An: thanks for coming to another chapter! I've had a really busy day but here's a chapter posted at a really awkward time lol. Enjoy! Xoxo
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Bucky's eyes widened in shock. Steve was kissing him.

Steve!

Bucky knew he should push the alpha off. To report him to Odessa and have him expelled from his life. That was what a respectable omega did when they were touched by a person who was not their husband.

But Steve's lips against his felt so good he couldn't bring himself to reject it.

Bucky's fingers twisted in the soft fabric of Steve's clothes as his eyes fell shut. Steve snaked an arm around his waist, pulling him incredibly close. The warmth seeping out of Steve's body was welcome, in fact Bucky wanted to feel more of it.

Steve's warmth left Bucky just as quickly as it had attacked him. Bucky had to bite his lip to stop from whining at the loss of physical contact. He let his eyes slide open, still in a daze.

Steve had distanced himself from him. Shock laced every single aspect of his features. "Sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I'm so sorry." Steve quickly stood up, "Get some sleep. I'll switch with Odessa." The alpha left without giving Bucky the chance to speak.

---

Things were awkward between them after that to say the least.

Steve avoided all sorts of bodily contact with Bucky and even went as far as not to look him in the eye. Irritation bubbled within Bucky, he wasn't upset at Steve, if anything he had liked it. His mind replayed it over and over all night. The proud prince finally accepted to himself that he wanted Steve to do it again.

Bucky had no experience with romance, having been locked up in the castle, but he had read and heard enough tales to know about it. All those irrational thoughts and desires Steve had arisen in him since their first meeting. How much he enjoyed spending time with him. He was clearly infatuated with the alpha.

So why, after overcoming his pride and admitting this to himself, was Steve ignoring him?

"I want to take a bath," the prince said.

His two travel mates halted, processing the words the prince had just uttered. "Bucky, we don't really have time for that. The longer we stay in the woods, the higher the risk of being attacked is," Odessa's voice was gentle and patient.

"I want to take a bath," Bucky repeated.

He watched Steve drag his fingers through his blonde hair, "Bucky-"

Bucky did not give Steve the luxury of speaking. "I have been in these same clothes for days. I am covered in dirt and feel disgusting. I need to take a bath."

Steve's blue eyes focused on the prince. Even if they were to agree, where would he take his bath? The tides of the river were too vicious for Bucky to bathe in and they didn't carry any basins to hold water in. "Bucky," Steve tried once more.

"I will take a bath," Bucky upturned his face.

His expression radiated the arrogance common within the royal family, reminding his companions that they were technically obliged to do his bidding.

Odessa rolled her dark eyes. The young prince was clearly throwing a fit. What had set it off? She wasn't sure, but she did know that he was intentionally being difficult. The best way to appease his anger was to give him whatever he demanded until he felt too guilty to demand any more.

"So be it. Stay put, I will take Cleo and try find some water," Odessa lifted her arm. The bird of prey landed on her.

"I'll go," Steve offered. "I'm very familiar with such terrain. How about you come help me Cleo?"

The dignified bird did not even spare him a glance. It closed its eyes and looked the other way. Steve couldn't help but think that she was so much like her owner.

"I have some treats for you," Steve presented the bird with some dried meat. Cleo glanced at it. Her calculating eyes perused Steve's person as if deciding whether he was worthy of her time. Finally, she flew to his arm and accepted her bribe. Steve's lips upturned with satisfaction. "I will be back shortly."

Odessa lifted her gaze to Bucky. The prince's lips were pressed together and slightly down turned. His blue eyes watched Steve's form disappear into the thick vegetation of the forest.

Odessa arched an eyebrow. Interesting.

---

Bucky rubbed expensive soap along the contours of his toned body. His fingers worked the product into his skin, rubbing off the layer of dirt which had accumulated on top of it.

Bucky had only bathed himself a handful of times since he was born. It was strange having to work product into his own hair, but the action brought him comfort. This was how normal people bathed. He felt just the tiniest bit closer to his subjects.

Bucky cupped some water and splashed it on himself. Soapy water slid down his body and into the spring, making him a clean man. He hummed in content.

Cleo sat on a branch high above Bucky. She lifted a wide wing and started preening, keeping her feathers in top shape.

A startled cry from the young prince caused her to stop her actions. Her sharp eyes analyzed the area below her, but there were no signs of danger. She tilted her head to the side.

Bucky moved away quickly trying to get out of the water.

"What's wrong? Are you ok?" Steve run towards Bucky. His feet hurriedly treaded through the water until he was right in front of the prince. "Are you hurt?"

Bucky hurried behind Steve's Back, desperate to put as much space between him and the strange create as possible. "Over there!"

Steve slowly moved to the area Bucky was pointing at. His eyes carefully scanned the clear water. They zeroed in on a creature walking along the rocks at the bottom of the spring. Steve looked at it then glanced back at the prince. He scooped the creature in his hand, "This?"

"Get it away from me!" Bucky moved back even though there was already a big gap between them.

"Bucky, it won't hurt you," Steve said, his voice heavy with laughter.

"What the hell is that?" Bucky seemed alarmed. "Why does such a hideous thing exist? Get rid of it! Stop laughing at me!"

"I'm not. I'm not!" Steve bit his lip to hold in the laughter. It was a very common animal to find in water, it was clear that Bucky rarely left the castle. "You really scared me there for a second." Steve run a hand through his hair, pushing his blonde locks out of his face.

It was then that Bucky realized that Steve wasn't fully dressed.

It is said that a man when wet was even more attractive, and boy was it true.

Steve was shirtless. Droplets of water slid down his face to his deliciously muscular body. Bucky found his eyes following a droplet down Steve's chest to his abs. His eyes trailed past his defined v lines. Steve's dark pants were wet, making them cling to his thighs alluringly. Bucky had to force himself to look away before he was caught staring.

"It's actually kind of cute, do you want to touch it?" Steve raised his hand, still holding the creature. It took Bucky's dazed mind a second to process Steve's sentence and by the time it did, Steve had already crossed the spring.

The omega quickly hurried backwards. In his haste, his foot slid against the smooth pebble floor and his body fell back.

"Whoa," Steve pulled on Bucky's arm and pulled the omega close to his chest. The alpha continued to laugh lightly as he snaked an arm around Bucky's waist to prevent him from falling. "Be careful."

Bucky's heartbeat picked up. He couldn't help but look in the blue expanse of Steve's eyes. Steve's eyes were captivating. They had specks of gold and were framed by short, straight eyelashes. They were beautiful.

Steve stared right back him, his look housed and intensity which Bucky couldn't quite understand.

The warmth of Steve's hand touched his cheek and he couldn't help but lean into the gentle touch.

Steve moved closer, leaning in closer to Bucky. Bucky's heart pounded against his chest. He let his eyes fall shut, deciding that he was ok with whatever Steve wanted to do with him.

Bucky could feel Steve's breath against his lips. The warm air getting hotter and hotter the closer the alpha got to him. Anticipation curled in the pit of Bucky's stomach. He moved forward just the tiniest bit, anxious to feel the warmth of Steve's lips against his once more.

But it never came.

Steve pulled him back up straight and stepped back.

Bucky opened his eyes, confusion swimming in them. Steve was still stepping back, visibly aiming to put as much distance between them as he could. "Let's head back," he said lamely. "You might fall sick if you stay in the water any longer. Odessa has a fire going."

Bucky stared at Steve blankly. He watched Steve step out of the water and shake the water out of his hair.

Why did Steve suddenly stop? Had he made a mistake? Had he done something that had turned him off?

Bucky's mind was swarming with questions when he stepped out of the water. He brought a towel to his body, wiping off the moisture from his skin. He chanced a glance up at Steve. The alpha's eyes were lingering on his naked body. There was no denying the desire masking his expression.

Bucky felt extremely comfortable in his nudity. As a person who had been bathed and dressed by different servants his entire life, being naked in front of another person wasn't a big deal for him. But the intensity with which Steve looked at him brought a blush to his face.

"I'm going ahead," Steve turned around. "Call me if you need anything."

Before Bucky could even respond, Steve walked away towards the direction Odessa had set up camp.

Steve was attracted to him. That much was certain. But why, then, did the alpha refuse to kiss him?

Bucky's fingers mindlessly rubbed scented oils into his skin as he thought. Was it because of his status as a prince? It was true that entering in such a relationship would be considered scandalous, especially since he was to be betrothed to Steve's cousin.

But Steve had been flirting with him. At least Bucky thought that he was. Did he have the wrong idea this entire time? No, Steve had kissed him. It was definitely the marriage thing.

Steve was a man of great linage. He must have had a thick stack of accomplishments under his belt if he was second in line for the throne. Surely if he was to break off his engagement and marry Steve it wouldn't be that scandalous.

Bucky froze, his thoughts finally catching up to him. Marrying Steve. Is that what he wanted? To marry Steve?

The thought of waking up every morning cuddled up to Steve sounded undeniably alluring. It was true that he didn't know the alpha well, but he felt eager to fix that. To pry the several layers of Steve open and get to see who he was under all that. He wanted to make Steve laugh, to hold him tight, to kiss him. He wanted Steve to love him.

A blush rose to Bucky's face, spreading down to his neck and chest. He really liked Steve.

These thoughts brought a surge of emotions Bucky didn't know how to interpret. He silently put on his robes and made his way to the fire. Odessa smiled at him and gave him a stick of roasted meat. Bucky's eyes lifted to Steve's person.

Did Steve feel the same way? Or was he just attracted to him physically. Was his desire one which consumed his rationality but dissipated once he was satisfied?

Bucky's chest ached.

He didn't like this. This sudden feeling of vulnerability that overcame him. Especially since it sourced from an alpha.

Bucky bit into the warm meat.

It was pointless overthinking things that he didn't understand.

Cleo came swooping down and rested on the fallen tree Bucky was seated on. Bucky run his fingers through her feathers then collected a piece of raw meat for her.