Steve slid out of the car and smiled as he breathed in the fresh cold air, tipping his head back to follow the clean lines of the steeple up to the cross that reached toward Heaven. The clear sound of singing floated through the air to reach his ears:
Angels from the realms of glory...
Bucky's fingers tightened around Steve's as they walked across the parking lot. His breath clouded white in the cold air as they neared the church.
Wing your flight o'er all the earth...
"Hey." Steve stopped, tugging Bucky closer to his side. "We don't have to do this."
Ye who sang creation's story…
Leaning into Steve, Bucky closed his eyes and shook his head. "But you want to."
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.
Wrapping his free hand around Bucky's upper arm, Steve smiled encouragingly. "I want you to be okay. If you'd rather go home and watch It's a Wonderful Life, that's fine with me."
Come and worship…
Straightening up, Bucky shook his head again. "It's Christmas Eve, Stevie. This is tradition." His eyes, full of hope warring with desperation, met Steve's. "Isn't it?"
Come and worship...
Tears prickled Steve's eyes at the nickname that Bucky hardly ever used anymore, and he swallowed a lump in his throat. "Yeah, it is."
Worship Christ, the newborn King!