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

Twenty-Four

"So, um," Bucky started but quickly paused. Focusing on his own carving, Bucky worried his lower lip and tried again, "You're transferring schools?"

Steve thickly swallowed and quietly confirmed, "Yeah."

"Were you going to tell me?" Bucky asked, his prominent jaw tight. It was clear that Bucky was trying to keep it together, effectively breaking Steve's heart. Especially when Bucky's lower lip quivered while he attempted to tease, "Or was I just going to show up here one morning and find out that you were gone?"

"I --" Steve felt the tears building in his eyes and he sniffled to keep the snot from running down his nose. This wasn't how Steve wanted his night to go. This wasn't how Steve wanted the week leading up to his birthday to go.

Not able to tell Bucky the truth, Steve reluctantly lied, "I wasn't sure I'd --" be forced to go "-- get in."

"Stevie," Bucky sadly, humorlessly chuckled as he stopped in his jack-o'-lantern activities to pull Steve close, practically lifting him onto his lap. Instinctively, Steve buried his face in Bucky's broad chest. Tears started staining Bucky's red long sleeve tee, but Steve didn't care. Bucky rubbed smoothing circles into Steve's back and he rested his cheek on the top of Steve's head as he complimented, "You're the most talented person I know. Of course, you'd get in."

Steve nodded. His heart was absolutely broken and an anger was building in him. He should've been able to choose his own future. He should've been able to choose to be with Bucky. To leave the world he never wanted behind in order to live the life he desperately wanted. It just didn't seem fair that what he wanted didn't matter.

"What school?" Bucky rasped. Trying not to cry, Bucky's humor fell flat as he attempted to joke, "Maybe I can get a Talentless Sad Boyfriend Scholarship."

A wet chuckle startled out of Steve and he wiped under his glasses as he started, "Hy--"

Cutting himself off, Steve looked around the room for help. After all, there was no way that the name itself would spur on more questions. With the help of the Stark Orchard sticker and the paper next to Bucky's knee, Steve constructed, "Howard Young Preparatory Academy... of the Arts."

Bucky nuzzled his face into Steve's neck and sadly smiled, "Should've known you'd get into some ritzy art school."

Weakly, Steve shoved at Bucky's shoulder before wrapping his arms around Bucky's torso and holding him close. His glasses uncomfortably dug into the side of his face, but Steve didn't care. Holding Bucky was more important than his discomfort. Especially when he didn't know if Bucky would even want to still be with him considering he was going to a new school.

"When do you leave?" Bucky asked, his lips pressed against Steve's skin.

Deeply breathing to settle his nerves, Steve answered, "Friday."

"So, we can still celebrate your birthday?"

There was so much hope in his voice that more tears started to build in Steve's eyes. Sniffling, Steve confirmed, "Even if I left tomorrow, I'd do everything in my power to still celebrate my birthday with you."

"Thanks, pal," Bucky kissed Steve's temple.

Steve's ear was pressed to Bucky's chest. A calming thump, thump, thump steadily beating from Bucky's healthy heart and Steve tried to focus on that. Bucky was important to Steve. He had always been important and he would always be important. There was nothing that Loki could do to change that.

Pulling away to look up at the handsome brunet, Steve asked, "You know I love you, right?"

"Of course," Bucky answered, but the jest that he usually used wasn't there. Kissing Steve's forehead, Bucky kept his lips there as he reassured, "I love you, too."

"Good," Steve sighed, some of the weight lifting off his shoulders. Leaning back to look at Bucky, Steve attempted nonchalance as he informed, "It's only a weekend school right now."

Pretending to wipe imaginary sweat from his forehead, Bucky joked, "Good, now I only have to compete with a weekend boyfriend."

"Jerk," Steve scoffed and shoved at Bucky's shoulder, "You don't have to worry about competing with anyone. There's only ever going to be you."

"Thank god, for that, punk," Bucky cupped Steve's face and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. Leaning his forehead against Steve's, Bucky quietly confessed, "I always thought it would be you and me... forever."

Steve's heart stuttered at that. Sure, Bucky had already said as much the other day. But Steve was sure that no matter how often he heard it, his heart would still react the same way. He hoped that it would, at least. No matter what happened, Steve hoped that he'd always feel this way. Hoped that Bucky would too.