Growing Together: Green Series 8 (Pre-Serum Omega!Steve and Alpha!Bucky AU)

Ten

"Pops, c'mon," Oliver huffed, but knew better than to move.

Steve continued touching up Oliver's werewolf face fur and rhetorically asked, "Do you want it to be good, or not?"

In reply, Oliver rolled his eyes. Not vocalizing his complaints, even though his attitude spoke enough. Steve just focused more on his task. After all, he understood that Oliver was nervous. It was his first school dance, and that was a big deal. Even if the twelve year old kept insisting that it wasn't.

Finishing up, Steve set down the tiny paint brush he was using to touch up the fake blood, and examined his hard work. Admittedly, Oliver looked adorable, but he wasn't going to tell the hormone-riddled twelve year old that. If he did, the stubborn boy would probably insist on having another costume. Or say he didn't want to go to the dance at all.

"Well?" Oliver impatiently questioned, quirking a dramatically furry eyebrow.

"I think I'm done," Steve confirmed, moving so Oliver could look over his own reflection.

Evaluating himself, Oliver kept tilting his face this way and that. Occasionally turning his padded shoulders to look at more of the costume from different angles. It was obvious that Oliver wanted to look good.

A small smile tugged at Steve's lips, and he assured, "You look great."

"You have to say that," Oliver rolled his eyes again.

"I don't have to. I get to," Steve corrected with a fond smile. Leaving the bathroom he asked, "Want me to start the car?"

"No, that's okay," Oliver followed him downstairs.

With Bucky taking the younger kids trick-or-treating, Steve grabbed the keys for the Volvo. Making sure that Oliver had money for the ticket, they climbed into the SUV and headed for the school. Monster Mash on the radio, Steve carefully watched out for the kids finishing their trick-or-treating, but smiled at how cute all of their little costumes were.

Trying to ease Oliver's anxieties, Steve asked, "Are you excited?"

Oliver shrugged and fidgeted with his strategically ripped plaid shirt that revealed the faux, furry muscles underneath, "I don't know."

Nodding, Steve admitted, "I never liked school dances."

Good-humoredly scoffing, Oliver teased, "Yeah, having seen how you dance, I can see why."

"Hey," Steve feigned offense while the twelve year old chuckled. "We didn't all inherit your dad's rhythm."

Easing in the passenger seat, Oliver continued laughing as he said, "I'm glad I didn't inherit yours."

"Ha ha," Steve sarcastically laughed, but was glad that Oliver wasn't worrying as they got closer to the school. Probably because making fun of Steve was a well-honored family pastime, just as much as making fun of Bucky was.

Pulling into the parking lot, Steve got in the drop-off line closest to the building and asked, "What time does this end?"

"Nine," Oliver reminded, even though Steve could've easily gone home and checked their calendar or even logged onto the parent portal.

Nodding, Steve smiled and confirmed, "See you at nine."

Worrying his lower lip, Oliver nodded and repeated, "At nine."