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

Five

If they were going to have a séance, they definitely needed supplies. So, Steve and Natasha left his room in search for the items. Thankfully, he had grown up in a magical house rather than a mortal one. Finding candles and salt and a talking board would be simple. Alveus knows that the Odinsons were prepared, if nothing else.

As Steve entered the kitchen, he paused. Completely stilling in his steps. Sitting uncomfortably at the kitchen table was none other than the former host of Bruce Ban, the Science Man. Sure, Steve knew that they lived in the same town. Dr. Banner even owned and operated The Mad Scientist: Coffee and Oddity Shop. The very one that Thor had been working at part-time just to get out of the house since Steve left for the academy.

Even he needs space from Uncle Loki, Steve couldn't help but bitterly think. Of course, then he felt bad for thinking so cruelly at his uncle. After all, he had helped raise him. He loved Steve. He did what he thought was best for Steve.

"Um, hi," Steve cleared his throat, letting the man know he was there.

Nearly jumping out of his skin, Dr. Banner turned to look at Steve. Eyes wide, as though he wasn't expecting Steve. And perhaps he wasn't. After all, Steve had been living at the academy almost entirely exclusively. Now he was wondering what in the Maveth was going on.

Accidentally whacking his knee against the table as he stood up, he held his hand out to Steve as he introduced himself, "Bruce."

"Steve," he gave his hand a firm shake, surprised by how strong Bruce's grip was. Judging just by his meek frame, Steve wouldn't have assumed his hold to be so powerful. He supposed that was why the phrase, "assume makes an ass out of you and me," existed. Steve attempted to get a better feel for the older man, "Are you here for an antique? Or a restoration?"

"Oh, uh, no," Bruce blushed and sat back down in his seat, rubbing his sore knee as he bashfully clarified, "Your uncle invited me over for dinner."

Invited me over for dinner, ran through Steve's mind. Shocked that his uncle invited a mortal over. Either this was going to be an odd date. Or they were going cannibal for the holidays.

Steve really hoped it was the first option.

Trying not to seem too strange just standing there looking at him, Steve decided to resume his hunt for séance items. Positive that there were some white candles and matches in there. Along with some of Uncle Thor's salt mixtures.

As Steve started heading for the pantry where the items were most likely located, the oven timer beeped, causing Steve to pause. For a moment, he debated just leaving it for someone else to take care of. But he didn't want what was in there to burn. It was Yule, after all.

So, Steve let the pantry be as he walked over to the oven. Grabbing the mitts he got Uncle Thor for Yule a few years ago, he slid them on and opened the oven. Being greeted with the mouthwatering orange and cranberry glazed Cornish hens, Steve was glad that he had decided to come home for the holidays.

As he set the pan on the stove, however, Steve realized that there were only four hens. Deciding to ignore the way his stomach dropped, Steve ducked down again to pull out the roasted red potatoes, and brown sugar Brussels sprouts. Everything looked and smelled so delicious that his stomach grumbled. Probably still angry with him due to the academy meals not being the gourmet dishes that he was used to.

"Sounds like you made it home just in time," Bruce softly smiled, still seeming a bit shy.

"Guess I did," Steve grinned in reply. Trying to match up the goofy man he remembered from the school programs with the soft-spoken man in his kitchen.

"Perhaps you should've called first though," Uncle Loki stated from the family room.

Had he been there this whole time? Steve wondered as he turned around. Thankfully, Loki was leaning casually against the archway. With his arms nonchalantly crossed along his chest, the newspaper tucked under his arm. His eyes kind when they met Steve's, and Steve didn't even hesitate as he rushed across the room. Instantly wrapping Loki into a tight, warm embrace. Not realizing just how much he had missed his uncle until that very moment.

"Honestly, Steven, one would think you were raised by wolves," Loki teased, smoothing his hand over the back of Steve's head, the way he used to when Steve would scrape his knee or have a nightmare. Holding him just a bit tighter, Loki admitted, "Glad to have you back, little one."

And if Steve had to bury his face into his uncle's shoulder because tears started building in his eyes? Well, that was no one's business but his own.

"I like her though," Loki softly spoke to him, rubbing comforting circles into his back, solidifying how much of a child Steve still was. Loki reminded, "I've always wanted you to find a nice witch or warlock."

Steve choked on his saliva at that. Coughing and pulling back, Steve's brows furrowed at Loki. Blinking away the shock, Steve corrected, "I'm not dating Natasha. We're just friends."

Looking a bit more skeptically than Steve would've liked, Loki noncommittally agreed, "Right."

Something about that single word brought Steve back to the time before he and Bucky started dating. Back to the time when his crush was obvious to his family, but he thought he was hiding well. When Bucky had already started acting more like a boyfriend than a friend, but Steve was too blind to see it.

But this time was different. That wasn't the way he and Natasha were. Right?

"Boy, something sure does smell good," Natasha complimented, announcing her presence.

Slowly redirecting his attention to the doorway, Steve looked over at Natasha. She had an easy grin on her face. One that Steve was familiar with. One that made the knot in Steve's chest ease.

Steve's eyes widen at that realization. Because, oh no.