Steve was nose deep in a book again -- typical. The large hardback practically hid all of him; Bucky had to crane to see his face.

"Oh, there you are."

Steve raised a hand in greeting, somehow a singular movement sarcastic. Bucky flopped down beside him and stretched his legs out.

"Are you planning on reading all day?"

Steve nodded wordlessly. Bucky pursed his lips, rustled in his pocket for a lollipop, then popped it in as he took in the library with little interest. Why his friend loved the place so much he would never understand. Nothing but wordless whispers and deadly glares at the slightest noise. It made Bucky uncomfortable.

"You're welcome to join me," Steve offered, moving the book to nod briefly at the large pile of stories beside him. Bucky studied it dubiously, raising his eyebrows as if to say I can't believe you expect me to read that.

"Fine," he sighed, grabbing all too dramatically a book on scientific theories and ideas. He settled in, mildly paying attention, before the theories pulled him in and within an hour, Bucky was pouring over the books and lost to the outside world.

////

"You're still reading that?" Steve walked in, tossed his jacket inelegantly on the bed, raised an eyebrow at him. Bucky shrugged a shoulder, rubbing his eye.

"Never thought I'd be turned into a nerd like you," he mused, a twinkle to his eye. Steve rolled his eyes, grinning as he sat instead on his lap, making him move the book aside. "But... advances in science are fascinating, Stevie, did you know Howard Stark has invented a flying car?"

Steve raised his eyebrows and smiled at him. "How does that work?"

Bucky's eyes lit up as he launched into an explanation, hands flying. Steve watched fondly, his arms draped over his shoulders as he leaned in close to listen.

He loved hearing him ramble about anything and everything -- Bucky's interests, while Steve didn't understand much about them, remained fascinating to him.

"You sure I'm not boring you?" Bucky tested, trailing off. Steve studied him eagerly, nodding.

"I love to hear it," he hummed. "I like listening to you."

Bucky turned a steady shade of red, moving his arms around his waist. "I feel like a dork," he mumbled and Steve smiled.

"You are," he crooned. "But I love it."

Bucky turned redder and nuzzled against him before continuing his debate.

////

He took to reading his book when Steve was falling asleep in their dorm room; just at his behest, Steve had taken a liking to listen to him ramble about it. When Bucky finally put the book down and climbed into his own bed, Steve smiled sleepily over at him.

"I can't believe you've turned into a total nerd."

Bucky snorted, propping his hands underneath his head as he stared up at the ceiling. "It's your fault; never picked up a book and you get me hooked on science. I'm not even a science major."

"I think it's cute." Steve grinned at him and Bucky scowled playfully, his cheeks somehow still on fire.

"You're cute, Steve. Me reading is not."

Steve shrugged, eyeing him. "Agree to disagree," he hummed. Bucky shook his head, smiling softly. Steve looked soft in the dim light, illuminated barely by the lights outside.

"Good night, punk," Bucky retorted, blushing as he rolled over. Steve smiled at him fondly.

"Jerk."

////

Little short, little dry, ran out of time 😅