Author's Note:
So this chapter was supposed to come earlier but life got in the way. No triggers for this chapter. Super fluffy though. As always please review and let me know what you think.
"I have never seen you so worried about something in your entire life," Shamira snorted. "Seriously, I think I've seen you less worried about complicated surgeries or life-threatening situations."
"I just have no idea what I'm going to get him for Christmas," Astrid signed exasperated. "You know how much he hates having money spent on him."
Shamira rolled her eyes. "Which is why we are shopping on Christmas Eve. I hope that Bucky dealt with the same conversation." He did.
The two of them continued walking down the street. Window shopping. The Christmas season was upon them. Lights decorating the streets. Everyone in a festive mood. Holly, ivy and wreathes all over the place. Reminded Astrid that she had to decorate the apartment as well. Time had really gotten away from her. They were going to have Christmas morning at her and Shamira's place before moving over to Bucky's parents for Christmas dinner.
"What are you getting Bucky?"
"A pocket watch. He's been wanting it for a while. Not helpful for you I'm afraid." Steve always had his father's pocket watch with him. One of the few things he had of his father. That and his father's compass from the war. Those were the only two things he had from the man.
"Do you know what he's getting me?"
"Does it really matter? You're going to love whatever he gets you." Shamira wasn't wrong but none of it was helpful for her current predicament. She might be going slightly crazy. "Besides he's going to love whatever you get him anyway. The man is still amazed that you're going steady with him."
Maybe Shamira was right. But it was also their first Christmas together. Of hopefully many Christmas's together. Last thing she wanted to do was give Steve a bad gift and have him question her gift-giving skills and therefore their entire relationship. She may have been taking this more seriously than she should.
"Seriously, you could get him an empty shoebox and he would love it," Shamira continued. Falling on deaf ears as Astrid continued to window shop.
There were a lot of things she could get Steve. He didn't have a lot. Problem was he didn't like big expensive things. It made him feel like a charity case. That was what there first big fight was about after all. Yet Astrid still wanted to get him something nice. Make him feel special rather than pitied.
Until she stopped dead in front of a store. Shamira stopping in turn. Astrid let out a smile. Of course, she knew what to get him. She was being an idiot.
"Do you think this would work?"
Shamira glanced at her friend. Seeing her smile which used to be so rare now being so common. It was one of the reasons she loved Steve. He made Astrid genuinely happy. And that was a very rare thing to do.
She wrapped her arms around Astrid's back. Placing her chin on her shoulder. "He'll love it."
After heading inside and buying the gift they hurried home. Laughing as they did so. As soon as the door opened they immediately set out and started decorating. Setting up the fake Christmas tree, the tinsel, ornaments, lights. Lighting another candle on the advent wreath, setting up the Christmas angels. But still, have the Menorah be the centerpiece of decorating. Hanukah may have ended a few days ago but it still had an important part in the home.
Astrid and Shamira also got to work baking Christmas cookies as well as stollen. The smell of cinnamon wafting through the air. Soon the kitchen was piled high with black and whites, cinnamon stars, hazelnut and many more. The U.S government hadn't started rationing yet so they were able to get everything they needed. While Shamira worked on that Astrid set out wrapping the gifts and sticking them under the tree. Just in time too as Astrid heard the door unlock. Confused. She didn't expect Steve and Bucky until tomorrow.
The festive mood suddenly turned dour as she got a look at Steve. His shoulders slumped over. Head bowed and looking down at his feet.
"You got a 4F didn't you?" Astrid asked.
Steve scoffed. "Wow, you really can read minds." Astrid flinched. More out of surprise over anything. Steve never talked to her like that. His expression softened as he looked at her. "I'm sorry it's just-"
"I know Steve." She walked up to him and took his hand. Giving her a small smile in return. Despite knowing that Steve wasn't happy with the decision she couldn't help but be relieved. It meant that she wouldn't have to worry about her being killed. Or him potentially finding Steve. As astronomically low that possibility even was it still worried her.
"Maybe this is a good thing," Shamira brought up. Bucky made it to her side. "You and Astrid will be able to focus on each other."
Steve shook his head. "No. I am going to enlist. I just need a second opinion." Astrid had a feeling that the second opinion was going to be the same as the first opinion.
Astrid squeezed his hand. "Why don't you two stay the night here? Now that you are already here it would be pointless for you to leave only to have to come back the next morning."
"That's what we were thinking," Bucky replied pulling two gifts out of a bag and placing them under the Christmas tree. Joining Astrid's and Shamira's gifts for Steve and Bucky respectively. Shamira wasn't getting anything having received gifts during Hanukkah but was giving gifts out.
"We've made cookies," Shamira stated gesturing to the kitchen and living room. Every single empty space was covered in cookies.
"Clearly," Bucky stated grabbing one of the black and whites. He took a bite and his eyes went wide. Looking at the cookie in his hand. "This is amazing. You need to try this Steve."
Astrid floated a cookie over to him. He plucked it out of the air. Taking a bit. His expression soon mirroring Buckys.
"This is amazing," he stated. Astrid chuckled. The previous sad mood disappearing. They would worry about it later. Right now it was Christmas. A time to celebrate.
They spent the night enjoying each other's presence. Telling jokes and stories. Eating the many Christmas cookies. The recruitment center forgotten. At least until it was time for bed. Shamira and Bucky headed into her room while Astrid led Steve into hers. It would the first time he stayed the night at her place. All other times she stayed at his.
Astrid slowly undressed him. Savoring each part of exposed skin until he was down to his boxers. He did the same for Astrid. Helping her shed her pantyhose, garter and girdle. Leaving her in her bra and underwear. She crawled on top of the bed. Beckoning Steve to join her.
He slowly did so. Curling up underneath the covers. Astrid heart sunk for him. Curling up next to him. It was not a night for fun times.
"I love you," she whispered in his ear. Wrapping her arms around him.
"I love you too." He turned around to face her. Playing with a lock of her hair. "You will be okay, right? If I end up getting shipped out at some point?"
"I'll miss you like crazy and be worried every day. But I would be okay." She propped herself up on an elbow. "You are going to try again aren't you?"
"Until I get in." He turned so that he was lying on his back. "I can't sit here and do nothing."
"I felt the same way." She turned on her back as well. Staring at the ceiling. "I fought until I couldn't do it any longer. Until we were no longer able to."
"What happened?"
Astrid signed. Technically Astrid wasn't breaking her promise to Shamira. Sure it had to deal with their past but it was different. Maybe. Kind of. "Shamira and I were part of a group that fought against the injustices of the Nazi regime. Fighting for all those who couldn't. We were pretty successful until we weren't." Astrid took a deep breath. The memory still fresh in her mind. One moment they were doing their work and the next an explosion rocketed everything. Fire and the smell of charred bodies. Astrid barely managed to escape alive. Shamira only alive because she was back at base. "I lost too many friends that day. With our resources gone, my dad….my dad dead there was nothing we could do. Using the last of our connections we got ourselves to New York. The rest you know."
Steve hummed laying his head on her chest. "I'm glad you came here."
She ran her fingers through his hair. "I haven't regretted my choice. I would have never met the love of my life otherwise." Steve curled deeper into her. Astrid curling herself around him. Keeping him warm. Nights were getting really cold. She felt his breathing slow and he fell asleep in her arms. Astrid soon joining him. Listening softly to his heartbeat.
It was a slow wake up in the morning. Astrid and Steve not wanting to untangle themselves. Content to lie there in each other's arms. Lightly kissing each other's skin.
"Merry Christmas," Astrid whispered. "Here's to many more together."
"Merry Christmas my beloved." He kissed her deeply. Astrid pulling him in closer. Trying to get as much of him as she could.
"I love waking up next to you," Steve stated breaking off the kiss to breath.
"Wait till we're married. Then I'll really have ways of getting you up." She saw his eyes darken. A faint blush decorating his cheeks. His imagination going wild.
"Waiting till marriage then?"
Astrid shrugged. "Well, I can show you now if you're up for it." Steve's eyes went wide. His blush deepening. Astrid smiled as Steve gaped like a fish. "We'll work up to it." She hopped off the bed and held out a hand. He took it and she helped him up. Throwing on a robe and tossing Steve his undershirt.
They quickly slipped it on and padded to sit around the Christmas tree. Shamira and Bucky either still asleep or busy. The two of them cuddled together. Air still a little cold.
"Christmas was my mom's favorite holiday," Steve stated looking up at the tree. "She always loved all the glittering lights."
"My mother called it Jul," Astrid responded earning herself a look and a quick smile from Steve. Astrid shrugged. "My parents were both really into Nordic mythology."
"Must have made for an interesting Christmas."
"Oh, you have no idea." Steve chuckled and rested a hand on her cheek. Still up and brushing his lips softly over hers. It was Astrid who pushed forward to capture his lips and soon their hand were roaming all over each other.
"You guys have enough time with each other or do you need us to wait?" Shamira teased earning herself a glare from both Astrid and Steve. Bucky chuckling in the back.
"Just taking our time waiting for you two," Astrid chirped. Steve shook his head as Shamira and Bucky sat down next to them.
"So, what are we waiting for? There are gifts to open." Bucky gestured to the presents underneath the tree. Astrid started floating them to the right people. And together they started opening.
Bucky got the pocket watch Shamira gave him, a set of cuff links from Astrid, he had a weakness for them and a new shaving kit from Steve.
"You've been complaining about your old one," Steve stated as Bucky enveloped him in a hug. Shamira and Astrid wrapping their arms around each other.
Astrid got a new set of scalpels from Shamira. Twirling them in her hands. They had a really good grip.
"How did you even get these?" she asked Shamira.
"I have my ways." She winked at Astrid. "But at least you can replace your old set in your travel kit. You've been needing a replacement."
"Speaking of a replacement you better open mine," Bucky added on. Astrid did so and revealed a new travel kit bag. Whistling as she unfurled it. It was exactly what she needed. Her old one starting to fray.
"Oh, I definitely needed this." She got her last present from Steve. Opening up a small thin box. Unwrapping the gift she picked up a golden heart-shaped locket. The chain long enough to dangle over her heart.
"It was the last thing my mother gave me before she passed away." Astrid's hearts clenched. "She told me to give it to the love of my life. So that she could keep the ones most precious to her close to her heart." She opened it with a click and felt her breath stutter. Inside was a small hand-drawn picture of Shamira. Her happy go lucky smile. Captured in perfect detail. On the other side of the locket was a picture of Steve. Looking somewhat bashful.
"You always say that you'll miss me," Steve continued. "Now you can carry a piece of me everywhere you go." Astrid had a feeling that Steve thought about this when he thought he was going to get recruited. But the meaning was still the same. Especially since he included Shamira as one of the most precious people in her life.
Astrid placed the locket around her around. Resting perfectly over her heart. She wrapped her arms around Steve and buried his face in his shoulder. Unable to say anything. Steve rubbing circles on her back. They all gave her a moment to compose herself. Even after all this time she still had emotional breakdowns. Once she pulled herself together she looked up at Steve. A little teary-eyed and floated his gifts to him.
He got an illustrated copy of The Hobbit from Bucky and a set of baseball tickets from Shamira. Astrid held her breath as Steve opened up the one from her. Hoping that he would like it. He almost dropped it as he unwrapped it. A leather-bound sketchbook and some beautiful artist pencils. He ran his hand over the cover. As if he couldn't believe what he was feeling. Steve cracked open the book. Covering his mouth when he saw what Astrid wrote on the first page.
To my beloved partner. May you always carry this with you. To remind you to never let that spark of creativity die and to show the world how beautiful life is through your eyes. I hope it brings you light in the darkest times.
Your devoted Astrid.
Steve clutched it to his chest and looked at her. "I'll treasure it always." He put it down and pulled Astrid into another hug. This time nestling into her shoulder.
"You two are adorable," Shamira remarked snuggling into Bucky's side. Steve and Astrid looked at each other smiling. When a look crossed Steve's face. As if something dawned on him. He took Astrid's hand and kissed it softly. Running his fingers over it. Astrid wasn't entirely sure what he was thinking but the look on Steve's face told her she was going to be happy with what he had planned.