Those Who Fall: Falling Series 3 (Modern Domestic Stucky AU)

Thirty-Eight

Being reassured by his husband, Steve left for home a little more at ease. With the kids in better moods, Steve was able to enjoy the drive home. Especially when Bucky sent a cheeky message about wanting Steve to wear his costume in the bedroom tonight.

Steve rolled his eyes, but the smirk stayed on his face as he ushered the kids into the house. Following them up to the main floor of the house. Only pausing when he saw Vis dancing with Holly. Bouncing her and swaying to the beat of Cliff Richard's Devil Woman. For a moment, Steve just stood there observing the younger man.

Until Vis caught him looking and paused. Instantly, his cheeks turned crimson. Before he could say anything, Steve said, "For someone who isn't sure he'll be a good father, you seem pretty comfortable."

Averting his gaze, Vis looked down at Holly and admitted, "It's easier when I don't have to convince anyone else."

"You don't have to convince anyone," Steve assured, "But I can tell that you're going to be a good dad."

"Takes one to know one," Wanda smiled, entering the living room with a bottle for Holly.

Smiling, Steve nodded, but averted his gaze to the floor. With Brock being so close to his family, he didn't feel like a good dad. A good dad would know how to protect his family. A good dad wouldn't feel so weak. A good --

"Papasaurus!" Jonas's loud voice boomed from the front door.

Turning to see his oldest son walking into the foyer. Theatrically, he had a cape brought up to only have his eyes revealed. Wiggling his eyebrows, he came up to Steve and asked, "Is that sugar cookies I smell?"

"It might be," Steve quirked a brow.

Dropping the cape, the rest of Jonas's costume was revealed. Wearing a white basketball uniform covered in fake blood. Which, admittedly stumped Steve. Not in the right head space, Steve tried to piece it together. A vampire costume, with plastic teeth and blood dribbled on the corner of his plush bottom lip, mixed with a basketball player.

"What are you supposed to be?" Steve finally caved, crossing his arms.

Jonas fixed his flat top hairstyle and explained, "Count Jock-ula! Get it?"

"You're clever," Steve chuckled. Meeting the older teen halfway, Steve pulled him in for a tight hug. Lingering in the hug for a moment longer than usual. Thankfully, Jonas just held him. Even without knowing why Steve needed the longer hug, Jonas kept the embrace. Giving the best bear hug to boot.

After another moment, Steve peeked around Jonas's larger frame and spotted Katie. Looking over her bloody white dress and plastic axe, Steve's brows furrowed, "What are you supposed to be?"

Katie bit back her grin, "An axe wife. Inspired by The Great Cady Heron, but more punny."

"Of course," Steve playfully shook his head as he left Jonas's embrace for Katie's. Lingering just as long with her as he did with her brother as he complimented her, "Always so creative."

When they pulled apart, Steve caught Katie childishly sticking her tongue out at Jonas. Playfully, Steve rolled his eyes and tenderly slapped her stomach with the back of his hand. Feigning pain, Katie doubled over so she could gather Ethan and pick him up. All the while, Ethan giggled and squealed when Katie started tickling him. Then, Sophia jumped in to help her brother, which meant Katie tickling both of them.

Steve smiled when he watched the interaction before the thought of Brock came to ruin it all. And, of course, one of the kids were bound to notice the way Steve held himself and the way he averted his gaze to the floor. It just extra sucked when the kid who noticed was Jonas.

"Wait," Jonas put a pause on the jovial laughter. Crossing his arms, his brows furrowed as he asked, "Was today a half day?"

"Not necessarily," Steve sheepishly answered. When Jonas's brows furrowed, Steve decided that he needed to tell them. Especially since Steve didn't know what Brock was capable of. So, he asked the little kids, "How about you go play in your rooms for a bit, yeah?"

"Awe, papa," Ethan whined while Sophia pouted, "Do we have to?"

"Just for a little bit," Steve promised.

Reluctantly, the younger kids headed upstairs. Steve made sure to listen for their footsteps. When they were significantly further away, Steve took a seat on the floral loveseat. Resting his elbows on his thighs as he held his face in his hands. Trying to find a way to explain the day to his children.

Fuck, Steve chastised himself because they weren't ever supposed to worry about this stuff. Hell, Steve wasn't supposed to still be worrying about this. It was supposed to stay in the past. Brock was supposed to stay in the past.

"I, uh..." Steve scrubbed his hand over his face. Sighing, "There's this... man... who used to stalk me in college. And he's back."

"Does dad know?" Jonas instantly asked.

"Dad knows," Steve confirmed, looking at each of the teens. "But that's why I pulled the kids out of school. Well, that and the fact that Ethan got into a fight with this man's stepson."

"That's how you know he's back? Because his brat is a bully?" Katie questioned, her brow set in a deep furrow.

"Did he do something?" Wanda asked, anger flaring through her petite frame as she stroked over her abdomen.

Beside her, Vis offered, "I know a guy that could... take care of him. If you know what I mean."

Chuckling at the outlandish sentiment and oddly touched, Steve declined, "That's okay. I'm just going to have to get another protective order against him and hope that he doesn't pick his stepson up at school anymore."

"Steve, no offense," Wanda looked down at her hands, "But a piece of paper isn't going to do anything."

"She's right," Katie nodded, "My aunt had plenty of them against her ex-husband, and that didn't stop him from murdering her."

That struck Steve to his core. Brock wouldn't go to that extreme, right? After all, Brock was remarried and had been in New York for god only knew how long, and he hadn't stumbled upon Steve. Hadn't even known that Steve and Bucky had gotten married. Or at least, that was what it seemed.

Trying to calm himself and the teens, Steve ran his hand through his hair and assured them, "He's not going to do that. He... he wouldn't do that. He's not... dangerous."

"But he was dangerous enough to get a protective order against him?" Vis asked, his brows furrowing.

Leaning forward as he rested his arms on his thighs, Jonas questioned, "Do you want us to help keep the kids home? Instead of us all going trick-or-treating?"

Worrying his lower lip, Steve wondered if they should stay home. Wondered if he and Bucky should stay home. Sure, they went to Natasha's Halloween party every year. But Brock was back in town and he didn't want to spend the whole night worrying. Of course, he also knew that he shouldn't spend the rest of his life afraid. Especially not when they had kids to love and care for.

"No, trick-or-treating should be fine," Steve answered, trying not to focus on any of the negative scenarios that raced through his mind. After all, Bucky was going to be there. Bucky would make sure that he was safe. That they were all safe.

Looking over the teens, Steve noticed how concerned they each looked and felt like kicking himself. "But we'll be okay. I promise. Nothing will happen to you guys. Dad and I have everything under control."

Rolling his eyes, Jonas scoffed, "You don't gotta lie to us. We're not kids."

"You're my kids," Steve corrected, reaching over to give Jonas's broad shoulder a comforting squeeze. To lighten the mood, Steve added, "And you know how terrible of a liar I am."

"Yeah, you're right," Jonas chuckled, looking over at Steve and giving him a small smile. As Steve returned the smile, Jonas added, "But if I need to gather the lacrosse team, I will."

Chuckling under his breath, Steve said, "Thank you," and he meant it.