Lessons In Love: Chapter Twenty-Four: Follow The Cops Back Home (Part 1)

Stephen was getting asked all sorts of questions after that one. What he did outside that car was a doozy. Steve, Tony, and Bucky all had questions about what happened.

Stephen only said that he didn't technically know what happened. He just followed directions in a book.

UHM, HOW COULD HE NOT KNOW? Tony said that his hands were glowing like an orange Cheeto. Stephen almost laughed, because Tony amused him.

He held it in, however, because his little brother really upset himself. Victor was very shocked to see Stephen, because he felt like he was left behind.

He couldn't stop crying as Stephen drove. Victor was very quiet. He wiped away his continuous supply of tears, and he mentioned that he missed his sister several times. Stephen said that he missed her as well, and Victor eventually fell asleep.

Stephen was pretty much mute after that. His brother was asleep in the passenger seat, and he took a drink of water.

With Victor sleeping, Stephen decided to give the rest of the group his focus.

"You said that your hands started glowing?"

He didn't understand any of that. Stephen listened to Tony and Steve both explain that something was drawn out of them after Stephen said his freaky shit.

Tony was noisy when he explained, and Stephen almost glared at him in the rear view mirror. Bucky just listened. He felt bad for the kid, and he turned his head to the side. He missed his sister?

Bucky wondered what happened, and he thought that Stephen was a bit of a jerk. He did not know that his emotions had been altered, so his opinion of Stephen was a bit sour.

None of them knew that everything he felt was suppressed. All of it was diluted, and Stephen wouldn't know about it for a very long time.

Bucky was not affected by all that magic stuff either. He thought it was crazy, and he glanced over at Tony and Steve. It only involved the two of them, so he let them talk it out.

The conversation died down after a while. The sun had set, and Stephen planned to stop at the first motel as it arrived. Everyone was happy for that, but some awkwardness was emerging between the road trip lovebirds.

Tony kept looking one direction, and Steve kept his focus in the other. Many thoughts were going on between them, because they both were unsure about what they were doing.

They knew what they wanted to be doing, but the accomplishment of that was the struggle.

Stephen finally pulled the car over. They located a place to sleep, and he mentioned that he was no longer in a hurry. They could get as much rest as they needed.

He only rushed them because he really wanted to get to his brother. The group understood that, and Tony watched him tell Victor that they were at a hotel.

The brunette headed to the front office. He was the one in charge of the rooms, so he hopped to it. The others waited for him to return, and he started handing out the keys to the room.

Stephen got one, and he left with Victor. He thanked Tony as he walked away. Bucky received the second key. Tony kinda smiled at him, and then he glanced over at that golden thing.

Steve was given the third key and Tony decided to do something bold. He thought about it the entire car ride.

"I got three rooms, this time."

Tony maintained his smile, and a nervous feeling began to build up. Steve looked at the room number on his key, and he noticed that it didn't match the one that Bucky had in his hand.

"I figured Stephen and Victor could share a room. Then I thought that Bucky could have his own room too, and maybe you could stay in the last one, with me?"

Tony spit out what he wanted to say, and he inwardly held his breath. Steve looked up from the key and he quickly swallowed down his response. Stay with Tony? Alone? In the room?

Bucky just glanced at one of them, then he looked over at the other. They both became silent, and it was painful for him to watch.

"That works for me."

Bucky had to walk away. He couldn't handle the innocent awkwardness any longer. He didn't mind having his own room. He actually went a very long time without sleeping, so Bucky was actually a little fatigued.

He checked the number on the key, and he slowly stepped off from the two. Tony watched Bucky Wonder walk away. He felt a little devious because he sent the eternal best friend packing. Tony tried not to think too much about it, and he waited for Steve to respond.

The blonde watched his friend leave as well, and then he looked over at Tony.

"Is that ok?"

Tony kinda had to know. He scratched the side of his neck, and he looked at one of the buttons on Steve's shirt.

"I'll try not to overwhelm you this time."

Tony spoke with a smile, and he started looking up at Steve. The blonde thought about a few things, but he ultimately already knew what he wanted to do. He didn't respond, and Tony became impatient.

"Whaa you're killing me. Do you want to spend the night with me?"

Tony was about to friggen beg him for a response, because Steve wasn't saying anything. He was just standing there, looking all genteel and cute.

Steve finally stepped closer to him. He gently took Tony's bag from his shoulder. The blonde wanted to carry their bags, and he maintained a soft smile.

He nodded his head yes, and the two of them headed toward the room. Steve's clothing tightened up a little as he brought their bags into the space.

He set them on the bed, and looked back at the door to the hotel. Tony closed it, and those nerves started going berserk.

Chapter: END

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