The Chilling Adventures of Steve Rogers: Book 2 (Magical Hydra Horror AU)

One

Large fluffy flakes fell from the sky. Not the packing kind, but the pretty kind. As much as Steve wanted to be disappointed that there wouldn't be any snow-play, he couldn't muster any of it up. Instead, he found himself content with just sitting on the Wilson sofa. A mug of hot chocolate warming his palms, and Bucky's arm around his shoulders warming his soul.

As Home Alone played on the TV and Sharon shared the theory of how Kevin grew up to be Jigsaw, Steve rigidly sat there. His mind preoccupied with Bucky. Or rather, preoccupied with how to lure Bucky over to the archway where the mistletoe was hung.

Blushing, Steve ducked his head and finished his sugary drink that fogged up his thick glasses. Sure, Bucky was officially his boyfriend, but they hadn't been dating for very long. And more than that, they hadn't kissed in front of many people.

Not that Sam and Sharon were many people.

Deciding that now might be his shot, seeing as Sam was busy trying to get the sticky marshmallows off his braces and Sharon was busy with her morbid theories. It was either now or never.

So, Steve stood from his seat. A little dizzy from the movement. Or maybe it was the way that Bucky placed his hands on his slender hips to help steady him. Yeah, that's probably it, Steve embarrassingly admitted to himself. Only causing his blush to spread to the tips of his ears while he hoped that no one was paying attention to him.

Unfortunately, Bucky had always been a bit too perceptive. Especially when it came to Steve, himself. Being able to read him like a book. Sometimes even being able to read him better than Hildy.

Of course, the pair had always been glued to the hip. So, since Steve was heading for the kitchen, Bucky followed. With each step closer to the archway, the tighter the knots in Steve's stomach wound. Would Bucky kiss him under the mistletoe?

Briefly, Steve wondered if he should slow his pace. Silently make it known that he wanted Bucky to kiss him. Wondering if Bucky would pick up on his hints though. Of course, Bucky was more perceptive. If Steve didn't know any better, he'd assume that he possessed a cunning akin to Hildy.

Glancing up at the archway, Steve's heart stuttered. Especially when Bucky tenderly took his hand in his. Giving Steve's slender hand an affectionate squeeze, voicelessly answering Steve's unspoken question.

Steve turned, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose before he looked up at Bucky. The way that Bucky looked at him sent a chill down his spine. Completely taken every time that Bucky looked at him like that. And the thing that surprised Steve the most was that Bucky wasn't looking at him any differently than the way he normally did. Steve didn't know how he had missed the softness in his gaze all those years. How he could overlook the obvious adoration.

Tenderly taking Steve's face in his large hand, Bucky leaned in. Slowly, until finally his lips touched Steve's. Lighting Steve up like a live wire, with just the barest of touches. How could someone have such an affect over another --

Hearing bare feet hit the cold tile floor woke Steve. His eyes instantly snapping open as he reached towards the end table for his glasses. Only to not feel them beside him and to slowly remember that he didn't need them anymore.

It takes time to get used to, Steve reminded himself just as he had every day for the past month and a half. Bringing his hand back to himself, Steve rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Perhaps a little harsher than necessary, but as the tears started building the way that they had been ever since his terrigenesis, he needed to stop them somehow. Knowing exactly what his roommates would do to him if they caught sight of that weakness.

Sitting, Steve swung his legs around towards the edge of the bed. With his feet flat on the floor, he repressed a shiver. Was it just him, or was it colder today?

Noting how his roommates were casually joking with each other, shirtless, Steve figured that it was just him.

All the while Brock brought Jack in for a headlock and started aggressively mussing his brown hair. Steve's scalp started aching in sympathy, but he refused to show even so much as a wince. Getting better each day that he fixed an unamused, bored expression on his face. Knowing that Uncle Loki would be proud of him, Steve crossed the room and started pulling his clothes out for the day.

Admittedly, Steve was running out of clean clothes. Sure, he still didn't own a lot of clothing that fit his now larger, muscular frame. But he still needed to take them home to wash.

Home, Steve remembered, his heart aching in its longing. Ever since that night, Steve had been avoiding his home. Not wanting to remember all the good times that he had with Bucky. Not wanting to remember the absolutely crushed expression that had stuck to Bucky's face when he made the toughest decision of his --

Steve shook his head. Hoping that he could shake the memory right out of his head. He really didn't need to think about that.

"Hey, Odinson," Brock called, tugging a shirt over his head.

Sighing, Steve turned around to face him. Unamused that Brock refused to call him by his actual name. Clenching his hands into fists as he attempted to contain the anger that bubbled in him whenever he was reminded just how narrow-minded and bigoted his roommates were.

"What?" Steve asked, wanting Brock to get right to the point. Crossing the room towards the bathroom where he promptly started to get rid of his morning breath.

"Ya got plans for the holidays?" Brock questioned. A hint of sincerity seeped out in his usually smug tone, causing Steve to briefly paused in his movements. Of course, then Brock added, "Since ya know, we don't really want you hanging around here and ruining our fun."

Rolling his eyes, Steve spit the foamy dregs into the sink, rinsed his toothbrush and headed back over to the wardrobe. Ignoring his roommates, Steve changed out of his sleep shirt. The once baggy material now almost a perfect fit on his new frame. Something else he had to get used to. Not giving himself a chance to, however, as he quickly pulled on his sweater.

"Well, lucky for you --" and unlike you "-- I do have plans," Steve coolly answered, buttoning his jeans. They were just a little long for his frame since they were Uncle Thor's, but they got the job done.

"Aren't you special," Brock sneered, leading the two quieter roommates out of the room.

Letting out a deep sigh, Steve grabbed his stuffed bag and left his room too. Ready to leave this place and go home.