Author's note: From here on out the story will consist of a bunch of one-shots set at different points in their relationship.
Summary: In which Bucky frets over iced tea and Tony tries to give him a pep talk.
"Tony I don't know what I'm doing," Bucky said. He was clutching his phone like a life-line while huddled in his usual cocoon of blankets.
It should have been a typical Friday night. Grab a muffin and hot cocoa from downstairs, watch some Tom Cruise movies, and then sleep for 12 hours straight. But no. Instead he had to be sitting on his couch going through another panic attack about his relationship with Steve. And hyperventilating to Tony Stark. Like he said, typical Friday night.
"Hey, twinkle toes." He heard Stark sigh through the phone for the umpteenth time that night. "You need to calm the fuck down, seriously. You and Steve are, like, the love-birds of the century. He's not gonna break up with you just because you poured iced tea instead of milk into his coffee."
Yep, a typical Friday night.
Normally the person he would be hyperventilating to was Nat, but she was currently in Russia on some other secret CIA mission. He could talk to Clint but… he'd rather not. Then Tony called to remind him to come down to his work-shop and Bucky had just let it all out right then and there. He honestly didn't know what happened.
"But what if he hates me?" Which was ridiculous, considering Steve obviously didn't and Bucky was just overreacting. As usual.
"Yes, absolutely. He's probably plotting his revenge right now. 'How dare that Bucky, putting ICED TEA in my coffee! It's an abomination!'"
"Not helping," Bucky deadpanned.
"I'm not 'helping' because you're obsessing." He heard something metallic drop in the background followed by a string of curses. "Look, if you're so concerned—thank you Dummy—then just give him a call or something."
Right. Because that was SUCH A GREAT IDEA. Steve would just laugh and make fun of his constant Steve-problems.
"And no, Mr. Boy Scout would most likely, 100% not make fun of you," Tony said, as if reading his mind which was very creepy. "Hell, do you even know the guy? He gives out puppies and rainbows to little children like its fucking Christmas. He's the epitome of all human goodness and rallies for world peace on a daily basis. He probably goes to church every Sunday too."
Taking that all into consideration, Bucky was still scared. Sure, Steve accepted everything about him and probably lov— liked him till the ends of the earth, but it was still too early on in the relationship to tell. Bucky groaned and dropped his head into his hands. See, this is what happens when you're a socially awkward, PTSD-diagnosed hobo who doesn't have a single fucking clue about how to properly date someone.
"Look, twinkle toes. Give him a call, tell him how you will be ridden with nightmares for the rest of your life about the traumatic iced tea thing, and if he makes fun of you—which I highly doubt he will—feel free to call me back, cry, WHATEVER, as I work on this very important project which Pepper will kick my ass for if I don't get it done by 8 a.m. tomorrow."
Bucky peaked through his fingers and sighed in resignation. "…Okay."
"Great! See how easy that was? Now go call lover-boy while I try not get my ass kicked by my girlfriend."
Bucky heard a beeping noise signaling that the line was dead. Even though Tony could be a little bit of a prick, he at least knew when to get things done. Another reason why Bucky kept Tony around in his life. Well, maybe because he also needed him to maintain the arm. But that was beside the point.
Bucky took a breath before dialing Steve's number from memory and carefully holding the phone to his ear.
Three rings, he counted, until the line finally went through.
"Hello?" A tired voice yawned.
Shit. What time was it?! Bucky quickly glanced at his clock to find '12:00 a.m.' staring back at him. Wow. He was such a shitty boyfriend. Boyfriend? Bucky blushed at his automatic use of the word. Had they even gotten to that point yet?
"Hello? Bucky?"
Bucky fumbled with the phone. "H-hey! Sorry, just er, contemplating some things. Sorry, did I wake you?"
Steve chuckled. "No, I wasn't sleeping, just sketching. I couldn't fall asleep actually, but now I think it's kinda starting to hit me. But anyways what's up? You okay?"
Bucky carded his fingers through his hair, a habit he had whenever he got nervous.
"Uh, yeah I'm fine. I was just thinking about.. uh.. what happened.. earlier."
"Earlier?"
"Uh, yeah. You know. With the coffee… and iced tea…" His voice grew quiet at that last part.
"Coffee and iced tea? What.." It took Steve a few moments for it to register. "Oh! That! Is that what was bothering you that you needed to call me?"
It wasn't exactly accusatory, but the way Steve put it made Bucky feel stupid for fretting over something so small. And for the past hour and a half too!
"Uhhhh you know what nevermind. It was stupid so, uh, I'm just gonna hang up now so goodbye—"
"Wait wait Buck! Hold on a minute! It's okay, really! It's not stupid. Knowing you, it was probably eating you up alive right?"
Bucky looked guiltily at the TV.
"Hey," Steve said, drawing Bucky's attention back. "It's fine, honest. If something like that was bothering you, you should have called sooner! Spare me the boredom and insomnia ha-ha." He paused. "I'm not mad though if that's what you're wondering. I wouldn't hold a grudge over you for something like that."
Bucky let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Stark was right. There was no way Steve would break up with him over such a miniscule issue. This was why Bucky loved him. Again, Bucky blushed for throwing the word 'love' around so carelessly. This relationship thing was still so new to him on so many levels.
"Thanks Steve. And sorry again. I dunno why I just, you know," Bucky smiled weakly.
"Sure Buck, anytime. Get some rest, you're probably exhausted."
"Mhm, kay," Bucky yawned, the fatigue suddenly sneaking up on him. "Night, Stevie."
"Night Buck. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
Bucky laughed at Steve's words and hung up, but not before falling headfirst into the couch.
"I love you," Steve whispered to the dead phone line.