Steve checks his watch again, the third time in the last few minutes.

It’s 7.34pm.

He’s late.

It was an obsession, an addiction really, and it had only started three weeks ago. Three weeks ago he had almost walked into Sam when he moved to get a glass. Sam had said nothing and just motioned towards the door, where two people were slowly walking in, completely absorbed in their conversation. Steve knew Sam only had eyes for the redhead, her hair that hung over her shoulders, her black ripped jeans and her London Calling the Clash t-shirt, as she walked in, her ankle boots caked in mud and her blue eyes outlined with thick black eyeliner, Steve couldn’t deny that she was gorgeous. But Steve only had eyes for the brunette standing beside her, the brunette in undeniably tight black jeans that made Steve’s mind wander, and a dark blue knitted jumper that made the blue of his eyes stand out. His dark hair was ruffled, almost like he had just rolled out of bed, but that sort of thinking was not helping Steve as he was supposed to be making a drink. His name was Bucky and hers was Natasha, and Steve had never spoken to either of them.

Sure, he had watched from a far, half focused on working and half simply admiring Bucky from where he stood. Sometimes Bucky sat by himself; furiously scribbling into the leather notebook that he constantly had with him. Sometimes he simply stared out into the mall, as his right hand slowly swirled the spoon around his cup of coffee. Sometimes Bucky sat with Natasha, grinning and laughing and chatting, and making Steve want to both rip out his intestines at the sight of the two of them together and also die of happiness every time he saw a smile touch Bucky’s lips.

There was nothing he knew about Bucky, not really, he never really ordered the same thing; sometimes it was tea, sometimes it was coffee, sometimes something sweet, sometimes something savoury. But then again, he had only been in a few times now, but Steve was already looking forward to him coming in, he partially knew Bucky’s schedule, and he knew today was the day that Bucky came without Natasha, well for the first twenty minutes at least.

Steve physically aches to see Bucky smile at him the same way he smiles at Natasha, or to make Bucky’s lips curl or have him wrap his arm around him and plant a kiss of his forehead before he leaves. Part of him hates seeing Natasha and Bucky together, for one reason and one reason alone, because he wants it to be him not Natasha. Even if Sam manages a minor miracle, somehow achieving the impossible and getting Natasha to date him like he so desperately wants, Bucky could never like Steve, and Steve knows that.

Looking over at the door again, Steve sighs before looking back down at his sketchbook. Despite how hard he tries, he simply can’t get Bucky out of his head, and ever since he learned his name, courtesy of Sam who overheard the two of them speaking only yesterday, his obsession had only increased. Steve felt that name was perfect for him, and last night in the shower he had slowly sounded out the name, glad that Sam was out and that the water would cover his voice as he repeated the name aloud, wondering what his name would sound like rolling off Bucky’s tongue.

Trying to push Bucky out of his head for few seconds at least, he focuses on his sketchbook, continuing to work on the second floor of the apartment building he had seen this morning on his detour from college to work, he was running a little late, and he was sporting a bleeding nose. It wasn’t his fault really, that guy shouldn’t have been such a creep, that woman needed his help and despite the almost broken nose that Sam clicked into place only about two hours ago, that creep learnt his lesson so it was definitely worth the pain.

Steve often found himself in those sort of situations, even before when he was skinny and small and he was beaten the shit out of, the only difference was now he could actually win and he usually did, but sometimes when something caught him off guard, like today, he still managed to get himself injured.

 A glass shatters, drawing Steve’s attention forcing him to glance up from his sketch book before he sighs. He knows that Sam is stressed and tired, and as he stares blankly down at the glass in shards around his legs, with water splashed onto his jeans, Steve waves him off, silently telling him to dry his pants. Dropping his pencil and shutting his sketch book before grabbing a tea towel, Steve squats down, hovering over the glass, as he inspects the shards more closely. This is one of the things he hates about working at Shield, at least in a clothing store he wouldn’t have to deal with this, although from the stories Sam still tells he would have to deal with some pretty unsavoury costumers. Carefully avoiding the glass as he uses the tea towel to soak up the water off the floor, Steve wonders where Bucky works, and what is taking him so long.

Lost in thought, Steve reaches for the dust shovel. Throwing the soaking tea towel in the basket, he sweeps up the shards of glass, wondering what it is about Bucky that took him less than an hour to adore him. Maybe it was his bright blue eyes that Steve couldn’t fail to notice the second he walked in, or the smile that he wore, the sound of his voice, although admittedly, he had never heard it close up, perhaps it was the expression he wore of quiet contemplation when he sits there alone in silence, or the way he laughs. Maybe it isn’t just one thing, maybe it’s everything. Steve just doesn’t know but he does know without a shadow of a doubt that it wouldn’t work, even now, now he’s taller and stronger and broader, a guy like Bucky wouldn’t go for a guy like him.  Steve sighs, the glass and water is gone, but he still has a few hours of work left before he has to go back to his apartment and study. Placing his palm on the ground without looking, a sharp shot of pain makes him wince as he pushes himself to a standing position.

“Fucking brilliant.” Steve sighs as he notices the shard of glass sticking into his palm. Pulling it out, he reaches for a tissue and holds it to his palm.

“What di-” Sam starts as he stops in front of Steve, his pants now dry. Steve tries to wave him off again, like he did before but Sam isn’t having a bar of it. Taking a step towards Steve, he wets another tea towel and presses it against Steve’s hand before he lifts up, checking for glass.

“I’m f-” Steve starts, but Sam gives him a look and he immediately shuts up. They can hear voices behind him, its dinner time, so of course it’s getting busy but luckily today neither of them are serving customers. Steve didn’t exactly hate his job, sometimes he enjoys it, and he did prefer it to the other sorts of jobs he could have encountered, at least this one was in the warmth, inside and didn’t contain anything overly disgusting or exhausting. And anyway Shield is close to where he shares an apartment with Sam, and it was close to the university, and it’s not bad work, plus it means he can look at Bucky, but that was a relatively new perk. The hours were flexible and he wasn’t paid awesomely, but there was a fair bit of down time so it meant he could draw.

“You’re lucky it’s not deep.” Is all Sam says as he puts on a band-aid. Opening his mouth to say something more, something catches his eye, and from the small smile on his lips as Sam looks down at Steve, he knows who it is. “This oughta cheer you up.” Sam adds with a grin.

“It’s not- I don’t-” Steve starts, his eyes still on his palm as he presses down on it lightly with his thumb, not able to look at Sam and definitely not able to turn around and look at who he knows just walked it.

“Really Rogers? Don’t even try, it’s just pathetic listening to you-” Sam interrupts, grinning madly down at Steve as he speaks. For the last few months he had been trying to get Steve to go on dates with him, but Steve had refused, and when he finally went out it was obvious that he would rather be at home. It wasn’t until the third time Bucky came in that Sam had realised why Steve had no interest double dating with Sam or with any of the girls Sam had pointed out, Steve wasn’t into those girls, no, not at all, and three weeks later, Steve was seriously crushing on Bucky.

“Wow.” Steve almost moans, as he lets out a puff of breath. Bucky has some stubble, some completely and totally perfect stubble which Steve cannot help but admire, the smile on his lips as he watches Bucky is not helping Steve’s failing attempts to convince Sam that he is not at all in love with him. Sam opens his mouth but before he can get a single word Steve mutters, “Shut up.” Bucky also happens to be wearing a long sleeved navy blue shirt which is a tighter than any of the other shirts he has worn in the past three weeks, which is not helping Steve’s expression at all. The black skinny jeans and the book he holds in his right hand, are both additions that are making Steve’s smile grow, as he feels himself melt.

“He’s cute, you sho- Shutting up.” Sam stops as Steve shoots him a look and Bucky approaches the two of them, almost within earshot. “For now.” Sam adds, grinning at Steve before he disappears into the kitchen. As the door swings shut behind him, Steve remains still, his eyes now on his hand, as he tries to regulate his breathing, trying to keep himself from hyperventilating.

Returning back to his sketch book, Steve lowers himself onto the stool and waits for something to do. His back to Bucky, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in, he knows that Bucky is sitting down now, he must be, and he knows that he will need to return to working, and as he takes another breath in, Steve slowly stands up and heads into the kitchen.

...

“Oh yes.” Sam breathes, almost twenty minutes later. Steve is hard at work, he hasn’t forgotten about Bucky, but he is trying to be more focussed on working than on Bucky, and now that Natasha is here, it will be even harder to not think about Bucky. When Bucky sits alone, he is silent, but when he sits with Natasha, Steve can hear him laughing and all he wants to do is to see the smile that accompanies it as he aches to be near Bucky.

It takes another five minutes before Steve is out of the kitchen, sitting back on his stool his pencil in hand as he does a quick sketch of Bucky in the bottom right corner of his page. This isn’t the first time he’s drawn Bucky, but slowly his drawings are getting bigger, mixing up different drawing techniques as he does so, he knows that by this time next week he will have a whole page dedicated to Bucky, perhaps more.

“They aren’t dating.” Sam reasons, partly for Steve’s sake but partly for his own. Steve raises an eyebrow and Sam sighs. Natasha has her hand resting on Bucky’s thigh, and she is practically sitting on him as she laughs, leaning against her shoulder, before she whispers something into his ear and the two of the fall into laughter again. “They’re just close.” Sam adds, and Steve sighs louder this time.

“Maybe they are just affectionate people, you don’t know.” Sam says quietly, not quite believing his own words. Steve hates it, but he understands it. He knows that even if by some miracle Bucky was interested in men, he wouldn’t like Steve. Steve who had barely even been kissed, who no one had really cared about until he hit puberty and grew taller and broader, Steve who wasn’t able to really date anyone, because he wanted someone who he wouldn’t have been invisible to before he, well became hot.

He wanted someone who saw him for him, not someone who saw him for what he looked like now, he wanted to be seen by someone who would have seen him when he was invisible. Steve was fine with barely kissing anyone, on some level at least, he wanted to wait for something more, but now he was beginning to feel like he had waited too long. He was into his twenties and unlike Sam he had never slept with anyone, or done anything more than a quick kiss, but with Bucky, he reckoned that Bucky would have seen him when he was invisible, if only he would see him now, that was the problem.

Almost to press the issue, someone walks past their table and Natasha murmurs something and Bucky’s lips twitch for a second before he erupts in laughter and Natasha picks up his coffee and takes a sip as she smiles into the cup. Steve sighs again and turns back to coffee he is making. He lets Bucky’s laughter fill him up as he steams the milk.

It hurts to see them like that, Bucky and Natasha sitting so close to one another, clearly enjoying each other’s company. But what hurts more, is that Steve doesn’t care who makes Bucky smile, he just loves to see the grin on his face, and hear the sound of his laughter, no matter who is the instigator of his happiness.

...

The next two days are completely uneventful. Steve hauls himself out of bed in the morning, goes for a run for about half an hour and then heads into his morning lectures. Work in the afternoon is dull, and there is no sign of Bucky, no matter how much time Steve spends looking longingly at the door and ignoring Sam’s remarks, Bucky still doesn’t show for two days. Natasha is this afternoon though there, with a few of what looks like must be her friends, and it only hurts Steve more. Natasha doesn’t act the same way with any of them as she acts with Bucky, and although Sam has been attempting not to notice for the past half hour, Steve knows what it means, they must be dating, which means that Bucky is two things, not single and utterly uninterested in him.

“Still convinced?” Is all Steve says, and Sam shrugs before going back to work.

Sam doesn’t mention the lack of Bucky on their way home, and neither does Steve, but Sam can’t fail to notice the look on Steve’s face as they walk in silence, their music blaring and both headphones in. Sam doesn’t say a word instead he sends a few texts, and avoids Steve’s questioning gaze.

...

Still in clothes fresh from work, Steve has only been home for about three minutes before there is a knock on the door and the persuasion begins. It is now obvious who Sam was texting, and considering he was wanting Steve to come out with them, his choice of person probably wasn’t the smartest decision.

“Come on Steve you have to come.” Sam insists. Steve sighs. He thought that Sam had stopped trying to persuade him already. For the past two weeks Sam had been buzzing about a party that was happening at someone’s flat that they absolutely had to go to, in all honesty all Steve wants to do was order pizza, collapse on the couch, watch some terrible movie on tv with Sam, maybe sketch a little and then get some much needed sleep.

“Yeah Rogers.” Tony adds with a smile. He is leaning against the front door of Sam and Steve’s flat, exuding the air of confidence and cockiness that he always has, without fail. They only just got home about 5 minutes ago and Sam is ready and waiting for Steve who is leaning against the kitchen bench, a half-drunk glass of water in his hand as he shakes his head.

“I have an early class tomo-” Steve starts, wishing that they didn’t insist on him having a social life so often. He was fine with staying in, he actually wanted to, but Sam wanted to go out tonight, and he wanted Steve to come.

“So only stay for an hour.” Sam suggests. Tony is simply watching the two of them now. Sam has his phone in hand, and is pulling on his shoes, as he stares up at Steve with pleading brown eyes. Sam doesn’t want to force Steve, but he wants Steve to have a good night out. The past two months have been pretty hectic for the two of them either studying or working. Sam needs a night out, and so does Steve, or at least so Sam thinks.

“I ju-” Steve says after a pause. He can’t think of a real reason not to go, he doesn’t absolutely despise the idea, he frankly just can’t be bothered, but he knows he isn’t going to be able to hold out any longer, Sam will convince him he knows, it’s just a matter of time.

“There will be tonnes of gorgeous wo- no, men there.” Sam corrects himself as he straightens up, both shoes on, ready to go.

“I’m not fucking interes-” Steve starts, raising his glass to his lips as he talks. He is starting to bend towards going, he knows he is, but he still isn’t sure.

“In anyone except that brunette from h&m” Sam finishes for him with a smile. Steve sighs and takes a sip of water as Tony looks from Steve to Sam wondering.

“Oh the one with that great bone struct-” Tony almost shouts out in realisation, a grin on his face as he looks at Steve who almost groans.

“Shut the fuck Tony.” Steve cuts across flatly and Tony stops talking but continues to grin at Steve, giving him a small nod, effectively telling Steve he approves of his taste. Steve sighs as he turns to Sam, wondering how much liquor will be there tonight.

“You coming then?” Sam asks, ignoring the looks that Tony and Steve are exchanging. Tony is still grinning at Steve who is trying not to roll his eyes as he takes another sip of water. God, Tony is like a horny teenage boy sometimes, Steve thinks. Looking over at Tony, Steve is about to roll his eyes when Tony makes a small gesture that Sam misses, but causes Steve to choke of the water he was attempting to swallow.

“Shit. Fine. But only for an hour.” Steve says, looking straight at Sam, completely avoiding Tony who is doubled over at the door laughing at Steve’s choking and failed attempts to clear his throat inconspicuously. Sam is looking from Steve to Tony in confusion before he shrugs and grins at Steve, and shoos him into his room to get change.

...

He told them he didn’t want to come. He knew he wasn’t going to enjoy it, and yet here he was, just under an hour in, wearing a pair of jeans and a simple grey t-shirt. All he wants is another scotch, but while he waits he is like a gazelle in the Serengeti, about to be hunted. Part of him preferred being invisible, because then he was basically ignored as he waited by the bar, but at least now he could order a drink, but he did have to put up with woman batting their eyelashes at him, woman who would have ignored him before. He tries not to hold a grudge against them, he truly does, but there is no way in hell he will ever date someone as shallow as most of the people unashamedly eyeing him up. He isn’t bitter... not really.

“Hey.” A brunette says, a smile plastered on her face, along with a solid inch of makeup. Her hair is meticulous, it probably took an hour to do, she looks pretty but Steve can read someone like her from a mile off. He had noticed her the minute he arrived, and not in a good way. Unlike some of her ‘friends’ she has been unmistakably glaring at people since Steve arrived, and had ‘accidently’ tipped her drink on a woman who was wearing a similar dress to her.

“Hey.” Steve answers flatly. Needless to say this woman does not have a snowballs chance in hell.

Five minutes later, Steve is waiting for a fresh scotch, when another woman approaches him, this one looks friendly, but that doesn’t change the fact that Steve has no interest in her, or anyone at this party.

“Hey I– oh my god, is that Tony Stark?” The women almost shrieks as she glances over Steve’s shoulder. He winces at the sound of her voice so close to his ear and simply nods without looking over to where Tony Stark is no doubt standing, with his arm slung around someone. “Are you like friends?” She asks, staring intently at Steve who opens his mouth to reply but before he can get a word out she adds, “That is so cool, don’t you-”

“Sorry I have to take this.” Steve interrupts, waving his phone at her as she stands frozen in front of him. Her smile falters for a second before she nods her head and her happy expression returns. Steve holds his phone to his ear as he walks towards Tony. “I am going to kill you.” Steve glares as he tucks his phone into his pocket.

“What did I ever do to you Rogers?” Tony answers. The strawberry blonde standing in front of Tony gives him a smile before leaving Tony and Steve as she goes to grab another drink. Tony watches her walk away, his eyes on her ass as Steve waits for Tony’s upstairs brain to regain control.

“Four people have hit on me in the last twenty minutes. Two wanted to talk to you and one was an utter bitch.” Steve moans as he steals Tony’s glass and lifts it so his lips.

“That’s not water.” Tony says quickly, but Steve has already downed half of it. Tony grins as Steve finishes the rest before he adds, “You said four.”

“Fourth one went to high school with me.” Steve answers with a sigh. This night was already awful, but at least the booze were free, the apartment was nice and the chairs were comfortable, so it wasn’t too bad, but Steve was still longing for his bed now more than ever.

“And?” Tony prompts as he scans the room, wondering where the strawberry blonde went.

“Her boyfriend enjoyed shoving me into lockers.” Steve sighs. He hated high school. It was utterly awful, utterly and completely. It was not a portion of his life he would like to revisit, but when part of it is obliviously hitting on you at a party you can’t avoid it.

“Well that’s not ba-” Tony starts as Sam walks up beside them, two drinks in his hand. Steve takes the shot and downs it before giving Tony a scathing look, cutting him short.

“At her request.” Steve says, a hint of sadness on his face. High school is hell, for almost everyone, and it was particularly dreadful for him. Being different is one thing, being small is another, but willing to stand up for what he believed in was something that ensured he didn’t have an enjoyable high school experience.

“Oh.” Tony breathes. Sam is silent beside the two of them, taking a sip of his beer as he surveys the room. Steve knows that he is trying to move on from Nat, he thinks she is gorgeous, which Steve has to agree with, but he doesn’t feel for her the way Steve feels for Bucky, so them dating is not taking the same toll on Sam’s emotions as it is on Steve’s.

“Didn’t even recognise me.” Steve sighs as Sam smiles over at a woman across the room, she smiles back and Sam’s smile grows. Looking back at Steve, Sam pats him on the back and gives him a supportive smile.

“I’m not into dudes, but that one’s cute, you could be into hi-” Tony says, pointing towards a man, albeit a good looking man, who is leaning against the doorframe, a beer in his hand as he stares down at his phone, in all likelihood texting his girlfriend, or boyfriend.

“God Tony, stop talking.” Steve places his hand on Tony’s pushing it down before the man can notice that he is pointing at him. Tony just smiles and Sam takes another sip of his beer as he makes eyes at the brunette across the room, who while talking to woman that Tony was looking for, is smiling back at Sam. She laughs and her head shakes, her brown hair tumbling over her shoulder and Sam finds he no longer cares for Steve and Tony’s conversation.

“What he ain’t as perfect as h&m guy?” Tony jokes, smiling at someone across the room before he looks pointedly at Steve, who can’t say to that.

“Bucky.” Steve corrects before he bites his tongue. Giving Tony more information about him was not a smart move by any measures. Sam is smiling and Steve shoots him a look, still smiling Sam takes another sip of his beer before his gaze falls on the brunette again, still smiling as she talks to the woman seated in front of her.

“Bucky? Bucky Barnes?” Tony says slowly, looking at Steve with a curious expression before he shrugs and waves hello to someone across the room, and smiles at someone else.

“Bucky Barnes.” Steve repeats, a smile curling onto his lips as he sounds the words out in his head, in his heart. Beside him, Tony shakes his head and rolls his eyes. It has only being a few weeks but Steve loves everything about Bucky. He is perfect.

“This is actually painful to watch. Have you even talked to him?” Tony asks. Behind him Sam shakes his head and Tony smiles.

“Well no  bu-” Steve starts, his cheeks reddening, which only makes Tony smile wider. Sam pats him on the shoulder again before slipping past him, over to the other side of the room, where the brunette is sitting, the brunette that has already made him forget about Natasha, the brunette who is gorgeous and all Sam wants to do is talk to her, for now…

“Oh Rogers.” Tony grins. Steve says nothing, silently wishing for more alcohol, but knowing with a lecture tomorrow, more alcohol is not the best plan, but it would make this party, this conversation far more bearable. He looks over at Tony who is smiling at someone else, of course he knows everyone, how couldn’t he, when something occurs to him.

“How the fuck do you know his name?” Steve asks, looking at Tony curiously. If Tony knows him does that mean Bucky will be, oh, shit.

“I know things Rogers when are you going to realise it. Your boy’s good. He’s smart.” Tony says as someone hands him a drink, it barely touches his palm when Steve yanks it out of his grip and takes a long sip, swallowing before Tony finishes talking and hands him back his beer.

“Shit.” Steve sighs. If Tony thinks he is smart, if he’s smart by Tony’s standards, means that he really doesn’t have a chance does he?

“Not a genius like me but-” Tony starts, smiling as he thinks of how smart he is, and trails off as he stares dreamily straight ahead causing Steve to groan inaudibly before he takes Tony’s drink again and as another sip.

“Like too smart for me?” Steve asks as he hands what’s left of Tony’s drink back to him. Tony downs the rest before he looks Steve up and down and gives him a small sympathetic smile.

“Seriously Steve, stop. You could totally nab him if-” Tony starts, smiling at someone across the room as he talks, his attention not completely on this conversation, but the amount of attention he still has for this conversation with Steve is particularly perplexing to Steve, this is Tony Stark after all.

“Wait why aren’t your being your usual asshole of a self?” Steve interrupts, looking at Tony curiously. Tony and him are friends sure, Steve is as much of a friend as anyone can be with Tony, who is slightly self involved, and can drone on and on about himself at times, and be a down right dick sometimes. Tony is kind sure, but he has never had a conversation with Steve for this long, or being this invested, or even this nice.

“Oh Rogers you say the sweetest things to me.” Tony smiles without missing a beat.

“How much have you had to drink?” Steve asks, raising his eyebrow as he looks Tony up and down, wondering if maybe he should get him to sit down. But Tony is standing steady and his voice isn’t slurring, he can’t be drunk, but he must be for this amount of attentiveness for a conversation where the subject is not himself.

“Enough to be able to talk to you for a few minutes. So a lot.” Tony grins and Steve sighs again. “Anyway where was I, I get it Barnes is crazy bangable hot, I know that you really want to...” Tony adds. Steve is silently beckoning for Sam to come over, for Sam to stop this conversation, to distract Tony, anything.

“I beg you to stop talking.” Steve cuts him off, giving him a look that he regrets instantly when the corners of Tony’s mouth curl upwards into a smile. Tony’s mouth opens, no doubt about to say something that Steve does not want to hear come out of Tony’s mouth ever, when Sam reaches them and Steve cannot help but grin, especially when Tony turns and turns a little red.

“Hey Ton.” The strawberry blonde for before says, and all Tony can do is look at her for a few moments before he remembers to talk.

“Pepper, you look...” Tony starts, smiling at her, as Sam and the brunette smile at one another, their hands almost touching as they stand side by side. Tony stops, as his eyes skim over her again, searching for a word.

“Gorgeous.” Steve mutters, quiet enough that no one apart from Tony can hear.

“Gorgeous.” Tony finishes with a smile. Pepper smiles at him and takes a step closer.

“And that’s my cue to leave. See you guys later.” Steve says before slipping past Sam and the brunette standing beside him. He can tell Sam wants to say something but the brunette holds out her hand, and asks him to dance, and as much as he wants Steve to stay, he isn’t going to miss an opportunity to dance with her. Steve gives him a smile before he pulls the door shut behind him, and Sam smiles back.

All the party had done was make Steve pine for Bucky more, and the entire walk home he sounds the name in his head, ‘Bucky Barnes’, wondering what he will learn about him next, and he can’t wait to find out. As he imagines scenario after scenario, Steve is smiling crazily by the time he gets into bed, and drifts off thinking of Bucky.

...

With only a slight hangover his lecture isn’t as hellish as one would expect after that many shots, but coming to work and having to put up with a full hour of Sam practically gushing about the brunette that he met at the party the night before is not fun at all. Maria was her name, and she hadn’t kissed Sam but she almost did, and she had given him her number and she was just wonderful in every way under the sun, and Steve is finding it hard to bear Sam’s upbeat energetic self when his headache starts to kick in. What doesn’t help matters is how busy the café is, and the people in the queue speak with loud, whiny, high pitched voices that make Steve start to feel like ripping out their lungs. He sighs for what feels like the fourth time, inwardly of course, in the last three minutes, when the arrogant man in front of him continues to talk in such a condescending tone that Steve is fighting the urge to stab his hand with a fork.

“I don’t get why that is s-” The man continues, but Steve is only half listening. Standing behind him, slightly to the side, cowering in terror, about to be reduced to tears is a little girl, she must be about 3 by Steve’s guess, and she is looking from side to side, staring up into the crowd of people, only seeing legs and feet, and she is very obviously lost. Steve can’t concentrate, but he selects the order that the man is asking for, and nods, as he keeps an eye on the little girl, wishing that the queue wasn’t this long.

“Someone should control that child.” The man scowls as the little girl cries, a little strangled throat in the back of her throat sounds as she twists her neck, and stares upwards, trying desperately to find someone familiar as tears roll down her cheeks.

“Yo-” Steve starts, not able to control himself. The snide look on the man’s face makes Steve want to punch him, but firstly he wants to help the little girl. The little girl that nobody is helping, that nobody is even really looking at for more than a second, before they continue on their conversations or their busy lives, not wanting to be saddled with the responsibility of caring for another human being.

“Hey.” Bucky says, his voice cuts through Steve’s thoughts, and he turns his head quickly. He didn’t notice Bucky get up; he didn’t notice him until he heard his voice, cutting him short. Steve sees the top of Bucky’s head, he is bending down, so that he is at the same level as the little girl and Steve finds it hard to breathe, how can this guy be so amazing. “What’s wrong?” He asks, not even sounding like he is talking to a child, his tone is soft and Steve’s heart melts. He may not be able to see him, but he is sure that his blue eyes are shining, and his soft expression is not doubt a source of comfort for the crying child who Steve can see is looking at Bucky, her eyes wet and round, as she clings onto the fringe of her shirt.

"I'm lost.' She whimpers, her voice breaking and her grip on her shirt tightening. Steve notices the look of annoyance on the customers face, so he returns to his order, only half listening to what the man is saying, frankly he couldn’t care less. He is wondering how he is managing to even select the items the man is ordering, when his mind is occupied by the conversation he can barely hear.

"Well that's never good. I lost my friend too, but I'll tell you what, why don't you hang out with me till you get unlost." Bucky answers. Steve takes the man’s cash and quickly gives him change, as he focusses on breathing in and out. This the first time he has really heard Bucky’s voice, and like everything else he knows about him, he loves it just the same.

"Ok." She says, a smile breaking on her face. Steve can’t see anything but the top of Bucky’s head, but he has a clear view of the little girl, as the douchey customer heads over to a table and the man behind him steps up. Steve wishes he could get a better view and that he could breathe properly but knows it’s not likely when he is in such proximity to Bucky.

"What's your name?" Bucky asks softly, no doubt one of his smiles, that Steve loves to adore from afar, on his face. Steve is listening to the man’s order, but he doesn’t care that he wants a double shot expresso and a piece of caramel slice.

"Emily." She says taking a small step towards him. She is almost smiling now, and Steve’s heart is pounding in his chest, wishing desperately that there wasn’t a massive queue he had to work through.

"I'm James, but you can call me Bucky, all my friends do. How old are you Emily, you look proper mature." Bucky answers, Steve can practically hear his smile as he talks.

"I'm 3." Emily answers as she holds up three fingers. Steve can see the smile on her lips as she takes another step towards him.

"Three wow, that is impressive.” Bucky says, and the girl grins, before her stomach rumbles. Without missing a beat Bucky adds, “I'm starving, you hungry?" Emily nods in reply and Steve can see the top of Bucky’s head move, and he can see his face, his bright blue eyes twinkling as he glances at the glass cabinet before turning back to Steve. It was only about a second, but Steve can hear the pounding of his heart in his chest, even a second of Bucky with that soft look on his face and that smile, Steve is leaning against the bench, wondering whether he will ever be able to see Bucky and not feel this way.

"I don't know about you but I can only see the sandwiches from down here, so why don't we look at the cakes." Bucky says. Steve is waiting for the woman to put in her pin, so he glances over to where Bucky is still squatting in front of Emily, his hands reaching out towards her, moving slowly, and that small motion, that consideration, is not helping Steve. Bucky is moving slowly just in case Emily doesn’t want to be picked up, and Steve’s lips curl into a smile as Emily steps towards him, wanting to be held. In a few seconds, Bucky is standing up, Emily resting on his hip as he points at the cakes and Steve can no longer focus on anything but them. "Now what do you usually get?" Bucky asks, and Steve gives the woman her receipt and is glad the next person in the queue is looking undecided, and somewhat perplexingly unaffected by Bucky and Emily, while Steve is losing it.

"That." Emily says pointing at the biggest slice of mud cake. Bucky grins and laughs, and the little girl chuckles before pointing at a slice, much smaller and sadly a lot healthier looking. Steve takes the man’s order as he watches Bucky glance at the two items, as Steve decides he is looking to see if she could be allergic to anything in the mud cake, god, Bucky is actually killing him.

“That piece is ginormous, you couldn’t possibly eat alone!" Bucky answers. Emily laughs and holds onto Bucky’s arm, she may have only known him for a few minutes but she was comfortable and felt relaxed, with his strong arms holding onto her, and Steve couldn’t blame her one bit, for a moment he wonders what it would feel like, but those sort of thoughts do not help him focus one bit, so he bites down on the inside of his cheek and forces himself to focus. Steve looks up at Bucky, who is pausing for a moment before he grins again, "We'll have to share it then." Emily grins and Steve tries to hide a smile as he places in an order for a toasted sandwich.

"Steve when you have a sec, your biggest slice of mud cake and two forks for Princess Emily and me." Bucky says, smiling at Steve, who can feel his heart stop, Bucky’s blue eyes are on him and Steve can’t remember how to breathe. Steve who was basically on autopilot since Bucky had stooped down in front of him, somehow despite all odds, manages to give him a smile and nod his head as he counts the man’s cash out. For a moment, Steve pauses and looks up but Bucky is already walking back to his table with Emily still resting on his hip. A question bubbles to the surface of his mind as Steve hands the man his change, how on earth did Bucky know his name. Sure he had known Bucky’s name for a little over a week now, but he had no idea how Bucky could possibly know his. Turning to grab the man a bottle of coke from the fridge behind him, it dawns on him, of course, his name tag.

Somehow he manages to work with an almost clear head for the next seven minutes, until the line is clear, by some miracle he made his way through without getting any orders wrong, and as he hands the woman her number he glances over at Bucky and Emily, their order still fresh in his mind. Steve gives an audible sigh at the sight in front of him. Emily is sitting on Bucky’s knees, a grin on her face and a smile on his. He hadn't thought it was capable to love Bucky anymore, but as he notices the pencil in her hand, as she continues to draw all over a piece of paper that Bucky had no doubt ripped out of the book that he so often sits there with.

As Emily giggles and Bucky says something that Steve is too far away to hear, Steve figures that if hearts could melt, his would. Grabbing the cake out of the glass case, he motions to Sam, who understands immediately. With the cake on a plate, Steve makes his way over to Bucky, somehow managing to put one foot in front of the other, while attempting to stop his hand from shaking, with no success.

"I'm not really a princess though." Emily says when Steve gets within ear shot, his walking slows hoping to catch as much of their conversation as he can as he makes his way over, hoping not to trip or do anything embarrassing, as Bucky slowly guides a pen across the page.

"Neither's my friend Nat, but she's amazing. She would be more like a super spy, or an astronaut or a warrior, like you." He finishes, as an even wider smile splits across Emily's face. Her eyes move from his face to the paper in front of her and she grins again. "I'm rubbish at drawing really, nowhere near as good as you, but you can't be good at everything that wouldn’t be fair." Bucky adds with a grin, and Emily laughs, Steve is having trouble putting on foot in front of the other, and is barely moving as he slowly approaches them.

"I'm rubbish at counting." Emily sighs, and Bucky gives her a look before she adds, "But it wouldn’t be fair if I was good at everything.” She may only be three but she learns fast, and Steve cannot help but smile at the two of them.

"And anyway warriors don't need really counting, wonder woman never did and she still kicked as- butt." Bucky replies, before his blue eyes glance up at Steve who is two steps from their table now. Steve can feel his heart pounding in his chest, and he opens his mouth to say something, anything, perhaps something witty but his mind is blank, utterly and completely blank. Fucking brilliant, he thinks.

"The biggest slice of chocolate mud cake the world has even seen." Steve says as he places the plate on the table, before looking at Bucky and his legs sway beneath him as Bucky smiles. Glad he has already placed the plate on the table, Steve’s hand trembles and his heart pounds and his breath hitches and his face blushes.

"Thanks Steve." Bucky answers. Steve turns away from him, a smile spreading across his face. It wasn’t that he disliked his name, but no one had ever made his name sound quite that good, he liked the way it sounded coming off Bucky's tongue, and as he struggles to make his way back to behind the counter without fainting or tripping, he tries to ignore what else would sound better coming off Bucky's tongue.

Why does he have to be so fucking perfect, Steve moans inwardly as he leans against the counter, trying not to let his eyes stray to Bucky and Emily; but knowing it is only a matter of time, he lets himself succumb and he regrets his decision immediately when he meets Bucky’s blue eyes and he flashes him another smile. Steve’s legs shake and he miraculously manages to smile back.

“I found it!” Sam announces ten minutes later as he heads out of the kitchen and towards Steve who hands a woman her receipt. Sam is smiling and his hand is in his other phone, and Steve can just tell from the look on his face that he is debating whether it is too soon to call Maria, and Steve can’t help but smile, it’s good to see Sam so happy.

“Found what?” Steve asks, not turning to face him, instead he leans down against the counter, glad that they queue is finally empty, he can finally relax for a few moments. Closing his eyes, he tries to relax as he waits for Sam to answer.

“Your name tag you idiot.” Sam answers, pushing Steve’s badge into his hand as Steve opens his eyes and stands up.

“Thanks.” Steve smiles gratefully as he pins it to his shirt before his smile falters, if he wasn’t wearing his tag then how did Bucky know his name? Steve shakes his head, he is thinking way too much about this. Sam is staring at his phone again, and Steve smiles, pushing Bucky not out of his mind, but to a corner, so he can focus on Sam.

“Wait why are you still here? Your shift ended like five minutes ago.” Sam questions as he looks up at Steve from his phone. He still hasn’t called Maria, or texted her, he can’t think of a single intelligible thing to type, he wants to send something witty but simple, something to show that he has been thinking about her but not to seem desperate. It was all about the balance, which is why, he still hadn’t sent anything.

“Oh.” Steve breathes, he can’t help it but his gaze strays, landing on Bucky and Emily who are still laughing and smiling away, making Steve’s heart beat quicken as he tries not to melt at the sheer adorability of the whole thing. He looks back at Sam hoping he hasn’t noticed, but of course Sam has and he smiles at Steve who looks back over at Bucky, only briefly before looking back at Sam.

“You want to see the big reunion don’t you? Don’t worry I’ll keep you posted.” Sam says with a smile, knowing full well that is exactly was Steve wants. Steve doesn’t want to leave, but he does have work to do, he has another lecture this evening, and he has to get some work done before hand, and he also needs to have a shower and eat something. Steve doesn’t have time to argue, before Sam is pushing him out of the front door, as he passes him his bag, and his sketchbook, and with one last look at Bucky who seems completely absorbed in Emily who is looking up at him adoringly, Steve heads home.

The entire way back, all Steve can think about is the smile on Bucky’s face, the way he was with Emily, the way he was, no is just so fucking perfect. He is smiling to himself as he climbs up the steps, not even pissed off that the elevator isn’t working today, and as Steve locks the front door behind him, his phone beeps. He doesn’t even have to check it to know it will be from Sam, who else can it be.  Unlocking his phone, he goes into his messages and smiles.

The cub has been located.

Steve drops his sketchbook on the table and drapes his bag over the chair as he yanks open the cupboard and grabs a glass, his eyes fixated on his phone, wanting for Sam to send another text.

Lion and lioness are here.

His phone lights up as he pours himself a glass of water, and he smiles, wishing he could be there to see this first hand.

Granted with big creepy smiles, but they look nice enough.

Steve takes another sip as he walks to his bedroom, eyes still on his phone, waiting for Sam’s next text. He can imagine it happening, the arching of Bucky’s brow, the smile on his face, the way his eyes would... his phone beeps, disrupting his line of thought.

Tiny human looks pleased.

Steve smile broadens, he loves when Sam calls people tiny humans.

Daddy looks like he is going to hug Bucky.

Of course he does, who doesn’t want to hug Bucky, Steve thinks as he smiles. Grabbing a towel and a clean pair of briefs, Steve looks expectantly at his phone wanting it to light up again. He loves Sam’s recount, but he still wants to see it, he thinks it would have been better if the phone was lighting up with Bucky’s texts, and that thought makes him grin and he falls back onto his bed, grinning up at his ceiling, as he lets the feeling of happiness wrap around him and he just breathes. His phone beeps again, and he holds it up over his head, his arms outstretched as he unlocks his phone.

Woomp there is it, a big handshake and a huge smile.

Steve wonders whether the smile is two sided, and wonders how the corners of Bucky’s lips curved, but that thought was leading him down a dangerous path, now all he could think about was Bucky’s lips... his phone beeps again and he looks up at it.

Oh how cute Emily is hugging your man goodbye.

Steve types out a quick reply, He’s not my man.

He smiles as he looks up at his phone, waiting for reply. He knows he should get into the shower, that he should be doing something, but he doesn’t care. Lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, with a stupidly huge smile on his face, he doesn’t mind, and all he can think about is Bucky. His phone beeps again and he smiles at the message.

Not yet at least.

His thumb moves across the keyboard starting to type out another reply when his phone beeps again.

Shit I see why you love him, he is freaking perfect.

Steve grins, he ponders a reply but only seconds later his phone beeps again.

What did I just text?

Steve laughs and waits for his phone to beep again.

God I’m turning into you, this is frightening.

A smile on his lips so large is mouth is starting to hurt, Steve laughs again, as he tries to remember the last time he felt this happy... his phone beeps again and he stops trying to remember.

He is pretty hot though and that smile... man oh man

Steve is grinning as he types a quick reply, Hands off, he’s mine.

He waits for his phone to beep again, and he closes his hands, smiling up at the ceiling, wondering how a man who has only spoken to for the first time today can make him feel like this. But the look in his eyes, the sound of his voice, it was perfect. And even though Steve was trying not to dwell on it, Bucky knew his name, he knew his name and he wasn’t wearing his name badge. That had to mean something right? His phone beeps again and his eyes shoot open.

Anyway reunion over, the little chick has left the nest, and your boy is all alone. You should come and hug him, or whatever.

Steve smiles and quickly replies, Don’t tempt me.

Standing up slowly, he grabs his towel and heads to the bathroom, leaving his change of clothes on his bed, he glances down, his phone still in hand, waiting for it to beep again, waiting for an update. Placing his towel on the drying rack, he turns the shower on, as he phone beeps.

Told you you wouldn’t miss much.

Testing the temperature, Steve kicks the door shut behind him, and locks it out of habit.

Nat’s here though, just arrived. Now that is perfection.

Steve smiles and types a single word before hitting send, Maria?

His phone beeps just as the message sends, and he smiles, glad that Sam will never change.

Not that I still like her.

He is obviously meaning Nat, and Steve smiles as he adjusts the temperature, waiting for the next text.

Maria’s gorgeous too.

Steve smiles and his mind floats back to Bucky, who is gorgeous too, those bright blue eyes and his smile, and his dark brown hair that Steve just wants to run his fingers through... his phone beeps pulling him out of his imagination.

Maria’s utter perfection, god I should really text her. What should I say??

Steve sighs, why on earth would Sam be asking him for relationship advice of all people. His track record wasn’t poor, it was non-existent. Plus he was completely and utterly in love with a man who had only just talked to, so he was in no position to give advice even he had had any to give, which he did not. Sure he’d seen enough rom coms and other movies to know how these things were supposed to go, but he lacked real life experience, which was ultimately what was needed here, not Hollywood advice that probably had a pretty poor rate of success in reality.

I mean I could

Steve looks at the message, wondering what Sam is trying to tell him with his four word message as he pulls his shirt over his head.

 Shit Furys giving me the evils, should stop texting.

Of course, his previous text was cut short. Steve smiles at the phone, as he imagines the look Fury gave Sam, the look that never failed to make Sam turn a little red and stare at his feet.

Steve types a quick reply, See ya later. Before he places his phone on the edge of the sink, strips off and jumps into the shower, pulling the shower door shut behind him as he adjusts the temperature quickly, he isn’t preparing for hell after all, it could be a little colder, he wasn’t a huge fan of scorching water, that would no doubt burn is skin off. Smiling as the warm water ran down him, he closes his eyes and thinks of Bucky...

...

The next day passes without a single interaction with Bucky. Steve doesn’t even see him, the cafe is so busy while he is working, even if Bucky made it in, he probably would not have noticed, but with Steve checking the door and scanning the tables as often as he could, he was sure Bucky wasn’t in. He had an afternoon lecture, and turned down an invite to another party, this time one of Sam’s friends from his football team was hosting one, and Steve had no interest what so ever in going, so spent his evening sketching while he watched the Dark Knight, before spending a few hours on work from his lectures.

A Bucky-less day was not at all what Steve had in mind, and as he lies awake in bed, on the brink of sleep, he wonders if he will see him the next day, wonders if yesterday when he knew his name, was something that Steve was simply making far too big a deal out of, or if it actually meant something. One day without even a glimpse of Bucky, and all could think about was the way that his name sounded rolling of the tip of his tongue.

When Sam finally came home, he found Steve asleep in bed, a small smile on his face, as he lay on his stomach, lost in a dream, a dream filled with Bucky.

...

Steve wouldn’t mind going out with Tony for lunch, not really, but when he gets the invite the next day, he cannot be bothered accepting the invitation. Except, he can’t not accept the invitation, Tony doesn’t really give him a choice. Obviously not getting the message when Steve doesn’t reply to his text, apart from a short, ‘Can’t today’, Tony is there waiting when Steve gets out of a class, a smile on his face and a bag slung over his shoulder.

“Uh-” Steve starts, unsure what to say. He is busy, sort of. But he doesn’t start work for another hour and a half, and while he has another assignment that he is only half way through, it isn’t due for another two days. Usually Sam is the one who ends up going out with Tony, but Sam is working, and Tony’s lecture finished only a few minutes before Steve’s, and Steve knows how Tony hates being alone for too long.

“You free for lunch?” Tony asks nonchalantly attempting to not let on how much he actually wants Steve to join him. It isn’t that he loves Steve, but he doesn’t dislike him, and he can be pretty decent company, and after a day like today, Tony is finding that company is what he needs at lunch, spending another hour trapped in his head probably won’t bode well for the early lecture he has tomorrow, that he needs to attend without a throbbing headache.

Steve hesitates, he cannot think of a single acceptable reason to turn down the lunch, and as the smile on Tony’s lips lingers for another moment, the cockiness dampened by the hopeful look in his eyes, that makes Tony seem, well, almost human, just as vulnerable as Steve, Steve isn’t sure that he wants to say no anymore.

“Come on Rogers, I know you’re burning to find out some more on your boy Barnes.” Tony grins, turning away for Steve as he speaks, knowing full well that Steve will follow, he has known him long enough to know that he won’t not come, and with the limited information Sam had given him on Steve’s relationship with Bucky, or serious lack of, he knows that Steve cannot resist the bait, he needs to know more about him, his curiosity has often gotten the better of him.

“Fine, but only for an hour.” Steve sighs, falling into stride with Tony. Part of him wonders if Tony has any information to offer him, but then again Steve will take whatever he can get, he knows basically nothing about Bucky, and despite his various attempts to find out more about him than his name and where he works, he knows nothing.

“I’m buying...” Tony starts after a few minutes of silent walking. Steve has a headphone in one ear as he walks beside Tony, whose steps are slightly slower than usual, on account of the sheer amount of books and notepads and random assorted crap in his bag today.

“If...” Steve prompts, knowing there is some sort of catch, there always is with Tony, he can’t help himself. From the glint in Tony’s eyes, he knows that there is more than one reason that he picked Steve to have lunch with, when he had at least a dozen other options, all of whom would be far less reluctant than himself, and probably far better company Steve thinks to himself. Tony doesn’t say anything for a few steps, and Steve waits, somewhat patiently for Tony to answer. They reach the cafe, still in silence, and Tony drops his bag into an empty chair, before slumping into the chair beside it. Steve lowers himself onto the seat opposite Tony, and waits.

“So Pepper...” Tony starts after a few seconds of Steve staring at him, prompting him to answer. The waitress has spotted them, and gives them a small wave, telling them she will be over in a few minutes.

“Pepper Potts? You’re keen on Pepper, shit you do-” Steve starts, before he stops. He notices the look on Tony’s face, a look that looks foreign displayed across Tony’s features, taking a small breath in, Steve stares at Tony for a second, as his brain slots into place, he remembers the party, how could he not have remembered? “You fucking like her? What? Since when?” Steve demands, his voice a little louder than usual but he doesn’t care. The two of them are sitting out the front, being bathed in sun, Steve knows he is going to get a little hot, sitting here in tight black jeans and his leather jacket. The slightly torn grey t-shirt he is wearing underneath is bound to make an appearance before the lunch is over, he won’t survive in his jacket for over an hour under the hot sun.

“I don’t l-” Tony starts, sounding somewhat unlike himself, his words don’t have the certain confidence that usually accompanies them, and the smile on Tony’s face isn’t one that Steve has ever seen him wear before. He pauses as the waitress reaches them, handing them both a menu and leaving seconds later with a promise of water and two glasses on the way.

“You fucking do, you like her, you gotta crush on her don’t ya?” Steve teases as soon as the waitress is three steps away from them, he is grinning, clearly enjoying how the tables have turned, it isn’t Tony with the upper hand anymore, this time he gets to do the teasing. Tony opens his mouth to say something, but Steve quickly adds, “I have to put up with you being an asshole, you gotta put up with me,” as he continues to grin at Tony.

“I don’t want to make you regret this Rogers.” Tony says, his usual grin returning, as the confidence starts to fill his words once again. Steve however no longer cares, he is enjoying this far too much.

“Whatcha going do Stark? You go-” Steve smirks, looking like the little shit that he can so easily be. Tony is shaking his head, and Steve’s smile only grows wider. Despite not wanting to go to lunch with Tony, he hasn’t eaten a thing and he is already enjoying it, teasing Tony is not something that he has had many opportunities for, but Tony has had plenty to tease Steve, so Steve is simply returning the favour.

“One word.” Tony says quietly, and Steve’s smile falters, the smirk itching at the corners of Tony’s mouth, is one that is far too familiar. “Bucky.” Tony smiles as Steve tries his best not to groan.  He looks down at his menu for a second before looking back up at Tony.

“And we’re done with the teasing.” Steve says sweetly, smiling over at Tony who gives a smile in reply. Shockingly, at least in Steve’s mind, the next thirty minutes is enjoyable. They spend a while making pleasant conversation, which Steve wasn’t entirely sure Tony Stark would be able to make, with him at least, and then they spent another ten minutes talking about Pepper. An entire ten minute conversation on Pepper, that Steve had to bite his tongue several times to stop himself from teasing Tony. Just as Steve predicted, his leather jacket was sitting on the back of his chair, the sun warming him just a little too much. As they lapsed into silence for a few minutes, Steve waits patiently, not wanting to seem too desperate, not wanting to bring it up, but knowing that in a matter a minutes he will. The waitress takes their plates from the table, and Tony shuffles back into his seat, his eyes fixed on Steve as the waitress walks away.

“Any updates on Wilson’s love life?” Tony asks, not saying what Steve was expecting him to, he had waited, somewhat patiently, for a little information, and none had been presented. Remaining silent, Steve gives a small shrug, his eyes resting on Tony as he waits.

“Geez Rogers, quit looking at me like that, I’ll tell you about Barnes, no need to glare.” Tony smiles, seemingly enjoying the scowl lingering at the corners of Steve’s mouth, he knows that Tony is going to tease him, it is Tony after all, but after resisting the urge to tease him, he thinks that Tony could at least return the favour.

“Bucky Barnes.” Tony says slowly. “Bucky, Barnes.” He repeats, sounding the words out as he leans back into his chair. Steve glances around them, checking that Bucky isn’t here, not that he would be, but still, Steve checks all the same, he doesn’t want him to overhear him, or possibly worse, overhear Tony.

“Tony.” Steve warns, settling into his chair as his gaze remains fixed on Tony, waiting for him to give him something, anything to go on, he needs details, he doesn’t care that he feels like a bit of a stalker, he is only lightly stalking, and he more curious than creepy, he just wants to know something, he needs to know something about Bucky, he hasn’t seen him in two days now, he needs something.

“Eager are we, you really like him don’t ya?” Tony teases, causing Steve to sigh and take a sip of water while he tries not to sigh. Truth is he does really like Bucky. Truth is he may even love Bucky. Which is ridiculous, he barely knows anything about him. But that doesn’t matter, he is gorgeous, and not just to look at, he has a kind face, a hot kind face sure, but a kind face all the same.

“I didn’t tease about Pepper.” Is all Steve says, as he falls to push the memory of Bucky and Emily out of his mind, that may have been two days ago now, but he still manages to make his insides melt.

“Because you’re nice like that, I never promised I wouldn’t tease Rogers, I said information, not niceties.” Tony grins. Steve rolls his eyes and takes another sip of his water while he waits. They sit in silence for a few seconds as Tony checks his phone, he sends out a text and then looks up at Steve, who is watching him, waiting. “What do you want to know about Barnes?” He asks.

“Do you know a Natasha?” Steve doesn’t want to ask that question, he doesn’t want to at all. He knows that they are dating, he’s seen them together, it’s completely and utterly obvious, but part of him wants confirmation, because there is a tiny part of him that hopes, foolishly and naively, hopes that perhaps they aren’t dating, which means he has a shot. Tony of course, knows none of this as he scans his own brain, thinking of all of the Natasha’s he knows.

“Red hair, blue eyes, looks like she could kill you, absolutely stunning, and is utterly lethal?” Tony asks, settling on the only Natasha that he knows who lives around here. Steve nods, and Tony smiles before he adds, “That’s Natasha Romanoff. Everyone’s either in love with her, or shit scared, sometimes both. Why’d you ask?”

“No reason.” Steve says, his voice far quieter than he intended. The look of adoration of Tony’s face at the mere mention of her name does not bode well for Steve, if he thinks she is so amazing, surely Steve doesn’t have a chance in hell with Bucky, who obviously isn’t shit scared of her, so he must be completely in love with her, and if she has any sense, Steve thinks, she will be completely in love with Bucky. The waitress approaches the table again, and Tony pays, while Steve sits in silence.

“Barely any free time that boy.” Tony says after a few seconds of silence, with Steve lost in thought and Tony wanting to have captured slightly more of Steve’s attention than he currently has, he knows Steve is thinking about Bucky, and despite pretending not to be at all interested in Steve’s love life, a smile tugs at the corners of his lips, it’s good to see Steve happy.

“How do you know?” Steve asks, pushing some, but not all, thoughts of Bucky, slightly to the side. He needs to see him smile, he needs, well whatever he can get, and for now information is all he is going to get.

“Never comes to parties.” Tony answers, his tone implying that perhaps that is meant to be a bad thing, but in Steve’s eye, that is just another thing that he loves about Bucky.

“Maybe he isn’t social like you.” Steve says, a small smile growing on his lips. He toys with the idea for a few seconds, toys with the idea of the two of them snuggled up on the couch watching Netflix, eating pizza and pretending the world outside the apartment doesn’t exist.

“That isn’t it.” Tony says, snatching Steve’s dream straight out of his head and crushing it. Steve sighs, and tries to hold onto that image, the image of them on the couch together, but it’s too late, it’s gone.

“How do you know?” Steve says, almost demanding.

“When are you going to accept that I know everything?” Is all Tony says in reply, and as the waitress returns, Tony gives her cash before resting his eyes on Steve, waiting for Steve to agree with him, waiting for Steve to give up waiting, and prompt him for more.

“Then enlighten me.”

“He works at h&m...” Tony starts.

“I know that already.” Steve sighs. He wants new information, he needs new information. No, he needs Bucky, but Bucky has Natasha, Bucky would never go for him, not as a boyfriend, and certainly not as friend. But Bucky is an addiction, and Steve needs more.

“If you shut up and let me finish...”

“Fine.” Steve sighs again. This was the Tony he was familiar with, not the one that made pleasant conversation, but the one who could be a total pain in the ass, the one who loved attention, and enjoyed dragging a story on.

“Do you want to know? Because if you keep interrupting I wo-” Tony replies, fighting to keep the smile off his face, and failing miserably as he smirks at Steve who gives another exasperated sigh.

“Tony.” Steve says softly, a glare touching the corners of his eyes.

“He’s doing med, planning on being a surgeon, and is well on his way from what I’ve heard.” Tony says. Steve’s expression falls even further. Surgeon, right, that means potential god complex, that means genius, that means he is way of his league, utterly out of his league.

“So he’s like crazy smart? That’s brilliant, just brilliant.” Steve groans. His head falls into his hands as he sighs. Sure Bucky has a girlfriend, well, probably, almost definitely, but now Steve doesn’t even have a small chance, at all. Tony sighs, somewhat loudly, and as Steve remains slumped over on the table looking utterly defeated, Tony sighs again.

“Look I don’t want to have to say this, but since Sam isn’t here to get all soppy with you, you gotta hear it from me. Firstly, shut your goddamn mouth.” Tony’s words are weighted, and he is talking far more slowly than usual, and as Steve half listens, Tony tries his best to be kind.

“What?” Steve looks up from the table, staring up at Tony, as he raises his eyebrow, wondering what on earth Tony is on about now.

“Secondly, you are a catch.” Tony says with a smile, before he adds, “Well sorta.”

“Thanks.” Steve says sarcastically.

“Look... miss?” Tony starts, before he looks around the faces that surround them, he is waving at a young brunette now, who is not so patiently waiting for her coffee to arrive, and seems somewhat disinterested in her own conversation. Steve groans, this cannot end well, Tony has never done this before, but Steve can imagine.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Steve mutters, his voice low as he leans across the table, the woman is standing up from her chair and walking towards them now, her eyes on them, almost assessing.

“Shut up Steve.” Tony mutters back before turning to face the brunette who has almost reached their table. “Would you consider my friend hot?” He asks as she stops in front of them, looking down at them expectantly.

“Uhh-” She starts, her cheeks going slightly red as she looks from Steve to Tony, then back again, wondering what to say.

“Yes or no?” Tony cuts across, he cannot be bothered waiting for her to think it out, he just wants an answer, sometime today would be nice, but he considers saying that might only annoy her.

“You don’t have to ans-” Steve starts softly, trying to hide the scowl on his face, the scowl that he wishes to direct straight at Tony, but as the smug look on Tony’s face only grows, Steve instead stares at the woman in front of him.

“Yes.” She decides, smiling at Steve before smiling at Tony.

“Thanks.” Tony says in reply, waving the woman off. She lingers for a moment, thinking possibly that one of them is going to ask her out, ask for her phone number, or give her one of theirs before she leaves. But as Tony looks around the cafe, and Steve tries not to blush, she realises that none of what she wishes is a possibility, and heads to her seat.

“Excuse me, could I just-” Tony starts, as he beckons to a guy about their age, who is wearing a baseball hat, the wrong way around, and worse still, he is actually sitting inside. Steve isn’t picky about a lot of things, but hats inside, especially hats the wrong way around inside, just does something to him, and not something good, he absolutely despises them. The guy seems nice enough though, and not everyone can be perfect, but Steve doesn’t let the hat thing go.  “Is he hot?” Tony asks.

“Dude I’m n-” The guy starts, looking scandalized, and almost a touch insulted. Tony fails to conceal a sigh, and Steve is feeling somewhat less sympathetic towards this guy than he did the chick.

“I’m not questioning your sexuality, calm down, I just want to know if you think he is good looking.” Tony says in a bored tone. He motions over a Steve, and the guy looks Steve up in down, a little more critically than Steve had been prepared for.

“Yeah.” The guy shrugs, rather noncommittally.

“Yeah?” Tony repeats, looking up at him, demanding a more concrete answer. Steve is blushing a little bit now, well a little bit more than he was already, and kicks Tony under the table, who ignores him. “I’m not asking if you get a hard on when you see him, just is he-” Steve kicks him harder this time and Tony pauses.

“Your friends hot. You’re hot.” He says first to Tony and then he looks at Steve and gives him a small smile before he glances back at Tony, almost asking permission to walk away, he wants to go and sit down.

“Thanks.” Tony says, waving him off with a flick of his hand. The man turns and heads away from their table, and Steve is still blushing, but is now somewhat glaring at Tony.

“What exactly was that supposed to prove?” Steve almost hisses. This is exactly why he hates having lunch with Tony, or Sam, well any of his friends really, they seem to enjoy taking opportunities to embarrass him in multiple ways, and today was no exception.

“Look they both say you’re hot. You seem to have a certain allure I guess, you can be considered smart, and you are nice and shit. Look, Barnes would be lucky to have you.” Tony says, shrugging as he says it. Without Sam here, he needs to be the nice one, he needs to be the one telling Steve that although he is completely insecure, he doesn’t have any reason to doubt himself so much.

“Naaaw Ton, you looove me.” Steve coos, grinning at Tony.

“I-” Tony starts, his turn now to glare, annoyed by Steve, although to be completely honest, he has been expecting it, there was only so much Steve would put up with before acting like the little shit he can so often be.

“You can deny it, but we’re totally besties now.” Steve grins, his fingers curling around his glass as he raises it to his lips, he pauses as he takes a sip, and Tony is now giving him a soft glare.

“I’m going to...” Tony starts, looking amused by Steve as he takes a sip of his water. He has known Steve long enough, far too long he sometimes reckons, but long enough to know that Steve is still a sarcastic little shit, no matter how tall and broad he has become.

“Make us friendship bracelets?” Steve cuts in, grinning at Tony.

“I can see why you get beaten up so much.” Tony sighs, a smile in his eyes.

“Love you too Ton.” Steve continues to grin, even though Tony could be an asshole, and he was a little more of Sam’s friend than he was Steve’s friend, Steve still considered Tony to be one of his closest friends.

“I take it back, you suck, he will hate you.”

“You looove me.” Steve continues, grinning as he ignores Tony’s remark, he is starting to laugh now, and Tony continues to watch him, a tell-tale smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, that is set in mock annoyance, well at least half mock annoyance, maybe half real annoyance.

“I am never taking you for lunch again.” Tony says with a shake of his head, wondering why he picked Steve to take to lunch today. But as Steve continues to grin, Tony realises he needed Steve being an annoying little shit today, this was exactly what he needed.

“Yes you will, because you love me.” Steve smiles, Tony shrugs and looks down at his phone again, a smile twitching at the corner of his lips.

Five minutes later they are standing up, Steve’s jacket draped over his arm as he looks at Tony expectantly, waiting for something, waiting... Tony raises his eyebrow as he stuffs his phone into his back pocket and repositions his bag, Steve sighs in response.

“There’s something you aren’t telling me. Something about Bucky.” Steve says. It has been obvious for the last ten minutes, obvious that there is something that Tony is not telling him, there is something that Tony knows, something that he won’t tell him, and for the life of him, Steve doesn’t have a single inkling about what that might be.

“Yeah there’s a tonne of stuff. Like did you know his favourite colour is blue? Or th-” Tony starts, a smile dancing on his lips, he knows exactly what Steve is talking about, he does, but he was trying not to make it too obvious, it is Steve’s fault that he is so perceptive about things, although he can be so oblivious about others.

“Tony.” Steve warns. He needs to get to work, but he can’t go, not without knowing.

“You know those protests you lark on about at least twice a-” Tony starts, his gaze settling on something to the right of Steve, Steve was right, there was something that Tony didn’t tell him, wouldn’t tell him, couldn’t tell him.

“They ar-” Steve sighs.

“Barnes’ does them too.” Tony finishes, cutting across Steve as he gaze flicks back to Steve and he gives him a small smile as Steve’s eyes light up.

“He, really? Wait, that isn’t it!” Steve grins before he stops, his eyes brush over Tony’s expression and it’s clear that wasn’t what Tony was keeping from him, that wasn’t it at all.

“Look I’m not a total asshole, everyone has secrets that only they are allowed to tell.” And with that Tony turned, walking down the street away from Steve who was left standing, staring after him, not really focused on Tony who got smaller and smaller, but what could possibly be something that Tony had refused to tell him, something that was completely Bucky’s business. Tony told everyone everything, he didn’t care, so what was this, something that even Tony refused to share without Bucky knowing.


“We are not going trick or treating!” Seokjin says for the fifth time as Taehyung, Jimin, and Jeongguk follow him around the house.

“Come on Jin hyung, we never ask you for anything!” Taehyung says with an exaggerated pout and Seokjin turns an unimpressed look on him.

“You ask me for stuff all the time. You literally asked me to brew a potion for you yesterday,” The older wizard says pointing at Jimin who just shrugs.

“That was yesterday, this is today. Come on hyung, don't you think it would be cool to go trick or treating with werewolves, vampires, and a demon?” Jimin asks looking far too hopeful for Seokjin's liking.

“Guys, we are too old to go trick or treating. That's for kids,” Seokjin says and he's terrified when Jeongguk's eyes light up and his smile widens.

“Then why don't you make us little kids?” Jeongguk asks clinging on to Seokjin's shirt.

“What do you mean?” Seokjin asks hoping that Jeongguk isn't talking about what he thinks he's talking about.

“I've seen a cloaking spell in the book before and I'm sure you know the spell. You and Jimin can make us look like kids to other people and we can still go trick or treating,” Jeongguk says ignoring Jimin's grumble about him using honorifics. Seokjin is going to break. He's going to give in because he's weak to these idiots and he hates himself for it.

“Yoongi, help me out here,” Seokjin pleads to Yoongi who is sitting in Hoseok's lap at the moment while he runs his fingers through Namjoon's hair.

“Actually, it does sound kind of fun, we don't ever get to go out in our true forms and what's better than free candy?” Yoongi asks with a shrug and Seokjin glares at him.

“Traitor,” Seokjin says before turning back to their three maknaes. They are all staring up at him with exaggeratedly wide eyes and he hates how soft he is for these idiots.

“Ugh, fine. There's no point fighting a rising tide. But, we're doing this my way, ok?” Seokjin says with a calm smile. Too calm of a smile actually.

Seokjin has been brewing the potions for about an hour now and its finally starting to sink in that this maybe wasn't a good plan after all. “Did you see the way his eyes sparkled? His eyes only sparkle like that when he's about to turn me into a woodland creature or something,” Taehyung whispers conspiratorially to Hoseok who just rolls his eyes.

“You asked for this so now you're going to get it,” Hoseok says with a shrug. When Seokjin finally emerges from the basement with the finished potion, Jeongguk notices that there are only three vials full of it. He looks at him confused but Seokjin just continues to smile.

“So, since you three wanted to go trick or treating so bad, this potion is only for you,” Seokjin says before calling for Jimin and Namjoon to come into the living room. When everyone makes it into the room, he hands the maknaes their vials. “Well, drink up, we don't have a lot of time to waste,” Seokjin says nodding at the vials in their hands. Jimin, Jeongguk, and Taehyung share a nervous look before downing the awful tasting contents in the vials. Nothing happens for a solid minute but, with a cloud of pink sparkly dust, the three start to change. They start to shrink?

“Oh. My. God. They're so adorable!” Namjoon says rushing over to pick Taehyung up and spin him around in the air. Since when did Namjoon get so tall anyway? Taehyung thinks as Namjoon spins him.

“What happened?” Jeongguk asks and his voice sounds so small. So childish. Hoseok and Yoongi crowd him and Taehyung and, as soon as they look at each other they scream.

“You turned us into kids?” Jimin screams kicking his tiny legs out to try to get out of Hoseok's arms.

“You said you wanted to go trick or treating and now you can. I'm giving you guys exactly what you wanted,” Seokjin says trying to stifle a laugh at the three little angry faces staring up at him.

“Well, what costumes are we gonna wear?” Jeongguk asks blinking wide eyes up at Yoongi who literally coos at him.

“I don't know, but I do know that you guys are just adorable!” Namjoon says nuzzling his face with Taehyung's. Taehyung giggles as Namjoon tickles his chubby stomach.

“Well, after you three put it in my head I actually went out and picked out a few costumes for you to wear,” Seokjin says summoning the little outfits to his side. The outfits are adorable, of course, and they're all dressed as a tinier version of themselves basically.

Jeongguk is dressed as a little devil, Taehyung is dressed as a tiny werewolf, and Jimin is dressed as Harry Potter. Hoseok and Namjoon squeal as soon as the three youngest come out dressed and even Yoongi sends them a wide smile.

After they all get ready and once everyone stops cooing at how cute at the smaller boys look in their costumes, they decide to drive around see who is handing out candy. Namjoon is adamant about having one of the maknaes in his arms at all times and they don't protest when he smothers them with kisses. (“How are you guys not freaking out right now? They're adorable and I love them,” Namjoon says hugging Jimin tightly and covering his face in kisses.)

They visit a few dozen houses and, by the time they're heading back home, the younger boys' bags are full of candy and even the older four have some candy of their own. Jimin and Taehyung are passed out in the car and Jeongguk looks seconds away from falling asleep as they pull into their driveway.

“This was the best Halloween ever,” Jeongguk says clinging on to Namjoon as he's carried into the house. After the three youngest are put to bed the older four collapse in the couch in the living room.

“This was a sweet thing to do for them Seokjin hyung, I'm proud of you,” Yoongi says kissing Seokjin softly and Seokjin nods.

“Yeah well, I'm weak for all of my idiots,” Seokjin says earning a smack from Hoseok and all is well.

All is well until they wake up the next morning to find that Jimin Jeongguk and Taehyung are still children. “Uh, Jin hyung, what happened?” Namjoon asks confused and Seokjin just smirks.

“Since the little brats forced me to make them children, they get to stay like that for a while,” Seokjin explains ignoring the children's whines.

“And how long is a while?” Hoseok asks to which Seokjin just shrugs and leaves the room.

“Well, that doesn't sound good,” Yoongi says watching Seokjin walk away from them.

After a very hectic month in which Yoongi, Hoseok, and Namjoon are forced to care for children while Seokjin sits back and watches, the maknaes finally return to their older selves.

“Don't ever ask him to do anything for you again,” Yoongi says falling back into the couch.

“Noted,” Jimin says while Seokjin sips his tea and laughs to his evil little heart's content.


L.Felix

| X516.06.14 |

Envy was already trying to stop the bleeding from Felix's hip when the blonde woke up from the vision. It stung, but the Sin was surprisingly cautious with the amount of pressure.

Trying to ignore the stinging pain, Felix did his best to sit up from the other's lap.

"W-why would you show me so much?" Felix asked, hissing as the Sin pressed a bit harder on his wound.

"A few of my brothers have already shown you what happened to your friends. It may just be me being a bit jealous that they have the upper hand." Envy replied, seeming much calmer than he usually was. "Don't think this is just me being kind. I have my own reasons for doing this."

"Let me guess, you want me to choose you because you showed me the most?" Felix guessed, hissing again as the Sin gave a purposeful squeeze to his hip.

"I'd hoped it would bring me higher, but that's not entirely why." Envy replied. "You want to save your friends, but what if I told you what you saw would be your fate in the future?"

"What do you mean?"

Envy let out a chuff as if he was unbelieving Felix didn't understand. "What I'm saying is that Hyunjin and I aren't so different. Eventually, he will snap and try to lock you away from other's eyes to avoid the envy he feels whenever you're with others. It'll start out small with little gestures and comments about how bothered he is. Then it'll grow into more desperate actions. Isolation. Complete control over your life."

Felix shook his head. "He's not like that. He wouldn't do that."

"But how do you know?" Envy questioned, his words sinking into Felix's mind. "What your friends saw in their dreams were manifestations of what they really want. As messed up as it may seem, those feelings they harbor towards you will only become more and more tainted, and you'll be the one who suffers. Maybe you'd be best just letting your friends die?"

Felix instantly shook his head, confident the Sin was wrong. "That's not an option. They're good people, they wouldn't be like that."

Envy just shrugged, removing the blood soaked cloth from Felix's hip. "Believe me or not, it's up to you, but don't say I didn't warn you."

He's wrong.

My friends won't be like that...

Thinking back, Felix could only remember the good times. He could only remember the love he felt whenever he was with them. There was never any signs of anything negative between them besides maybe the occasional annoyance. Thinking back to their years in college, Felix realized that maybe all the gestures, touches, and comments he received from the others weren't as platonic as he once thought. Maybe those were advances that Felix never really thought too hard about because there was no way his friends loved him as more than a friend. At least, that's what Felix originally thought.

"Come on, I'm taking you out for a few hours." Envy said, standing up from their spot on the ground. "You've spent enough time with the others lately. It's my turn now."

"I went on a date with you two days ago." Felix reminded, wrapping his arms around the Sin's neck.

"Which was too long ago, and I had to share you." Envy argued. "Tonight is gonna just be you and me."

Felix wasn't sure he liked the sound of that. Envy had yet to really prove himself as delightful company, but as long as Felix wasn't tossed around like some toy in the sky, he'll call it progress.

Holding on tight while the Sin flew them into the sky, Felix felt a tug in the back of his mind. Someone was trying to talk to him again.

"Felix?" It was Jisung.

Yeah, I'm here.

"I just wanted to make sure you were safe." The other said, sounding relieved. "Hyunjin was a little worried about you. He told me that Envy was upset about...well, you probably already know."

You could talk to him? Minho told me only one of you is ever really awake at a time.

"Yeah, sometimes we are able to talk with each other briefly, but it's been a while since all of us have been awake."

So how are you doing?

"As fine as I can be stuck in a dark void, but I have the others, so I'm okay." Jisung replied. "I miss you though, it's not the same without you here."

I miss you guys too. I'll get you all back in your bodies soon though.

"Just stay safe out there. Greed isn't exactly going to sit back anymore. He's planning something."

Thanks for the warning.

The connection died away, Felix now aware of the eyes trained on him.

"Hearing voices again?" The Sin asked, his tone insinuating he already knew the answer.

"It's not like you're one to talk." Felix replied. "You just like to traumatize me."

"And I'll gladly do it again." Envy argued. "So I suggest you stay on my good side tonight."

The Sin flew them down to an empty side street, Envy reluctantly letting Felix go but grabbing hold his hand instead.

"This way." Envy said, guiding the other along through the streets. Felix was again confused by where he was exactly, not having been to this side of town.

"Where are we going?"

"Some place I think you'll like." Envy replied, leading them around the corner, Felix just letting himself be pulled.

° ° ° ° ° ° °

H.Jisung

| X516.06.14 |

The void was becoming more and more...cold. Even staying awake was nearly impossible now, let alone enough to talk with Felix for long.

They were running out of time.

Feeling his head pound, Jisung pressed his palms to his temple. Greed's visions and thoughts invaded his own mind, forcing themselves in.

The Sin had a plan and Jisung was unable to stop it. As much as he wanted to warn Felix, his mind and body were slowly succumbing to sleep.

"Jisung? Are you awake?" Hyunjin's voice asked from the other side of the room.

"Ye...yeah." The other managed to get out. "But I don't know for how much longer."

"Do you think Felix is going to be okay?" Hyunjin asked.

"I'm sure he'll..." Jisung let out a yawn. "He'll be okay..."

Unable to keep his eyes open, Jisung let them close, Hyunjin's voice lulling him to sleep.

° ° ° ° ° ° °

L.Felix

| X516.06.14 |

Dinner with Envy was surprisingly uneventful. The Sin stayed calm and didn't do anything traumatic, but Felix had been on edge the whole time. He still couldn't completely trust Envy, but he was glad the Sin showed him what he did. It helped give him a better understanding about what his friends went through. What they really felt when it came to Felix.

Stepping through the front door, the blonde was unable to even blink before Greed was in front of him, Jisung's warning still lingering in his thoughts.

"I need your opinion on something." Greed said, taking Felix's hand and beginning to drag him towards the stairs.

"Not so fast." Envy stopped, grabbing at Felix's other hand. "He's spending the rest of the night with me."

Greed let out a scoff. "I think he needs some space for a while. He seems a bit tense in your presence, but I don't blame him. Not after all the things you've done to him."

The tension in the room seemed to grow tenfold, the two Sins staring each other down.

"Um...why don't I just go help Greed and then I'll come back down?" Felix suggested, not wanting to be in the middle of a fight right now.

The two remained quiet, still caught up in their silent battle. If looks could kill, both would probably be dead.

Slipping his hand from Envy, Felix tried to usher Greed up the stairs. When they got to the top, the blonde flinched at the flash that greeted him.

"Welcome home." Gluttony said, his attention on the polaroid printing.

A shudder ran through his body, Felix continuing to rush Greed along. He wanted to get things over with so he could eventually have time to think of a plan to get his friends back.

"Spacing out?" Greed asked as he opened the door to his room. "I hope Envy didn't scare you too bad."

Felix shook his head as they entered the dark room. "He wasn't terrible today."

"But you have blood on your shirt." Greed pointed out, slipping his hand off of Felix's as he walked over to his closet. "Let me guess, he showed you what Hyunjin saw, didn't he?"

Felix nodded, standing awkwardly near the center of the room.

"Here, you can put this on." Greed said, tossing the other a new shirt. The younger was surprised that it was just a plain T-shirt, since the Sin's room was decorated rather finely with expensive looking decor.

"Thanks. So what did you need my opinion about?"

A grin spread across the Sin's face. "Just wait there for a second."

Raising a brow, Felix let his eyes follow the other as he disappeared into the bathroom. A chill hit his body but his attention was forced elsewhere as the walls of the room slowly began to fade away. It started with the roof and quickly moved down the walls until they were completely gone, revealing nothing but darkness.

It was reminiscent of the void Felix would always start in whenever he was shown a vision, but this time there was something else with him. A cracked mirror.

Taking a few steps forward, Felix flinched as another voice called his name. The familiar warm tone making the younger want to cry. He was almost scared to turn around, wondering if he'd even see the person he hoped it'd be.