Chapter Text
1. decorating the tree
Bucky Barnes is Steve's best friend and it's times like these that make Steve never forget it.
It's December and Bucky had invited Steve to come over and decorate the tree with him and his family. Even in elementary school, Steve recognises the significance of this invitation and eagerly accepts.
"I wanna use the scissors!" Bucky's kid sister screeches. Her hands open and close, reminding Steve of a small crab getting defensive. "Gimme, gimme!"
"Shut up, Rebecca." the nine-year-old counters, snipping away at a piece of red construction paper. "We're using them now."
Rebecca's lower lip curls and her eyes water. Steve stares at her happy, blonde curls and bites his lip. "Oh, c'mon Bucky, we're not really using them."
Bucky turns to look at him. "Whadya mean? We're cutting out ornaments!"
The little girl sitting across from him whimpers miserably.
"But we don't need them now, right? Just let Rebecca use 'em for a couple minutes." Steve suggests.
Bucky wants to say no. He wants to say no so bad because his stupid brat sister can't wait ten minutes. But he sees Steve and knows that it's bothering him, so he gives in. "Fine, here." He calmly hands the pair of scissors to his now grinning sister. She gets busy right away and cuts her ornament neatly in half. "Oh, brother." Bucky groans, wondering how he got stuck with such an imbecile for a sister.
"Hey Bucky, can you please pass me the glue?"
Bucky obliges and observes quietly as Steve neatly glues two ends of ribbon to the pine-cone in his hand. "You're really good at that." he comments after awhile. Steve's small fingers move expertly and soon he has a little pile of pine-cone ornaments. "I just like art."
"Oh, these are wonderful!" Bucky's mother enters the room, all curls and pearls, and nods towards the pine-cones.
Steve beams with pride. "Thank you, ma'am."
Mrs. Barnes turns to her daughter. "Rebecca dear, what are those?" she asks, indicating the scraps of green construction paper.
"Christmas trees!" the little girls chimes, snip snip snipping away.
Bucky snorts and has to bite the insides of his cheeks to keep from laughing. Under the table, Steve kicks him. He clears his throat. "Uh, Ma?"
"Hmm?"
"Have you strung up the popcorn yet?" Bucky's face is completely lit up and to be honest, he's more excited at the prospect of eating some of the popcorn than it being strung up on a fir tree.
"Not quite, but I'm working on it." she says, smiling. "Do you kids want some hot chocolate?"
Steve's jaw nearly drops. Hot chocolate. He's only had hot chocolate twice before and those were on very special occasions.
Rebecca squeals excitedly and Bucky tries not to roll his eyes. "Yes, please. Can me and Steve have an extra big cup?"
Mrs. Barnes chuckles, making her way into the kitchen. "Yes. You and Steve can have an extra big cup."