When It Rained

Chapter 3 - The Fight

Steve was completely numb. His body was in some type of state he hadn't felt in a long time. Normally, when sleeping, Rogers had a way of waking up persistently throughout the night. It wasn't because of noises, it wasn't because he felt like he was being watched, that was impossible. All he had left was Bucky, nobody else ever came into in the lonely house of his. His family had passed long ago- his mother just passing away last year, it was just like Bucky's parents.

The two were inseparable ever since it happened. He could never have asked for a better friend than Bucky. The guy understood what he was going through, and he always knew just what to say.So, slowly, Steve was trying to get used to the sound of this silence. Bucky would be leaving for basics soon, and he wasn't even allowed in the local recruitment centers anymore.

You're too small, your asthma is a no go, could you even kill a nazi? Their questions and remarks ran through his head on a daily basis reminding him that he just wasn't good enough. Even in his sleep he wasn't able to get away from their words, they haunted him in his dreams every time he closed his eyes. All he ever wanted to be was a soldier, Steve would lay down his life for his country without a second thought and why the recruitment officers couldn't see that he didn't know.

Of course he had been up late, heart straining towards the fact that he would never be a true soldier like Bucky was going to be. In the end though, his heart was bigger than his brains. Steve would never give up, he would always strive to be an American soldier, to fight with his brothers alongside him. It's just who he was. He could do it all day. So, that's what he dreamed about. As of now, in his bed, the young boy curled against his pillow dreaming of what it would be like to be out there on the front lines surrounded by those willing to die for him. To come back and receive the welcome home of a true soldier? It wasn't something he needed, but to relish in it was everything he ever wanted.

The dream was almost too real, feeling the love and admiration he deserved. In one split second though, it all came to a halt.

With a crash in his bed, Steve was sent into a bouncing motion that shook him from his sleep. His frail body was crushed by a weight landing above him. "Up and at em' soldier boy!" A women's voice called out sending him into a panic. Like a bat out of hell, Steve shot upwards and whipped his head around. Bucky was there, arms crossed over his chest and eyes proud as he watched the scene unfold before him. He was wearing his normal attire of dark washed pants and a button up shirt, but seeing him leaning up against the door frame it sent confusion through Steve's body.

To solve this confusion, Steve looked over his left shoulder and saw just what Bucky was smiling at. Finley was lying right next to him, one arm above her head in a relaxed state. "Finley?" Steve asked in shock upon seeing her. She was in rough shape- cheek bruised and fingers torn by the looks of it. However, her sideways grin never gave away the idea that she was in any pain.

"The one and only. Now get up and get dressed." She turned over slapping a firm hand across his bare stomach. Then, she rose and took Bucky's side by the door. "You boys are taking me to breakfast."

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With her head tilted down and fork in hand, Finley tossed about the fresh fruit on her plate almost teasingly. Meanwhile, across from her in the booth, Steve was wolfing down his food and Bucky was looking at him with a smile. The kid could put away a plate of pancakes, that was for sure. He seemed to have no problem with it. It amazed Finley just how small he was.

"So Steve-" Finley launched a blueberry from her plastic spoon so it hit him dead center in the forehead. "You ever hear back from those dweebs in the ally?"

With a big swallow, he shook his head and wiped his mouth clean. "Nope. Not a peep."

"Good." Finley scooped up a few more blueberries and stuffed them into her mouth.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Steve sat towards the edge of the seat. "It was amazing."

She just sighed sinking further into her seat. "A lot of it was self taught." Then, looking to her left towards the counter, Finley somewhat wiggled eyeing up the situation.

"But how?"

Shrugging, the answer didn't seem to come to her. "When there isn't really another choice, you pick up on things awfully fast."

"Do you think you could teach me?"

"Steve-" Bucky shook his head.

"-no Buck, really!" The two turned to face one another. "What if she can, maybe then I could actually stand a chance to get accepted!"

"You'd get killed out there Steve, I can't let you do that."

"Not if I know how to fight Bucky, you're always the one encouraging me to try!"

"You don't have to be on the front-lines to be a soldier Steve..."

"But I want to Buck! I want to be out there with you!"

With a sigh, Finley sat upwards. "I'm going to go to the bathroom. "

The two barely even seemed to notice her as she rose to her feet and left the argument. They were so enveloped in their own conversation. So, at the counter around the corner, Finley pulled out a stack of money and waived over the waitress. "Can I have the bill for our table?"

Their waitress pulled out their ticket and handed it to the woman working the register. Within minutes, Finley had paid the bill and left the tip with a smile. Finally, grabbing a hold of the nearest napkin, she asked for a pen and began writing. Then, without another word, she turned towards the exit and left. Not once did she look back to the two boys who were still enveloped in their conversation.

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Bucky ran a hand frustratingly through his hair. Of course he wanted Steve to pursue his dreams, but the kid would get killed out there. Bucky knew that and he hadn't even been to training yet. "I can do it Buck." Steve pleaded to his friend with hopeful eyes. "I just need your help."

"Excuse me?" Their waitress' voice cut in catching them both off guard.

"You can just leave the bill on the table please." Bucky sighed being frustrated with his friend.

Immediately though, the waitress rose her eyebrow. "The woman who just left paid for the meal, and she told me to give you this." Sliding over a napkin, the waitress took their plates and started towards the kitchen with them.

For a moment, all Bucky and Steve could do was look to one another. Then, they averted their stare to the piece of cloth on the table. The writing on the napkin was neat, small, and close together.

The Fight isn't about size Shortstack, Meet at Jackson's bar on the west side of town. 8:00. You can come too pretty boy, but only because of the good looks. Consider it payment .

Smiling at her words, Bucky shook her head. "Well, looks like you got yourself a teacher Stevie."