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

Thirty-Four

Once Bucky's truck was out of sight, Steve turned and finally opened the front door. Leaving the comfort of the large wrap around porch, for the familiarity of the entryway. His eyes narrowing behind his glasses as he was greeted by his already packed luggage.

"Meow," Tutti complained when she spotted Steve. Rubbing against Steve's bags, Nosferatu looked up at Steve and repeated, "Meow."

"I know," Steve agreed and sighed, crouching to run his hand along her naturally thin white fur, he quietly admitted, "I don't want to leave either."

Seemingly content, Tutti started up the grand staircase. Steve watched as her tiny body hopped up each step at a slower pace than Goose typically took the steps. A small smile tugged at his lips before he heard a throat clearing.

Snapping his attention to the doorway of the living room, Steve found Uncle Loki looking positively debonair in his slim black suit with his black hair slicked back. If Steve didn't know better, he'd assume that Loki was purposely trying to look good when he dropped him off at the academy. But Loki often went down the more fashionable route most days and events though. So, Steve couldn't assume too much.

Smoothing his hands over his slim black suit jacket, Loki coolly replied, "You better change. You don't want to show up looking like a fool. It would be unbecoming if the former High Priestess' son showed up in --" Loki gave Steve's costume a pointed look "-- that."

Glancing down his body at the sea shell bra over his long sleeve tee, practically hot-pants shorts, and tights. Swallowing thickly and pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, Steve agreed, "No, that wouldn't be good."

Loki's lips ticked up in a pleased grin as he nodded his head as he suggested, "Get to it."

Nodding, Steve headed up the grand staircase and tried to keep it together as best he could as he entered his bedroom. Not knowing what to wear. Judging by Loki's outfit, Steve would assume he'd have to wear something more formal. If he were to take a page out of Thor's typical every day wear of jeans and general layers, Steve would assume something more relaxed, but still fashionable. If Steve took after Hildy's average outfits, he'd be fine with leaving in what he was currently wearing.

With a frustrated sigh, Steve removed his costume. Still not entirely sure, but deciding to go with a soft, hand knitted sweater from Sam and a pair of nice jeans that Sharon always complimented him for wearing. If he had to leave his other life to make his family happy, he was going to go wearing things that reminded him of the people he loved. Now if only he had something of Bucky's, Steve would be all set.

Dressed, Steve just stood there staring into his closet for a moment. Not sure what to do. Logically, Steve knew that he should just head downstairs since his bags were all packed. But he wasn't ready to. Steve was fully aware that he was just stalling at this point, but he didn't care.

Longing for his uncles to change their minds. Well, for Loki to change his mind. Steve knew that if Thor made the decisions, Steve wouldn't have to leave. Steve should've made that his wish as he blew out the candles.

Just then, a sound of movement came from inside the closet. The movement causing the hanging clothes to swing. Assuming that it was just Goose messing around in there the way that he typically enjoyed to do, Steve rolled his eyes and parted the clothes in search of the flerken.

However, when Steve parted the hanging sweaters, he wasn't greeted by the orange tabby like he thought he would be. Instead, a slim oval face peeked out from the shadows. Ratty, hay-like, wispy blonde hair. Sunken, blue eyes with purple, bruise-like dark circles in stark contrast with their nearly translucent, white skin. Thin lips chapped as her mouth dropped open in a silent scream while her face twisted in agony.

Steve's brows furrowed as he debated getting one of his family members. Perhaps they'd know what to do. Perhaps they'd be able to help this poor spirit and finally allow her to rest. This absolutely tortured soul --

"You keep making that face, it's going to stay that way," Hildy stated, breaking through Steve's thoughts and causing him to snap his attention from the spirit in his closet to his cousin. Who was nonchalantly leaning against the doorframe of his room.

Steve rolled his eyes and redirected his attention to his closet. The woman was gone. Not surprised, Steve sighed and muttered, "Only in this house."

Judging Steve's seemingly bad mood, Hildy assured, "The academy's not that bad."

"Yeah," Steve scoffed, running his hand through his floppy blond hair as he falsely agreed, "Sure."

"You just gotta make sure they know you're not someone to be messed with," Hildy advised with a smirk and a wink.

Although Steve wasn't against standing up to bullies, he was still aware of how he appeared. Steve also wasn't oblivious to how the other students practiced their abilities more than he did. If they wanted to harm him without putting their hands on him, they'd be able to. Essentially, Steve knew that he'd be defenseless against his new classmates.

"Hey," Hildy placed a comforting hand on Steve's shoulder, regaining his attention. Steve blinked a few times to clear his head, and Hildy reassured, "You'll be okay. You're stronger than you look, and I feel bad for anyone who even thinks about messing with you."

Steve's shoulders slumped at that. As though a weight had shifted. Relaxed, Steve turned and wrapped his arms around Hildy's trim waist. With his face buried in her broad shoulder, Hildy wrapped her strong arms around his back.

Letting out a deep breath, Steve glanced over at the closet. No one was there, spirit or otherwise. Yet, Steve spotted a picture of a baby in the spot where she stood. A tiny, pale, frail baby wrapped in a black cloth. Much like the one Steve knew was buried deep in his closet somewhere with the other items of his childhood.