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

Twelve

As White Christmas came close to the final act, Steve figured that this was as good of a time as any to head back to his room. It was quickly approaching the witching hour, so Steve was sure that with the late hour, no one would care. After all, Loki had already retired to his bedroom before the movie had even started with a comment about one holiday movie is enough for the night. Although Steve had a sneaky suspicion that he really just didn't like being the odd man out. Especially since it seemed as though he was the only one without a guest.

In fact, the only ones left were Steve, Natasha, Thor, and Bruce Ban the Science Man. Hildy and Carol tapped out within the first ten minutes of the movie, but had been more preoccupied with each other than what was playing out on the screen. Of course, they weren't the only ones. But their riveted attention was cuter than Thor's and Bruce's who awkwardly sat as far as they could on either side of the love seat.

Giving the older men another glance, Steve knew that they definitely wouldn't miss him or Natasha. So, Steve redirected his attention to the petite redhead. Only to find that Natasha was very interested in the movie. A small, intimate smile on her face. And was that, a twinkle, in her eyes?

Steve turned to look at the TV screen. White Christmas had been a staple in the Odinsons' holiday celebrations all of Steve's life. But now he wondered what it would be like to be watching it for the first time. With the opening bars of the titular song playing as the cast donned in Santa suits and dresses took their places on stage, it did seem magical. Especially as the child ballerinas joined them in red and white tutus.

The corner of Steve's mouth quirked up. Feeling lucky to have witnessed this layer of Natasha that, Steve was positive, very few had seen before. It made those damn butterflies in his stomach start fluttering again, and Steve hated it.

When the end credits finally started streaming on the screen, Natasha finally turned her attention away from the screen to find Steve looking at her. Her brows furrowed, but the small smile stayed on her face. Steve turned his gaze to the clock, and was thankful that Natasha understood and stood from the sofa without a word.

As Steve stood up, Thor questioned, "You two heading for bed?"

"Yeah," Steve quickly answered.

Perhaps a bit too quick. For a moment, Thor's brows furrowed. Clearly not believing that the teens were in going to sleep. Suspiciously, he watched the pair until Natasha let out a long yawn as she stretched her arms high above her head. The skepticism seeped out of Thor's expression then and he bid the teens a goodnight.

"Should I put the mistletoe away?" Steve smirked, playfully winking at his uncle and his uncle's maybe-date.

Bashfully, Bruce averted his gaze to his lap while Thor's eyes widened in his embarrassment. Even though Uncle Thor was several centuries old, and even though Dr. Banner was no spring chicken, they seemed younger in that moment. Almost as though they were the teenagers in the room.

Cheeks flaming red, Thor leveled a look at his nephew and firmly said, "Goodnight, Steven."

Chuckling on his way up the private family staircase, Steve called over his shoulder, "Goodnight."

"Are you always this much of a little shit?" Natasha teased.

"Pretty much," Steve confirmed, glancing over his shoulder at Natasha.

Rounding the corner at the landing, Natasha stepped a bit closer. Nearly pressing her chest against Steve's back as she quietly questioned, "You got everything, right?"

"Duh," Steve playfully scoffed, opening his bedroom door for Natasha to enter first. Following her into the room, Steve's eyes roamed over her frame.