When Bucky walked into the schoolyard at Stuyvesant High the next morning he heard shouts and went to investigate. His observant eyes quickly took in the situation. A group of girls were comforting their crying friend who had mud down the front of her dress while a circle of boys had formed around a fight. "Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight!!" Pushing his way in, he immediately recognized the scrawny blonde being pummeled by the schoolyard bully. "I ain't apologizing to her, you runt! I'm in charge here!" Bucky sighed. He didn't tangle with Frank anymore or any of the other boys but he wasn't just going to let his new friend get hurt more than he already was. "Get off him!" He said firmly.
Frank looked up. "Oh it's goody two shoes, himself. Whatcha gonna do Jamie? I thought Mommy's perfect little boy didn't get into fights?" Ignoring his comment he said, " I'm gonna give you until the count of three to get off my friend here and if you don't I'm gonna get the teacher." Frank laughed, "Hah! I'm not afraid of no teacher," "One," Frank continued anyway, "You really think you're making your mother proud helping this squirt?.." Bucky's anger boiled but he gritted his teeth and continued counting, "Two." "His mama's dead everyone!! I hope she rots, the annoying bi-.." Frank's sentence was cut off by a hard blow to the nose that sent him crying into the school, blood flowing from it.
Steve looked up through his swollen eyelids at the hurt and rage on Bucky's face. "Hey, you alright?" Bucky hoisted him to his feet and looked him up and down. "You're asking me after the beating you just took?" "Yeah, I am. I'm sorry about your ma by the way. He shouldn't have talked bout her like that." Bucky looked away, "It's fine, it was a long time ago anyway. Someone needed to stand up to him for once. Just didn't think it would be you, but then again why am I surprised?" Steve laughed with a cough, "I haven't gotten the slightest clue." The other boys approached and Bucky introduced him. "Fellas, this here is Steve Rogers. He's new to the area, and my friend." They took turns shaking his hand and exchanging names. "Come on, we gotta get to class." Bucky turned to head inside but stopped when Steve didn't follow. "Hey, you coming or what?" He teased, flashing a grin.
Steve looked down in shame. "No, I can't. I only came to let ya know." Bucky's smile faded and he walked back towards Steve. "Whadda ya mean you can't?" Steve looked up at him, his eyes sad. "My mama can't afford it right now, she's been sick and I am too young anyway to qualify, and I don't have the grades to compensate." Steve looked down again. He felt crushed and embarrassed. What would Bucky think of him now? Tears welled in his eyes as he waited in silence. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Well, it doesn't mean I can't see ya, right? We could meet in the park after school if that's alright with your ma?" Steve looked up in shock, "Really, you mean that?" Bucky grinned, "Course I mean it. Now get, I gotta get to class but I expect to see you later alright?"
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Inseparable
FanfictionThe story of Steve and Bucky's friendship over the years. While originally I was planning for this to be a full-length fic I have decided to leave it as one shots and half chapters as it is easier for me.
