Steve woke up to a small shaft of light coming through his window curtains. He kicked his blankets off and left the comfort of his bed for the delicious smell of the kitchen. He ran his fingers through his messy hair as he took a seat at a bar stool in front of the island counter. He smiled as his Uncle placed a plate of pancakes, eggs and bacon in front of him.
"Good morning." He smiled, grabbing his fork and cutting a piece of pancake and putting it in his mouth.
"You came home pretty early for going out with your friends, then you went right to bed. Do you want to talk about it?"
Steve sighed as he took a bite of eggs. Man, his Uncle could cook. "I lost track of time at the mall, I didn't hang out with my friends."
His Uncle nodded, stealing a piece of bacon from his plate. "Were they angry?"
"Sort of upset, but they'll get over it."
"Okay... Merry Christmas Eve by the way." He turned and started doing dishes.
Steve choked on the food in his mouth. "Uh, yeah. Merry Christmas Eve." He quickly ate the rest of his food, and pushed himself off the bar stool. As soon as he did, he turned to his Uncle. "When did we get bar stools?"
Uncle Phil shook his head and laughed. "I was wondering when you would notice. I got them for Christmas, from a friend."
Steve laughed a little, then proceeded with his walk back to his room. He grabbed his phone to see if he had any missed calls or texts, and when he didn't, he went to wrapping presents. Uncle Phil's, Clint's, Natasha's, Thor's, he still needed to get Loki something.
He grabbed his Uncle's present and took it downstairs, setting it under the tree. Phil pretended not to notice and Steve smiled as he walked away with his Uncle whistling nonchalantly. He ran back up stairs and to the bathroom, figuring a shower would be a nice way to kill some time.
The steady stream of hot water hitting his body was actually quite relaxing. He lost track of time, and when he got out, his fingers were wrinkled. He dried off and walked to his room. He grabbed a pair of boxers and pulled them on. He grabbed a black t-shirt and held it out in front of him, it wasn't his.
He sighed, setting it on top of his dresser. He needed to give that, the pair of jeans in the next drawer down, and the jacket hanging in his closet back to Tony. He would eventually do it.
He grabbed one of his shirts and slid it on along with a pair of jeans. He grabbed his phone, saw that he had a text and opened it.
'My parents said you could come over tomorrow. They're going out at like 8.' It was from Loki.
Steve smiled and replied. 'I promise I'll be there.'
He put his phone in his pocket and walked back downstairs to sit with his Uncle and watch T.V.
"Steve, I've got some bad news." His Uncle said as soon as he had sat down. "I've got to go out of town tomorrow. I tried to get out of it, but they just won't let me stay."
"Oh... That's okay," Steve replied, trying to keep a straight face.
"I'm really sorry kiddo. I wish I could stay."
Steve looked to the T.V., barely registering that it was on. "It's really fine. When do you have to leave?"
"Plane leaves at noon."
"So we'll open presents than you'll leave?"
"Pretty much."
"When will you be back?"
Phil sighed. "The second." Steve sighed too.
They sat silently for a while, each pretending to watch the television. A lot of time passed before Steve's phone began vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out, and upon seeing it was Loki, walked into the kitchen. His Uncle would see it as common courtesy, not an attempt to avoid the awkward silence that was hanging in the room.
"Hey." He smiled, lowering his voice. He opened his garage door and entered, closing it quietly and walking to his bike.
"Hey, are you busy?" Loki asked.
"I'm never too busy for you. What's up?" He smiled, sitting himself down and looking over his motorcycle for any damage, although he knew there was none.
"Nothing. Just got home and figured I should make some attempt to contact you."
"Oh. Well then what are you up too?"
"Oh you know, being shirtless and what not, the usual." Steve could hear the smirk in his voice.
"Are you trying to make me want to come over?" Steve asked.
"Maybe."
"It's working." Steve smiled. "But, what about your legs?"
"I'm wearing those skinny jeans you really like." Steve subconsciously licked his lips.
"What happened to that innocent boy who I talked to last night?" Steve asked.
"I still look pretty innocent, if that means anything." Steve knew he was standing in front of his mirror, running his fingers through his hair and trying to make it look just right, only so he could mess it up and do it again. He did it all the time when Steve was there.
"Leave your poor hair alone, I'm sure it looks perfect." Steve smiled. "And put a shirt on before you catch another cold."
"No! I'll do whatever I please." He heard the boy press the phone between his shoulder and ear. He heard the noise of a zipper being undone. Then heard Loki throw himself on his bed.
"At least get under a blanket?" Steve pleaded.
"No, and you can't do anything to make me either."
"That's what you think." Steve promptly hung up and called Thor.
"Hello?"
"Thor! Make your brother put clothes on." Steve shouted a little to loudly.
"Will do Captain." Thor hung up his phone.
Steve held his phone in his hand. It only took a few moments for it to vibrate again, Loki's name and number occupying the screen. "Hello?"
"I hate you," Loki stated simply. Steve smiled in self satisfaction.
"I just don't want you getting sick." He assured.
"Now Loki, if anyone ever asks you to remove your clothes over the phone again, don't do it. Chances are, they're looking in your window." Steve heard Thor explain loud enough for their parents to hear.
"Thor!" Loki shouted. He threw a pillow at the blond, missing him and hitting the wall. He heard Thor running away, laughing wildly. Loki slammed his door shut. "I really, really hate you."
"No you don't." Steve replied. Loki didn't. "Awe, Loki. Stop being angry. Trust me, if I wanted your clothes off, I'd take them off myself."
Loki smiled. "Well that's good to know." Steve smiled too.
They lost track of time talking, Steve sitting in his garage, Loki laying on his bed, both shutting the world out in exchange for the others voice. Loki's words began to slur, but he insisted on staying up for awhile longer. He fell asleep not long after, still on the phone with Steve. The blond smiled.
"Good night Loki. I love you." He said and promptly hung up, letting him sleep.
He reentered the house, all the lights were off and he figured his Uncle had retired early because he had to leave by noon tomorrow. Steve figured he should do the same, so he walked up the stairs and into his room.
He changed quickly before laying down in his bed. He caught a glimpse of the three wrapped presents in the corner of his room and sighed. He still need to figure out what to get Loki.
Not a moment later, it hit him. Steve knew exactly what he wanted to give his boyfriend for Christmas.
Steve woke up early the next morning, but he still smelled breakfast being made downstairs. He ran down the stairs, nearly falling twice, and into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around his Uncle.
"Merry Christmas Uncle Phil!" Steve shouted, feeling his Uncle wrap his arms around him too.
"Merry Christmas Steve." Steve pulled away and took a seat on the counter, grabbing an already made plate of food. "We have seats now, you know."
Steve turned and looked at the bar stools that occupied the space opposite him. "Yeah, but I like this one." He replied, mouth full of waffle.
Phil leaned on the counter and took a bite of eggs. "Don't talk with your mouth full." They laughed.
After eating heartily, they moved to the living room and Steve allowed his Uncle to open his present first. While he wasn't surprised, he was grateful. He set it down at his feet and insisted Steve start opening his.
Steve needn't be told twice. He tore open box after gift-filled box. He smiled and thanked his Uncle for every one. Receiving some new clothes, a lamp for the desk in his room, a drawing kit and two tickets to a 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra' concert -really good seats too- he was definitely happy.
Phil looked to the clock and sighed. "Want to drive me to the airport?" He asked.
Steve nodded and pushed himself up. He went to his room and put a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt on. He went to his Uncle's room and grabbed his other suit case, following him down the stairs. Steve noticed a small wrapped box on the counter.
"Uh... Uncle Phil?" He asked, pointing at the box. His Uncle smiled.
"I almost forgot to give you that one." He gestured for him to go open it.
Steve set down his Uncle's suit case and walked to the box. He tore it open carefully, and pulled out the single silver key that was inside. He looked over his Uncle who just smiled and walked to the garage door. Steve grabbed the bag and followed after his Uncle Phil.
Sitting beside Steve's bike, in the spot normally reserved for Phil's car, sat a 1966, black, ford mustang. Steve looked in disbelief; his Uncle chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder.
"I'm going to be late if you just stand there gawking all day." Steve ran over to the car, touching it to make sure it was real and that he wasn't dreaming. "It's so I don't have to worry about you on that bike in the snow." Phil opened the passenger door and slid in.
Steve threw his luggage in the back and got in the driver seat. He put the key in the ignition and smiled as the car came to life. "I'm on a schedule Steve." His uncle reminded once again, tapping his watch.
Steve opened the garage door and pulled out of the driveway. He was definitely happy with his Christmas gifts.
Steve pulled into the driveway of the Odinson residence at 8:30. He turned off his new car and grabbed the three presents from the passenger seat. Walking to the door, he barely knocked when Thor and Clint burst through the door and ran to his mustang.
"When did you get this?" Clint asked, examining it with great care.
"This morning," Steve replied.
"Steve, it's the most magnificent thing I've ever seen." Thor announced.
"It's a car you two, calm down." Steve walked into the house, meeting Loki halfway down the main corridor. The black haired boy took the gifts from him, smiling.
Steve kissed his forehead, mumbling "Merry Christmas." Before following him into his living room where Natasha sat staring through a window at the two males who were swooning over Steve's car.
"Nice car blondy." Natasha smiled as she turned to him.
"Thanks, my Uncle got it for me." Loki walked over to him, wrapping his arms around his waist.
"Merry Christmas." Loki stood on his toes and brushed his lips against Steve's.
"Barf." Natasha scoffed, looking back out the window. The two others entered the house, raving about Steve's car.
"Merry Christmas guys." Steve said, bringing them out of their conversation.
"Merry Christmas Steven!" Thor said, walking over to him. Loki shot him a look and kept his arms around the blond.
"Present time!" An impatient Clint shouted, walking to the tree.
Steve leaned down and put his lips to Loki's ear. "I'll give you your present later." He said quickly.
Loki unwrapped his arms from around Steve and intertwined their fingers, walking to the couch and sitting down. "Okay. Here Nat, this is from Steve. This one's from Thor and Loki. Oh this one is mine!" He stopped and sat down with his legs crossed.
He tore the paper off and examined the black case, curiosity evident on his face. "Your present is inside, genius." Steve said.
Clint opened the box carefully, a smile spreading across his face. "Oh my God." He pulled the arrow out, and everyone turned from the gift to Steve.
Natasha and Thor tore into their gifts, smiling as they opened them. Loki looked up at the blond, and Steve planted a quick kiss on his lips. "You'll get yours."
After much thanks to Steve, all the other gifts were opened. With each one enticed with their newly opened presents, Steve pushed himself off the couch and pulled Loki out onto his deck, closing the sliding glass door behind them.
"What's this about?" Loki asked, smirking slightly.
Steve wrapped his arms around Loki's waist, pressing his forehead to his. "I thought a lot about what to get you for Christmas. Nothing I could think of could express how I feel about you."
"It's really okay," Loki smiled.
"I'm not done." Steve unwrapped his arms and placed his hands on either side of the black haired boy's face, rubbing his cheeks with his thumbs. "I was thinking about it last night, and suddenly it just came to me." Loki placed his hands over Steve's.
"I want to give you me for Christmas."
Okay. So I try really hard to update regularly, but the past weekend was so busy and I seriously feel like I haven't had a chance to breath. So this chapter is… well I don't really know, and I have a lot of stuff that I need to do right now, like learn my stupid marching band music. Which reminds me, updates shall be sporadic, but the story is almost over so it doesn't matter much.
Anyway, thanks to any and all reviews, favorites and alerts. They're all much appreciated.