Chapter 35
For Bucky, the beds at Stark Tower proved to be softer than marshmallows and even easier to fall asleep in.
So when someone poked his shoulder on Christmas morning, he didn’t want to leave.
“It’s past 10:00 in the morning, Buck,” Steve’s voice nagged at the edges of his sleep.
Bucky groaned, “I haven’t had a good night of sleep for years, Steve, leave me alone.”
“Thor and Bruce are making cookies,” Steve coaxed, trying to pull Bucky out of bed.
“No,” Bucky protested, and pulled Steve back in bed. Lazily, he wrapped his arms around him in a sleepy cuddle, “Stay with me a li’l longer?”
“But it’s Christmas.”
“And All I want for Christmas is you!” Bucky sang with a yawn.
Steve chuckled, his breath tickling Bucky’s neck, “Jerk.”
“I’m interrupting something, aren’t I?”
Loki’s voice came from the doorway, sounding playfully resigned.
Ever since they opened up about their pregnancy, Loki seemed much more relaxed around Steve and Bucky. They still didn’t want to tell the other Avengers, but Bucky could understand that, and didn’t want to push them. He took note that they were wearing the purple bracelets this morning.
“No, no,” Bucky waved an arm slowly, closing his eyes again as he sank further back into the blankets, “Come ‘ere. Join the party.”
He heard the clink of mugs on the end table, “I brought hot chocolate.”
Bucky felt the bed dip as Loki slid in next to him. He shivered at the cold hand that touched his shoulder.
“Jesus, you’re cold,” he spoke without thinking.
“Sorry,” Loki’s voice sounded small as they moved to pull their hand away.
“Don’t apologize,” Bucky took their hand and guided it so that it wrapped across his bare chest, “You just caught me off-guard. It feels good.”
Loki gave no verbal response, only shifted closer to him. Bucky imagined a gentle smile appearing on their face.
Steve hummed against him suddenly.
“How come Bucky gets to be in the middle?”
“Cause you wanted to get up,” Bucky huffed, finally opening his eyes.
Steve pressed his lips together in a pout, but didn’t say anything.
No argument there.
Bucky reveled in the peaceful warmth for a few minutes, until Loki spoke again.
“Seriously, though. The hot chocolate’s gonna get cold.”
Reluctantly, Bucky sat up against the headboard, reaching a hand out towards the mugs.
Loki sighed and gave one to him.
“Don’t spill,” Steve warned, but accepted the mug passed to him anyway.
Bucky took a sip, surprised to find it tasted like peppermint.
“Steve, I think this is yours,” he sighed.
“Oh!” Loki gasped softly, “Sorry, I must’ve given you the wrong one. Bucky’s was supposed to have marshmallows in it.”
“It did,” Steve answered, chocolate residue already coating his upper lip. He handed the already half gone mug to Bucky with a smug expression, “Merry Christmas.”
“Punk,” Bucky grumbled, handing him the peppermint mug and downing the rest of his hot chocolate in three big gulps.
“Alright,” he said, nudging Steve to get up, “Let’s go.”
When they got to the kitchen, Bruce and Thor were making cookies, as Steve had promised.
Natasha, who had been sitting at the counter, reached across the counter to grab a cookie.
“So what’s the plan for today?”
“Thought we might go to the park,” Tony answered from the couch in the living room, then stood up to walk into the kitchen.
“You ever made a snow angel?” Bucky asked, directing the question to both Loki and Thor.
Loki shook their head at the same time that Thor nodded an affirmative.
“Aye, the snow on Jotunheim provided the perfect opportunity.”
“You are an absolute child,” Loki rolled their eyes, though they grinned while they said it.
“So, snow angels in the park,” Tony started listing, “Cookies and hot chocolate, we’ll throw a party tonight and open presents, am I missing anything?”
“Clint,” Natasha muttered, “But he’s on vacation, so . . .”
“We should dress up,” Bruce suggested, and upon receiving looks, continued, “You know, like with Santa hats and antler headbands? I’m sure Tony could afford it.”
Tony shrugged, “I guess I could order some. Jarvis?”
“Already on it, sir.”