. He and I had been busy all afternoon packing up and moving what little I owned to his room. At the end of the day we fell onto his couch.
“You are a hero. D’you know that?” I poked his ribcage with my elbow.
“What makes you say that?” Steve chuckled.
“Well, you just keep being there at all the right moments. Keep saving me.”
Steve turned to me and smiled softly, “Glad to be of service.” He whispered, mock saluting.
I couldn’t help but notice the little glimmer in his eyes and the way the corners of his mouth just quirked up in a smile, baring just a hint of his perfect teeth and- Oh. No. Wrong train of thought.
Distraction. Yes.
“So, wanna watch another movie tonight? Can’t make it too late though, I got work tomorrow.” I rambled, quickly turning towards the tv and grabbing the remote.
I could see Steve smirking and still looking at me, “Sure. Whatcha got for me?” He asked before finally turning his burning gaze towards the tv.