Owl House x Male Reader Oneshots

Steve x Reader

Thanks @TheFaithfulOne for the request!
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I never saw myself being part of the emperor's coven but here I was, adorning the white cloak and silver mask.  It made me feel bland and part of a machine but this wasn't for me or my comfort.  My head tilted a bit to the side to look at another of the soldiers who would've been just another blank slate in the crowd if I didn't have such a strong connection to him. 
    
His mask seemed to be tilted towards me as well but I couldn't tell if he was looking back at me due to the mask hiding any and all emotions.  The thought of his blue eyes trailing over me made me tremble.  If only I could see his face and know what expression he had on.  Was he excited for his new future?  Was he scared like I was?  Was he smiling that brilliant smile that had me falling for him the moment I saw it? 
    
Shaking my head slightly to clear my head, I tried my best to listen to our commander with increasing difficulty.  This was supposed to be my new purpose in life and I couldn't even pay attention to what I was supposed to do.  Steve seemed to always have this effect on me.  Everything else faded away when I set my sights on him.  Nothing else mattered but what I could do to make him smile and laugh.  I even joined this terrifying coven, my fear of never seeing him again much larger than my fear of the emperor. 
    
"Y/n!  Did you hear that?  We were assigned as partners for our first outing," a voice whispered from my side.  I swiveled my head to see Steve clad in his uniform, bouncing on his heels in excitement.  Looking around in slight confusion, I found most of the other soldiers scattered around to most likely head off on their own missions.  I hadn't even noticed that the meeting was over, I was so lost in my head. 
    
"Really?  That's amazing," I smiled behind my mask, knowing that he couldn't see just how happy it made me that we were staying together.  A bit of my uneasiness ebbed away with the thought of him remaining by my side.  He eagerly grabbed my hand to guide me towards an airship that I guessed we were supposed to take to wherever we were needed.  I was about to ask Steve for the details of the mission I missed but that proved to not be a concern as he chattered on about what our job was.  He was clearly excited for this trip and he constantly pointed out he was glad to have me with him for it. 
    
Considering neither of us knew how to fly an airship yet, we were left in the care and mercy of an older soldier who didn't seem to mind the improperness of us sitting close together and occasionally leaning against one another until the short journey was done and we were sent off to complete our task without a single word from the anonymous soldier who had guided us here.  Steve had thanked them though before he helped me off the ship.  His kindness knew no bounds. 
    
"Alright, so we should head west to see if we can find traces of this shimmery material that sparkles at night.  Supposedly it's valuable and if we find it, we need to call in so that the emperor can send in more troops to collect it," Steve nodded confidently, taking hold of leadership and marching into the strange forest without any hesitation.  He made it easy to follow him in admiration, my chest clenching in a familiar ache I've put up with for years now.  It was only made worse as I realized we were the only two out here. 
    
We trekked through the forest with Steve leading the way until we stumbled across a strange substance that cut through the earth like a sparkling river.  It was absolutely beautiful and reflected the moonlight in a way that made it look like it was made of liquid constellations.  When we found it, I couldn't help but fall to my knees to admire the shimmery river closer.  As Steve sat along beside me, I couldn't deny the way my whole body leaned towards him. 
    
"Y/n.  We're not supposed to take off our masks," Steve stated seriously, as if warning me as I unstrapped the stupid material off my face so I could see the river more clearly.  He had never used that tone with me, my eyes sliding over to him in confusion.  His posture was stiff even as he sat, our shoulders touching in a way I hadn't realized before.  Unlike him though, I wasn't tense over it.  In fact, in the shine of the river I was feeling far more brave than usual as I reached towards him. 
    
"No one's out here Steve.  It's alright," I stated reassuringly.  His hand came up quickly to grab my wrist, halting my movements towards his mask.  He didn't push me away though, just holding my wrist in front of him as I watched his chest heave slightly.  He was clearly getting worked up over something and I couldn't help but wonder if it was me. 
    
"It's against the rules though.  We could get in trouble over this," Steve whispered as if he was scared someone would even hear our conversation.  There was no one out here.  This was a fact I felt deep down with certainty.  No one existed outside of this moment with Steve and I in the glow of the starry river.  No matter what happened out here, no one else would know besides us. 
    
"Will you do this for me then?  It's been too long since I've seen you," my voice shook uncertainly.  He loved this new position in the emperor's coven and I was starting to worry that he would hold this job closer to him than me.  Even though we've been friends for years, that's all we were, just friends that were easily expendable in the right circumstances.  It hurt to admit but I couldn't forget that. 
    
"I'd do anything for you y/n.  That's not fair," he mumbled to himself, his hand releasing my wrist as his head tilted towards me.  I was shocked that he was letting me do this but I didn't waste a second in gently lifting the bland mask up and behind his head, immediately smiling at the blush that was across his adorable face.  He smiled somewhat shyly at me as if we hadn't seen each other for years.  It almost felt like it as I smiled softly back at him. 
    
"There's that handsome face I love so much," I whispered, wanting to bite my tongue off the moment after.  He chuckled to himself before he gently pulled me close to him, his arms holding me lovingly.  I adjusted myself so I could stare at the beautiful river while cuddling against Steve's side who's hand was now running through my hair affectionately.  I wasn't completely sure what this meant but I didn't bother ruining the moment by overthinking it so for a moment, I pretended we were finally together, just two people utterly in love and enjoying their time by a river that shone like the stars.