Work Text:
For the record Bucky was not a stalker! He was a people watcher….ok he was a hot guys in the library watcher….fine he was a specific hot guy in the library watcher!
Bucky couldn’t help it, the blonde hair, the deep blue eyes, the shirt that strained over his bulging biceps. He’d been a goner since the second he first sat down in front of him three months ago. During those months Bucky had spoken exactly zero words to the godlike specimen that occupied the same table every day.
The college library was rarely full and the blonde clearly had a specific favourite spot and now so did Bucky. The table opposite him so he could stare at him over the lid of his laptop without being too obvious.
Steve, who Bucky had discovered was his name when the librarian called for him once, loved to draw. Maybe that was he was studying, there was constantly a pencil in his hand and a sketch pad in front of him.
Bucky on the other hand was there on an athletic scholarship, he’d always been a good baseball player all throughout his childhood, so he managed to get a free ride as a pitcher. Something his father was immensely proud of…. the fact that Bucky had told him he was gay…not so much. The subject was never brought up again, in fact these days Bucky barely spoke to his father. He had his mom and his little sister who were supportive and that’s all he needed.
Well, he also had Sam. Sam Wilson was Bucky’s closest friend, roommate and team mate. Sam was a great guy who never judged Bucky for his sexuality and in fact often offered to be his wingman despite the fact he was straight. The only downside to Sam…was the constant teasing he gave Bucky about his obsession with Steve.
Bucky’s phone vibrated next to him, informing him that he needed to head to a team meeting ready for tonight’s game. With a deep sigh he shut down his laptop and packed up his things and turned to leave without another glance at the blonde that had stolen his heart from afar. He never noticed the set of blue eyes that trailed after him as he walked away.
Steve sighs to himself as he looked down at yet another drawing of his mystery man. He’d been watching him for weeks, the way his brow crinkled in concentration as he typed, the lazy smile that graced his lips as he spoke to his friend. Steve had it bad; he knew who Barnes was, he wasn’t an idiot. Even if you don’t follow sports, it’s hard not to know the upcoming star pitcher. Rumours were that he could be good enough to go pro, but Steve had never seen him play. Despite his physique Steve was not interested in sports, he was your typical geek who was much more comfortable here in the library than a sports arena.
His best friend Nat had tried to get him to go to games with her. Clint, Nat’s boyfriend was on the team and she often tried to drag Steve along, more so since she learned of his crush on Bucky. Steve however, always refused. He was frustrated now and all he did was watch him from across library tables. It really wasn’t a good idea to see him in uniform…
As Steve looked back to the now vacant seat longingly, he noticed a jacket left on the seat beside Bucky’s. From what Steve could see it was Barnes’ baseball team jacket. Steve packed up his things and walked over to the seat and picked up the forgotten item. He was indeed correct when he saw the name ‘Barnes’ on the back. Steve wondered what he should do, turn it over to the librarian? Hand it in at lost and found? Take it to the baseball field and hand it to Bucky personally? (That was defiantly a no…) Give it to Nat to give to Clint to hand it back to Bucky? That however had potential.
He folded the jacket over his arm and pulled out his phone, ignoring the smell of colonge that drifted to his nose and the way it gave him butterflies. He began typing a message to Nat saying he’d swing by and give her the jacket when he ploughed into a figure entering the library.
Steve’s phone went flying in the air, his bag hit the floor and he was mortified. But his cell phone did not hit the ground, it was caught by the person he bumped into. Kneeling down and refusing to make eye contact in shame Steve rushed to apologise.
“I am so sorry! I’m not normally so clumsy I swear! Hey good catch” He smiled and stood before looking at the man before him. Steve’s stomach dropped; he’d just ran into Bucky Barnes.
“I…. I’m…. sorry….” he stuttered “That’s mine” he mumbled and pointed at the phone like an idiot, he was so glad Nat wasn’t here to witness this.
Bucky smiled at the blonde; this wasn’t the way he’d imagined their first meeting but he’ll take it.
“And that’s mine” Bucky replied pointing at the jacket nestled in Steve’s arms.
“You left it…I was just going to give it to Nat….to give to Clint…to give to you. I was just texting her when I well, when I walked into you” Steve mentally slapped himself, why didn’t he just hand over the jacket and stop talking?
“That’s a lot of work for a jacket Steve” Bucky smirked “Do you still want to do all that or are you happy to hand it over now?” He teased
“How do you know my name?” Steve asked blushing at brunette before him.
‘STOP TALKING AND GIVE HIM HIS JACKET!’ he screamed at himself.
“I hear the librarian talking to you sometimes” it was Bucky’s turn to blush now, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “It’s Steve Rogers, right? I’ve heard Natasha mention you” Steve nodded while praying silently that Nat had only told him good things.
“You should come to the game tonight; we all go out afterwards too. I’d like to talk to you some more, get to know you better” Bucky flirted lightly not wanting to scare Steve away.
“I don’t really go to the games….” Steve began before he was interrupted
“I’ve noticed, but I’m asking you to come to this one” Bucky smiled “I can use all the good luck I can get. It’s a hard game”
Steve’s stomach was doing backflips was he asking him out? Had Nat told him he was gay? Was he just teasing him because of it?
“I’m sure you have all the support you need from your fan club; the girls around here are always cheering you on” Steve replied testing the waters “I’m sure any of them would kill to get to know more”
“Oh, I don’t know about that… anyway they aren’t really my type” Bucky tried to drop the hint but it seemed to go straight over Steve’s head.
“Any of them?” the blonde frowned and Bucky laughed
“No…they...umm…they are lacking some vital equipment…” Bucky tried again smiling lazily at Steve who continued to frown for a moment before realisation covered his face.
“Oh…oh! I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t worry about it Steve it’s not like it’s a secret” Bucky waved off his attempted apology
Well Steve hadn’t known, maybe it was a good job as his silly little crush would have gone supernova a lot sooner if he’d have realised he was also gay.
Bucky passed Steve his cell phone back just as Bucky’s own cell started beeping, it was Sam telling him to hurry up.
“Damn, listen I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you tonight yeah?” Bucky smiled as he backed away, jacket long forgotten.
“Well….I suppose I could…” Bucky beamed at the answer and Steve never wanted to see his face any other way again. “Wait, your jacket” he called to a further retreating Bucky.
“Keep it and bring it with you tonight, you can wear it if you get cold” and with a wink he was gone jogging across the campus
Steve smiled to himself holding the jacket back against his chest, the Geek and the Jock…what a cliché…but one he couldn’t wait to explore.