Steve woke up sometime in the late afternoon. He had a splitting headache as his eyes fluttered open to stare up at the cracking plaster ceiling. He groaned softly and threw his skinny arm over his eyes to keep the light out.
"Head hurts? That's what you get for drinking as much as you did." Bucky murmured from somewhere beside Steve. The blonde slowly turned to look at the brunette, flashes of what happened coming back to him.
"Bucky-"He started, but shut up when he saw the look on his face. Bucky rarely ever looked that serious. Steve swallowed, feeling his throat go dry.
"Shuddup, Steve." Bucky mumbled and ran a hand dejectedly in his hair. He was sitting there in his slacks and under shirt, hunched over toward the blonde. "Ya had me worried sick. We need to have a serious talk about what has gotten into you the last few days." He said, straightening up and pinning Steve with his gaze.
The blonde slowly nodded, sitting up on his cot so he could be more level with Bucky. "What do you want to know?" He asked softly, his heart beat was still ringing in his ears. Bucky frowned at him. Wasn't it obvious?
"Why didn't you tell me you were a fairy? I wouldn't have forced you out on all of those dates." He said, elbows resting on his knees as he glanced away from Steve. Steve shook his head and sighed.
"Cause…'Cause I ain't a fairy. I like dames, Buck…I just like fellas too. But," He stopped to wet his lips, looking up to catch the other's blue eyes with his own. "But you seem to be the only fella for me so far. I haven't looked at any other ones." He mumbled and huffed. Bucky frowned at him.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Punk?" He said. There was a firmness in his tone, but Steve could still hear the affection ring to 'punk'. He smiled a little.
"I wasn't sure you felt the same, Jerk." He mumbled and ran his fingers in his blonde hair, combing out any tangles nervously. Bucky chuckled softly.
"Yeah, well…If I didn't love you, Stevie, I wouldn't keep ya around. You cause way too much trouble for someone your size." He jeered. Steve rolled his eyes and weakly punched Bucky in the shoulder.
"Are we done? Can I go get a shower and take something for this headache?" Steve complained weakly. He knew damn well a headache was nothing compared to what went on in the last few days. Bucky shook his head and put a hand on Steve's knee.
"No. You're stayin' right there. Why did you freak out on me? If you wanted me to stop you could have just said it, Steve. You didn't have to give yourself an attack." Bucky said, looking at Steve with such a protective gaze. It made the blonde squirm in his seat.
"Nothing, Bucky. I didn't mean to act like that." Steve said and went to stand up. Bucky held him firmly in place.
"Something like that ain't nothing." He said, frowning. "Steve, we have known each other for most of our lives. Why do I get the feeling you're still hiding something from me?" He whispered. His eyes were searching Steve's face. The blonde couldn't do it. He couldn't look at Bucky. He stared down at the space between their bodies. "You are hiding something…" He said, eyes widening with realization.
"A guy ain't allowed to have secrets?" Steve asked, pushing Bucky's hand off his knee. "I'm sure you-"
"I don't keep anything from you, Steve! I always told you everything because I trusted you! I always thought you did the same." Bucky said, his gaze getting cold. He glares at Steve, hurt in those grey-blue eyes the blonde loved.
"Dammit, Buck…if I could tell you don't you think I would?" Steve said and stood up. Bucky reached out and grabbed Steve by the arm. Never would Bucky dream of using his size difference over Steve, but now he was.
"Steve. You can tell me anything and that would never chang-" Bucky started. The blonde shook his head.
"This would change everything, Bucky!" He yelled, meeting his eyes. Bucky was floored. He had never seen that much fear in the blonde's face. Steve would take on guys twice the size of Bucky and just push that fear down, but this? Steve looked like he was going to drop any second.
"I just want to help you." He said softly, loosening his grip he had on Steve's forearm. Steve shook his head and looked down.
"There is no helping a freak like me." Steve said, his body started to shake again. Bucky pulled him into a tight hug.
"Steve, you could never be a freak to me." He said into those soft blonde strands. The blonde just whimpered and clung to Bucky's back for dear life.
"Do…do you really mean it?" He breathed into Bucky's shoulder. The soldier nodded and hugged him tighter.
"Of course I do…'till the end of the line. Remember, Punk? I'm not going anywhere, no matter what." He said and grabbed Steve's chin, making them lock eyes. Steve slowly nodded.
"Okay… I'll tell you." He whispered and stepped back from the embrace. "Take a seat on the cot." He mumbled, not looking at Bucky. The older boy listened and watched Steve with a worried cautious gaze. Steve's trembling hands went to his fly and button. Bucky's eyes widened.
"Steve, what the hell are you doing?" He breathed, eyes darting from Steve's face to the motion of his hands. Steve bit his lip and sighed, shakily.
"I'm showing you my secret." He said, and dropped his pants.