The Chilling Adventures of Steve Rogers: Book One (Magical Hydra Horror AU)

Sixteen

Steve's gaze followed the brick-red, navy-blue, gold, and cream Persian rug to Schmidt's shiny black oxford shoes. Peeking up at the intimidating man, Steve found that he was still watching him. With a black gloved hand, he patted the antique sofa and suggested, "Perhaps we should discuss your transformative sixteenth."

Knowing that there would be consequences if he disobeyed, Steve held his head high and crossed the room. Stepping around the coffee table and going out of his way to squeeze past his uncles than to squeeze by Schmidt. Taking a seat on the sofa, Steve made sure to sit on the other side of the sofa. Making sure to elude to confidence and interest in whatever Schmidt was going to say.

"You are to arrive, next Thursday at ten, sharp, for prep. You are set to undergo the procedure at the witching hour," Schmidt firmly explained.

Silently, Steve sat there barely listening as Schmidt droned on. Even if Steve was hearing this information for the first time, he was sure that he'd still have trouble paying attention. Especially when his heart was upstairs under an -- albeit weak -- enchantment. Not to mention how he didn't want to even go through with his transformative sixteenth.

"Steven?" Schmidt prompted with a harsh quirk of his brow.

"Yeah?" Steve asked, distracted. Remembering who he was talking to, Steve straightened in his seat and quickly corrected himself, "Yes, Herr?"

Schmidt repeated himself, "Have you been studying?"

Sheepishly, Steve redirected his attention to his lap and fixed his glasses on his face as he admitted, "I was thinking..."

"Yes?" Schmidt coldly encouraged.

"What if I," Steve started, but quickly stop. He had to be smart about this. With the High Priest being in their living room, he was sure that it would cause a whole lot more trouble than his family already had been with him being a half breed. Pausing to gather his strength, Steve removed his teeth from his lower lip and suggested, "What if I postpone my terrigenesis?"

"Postpone?" Schmidt questioned. Mutely, Steve nodded his confirmation while keeping his gaze locked on his own lap. Sharply, Schmidt agreed, "I can see why you asked me to come instead of sending one of the doctors."

Uncle Loki and Uncle Thor requested for the High Priest to come here? Steve internally mused. Betrayal shocked him straight to his core as he snapped his eyes up to look at his uncles. They were supposed to love him. This was supposed to be his choice. They were supposed to support him in that decision. Instead, they felt the need to perform an intervention?!

Clenching his jaw, he narrowed his eyes at his uncles. Loki sat with perfect posture as he tilted his chin up authoritatively. Meanwhile, Thor was a bit more reserved, as though he was ashamed of betraying Steve this way. As he should be.

"Steven," Schmidt started, pausing to take in a deep breath to settle himself. Just from that alone, Steve was sure that he was refraining from doing something harmful. A chill ran down Steve's spine and he turned a bit more so he could easily watch the tall, slender, angular man.

Schmidt chose his words very carefully, "You've known about this your whole life. You're enthusiastically awaited the procedure for years. Why are you suddenly hesitant?"

Thickly, Steve swallowed and he schooled his eyes from not drifting towards the ceiling. Even if Schmidt didn't put it together that he was hiding his mortal boyfriend, it would appear that Hildy was the cause for his hesitancy. And Steve really didn't want to do that.

So, Steve desperately grasped at straws, "I just, uh, I just think... that... it would, uh, make more sense to, um, postpone it."

Schmidt's jaw clenched, causing Steve's entire body to tense. Unsure what Schmidt would do. After all, he was right. Steve had talked about his sixteenth birthday. Some might have even agreed that he did so enthusiastically. But that was before Bucky became his boyfriend.

"And how long do you need?" Schmidt composed with all his strength to not lash out. Steve could tell by the way that he tightly clenched his black leather gloved fists. Even though his knuckles were covered in material, Steve was certain that they were white.

Steve refrained from shrugging. This was absolutely not the time to be unsure about what he wanted. Of course, Steve knew what he wanted. And what he wanted was to honor both of his parents. Instead of dreading about how he would be letting down his mother and his enhanced family who raised him, Steve chose carefully, "Until after graduation."

"Why then opposed to any other time?" Schmidt studied Steve.

Shit, Steve hadn't thought about giving a reason as to why he would want to postpone his very important birth right. And he couldn't outright admit that he was in love with a mortal. The only reason why his mother hadn't been excommunicated was because she was the High Priestess. Steve wasn't. Steve risked not only being excommunicated, but he also risked Bucky's very life.

Luckily, it felt as though a noble Kree was on his side as he easily fibbed, "It would give me time to say goodbye to my mortal life. Everyone loses touch after high school. It wouldn't seem unusual."

"And if you're still not ready?"

Steve stared down Schmidt, "May Alveus devour my soul."

Schmidt relaxed at that. A ghost of a smirk on his face as his brow quirked every slightly. Almost as though he was amused by Steve. For a moment, Steve was smug.

That all changed though when Loki suggested, "Perhaps it would be easier to transition into his new life by spending some time at the academy. Go on the weekends?"

"I don't know about that, brother," Thor softly argued, not wanting to start something while the High Priest was in their living room.

"Why not? It's only fair," Loki challenged.

Steve held his breath, hoping that Schmidt would --

"I think that's a splendid compromise," Schmidt's lips curled ever slightly. The closest that Steve had ever seen the man smile. Schmidt stood then, and so did Steve's uncles. It took a moment for Steve, himself, to stand as his legs felt like jelly. Schmidt confirmed, "You'll start next weekend, as you were originally planned to do so."

"Marvelous," Loki agreed with a victorious grin while Thor gave him a stern glare.

Steve's head was swimming. Schmidt shook his uncles' hands before he held his hand out for Steve. Refraining from recoiling, Steve took the gloved hand in his and gave it as firm of a shake as he could and he repeated back to Schmidt, "Hail Hydra."