Sitting at his desk in Pym's physics class, Steve idly doodled in his notebook. Mindlessly, his hand moved about the paper as he tried to set himself right. It shouldn't have been nearly as difficult to do so. After all, he knew that he wanted to make a difference. Steve wanted to help others and make the world a better place. And he knew that the only way to do that would be to join the rest of his family in Hydra.
Hydra ruled the world. They hid just behind the scenes and puppeteered the intricacies of the world. Scientist, doctors, and teachers. Powerful politicians and lower-ranking do-gooders. Activists groups and just every day schmoes, like Steve's uncles. Like their late sister, Steve's mom, Hela.
But that rock in the pit of Steve's stomach was still heavy with dread. Steve knew that on his sixteenth birthday, he'd fully integrate into Hydra. Not only would he be undergoing the procedure for a new, powerful body that aligned more with the strength of his families. But he'd also be shipped off to a school to better practice the powers he inherited. The magical abilities that he hardly ever practiced because they reminded him of what the future held.
Steve would've liked to think that, come his sixteenth birthday, he'd be able to leave the mundane of his former life behind and happily embrace his new life. And perhaps he would've if it wasn't for --
The school bell chimed loudly overhead, signaling that class was over. Packing up his items, Steve found Sam lingering around the doorframe for him. Slinging his bag over his slender shoulder, Steve pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose and tried not to get emotional as he crossed the room to Sam. Sam was another person he'd have to give up.
"Why the long face?" Sam questioned, gripping onto his own backpack strap. Nudging him with a gentle elbow to the ribs, Sam teased, "Bucky didn't give you an in between class kiss?"
"Ha ha," Steve playfully rolled his eyes and nudged his shoulder in to Steve's taller frame.
"Okay," Sam chuckled, placing his arm around Steve's petite frame. The air shifting into one less playful, but not any less caring as Sam asked, "So, what's up?"
"Nothing," Steve answered, letting his gaze land on the rows of lockers as they approached his own.
"C'mon, dude. There's clearly something up. So, what is it? Maybe I can help," Sam encouraged, squeezing Steve just a bit closer before dropping his arm entirely.
Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Steve thought about all the repercussions if he so much as hinted about what was truly bothering him. After all, the witch hunts of the past were still a very real thing in other parts of the world. As the world had shown over and over again, when people feared the unknown, they turned violent.
Besides, Steve wanted this. Really, he did. He wanted to fit in with his family. He wanted to be healthy. He wanted to be good and do good. He wanted to save the world. And the only way to do that was to follow his family, embrace his destiny, and become a part of Hydra.
"I just didn't sleep well," Steve answered instead, sagging in his fatigue as he opened his locker.
Sam leaned against the other lockers beside Steve's and empathetically sighed, "That most definitely sucks."
"You're telling me," Steve scoffed, letting out a deep breath and just taking a moment to blankly look at his open locker. On the inside of the door, there were pictures of Steve with Bucky, and some with their friends, held in colorful magnetic frames. Inside, Bucky's worn leather jacket hung on one of the hooks, crammed in tight beside Steve's Sherpa faux lining tan corduroy jacket. The bottom shelf held Steve's books while Bucky claimed the top shelf since he could actually reach it.
"So," Sam started, watching Steve, "What kept you up?"
Steve shook his head, he couldn't talk about it. Not even with himself. Instead, he tried to bury all his negativity deep down within himself. Maybe he could write about it and burn it up, so no one else could read it? Maybe he could scream it out in a pillow? Or maybe he could talk to Hil--
Arms wrapped around his small torso and lifted him in the air. Steve let out a startled gasp and turned his head to find Bucky. Jovially, Bucky pressed a passionate, playful kiss to the side of his neck as he set Steve down on the ground.
With a smile on his face, Steve spun around to face his boyfriend. Trying to remain stern, Steve swatted at Bucky and asked, "James Buchanan, what are you trying to do?! Give me a heart attack?!"
"Ooh, you just got middle named," scandalized, Sam teased.
But the large grin stayed glued to Bucky's face as he ducked down and affectionately wrapped Steve up in his arms while nuzzling into Steve's neck. Knowing that Steve could never stay made at him when he acted so cute. Which was the reason why Bucky acted as adorable as he could. Gaining that fond grin of Steve's every time in the process. Just as he did now.
Pulling back, Bucky kept his arms protectively around Steve's waist and grinned, "You love me."
The blush burning deep on Steve's cheeks, he corrected falsely, "I hate you."
"Yeah, okay," Bucky playfully rolled his eyes and leaned in to press a sweet, chaste kiss to Steve's lips. Appeasing the blond in all the ways that stopped Steve's head from thinking about everything bad that was sure to come.
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The Chilling Adventures of Steve Rogers: Book One (Magical Hydra Horror AU)
Fanfiction"As though his feet were controlled by something other than himself, Steve stepped out of the trees. Not paying attention to any of the other figures standing as still as statues, Steve crossed the well-lit area. His eyes roamed over the boy. He was...
