Bucky rolls over in bed, grumbling. He did not want to start the day, but because of college, it was apparently a necessity. God knows his roommate was already up.

Just thinking of his roomate made him groan in frustration. He was a goody-two-shoes, the teacher's pet, Mr. Perfect. Whereas Bucky saw himself as the polar opposite. He got okay marks, certainly not freakin' top of the class, and worst still, his roommate didn't even bother with bragging rights, making him seem as humble as he was smart.

Bucky hated the guy.

Steve hurries out the door, his books clutched in his skeletal arms. For a nineteen year old teenager, he was very scrawny and small. He had a mop of blond hair that never stayed put and light blue eyes. Baby blue, his mom said. Pathetic, he translated. He looked like a child.

He races towards the school, huffing and puffing. He didn't want to be late -- he had a perfect track record. Unlike his roommate, Bucky. So what if he was handsome and witty and clever? He also didn't do much and was rarely on time.

Steve and Bucky had never quite seen eye to eye. Maybe it was because they reflected off each other so much, maybe because they were such polar opposites it would just never happen. They always argued over the tiniest things -- whose turn it was to wash and load the dishes, who left their dirty clothes or towels lying on the floor, who needed to turn off the lights at night. There was always something going on, yet still, neither bothered to change rooms.

Steve makes it to class in time, grabbing for his inhaler in his pocket. He hated asthma. He uses it quickly before sliding into his seat, and class begins.

Bucky shows up about an hour late. As usual. Steve rolls his eyes as Bucky slouches into his seat, leaning over his desk. Steve leans forward to listen attentively to the teacher and class drones on and on for an hour and a half.

Next was computers. Now, that was easy. Steve was all caught up, and surprisingly, so was Bucky. So they had free periods.

Steve logs onto his internet user. He usually went by the name of StarsNStripes95 for almost everything. His friend Sam had picked it and the name just stuck. He starts looking for the contact he'd saved. Playing some simple game, he'd made a friend online and kept in contact, though they'd never yet met face to face.

Over the months at college, he'd made a friend that went by the name of SergeantBB. He was funny and kind, but he seemed confident as well as cocky. Steve ranted to him a bunch about his life; college, his parents, but mostly his roommate. Apparently SergeantBB had the same problem, because he always sympathized with him about frustrating roommates.

SergeantBB - U on?

StarsNStripes95 - As always. Anything new?

SergeantBB - nm. So guess who was at it again this morning?

StarsNStripes95 - Let me guess...

SergeantBB - Mr Perfect. Whatevr, he can keep his stupid grades and face and whatevr

StarsNStripes95 - His face? You're complaining about his face?

Bucky huffs and rolls his eyes. Steve watches the screen quietly, waiting for a response.

SergeantBB - its just - hes so perfect with everything. Every little thing. Even his face! Which isn't even too great tbh. Acts perfect tho, annoys the crap outta me

StarsNStripes95 - Tell me about it. The annoyance, not the face, but... My roommate almost missed class again. Why doesn't he care about class?

SergeantBB - dunno. Not a fan of school myself but I still go. My parents'd beat me if I skipped lol

SergeantBB - always say it cost a fortune to send me here

Steve's eyes flick up to the clock on the wall and he sighs. Time flies when you're talking to someone you like.

StarsNStripes95 - I bet. Hey, I've got to go now, school and all that.

SergeantBB - yeah, ditto. :) ttyl?

StarsNStripes95 - You know it. 😊

With that, Steve logs off and packs his things up quickly. He was gone before Bucky had time enough to pack his own things. He frowns at Steve's retreating form.

Who does he think he is. What's his problem? Someone should really take that stick outta his -

"Hey Bucky!"

Bucky looks over, pulled abruptly from his thoughts. "Stark's having a killer party tonight, you should totally come along," a classmate yells before sauntering out. Bucky huffs softly and leaves the classroom, going at an easy pace. Maybe he would consider his suggestion.

////

Steve sits awake on his bed - the bottom one, Bucky had won that little competition - with books spread around him. He was studying for a test that he had in a week or so, because he badly wanted good marks in the class he had it in.

Bucky saunters in and looks him over briefly before snorting derisively. Steve raises his head, giving Bucky an annoyed look.

"Can I help you?"

"You know that's in a week, right?"

"I'm studying," Steve replies and goes back to his books. Bucky scoffs as he pokes his head out the window to where he could see the frat houses lined up, and one was lit up with all sorts of colours. Stark's place.

He glances back at Steve and smirks a little. "I'm going to Stark's. Come with me."

Steve stares at him like he's grown two heads. "Excuse me?"

Bucky rolls his eyes and leans against the window, folding his arms. "Come on. I'm trying to be civil here. Or, I could beat you up and take your lunch money."

Steve frowns at him and copies him, folding his arms over his chest and sitting straight up. "Your brain, or what's left of it, would backfire and you'd end up pummeling yourself," Steve answers dryly and the brunet puts a hand over his heart, putting on a shocked face.

"After all I've done for you, too..."

"Prick," Steve mutters as he goes back to his books.

For some reason, Bucky had no idea why, he just couldn't drop it. "You never go out," he adds and Steve squints at him.

"What are you trying to do here?"

Bucky throws his hands in the air. "My parents told me, 'you'd better make a friend or we'll disown you.'"

Steve rolls his eyes. "No, they did not. Why not go make friends with Stark if he's so special," the blond utters and Bucky smirks, arching an eyebrow.

"Jealous of Stark, mm?" he hums, drumming his knuckles on the windowsill. Steve huffs and tries to focus on his books. "He's a genius, all right."

Steve doesn't take the bait. Bucky tries one last tactic. He scoops up the books and holds them above Steve's head. After trying and failing to grab them from him, Steve huffs and refuses to look at the brunet's gloating face.

"*sshole," Steve growls to himself before forcing himself to look at him, frowning. "If I go to this thing, will you leave me the h*** alone?"

"Yes, I swear I will leave you alone to attend to your Hell," Bucky promises, raising his right hand. Steve rolls his eyes and snatches his books back when Bucky lowers his arm.

"Not the entire time, this is only to shut you up so I can study later," Steve warns and Bucky smirks as he holds the door open for the blond.

"Noted."

The pair head for Tony Stark's place, Steve seething but also excited to talk to SergeantBB about this. And hey, here he was actually doing something with his life.
////

"Hey hey, look who came!" Tony grins, arms wide as he looks to Bucky and Steve, especially the latter who looked very uncomfortable. "The slack and the smart," he continues, gesturing to them.

He ushers them inside. It was chaos. There wasn't a spot without someone standing there, most hooting and whooping at the top of their lungs. The music seemed to shake the very house, the floor, ceiling and walls vibrating with each beat drop. There was a game of beer pong going on, and the living room was a swarming mass of frenzied dancers, gyrating and swaying to the beat.

Bucky glances at Steve to see him paling. He sighs and starts leading him around the house, looking for a more quiet spot for the oh-so-sensitive bookworm.

"Man, no wonder you don't go out," Bucky chuckles as they step into the quietest, coolest place in the house, which happened to be the third floor bathroom. Well, one of them - the other they tried had one naked fellow asleep in the tub and a huddle of teenagers, barely making a sound as they shared a joint. The light had been out, giving the whole place a creepy vibe.

Steve sits on the edge of the tub and takes a breath, running his hands slowly through his hair.

Ugh, why does he do that, his stupid hair and he's just -

"I don't think I can do this," Steve speaks genuinely, staring at the floor. Bucky's teasing smile fades a little as he perches on the sink counter.

"Party-pooper," Bucky accuses in a joking tone, still making it light. Steve doesn't look up, and Bucky plays with his hands.

"I'm not good with all the -- God, why am I telling you this?" Steve frowns, scoffing at himself as he twists away from him.

Bucky decides to ditch the attitude, at least for a minute. He was stuck with Steve, at least for the night, and he honestly couldn't just let him be down the entire time. Sure, he hated him, but Bucky had somewhat of a soft spot for dorks. They obviously needed protection.

"Hey," he says quietly and Steve looks up, eyebrows knitting in confusion. Bucky's tone was calming and gentle - Not trustworthy, in Steve's opinion. "Just tell me, c'mon."

Steve looks up at the ceiling and pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing in frustration. "What is up with you today? What are you trying to do, because all it's doing is confusing the h*** out of me. Just tell me. If it's a prank, just do it."

"I'm actually trying to be sincere for once." Bucky's dry attitude was back and Steve huffs quietly.

"Right."

"I mean it!" Bucky protests. "Wanna know something? I was quiet too, okay! I didn't talk to anyone, nobody talked to me, I get it."

Steve glances at him and frowns.

"Just tell me, please," Bucky says, his calming tone back. Steve stares at him with shock and amusement.

"You're very good at switching emotions." He takes a breath and closes his eyes. "I get panic attacks as well as asthma attacks. I also have claustrophobia, which means - "

"I know what it means, Rogers," Bucky says, slightly offended that Steve assumed he didn't know that.

"Oh. That's - that's why I didn't want to go to this thing - " Steve eyes him suspiciously, guessing what he's thinking and effectively cutting himself off. "And yes, I was actually studying. I just hate stuff like this."

Bucky nods quietly, lips pursed, keeping jokes at bay. They sit in awkward silence for a moment, while Bucky swings his legs.

"Well, I still wanna be here. I'd actually love some alcohol to be perfectly honest," Bucky says and Steve rolls his eyes for what felt like the millionth time.

"Then stay, but I'm gonna go." Steve huffs and gets up, stretching himself uncomfortably.

"One drink," Bucky dares and Steve looks at him disapprovingly. Now Bucky rolls his eyes, holding up a finger. "Don't turn into my mother. When was the last time you had a good night?"

Steve hesitates a second, his cheeks burning when he realises that it has indeed been a long time. After a second he sighs and shakes his head.

"I hate you. I hope you know that," he huffs and Bucky's eyes light up.

"You're gonna stay?" That's what it translated to, in his head at least. Steve hides a smirk, amused at his excitement.

"One drink then I'm gone," Steve answers and Bucky grins.

"You're just gonna be a waster, I can tell," he croons and Steve huffs.

"What, like you?"

Bucky frowns at him. "That's rude."

"Prick," Steve retorts.

"*ss," Bucky grumbles as he lets Steve step out first, closing the door behind himself afterwards and flicking the light off.

////

The party went on for hours more. Steve stayed pretty close to Bucky, even latching onto his arm for a brief moment when the throng of people becomes unbearable.

"Sorry," Steve mutters, pulling away quickly, his cheeks burning scarlet. Bucky looks down at him, shrugs, and takes a swig of his beer.

"So? You dying yet?"

Steve doesn't answer, watching a boy with medium-length sandy hair do a trick-shot with the beer pong. Bucky follows his gaze and they watch quietly for a moment.

"Can we go now?" Steve asks finally and Bucky grudgingly nods.

"Fine, spoilsport."

"Hey, I held up my end of the deal," Steve reminds, scowling up at him. Bucky just smirks down at him.

"Yeah, yeah," he mutters and they leave shortly.

The night air was cool on their skin and Steve lets out a breath, rubbing his face. Bucky glances over at him and snorts.

"Didja' have any fun?"

Steve sighs and shrugs a shoulder. "Yeah, I guess." Bucky smiles and ruffles his hair. The blond frowns up at him and shoves his hand away. "No."

"Come on, lighten up. Tomorrow we can be back to hating each other," Bucky drawls. Steve looks at him closely.

"Are you drunk?"

Bucky rolls his eyes. "I don't know. I don't care. Sure, let's go with yeah."

Steve rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Bucky purses his lips and watches him.

"Hey," he speaks and Steve ignores him. "Hey," he says louder and elbows his shoulder. Grumbling, Steve looks up at him.

"What?"

"Why're you so bitter? Like, all the time?"

Steve frowns at him and shoves his hands in his pockets. He stares straight ahead and Bucky leans in.

"Come on, Stevie..."

Steve huffs and pushes his hair out of his face. "I need to do well here because I actually care about my future. That must be a strange concept to you," he speaks and Bucky goes to interrupt but Steve continues. "Plus, my mom back home... She's really sick, and she's fending for herself. Dad died years ago. And she was so excited to see me go to school, although I didn't want to leave her by herself." Steve swallows and closes his eyes, instantly regretting telling him.

Bucky is silent for a while, watching the road in front of him.

Steve doesn't bother filling in the silence. He supposed Bucky was too drunk to process all that he'd said.

"You want to impress her real bad, huh?"

Steve looks at him incredulously.

"Well, of course. If I didn't do well here, I don't know what I'd do."

Bucky studies him for a moment longer, a serious look on his face. Steve looks away again, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

"Don't -- don't tell anyone," Steve mutters quietly. Bucky gives a quick nod and they walk the rest of the way in silence.

////

Steve opens his laptop and sighs, clicking on SergeantBB's conversation. He shoots him a message and Bucky checks his computer as a message from StarsNStripes95 comes through. He clambers into bed before responding.

The two boys talk to each other for several hours, not knowing they were merely feet away from each other.

StarsNStripes95 - So that was fun. Stark had a party and I was dragged there against my will.

SergeantBB - oooh, fun

StarsNStripes95 - Oh, absolutely.

Steve hesitates over his keyboard.

StarsNStripes95 - Hey, would you ever want to meet in person?

Bucky pauses, considering. He liked this guy - they seemed a little similar. Throwing caution to the wind, he shoots a reply.

SergeantBB - uh, sure, lol. How bout Jack's shop off-campus? Shoot for 1200?

StarsNStripes95 - Sounds good to me, might be a little late though. Classes and all that.

SergeantBB - mm, Ill probably end up skipping early :b

StarsNStripes95 - Mhmm, figures like something you'd do. So 12:00, I'll see you then. 😊

SergeantBB - Aye aye cap'n. :)

Steve logs off and slides his laptop under the bunk. Bucky leaves his next to his head and the boys fall asleep, thinking of tomorrow.

////

The day drags on. Bucky was dying of boredom, and as 12:00 clicked steadily closer he became more and more fidgety, eager to meet the man behind the mask, so to speak.

Steve taps his pen against his paper distractedly, eyeing the clock. 11:30, 11:45, 11:57. He gets up, packs his things, and follows the rest of the class out, uncharacteristically excited to meet a boy he knows nothing about.

Well, really, knows a lot about. He's a funny guy, in the same grade, who pretends like he doesn't care about anything but, really, he cares so much. One who doesn't get emotional, like Steve, but will fight until his dying breath defending what he loves.

Steve stops in front of Jack's, glances around, and takes a seat at a coffee table, bouncing his leg anxiously.

This was unlike him to do something this reckless. But maybe Bucky had had a point -- he was bitter. He knew that, didn't need him of all people telling him that. Still, it was true, and he figured it was time for a change. Like trusting a boy enough to meet him in person, hopeful of what's to come. A change.

He starts to relax, keep himself calm. 12:04, 12:09, 12:12.

Bucky jogs over, his hair bouncing. Steve watches as he turns in to the shop, looking almost hopeful, and it all clicks.

Steve blinks, slowly getting to his feet. He follows him inside, watches him look around the shop. He clears his throat, and the brunet turns around.

His eyes fall on the smaller blond, and then widen. "It's... you?"

"It's you," Steve replies and Bucky furrows his brows. Steve didn't sound disappointed. "I was stupid not to see it before..."

"So we..." He gestures frantically between them both. "We were talking for months. I had no idea it was you."

"I... I guess we were really good at keeping it a secret," Steve mumbles. Bucky was floored.

"So..."

"Now what?" Steve takes a breath, frowns a little. Bucky watches him, heart aching.

He had fallen for StarsNStripes95. The only person there for him. And then he remembers that Steve, in his own uptight way, was there for him too.

Letting him have the top bunk, only sending him an annoyed glance. Walking back to their dorms drunk in the cold night, admitting their fears and dreams. Little things that made Bucky shake his head, exasperated, but also made him smile.

"Do we still have to hate each other?"

Steve watches him and finally cracks a grin, a genuine one, making Bucky smile back.

"You know what, I was already going to be stuck with you for the rest of my life. I could feel it," he sighs.

"So?" Bucky arches an eyebrow, still smirking. Steve sighs, shakes his head, and smiles.

"Might as well stick together. You need someone to keep you on track."

"You need someone fun in your life," Bucky replies and Steve nods.

"Okay," he agrees, offering a hand and a sheepish smile. Bucky shakes his hand and nods formally, and Steve rolls his eyes. "You're still a prick," he adds, but there was humour in his voice.

"*ss," the brunet replies, grinning.

////

They became close friends throughout college, still claiming to hate one another. They stayed in contact for years later, and eventually, Bucky asked to be his boyfriend. Steve said yes, and they remained together until the end of the line.

////

This reminded me a lot of Love, Simon. (Amazing book, amazing movie, I cried during both)