Steve.... Is It Really You?
Chapter Four: Steve...Is It Really You?
Bucky’s Point Of View
He had taken a walk through the large house making sure everything was secure. Crook following him the whole way excitedly. “This will be my room. Though Steve and I might share it. When we were kids whenever we got scared we’d sleep in each other's bed. I don’t think I could be without him again. I’d be to scared to wake up and he not be there.”
A groan escaped Bucky’s lips. “Look at me.. Talking to a dog..” He smiled reaching down to pet Crook with his real arm. “But you don't judge and you’re a good listener.”
Bucky’s father’s house was beyond large. It was three storys tall with two more storys in the basement. The roof was more like castle walls. It had cement walls with windowless windows so if need be one could shoot someone down from it.
The first story had the living room, kitchen, dining area, what a typical household would have.
The second story has four bedrooms on the left side. Each has its own bathroom and shower. On the right side is various rooms. One of the rooms is a study, the other is a small sitting room with several bookshelves. The third room is a stock room about the size of three master bedrooms. It is full of toilet paper, tissues, dry and canned foods, extra clothing, towels, it had almost everything stuffed inside. The fourth room on the second floor is locked. Neither of the boys have ever been allowed to go in. At the end of the hallway is another locked door, but it is painted black unlike the other white doors.
On the third floor is the weapons stock, a bigger food stock, the power system, and air filtration. Bucky’s father had it all set out.
The basement was like a separate miniature underground home modeled after the upper floors. It was in case of tornadoes, earthquakes, or any natural disaster. It was essentially a safe room.
While walking the house Bucky started to hear the groaning growing louder and louder outside. “I guess they found out I’m here, huh Crook?”
“Where’d you go boy?” Bucky looked around before he heard Crook barking from downstairs. That’s when he heard a voice, or he thought he did. Walking over to the hall window of the second floor Bucky peered out. He froze at what he saw. “Steve!”
His breathing grew rapid as fear overtook him. Below Steve was a still growing horde of zombies. Opening the window Bucky used his metal arm to break off the bars. It was the second story and even if they did make it over the wall, it’s not like they could climb anyway. “Steve!” Bucky called out shaking in fear. He wouldn’t let his best pal die when they were so close to being together.
Opening his eyes Steve had a bright smile come to his face, it was the most beautiful thing Bucky had ever seen. “Buck! Buck I’m.. I’m sorry. I couldn’t make it.” Steve has tears streaming down his cheeks but kept up his smile. Bucky hadn’t seen him like that since his Ma passed a while back.
“No.. No don’t say that Stevie look you made it. You’re here, alright? All you gotta do is listen to me, please?” Steve nodded gripping the tree tighter. “Can you get onto the branch across from you? I promise you’re safe. I’m not gonna let you get hurt not when you're so close.”
Steve looked uncertain but he trusted Bucky he always did, and would. Climbing over to the branch that hung over the fence he gripped the tree as tight as he could. “N-N-Now what Buck?”
“Now you just got to relax Stevie alright? You gotta trust me on this one. I need you to jump.” Steve looked terrified.
“JUMP!? You want me to jump!?”
“Stevie.. Please Steve trust me. I wont let you get hurt. I’m gonna catch you I promise you. Just hold out your arms for me and jump as far as you can. I will not let you fall!”
Steve took a deep shaky breath before moving to the edge of the branch. “You let me fall and I’ll hate you for the rest of my life.”
Bucky let out a soft laugh. “I wont. I’ll never let you fall Steve trust me.” He smiled and leaned out the window holding out his hands. “Just trust me and jump.”
Steve was hesitant as he put his feet on the branch listening to it crack as he walked to the edge. “Steve you have to jump now! It’s gonna break!”
As the cracking grew louder Steve jumped holding out his arms. “STEVE!”
Steve had closed his eyes before jumping, the same time the branch broke too. Bucky was terrified he wasn’t going to make it he watched as his best friends feet slipped. But Steve always pulls through, and at the last second their hands touched. Bucky clamped his metal hand around Steve’s and held on for dear life.
“Stevie look! Look you’re alright. Open your eyes please.” Steve slowly opened his eyes. His other hand quickly coming up to grab onto Bucky’s. “I’ve got you Stevie. I’m not letting go I promise.”
It took a few minutes but Bucky managed to pull Steve into the house. Steve fell on top of Bucky clinging to him. He began to sob into Bucky’s shirt gripping him tightly. “Shh it’s alright Steve I’ve got you. Let it all out.”
Bucky may have been putting on a strong face but tears were swelling in his eyes as well. He had missed Steve so much. Hearing Steve whisper his name through the tears made his own dam break. Suddenly the two were a crying mess clinging to each other on the hallway floor.
“Bucky!”
“Steve!”
The two were sniffling wetting each others shirts with their tears. “I’m so sorry Stevie. I should have…. Should’ve never lost sight of you. I.. I.. I should’ve grabbed your hand the second it all went crazy. Should’a ran here together.” He was trying to calm his breathing while rubbing small circles on Steve’s back.
“B-Bucky! Bucky I hate you! I-I hate you!” He was shaking in the others arms.
“No you don’t.. You could never hate me.” They both went silent until they broke out in laughter. Reaching up Bucky wiped away Steve’s tears. Steve looking into Bucky’s eyes a blush coming to his cheeks. Slowly Steve got up helping the other up.
“Bucky… I’ve missed you. I.. I almost died far to many times without you.”
Bucky shook his head putting his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “I’m not gonna let you die Steve.. You’re with me until the end of the line remember? I’m not letting you get off this train just yet.” The two smiled at each other before Bucky reached over to shut the window.
“You hungry? This place is stocked!”
Steve laughed nodding. “Starving. I haven’t eaten in three days.”
Rubbing at his eyes Bucky then weakly punched Steve in the shoulder. "Come on then Punk lets get you something to eat."
"What ever you say Jerk."
Taking Steve downstairs he sat him on the couch while going to make chicken noodle soup the way his mother used to when they were both sick or upset.
Being as hungry as he was Steve ate most of it. "Mmm remember when we were both kids and your Paw brought us here to show us around for the first time?"
Bucky was leaning against the counter eating his bowl of soup. Of course he remembered they had been so excited to finally be allowed in on Paw's secret. "Yeah.. Yeah I remember him telling us it would all be ours one day. He made sure we grew up knowing everything about his place and how to do maintenance on it."
"Yeah and if we didn't learn fast enough we didn't get to come back for a mon-." Steve stopped as he heard barking coming from upstairs. "You have a dog?!"
Bucky’s face lit up once more. “Yeah I found him! Thought you’d love to have him around. His name is Crook.” Bucky nudged the food bowl which sent Crook running into the kitchen. Kneeling down Bucky picked up the pup.
“Crook this is Steve.” He held out the small puppy which Steve took excitedly.
“He’s so cute Buck!” A yawn escaped Steve’s lips as he set the dog down in his lap.
“Tired? Me too. Hey… Would..Would you mind if we shared a bed?”
Steve laughed softly looking to Bucky with tired eyes. “I was gonna ask you that. I’m scared I’ll wake up in the morning and it’ll all just be a dream.” Bucky’s smile dropped as he walked over holding out his hand.
“Come on gimme your bag. The room is upstairs. Shower in the morning, I don’t think you have enough energy for that right now.”
Steve nodded and gave up his bag to hold the dog instead. Slowly Bucky lead him upstairs and into their room. The second Steve hit the mattress he was asleep. It gave Bucky time to write in his journal.
Bucky’s Journal: Entry 5
‘It happened today! Not only did I arrive at the house this very morning but less than an hour ago Steve showed up. Don’t have a clue how he made it here in the dark and I’m to scared to ask.
I found him outside in a tree surrounded by a horde of zombies. It terrified me to see him like that. I thought he was going to die and all I could think of was he needed to jump. No matter what I would catch him I had to.
And I did.
Now that I have him I’ll never let Steve go. I don’t want to lose him again. Steve is my everything and I can’t give that up again. Steve is to important to me, he’s my best pal.'
Shutting his journal Bucky quietly got up to put it away. Grabbing Steve's bag as well he went to put it on the other side of the room. But curiosity won him over, it always did. Steve hasn't eaten in three days yet his bag was pretty heavy. Taking a glance at Steve he quietly opened up the backpack. As quietly as he could Bucky emptied it out onto the floor.
Inside Steve had his sword hanging out, several shirts, water, a few bullets, knives, a gun, two jackets, a blanket, and a journal. Quietly Bucky put everything but the journal back he always was to nosy for his own good. "Lets see what you got yourself into without me Stevie."
Nervously Bucky opened to the first page.... To say he was shocked would be an understatement. Sure he had hoped Steve felt the same way about him. But to actually read that Steve was in love with him and it wasn't just a recent development but since they were kids. Kids! Not only was he shocked but he was extremely happy. Finally he could tell Steve how he felt with out fear of rejection. Steve could finally be his but....
Steve went through so much with out him. He was alone for so long and when he finally found someone... He had to shoot her in front of her daughter. Maybe he could tease Steve a little first, they both definitely needed something to lighten the mood. A little flirting never hurt anyone and by anyone he meant Steve. He should know he's done it often enough.
Shutting Steve's journal Bucky decided he would play a game. See how long Steve could take his flirting before he cracked. He was still floored though. All these years and their feelings had been the same yet they were both to oblivious to see it.
Bucky’s Journal: Entry 6
"Screw getting back to my story I just found out something.. Something completely shocking. I mean it was probably. No it was definitely wrong of me but I couldn't help it. I looked through Steve's bag and found a journal. I then proceeded to read said journal and... What I found out. Oh yeah it was completely worth poking around his stuff.
All these years of pining after Steve and thinking he could never want me that way.. He feels the same way about me. He wrote about being in love with me since we were kids, how the hell did I never see it?! Well.. They do say love is blind. But that must mean Steve can't see worth shit because I've wanted him since what feels like forever. I feel like we're the biggest idiots in the world. Neither of us had a clue, god we're dumb! I think someone upstairs just loves messing with us Stevie.
I wanna play a game with him now. Flirt with him until he cracks. Maybe then he'll finally realize how I feel about him. But I want to see him crack. To finally act on it or tell me. It probably sounds a little mean but.. Well the mood needs to be lighter around here anyway so why not? God I sound like a dick. I just want him to realize how I feel about him, but I don't want to tell him. I'd chicken out half way though trust me on that. I just.... Ugh I need to get some sleep!'
Bucky closed his journal and put Steve’s away. It has been a long time since he has slept on a mattress and even longer since hes been next to Steve. He’s gonna enjoy this. Curling one arm around Steve, Bucky had a bright smile on his lips as he pulled the covers over them. His smile didn’t fade as he fell asleep.