;) This is a role reversal au because I simply wanted to!

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The Winter Soldier was kissing him like he was glass, something easily shattered -- gentle and hesitant. Bucky wanted to say, it's okay, Steve, you can't hurt me -- had said so, even before they became a couple -- yet Steve remained careful. The last thing he ever wanted was to hurt Bucky.

It was Christmas, and that was strange. Seeing Steve Rogers, formerly the Winter Soldier, cuddling with Alpine on their couch wearing a soft and fuzzy sweater was a very strange sight indeed -- especially since sometimes he still saw the hint of the Winter Soldier, buried deep in his subconscious still.

But Steve was making progress, and Bucky was proud of him.

He just wished things could go back to the way they were.

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Steve walked as if on eggshells -- as if he'll breathe incorrectly and break something. Bucky tried to remind him that it was okay.

"Hey, Buck?" Steve's voice was soft; it almost always was, still finding it after being voiceless for so long. "Can I kiss you?"

He smiled, aching quietly for the past, and somehow content in the present as well. He glanced up at the mistletoe, then Steve's slow mischievous smile, and his chest hurt impossibly more -- Steve was clearly still in there.

"Of course," he agreed with a smile. Steve gently pulled him closer, still uncertain, holding his hands -- Bucky squeezed them briefly, reminding him where he was, and Steve kissed him.

Even though this wasn't the first time they'd kissed since he'd been back it seemed to be as such -- Bucky was just as pleasantly surprised as always, just as relieved to have Steve with him once more, kissing him in the way that made Bucky never want to let him go again.

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He pressed Steve Rogers against the wall, glancing briefly up at the mistletoe then back into his bright blue eyes -- he looked lovestruck, gaze soft, lips parted expectantly and cheeks flushed a dark pink along with his ears.

"Bucky... "

"You okay with this?" he hushed, running his fingers briefly through his short hair: Steve caught his breath and nodded, looking at him like he'd hung the moon.

Bucky kissed him, then a little more passionately -- Steve's heart was pounding underneath his hand; Bucky's touch was gentle, however, and Steve leaned all the more into him, allowing himself to trust in Bucky -- and trust in himself, too.

"You won't hurt me, okay?" Bucky promised against his lips, heart jolting as Steve lightly nipped at his lip: a test. "I trust you," Bucky breathed and Steve nodded, eyes sliding closed once more, a quiet groan escaping him.

"I love you," he muttered and Bucky smiled, scratching through his hair briefly.

"I love you too, Steve."

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Little short, it's currently 9:20 when I'm finishing this up, and I got three hours of sleep last night 😅 also!

(I know y'all didn't sign up for art but this is the other thing I was working on *shrug*)

Anyway! Cute kissing and fluff! Lemme know if you guys wanna see anything in the other chapters to come :)