77 to 80.

////

"I can't... I can't lose you."

////

They were arguing again -- of course they were. And once again, it was regarding missions; who should go on more, why the other one shouldn't, etcetera. More often than not, it was Steve saying that Bucky shouldn't go back into the field.

"You think I can't handle it, Steve? I'm not some fragile f****** flower, for God's sake. I can do these things," Bucky insisted, standing by the door, already halfway out. Steve closed his eyes and tried to keep his patience in check, deciding not to argue back. "It's not up to you to decide what I do! It isn't up to you to tell me how careful I should be, you aren't my godd*** protector, there's nothing you can do, so can you just -- "

"I can't lose you," Steve snapped, his voice louder than he thought, especially in a small place like this. He didn't realise he was holding Bucky's arms until he released his grip and lowered his head. "I can't... I can't lose you," he murmured, voice breaking, his bravado crumbling.

"I've... lost you enough already. Please, I can't -- "

Bucky's eyes softened and he sighed, closing the door as he looked at him. "Steve."

"I can't lose you again," Steve wavered, his throat tight as he tried to swallow. Bucky stepped over and wrapped his arms around him, and Steve sank into his hold. "I'm sorry."

"Hey." Bucky gave him a stern look, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm not leaving you."

"Buck..."

"I'm not leaving you," he repeated in a quieter voice, holding him closer and kissing the side of his head. "But you need to trust me. Trust that I know what I'm doing, okay?"

Steve managed a tight nod, taking a breath that sounded shaky to Bucky, which only made him hold Steve tighter. After a moment Steve lifted his head and kissed him, his arms wrapped around his neck.

"Get the job done, get back safe," he said quietly as he pulled back, gathering himself. Bucky shot him a quick grin and stepped back, swinging the door open. He gave a quick salute and smiled at him briefly before closing the door behind himself.

Steve prayed Bucky had made the right choice. There was an uneasy feeling in his stomach, but he supposed it couldn't be helped.

All he could do was some more waiting for Bucky -- at least he was used to it.

////

"You'll be the death of me."

////

"Stevie," Bucky murmured as the blond pulled him to his level, a fierce kiss pressed against his mouth. "You'll be the death of me."

"Me? How so?" Steve was grinning, and Bucky scowled at that, face flushed. Ever since gay marriage had been legalized, Steve hadn't stopped kissing him, hugging him from behind, just being overly affectionate.

Bucky didn't dislike it -- quite on the contrary, he loved every second of it -- the only problem was that Steve was stealing all the moments Bucky wanted to give him. The random kisses, the sudden hugs, the affection and love.

In short, Steve was winning at this relationship and Bucky was determined to be the better boyfriend -- because he could.

Bucky kissed back and hoisted Steve up. Humming with surprise, Steve wrapped his legs around his waist and Bucky kissed him deeper, opening their mouths and running his tongue over his lower lip.

Steve shuddered and rested one hand on the side of his neck, the other tangled in his hair. "That's it, Buck?" Steve teased, breathless as they pulled away.

"You're stealing all my moments," Bucky complained, kissing and leaving marks on his neck. Steve tilted his head and bit his lip. "So if this is what I've got to give -- " He grinned as Steve made a sound. "Then that'll have to be good enough."

Steve slid down so he could stand again and pressed closer, his arms draped around him, catching his breath. "You're more than enough," he breathed. "You've always been enough for me."

Bucky slowly went red again. "D*** it, Steve, you're beating me," he groaned, dropping his head.

"Am I?" He smiled a little, again, and Bucky went impossibly redder. No -- all this was doing was making him gayer as he studied him.

He shook his head firmly, twirled Steve, dipped him and kissed him. Steve squeaked in surprise before he relaxed in Bucky's arms, holding on gently. Bucky smirked a little then.

He did it.

////

"Come back to bed."

////

"You promised," Bucky complained as he looked at the blond, who was halfway out of bed. "We could have a lazy day, you promised."

"Won't that get boring?"

"Lying in bed doing nothing? Are you kidding me?" He gaped at him. "Who are you?"

Steve rolled his eyes.

"Come back to bed," Bucky whined. Steve sighed and joined him, and wrapped his arms around him.

"Really?" He looked at him and Bucky smiled best he could with one side of his face smushed up against a pillow.

"Love you."

"Love you too," he answered and Bucky curled in closer, closing his eyes. Either way, this helped him get the sleep he desperately needed -- Bucky slept the worst out of the two of them, constantly waking in the night, screaming about an unknown terror.

With his arms around him, a grounding weight, Bucky easily drifted off and Steve nuzzled against him and closed his eyes. Bucky always preferred to little spoon -- it made him feel safe, and Steve important. He would protect him like Bucky always had.

Bucky rolled over the other way, curling against Steve's chest and sighing softly. Steve smiled a little and stroked his back. Bucky was never this exposed, but he could always trust Steve to watch out for him while he slept, trusted that Steve would look out for him, and vice-versa.

He fell asleep, his hair already a tossled mess, his legs tangled with Steve's. And soon enough, Steve joined him.

////

"You are so tiny compared to me."

////

Bucky Barnes wasn't that tall of a guy; really, he was a roughly average height at 6'1. Compared to his friend Steve, though, Bucky felt like a giant.

Comparing their looks made their dynamic even more comedic -- Steve a thin blond, the same age as Bucky, with big blue eyes and a scowl. Bucky, a tall brunet with a metal arm and scraggly hair that desperately needed a trim, with a five o'clock shadow and a deadlier scowl than Steve's.

He was the only one who could tease the blond about his height; anyone else would get punched.

"Lookit' you," Bucky hummed, leaning against the door frame and crossing one leg over the other. "You are so tiny compared to me."

"No, really?" Steve bit back, glaring up at him.

"Aww, like an angry chihuahua," he continued and Steve huffed, crossing his arms.

"Are you done?"

Bucky studied him a moment longer, smiling to himself. "Yeah, dandelion, I'm done."

"*sshole," Steve growled as he stepped up closer, moving his hands to his hips. "I get it, I'm so incredibly small, let's all make fun of the little guy."

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing, Stevie, I'm just goofin'," he protested and Steve looked away, still frowning. "'S cute, really."

Now Steve raised an eyebrow at him, slowly turning pink. "Cute?"

Bucky refused to be embarrassed. "That's what I said, doll. You're a cutie."

Steve blushed more, his cheeks burning. "Buck?" he squeaks and clears his throat. "Really?"

"Well, yeah." Bucky smiled and nodded once. "Wouldn't say it if it weren't true."

Steve hesitated a moment, his mouth agape. "Oh," he finally managed, then went quiet again. "You're... also cute."

Bucky looked away to hide the fact that he was blushing intensely.

"You're... still an *ss for calling me small," Steve warned half-heartedly. Bucky smiled to himself and stole a quick glance at him.

"I know."

////

These are really fun. Any ideas on what I should try? I kind of bounce between angst and fluff, but if you guys have any suggestions I'm all ears.