Steve has always been intuitive and sensitive. He has always known Bucky too and though Bucky has changed in some ways, some ways is not the same as all ways. Steve can see the hurt and the disappointment there behind the smile and it makes him look angrier than before.
He told Bucky not to make a big deal out of this but it seems like he will be the one making the big deal. Clearing the labs of inadequately supporting plates and pizza and boxes, he makes a simple yet perhaps too big of a move for Bucky’s fragile state when he cups the back of his friend’s neck with thin, long fingers and a determined grip.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong,” he says outright. He doesn’t need to be a mind reader to guess that Bucky is misreading the situation. “You’ve got to give yourself time. I know it’s like being in too hot bath water to walk into a store for you. And I know you’re trying to cover up all of the ways you think you’re broken all the time. If I’m with you, if I live with you, I’m going to be another burden and another thing for you to constantly worry about. Besides. I need to give these guys 30 days notice if I leave and I’m paid until the end of the month. So can we put a pin in this? Ask me in two weeks, if you still want to. And I can move in before Christmas if that’s what you want.”
Because that’s what Steve wants. He just needs to make sure Bucky is going to ask for the right reasons.
“I’m always going to be over there anyway.” Hes softer now. His hand drops and he winks. “Might as well leave a toothbrush. As for college? It’s not really for me. Don’t make me start calling you mom, Buck.”
no subject
He told Bucky not to make a big deal out of this but it seems like he will be the one making the big deal. Clearing the labs of inadequately supporting plates and pizza and boxes, he makes a simple yet perhaps too big of a move for Bucky’s fragile state when he cups the back of his friend’s neck with thin, long fingers and a determined grip.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong,” he says outright. He doesn’t need to be a mind reader to guess that Bucky is misreading the situation. “You’ve got to give yourself time. I know it’s like being in too hot bath water to walk into a store for you. And I know you’re trying to cover up all of the ways you think you’re broken all the time. If I’m with you, if I live with you, I’m going to be another burden and another thing for you to constantly worry about. Besides. I need to give these guys 30 days notice if I leave and I’m paid until the end of the month. So can we put a pin in this? Ask me in two weeks, if you still want to. And I can move in before Christmas if that’s what you want.”
Because that’s what Steve wants. He just needs to make sure Bucky is going to ask for the right reasons.
“I’m always going to be over there anyway.” Hes softer now. His hand drops and he winks. “Might as well leave a toothbrush. As for college? It’s not really for me. Don’t make me start calling you mom, Buck.”