In which Steve is a clueless idiot and Bucky has to use his old skills.

With morning light come the doubts.

Steve's revolve around how he shouldn't have taken advantage of Bucky's emotional breakdown to kiss him, and how the man had always tensed when Steve kissed him before, and that should've been enough indication for any decent man that he didn't like it, or at least that he wasn't comfortable with that degree of intimacy yet. But no, he had to seize his moment of mental vulnerability and go and make things awfully weird between them.

Bucky's have to do with James Barnes. His doubts always have to do with James Barnes. He once again wonders if they were lovers, and if they were, how can Bucky even hope to keep up with someone like him? Steve insists that he's the same man, but the time will come when he'll realise Bucky's simply not good enough, will never be good enough. What does he have to offer? A troubled mind and a broken body… Maybe he has already realised it. That would explain why he rarely kisses him, even though he did at first. Last night could've perfectly been the man just kissing him out of compassion, to make him feel better. He's the kind of guy what would do such a thing, be nice to others when they need him, despite his own desires…

Bucky wakes up first. He's not sure about what's the best way to proceed when you wake up beside your lifelong friend, then mortal enemy, then slowly friend again, and then possibly love interest, so he settles for staying on the safe side and making breakfast. He's a bit nervous about last night, but he also kind of wants Steve to get up and smile at him like he always does, telling him without words that this isn't weird in any way and that everything's going to be ok.

But Steve has always been dense regarding relationships, and when he wakes up, the first thought that crosses his mind is that he's an asshole and has screwed everything up.

So when he walks into the kitchen and the dark haired man turns around at the sound, he looks away, avoiding Bucky's gaze.

"Morning" he mutters, shyly.

And all kinds of gloomy thoughts about James Barnes instantly fill Bucky's mind. He closes his eyes and sighs, because of course it was too good to be true.

"Morning…" he answers, not quite managing to hide the sadness in his tone.

Fortunately, as the hours go by the situation slowly turns less and less uncomfortable. None of them mentions what happened yesterday, and they slowly start acting normal again, until they're finally back to their usual, bantering selves. However, Steve keeps his distance, and not only he's back into not-kissing mode, but he also avoids touching him whatsoever. It's frustrating.

'But he said he loved me'. As the day progresses and he gradually shifts back into the normal Bucky, his self-confidence also returns, and he clings to that thought, because he knows Steve is not a liar and he refuses to think he stands no chance against a dead man. Besides, he knows enough about James Barnes to be certain that the man would've never given up on someone he liked, and isn't Steve always saying that he's just like him?

Maybe he could've accepted the fact that Steve does not like him in the same way he does, but to all of a sudden stop the friendly hugs or even jokingly punching his arm? What does he fear, that if he does not keep his distance Bucky might shove him against a wall and kiss him senseless?

He could do that, actually.

Now that he's over his small breakdown and back to his usual self, all he can think about is how the thought is appealing to say the least; Steve pinned against the wall, his face flustered, eyes half-lidded and breathing ragged. But that could also completely ruin everything between them, sadly, so maybe it's better to be subtle about it.

It sounds like a good enough plan, and Bucky starts putting it into action right away.

It's only simple, innocent gestures at first. Slowly drinking a glass of water and then licking his lip a lot more sensually than necessary when he knows Steve is looking; walking a bit too close to him when he passes him by, his hand brushing against his thigh not so softly; walking out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist because "I forgot my clothes..." and letting out a small chuckle as he runs his fingers through his damp hair…

They watch a movie together that night, like they usually do. Only this time Steve's sitting a lot straighter on the couch than what's normal for him, and Bucky's leaning against the back nonchalantly, his T-Shirt shamelessly rolling up to his waist and his pants sitting a bit too low.

The man cannot be sure, but he thinks he sees Steve sneaking glances at him every once in a while, and he has to hold back a chuckle. Apparently, he's good at this kind of stuff… Maybe there's more left of James Barnes in him than what he thought.

"Sleep with me" he bluntly states when the movie's over.

"What!?"

"It's a bit cold tonight, my arm hurts. It'll be better with you in the bedroom."

"Oh! Y-Yeah, sure."

Steve is going crazy. He's not sure if Bucky's aware of how sexy he's been looking all day, but it takes all of his will-power to not strip right there in the middle of the living room and ask him to please take him.

The man has always had a natural ability to look hot, he knows that, but either he has purposely started making obvious invitations at him, or for some reason it's only now that Steve realises how everything he does or says is full of… sex.

Maybe what happened yesterday is the reason why now he's extremely receptive to anything regarding the dark haired man?

Whatever the reason, he must be actually imagining things, because he keeps seeing sexual innuendos everywhere, and they can't all possibly be intentional; that would be wicked…

It's funny how much everything can change in a just a day. 24 hours earlier they were both lying on this very same bed, Steve's arms wrapped reassuringly around Bucky, and the man thinking that maybe this could actually work, maybe all the pain Hydra had caused him was finally over. But now the blond has his back turned against his, and if he tries to get any further away from him he's going to end up falling off the bed.

It would've been comical if it wasn't so frustrating.

- V7