Those Who Fall: Falling Series 3 (Modern Domestic Stucky AU)

Twenty-Eight

Noticing the homecoming king walking by hand-in-hand with the football player he kissed, Ethan shouted, "Papa, look!"

Eyes widening, Steve turned around to shush the six year old. Hoping that the boys didn't hear them and didn't take any offense. Seeing the way Ethan was looking at them, Steve asked, "Do you want to go tell him how pretty his dress is? He might really like to hear that."

Ethan nodded and Jonas handed Ethan over to Steve. Situating the six year old on his hip, Steve glanced over just in time to watch the boys make their way up the cement steps. They had already passed their rows, but Steve figured that the least they could do was congratulate and compliment them.

Carefully squeezing his way past their loved ones, Steve briefly startled when Bucky gave his bum an affectionate pat. In retaliation, Steve playfully narrowed his eyes at his husband, who only blew a kiss in reply. Not wanting to miss the teens, Steve quickly made his way out to the aisle and started up the wide steps.

However, it wasn't a secret that Steve's legs were short, and these teens were tall, so they had already reached the sidewalk leading back down the hill from the bleachers by the time that Steve reached the middle. Once he finally did reach the top of the bleachers and started heading down the sidewalk, he was lucky that a group of their friends had stopped them.

Not wanting to be rude, Steve hung back while the boys conversed with their friends. Pressing his forehead to Ethan's, Steve made a silly face causing him to smile. Leaning in, Ethan kissed Steve's cheek and tightened his grip around Steve's neck.

As Steve rubbed his back, he realized that the group of friends were heading up the sidewalk towards the bleachers. Starting to walk again, Steve politely called out, "Excuse me."

The boys paused and turned to look at Steve. Smiling, Steve explained, "My son wanted to tell you how pretty your dress is."

Seeming comforted by that, the teens backtracked to them, and Steve softly encouraged the little boy, "You got this, bub."

"I like your hair," the homecoming king complimented Ethan. Clearly trying to ease the six year old out of his shyness.

"Me too," the other teen agreed, then he leaned into the king. The bulky football pads made him seem intimidating. The way he teased the other boy made him more approachable, "At least his is natural."

Rolling his eyes, the king introduced them, "I'm Robin. This is my boyfriend, Derek."

"I'm Steve and this is Ethan," Steve introduced, rubbing Ethan's back.

Ethan's face was still buried in Steve's neck until Derek said, "No way! That's my little brother's name!"

"Really?" Ethan softly questioned.

"Yup!" Derek grinned.

Ethan smiled and pushed his glasses back up his nose. Asking, "Does your brother have eyes and ears?"

Both boys seemed confused and Steve subtly pointed at Ethan's glasses and hearing aids. The pair had a silent, Oh!, moment and Derek said, "No, but he's not as cool as you."

At that, Steve was positive that Ethan's rosy cheeks weren't simply due to the weather. Knowing for a fact that he was feeling more comfortable, Ethan finally said, "I like your dress. It's really pretty."

"Thank you," Robin grinned. Gripping the side of the satin gown, Robin bowed. That earned a giggle from Ethan and Robin asked, "Do you have any dresses?"

Eagerly, the six year old nodded, "We have a pretend-play chest and Sophia lets me wear her Elsa nightgown sometimes."

"Is Sophia your sister?" Derek questioned.