Love Grows: Love Series 1 (demon!Bucky and pre-serum!Steve omegaverse au)

7

MONDAY MORNING Steve was rushing around the kitchen attempting Sarah Rogers' egg, biscuit, and sausage breakfast casserole. Figuring that the Sousas were probably already getting tons of dinner casseroles. Assuming that they had even informed the rest of their family and Sharon's friends.

"Whatcha makin'?" Hodge joined him in the kitchen.

"Something for Mr. and Mrs. Sousa."

"Oh?" Hodge quirked a brow.

Steve shrugged, "It's the least I can do, y'know? I can only imagine how rough this weekend has been for them."

"This –" Hodge wrapped his arms around Steve's waist "– is why I married you."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yup," Hodge kissed his nose. "You've got the sweetest heart of anyone I've ever met."

Steve smiled up at the blond, "So, does that mean that you'll join me in 12A?"

"Not a chance," Hodge chuckled. Kissing Steve's nose once more before pulling back, "Gotta meet up with MJD."

"Tell Duff I say, 'hi.'"

"I will," Hodge assured, making his way towards the door.

"Hey," Steve rushed towards him. Blocking the door with his petite frame, "Forget somethin'?"

As Steve pursed his lips, Hodge playfully rolled his eyes, then leaned down to kiss him on the lips. Satisfied, Steve moved out of the way and watched his husband leave. Feeling a tug at his heart, Steve closed the door and returned to the kitchen. He didn't want to go by himself to the Sousas, but he knew that Hodge was as good of an actor as he was because of his acting coach. And no matter what, Steve was going to encourage and support his spouse, no matter what Steve's dad said when it came to the duties of an alpha – or beta – spouse.

Covering the finished casserole with tinfoil, Steve left for 12A. Heading down the hallway, Steve spotted Laura and Conner Barton from 12B. The pregnant beta smiled and waved while she tried to get the toddler to stand up so they could go wherever they were going. Steve couldn't help but be envious and wonder when he'd have to struggle with a headstrong toddler of his own.

Arriving at 12A, Steve took a deep breath to ease himself before knocking. After all, he hadn't met them before and now he was going to give them his condolences of someone that he hadn't even known for a full month? He really wished that Hodge was there with him.

Slowly, Mrs. Sousa opened the door. With the little space allowed by the security chain, she peeked her head, "Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Steve Hodge. I'm in 12E," Steve politely smiled. Holding the casserole, he lifted it higher, "I just wanted to offer my condolences."

"Oh," she sniffled, closing the door. Undoing the chain, she opened the door and gestured, "How sweet of you. Please, come in."

"Thank you," Steve entered the apartment. Instead of the off-white that his apartment was, the Sousas' was dark, accentuating the molding, and looking practically gothic in its design. He couldn't help but be fascinated.

Coming to his senses, Steve asked, "How are you doing? Do you need anything?"

"Oh goodness, aren't you sweet," she sniffled again, bringing an embroidered handkerchief to dab at the corner of her eyes. Still so sophisticated even when grieving. "We'll manage. How are you? It seemed to have hit you... hard... last night outside."

"I only wish that I had known her better. Longer. She was sweet."

Mrs. Sousa nodded and led the way over to the kitchen. It was smaller than 12E, but then he remembered what Sharon said about the two being halves of an original one. He assumed that his half got the original kitchen.