Winter In Your Arms: Seasons Series 2 (Lifeguard!Steve and Bucky Modern AU)

Three

A half hour into the drive, Bucky knew that it was a good thing that they hadn't fooled around. The sky ominously promised more snow. Sure, Bucky was excited to be wrapped up in Steve's arms in front of a warm fireplace while it snowed, but he sure as hell didn't want them to have to drive in it though. No matter how well Steve's forest green Chevrolet Silverado maneuvered in the winter landscape, Bucky was glad that they left before the snow storm could start.

"'Soon the bells will start,'" Steve nonchalantly sang along with Perry Como as he strummed his thumb against Bucky's thigh to the beat. "'And the thing that will make them ring, Is the carol that you sing, Right --'"

"'-- Within your heart,'" Bucky finished loudly.

Smiling, Steve brought Bucky's hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, despite the mittens. And just as much as it had the first time, it melted Bucky's heart like a marshmallow in a mug of hot chocolate. Bucky was sure that that was exactly why Steve kept doing it.

"You're such a sap," Bucky affectionately complained while Steve pulled into his driveway.

Cutting the engine, Steve playfully rolled his eyes. Locking his eyes with Bucky, Steve pointedly lifted his hand again and kissed it, again. Bucky wished that he didn't love that so much, but he did.

"C'mere," Bucky lovingly demanded as he brought his free hand up to Steve's face and cupped that handsome jawline of his, guiding their faces together for a kiss.

Knowing that, although their families were happy for them, they would still have to tone down on the PDA. So, Bucky was determined to sneak as many kisses as he could. And when Steve stole another kiss when they pulled back, Bucky was glad to know that he wasn't the only one.

"Just so you know," Steve said between kisses, "My mom --" kiss "-- put up --" another kiss "-- a lot of mistletoe."

Bucky good-humoredly scoffed, "Doesn't she every year?"

"Well, yeah," Steve confirmed, rolling his eyes. Playfully shoving at Bucky's broad shoulder, Steve admitted, "But this is the first year where I'll have someone to kiss."

A blush bloomed on Bucky's high cheek bones and he teased, "Thank ol' Kris Kringle, himself, that Sarah Rogers' favorite holiday is Christmas."

"Thank you, Kris Kringle," Steve echoed, climbing out of the truck.

Before Bucky could get his bag from the backseat, Steve did. Then, crossing the front of the truck, Steve held his arm out for Bucky. Instead of getting emotional about how sweet his boyfriend was, Bucky looped his arm through Steve's and mocked, "Who says chivalry's dead?"

"Specifically?" Steve questioned and blew out a puff of visible air in the cold, "Alana."

"Well, can't blame her for that," Bucky stated, thinking about Steve's older sister and the jerks that she had dated in the past. Trying to be optimistic in his love, Bucky added, "Maybe this will be her year though."

"We can only hope," Steve sweetly smiled, causing Bucky's heart to stutter in his chest.

It was funny how much a small gesture to get to Bucky. Perhaps it was because Bucky had spent so many years day dreaming about that smile being cast his way and had longed for it when Steve wasn't around. Whatever it was, there was a part of Bucky that hoped he'd always feel those butterflies whenever Steve looked at him.

As he went to open the door, Steve leaned close and teased, "Who's the sap, now?"

Rolling his eyes, Bucky hoped his blush could be blamed on the Michigan winter air. Of course, he doubted that it would on Steve. But it might work on their families.

Stepping inside, a smile immediately crossed Bucky's face. On the main level of the Rogers' split level home, loud Christmas music was playing. As he slid out of his jacket and handed it to Steve to hang up beside his, Bucky could hear his sisters singing along to the carols. Hearing Tibby above all the others. Even louder than the music itself.

So loud, in fact, that Winifred sternly reminded, "Tabitha, inside voice!"

"I'm singing," Tibby argued, but she did lower her voice.

Once his shoes were off, Bucky started heading up the short staircase. As he cautiously climbed over the baby gate at the top, Steve started heading towards his basement bedroom and explained, "Just putting your bag in my room to keep you hostage all winter break."

"Can't keep me hostage, if I'm a willing participant," Bucky countered. When Steve playfully narrowed his eyes at him in return, Bucky silently replied with blowing his boyfriend a kiss.

Turning back around to face the open living room, Bucky was nearly knocked back down the staircase when a small body crashed into him. Regaining his balance, Bucky looked down to find the youngest and cutest Barnes' hugging his legs tightly.

Smiling down at his sister, Bucky teased, "It's almost like ya missed me or somethin'."

"I did miss you," Tibby confirmed, squeezing him just a bit more before letting go and lifting her arms the way she did when she was younger.

Kneeling down, Bucky balanced himself and held his arms open wide for a hug. Tibby graciously accepted his invitation and held him tight in the embrace. Even once Conner rushed over to join. Bucky opened his arms wider to include the toddler too. Because, hell, Bucky knew that he wanted them to all be one big happy family.