i'm with you, every step of the way

Chapter 10

Natasha recovered quickly and after just 4 days at the hospital, was sent home. She would be taking her finals when she gets back from winter break, as it has just started while she was in the hospital. This news bummed Natasha out because she has been studying hard for her exams, but her doctors had advised her against partaking any stressful activities. Natasha and her family decided to leave town for the holidays, staying at a cabin on the mountains with their other relatives. This meant that she won't be seeing Bucky for two weeks until school starts, and this saddened the two. They kept in touch through texting the entire break, though, so it was okay. Steve spent the holidays at his dad and his family's house, all the way across the country in California, and he sulked about it the whole time because he didn't want his mom to be alone.

By the time the new semester started, the atmosphere at school was much more relaxed. At first, Natasha was nervous to show up because of what happened, but as it turned out, no one really mentioned it. She seemed to be getting looks though, but not making fun of her. More like curiosity as to what happened to her. She didn't mind, and went on her own business and aced all the tests she took. Everything went as normal, but that thought seemed peculiar to her because she was sure that something would come up. She mentioned this to Bucky, Pepper, and Maria, but they all just shrugged, and told her to just not think about it too hard.

The only thing that really changed was Natasha and Bucky's new routine since Bucky is now part of the basketball team. When he first told Natasha, she was shocked that he would join a sport since he's more on the academic side, but she was proud of him for doing a good job at tryouts even though he didn't go to the summer practices. So now, she would stay at the gym or library to wait for Bucky, doing her homework while watching him play. Their coach, Coach Phil Coulson, was nice enough to let her watch practice from time to time.

There is a downside to Bucky playing: Steve being on the same team. While football is off-season, Steve plays basketball just to make sure he is staying in shape. This made practice a bit difficult for both Steve and Bucky; they try to avoid each other as much as possible while being on the same team. However, Steve didn't mind as much because he gets to see Natasha more after school, and that gives him motivation to play harder. But sometimes, it just makes him more upset because he would see her give Bucky water or talk to him during breaks. He wanted to join them, but based on Natasha's cold demeanor towards him on all their classes, he figured it's not the right time to do so.

...

Steve was casually walking at school before homeroom starts in the morning when Tony called him and pulled him aside.

"Rogers, come here, I need to tell you something," he said in an urgent whisper, and Steve followed him to the field just outside of their homeroom building.

"What is it and why do we have to go here?' he asked, both curious and annoyed. He liked getting to class early and is scared that Tony might make him late.

"I have something important to tell you, in private." Steve shrugged and he went on, taking off his sunglasses and sighing before looking straight at Steve. "I need your help.... I want to uh, apologize to Natasha and I need your help to do it." Steve was about to interrupt but Tony brought his hand up and shook his head, meaning he wants to go on. "Before you say no, hear me out. I know I've made her life a living hell ever since we were kids. I'm very well aware of that, but now... I saw what happened to her during that stupid assembly. You and I both know that that's not an accident, she was attacked. And I regret that it would have something to do with me, that I was the grandmaster for all the bullying that ever happened to her, because well, I did start everything off." he said, in a voice that sounded so narcissistic yet so sincere, shocking Steve because he's never seen Tony in such a serious state before. "Man, that was bad. She was never taken to the hospital because of me. I just... I don't know, I want to make my peace with her. I want to help her, to help stop the bullying. That shed some light in me; I need to change." Tony trailed off and looked to the side, eyes looking melancholy and avoiding Steve.

Steve thought about it for a few moments. It would be nice to finally have them reconcile, even though he knows how much damage Tony has done. "Tony, I, I'm not sure about Natasha, you know?" He started, combing his hair; looking for the right phrasing. "I mean, man, you fucked up her life for the past 10 years, and there's gotta be some bad damage in that. Wow, she despised you too! And everything that you've said..." Steve rambled on, practically listing off everything Tony has done. He stopped though, when he noticed the other guy shrink and look even more hurt with every word he says. "Okay, here's the deal. You follow my lead, alright? We can't just go charging in right now, she'll fight you. You gotta take it slow, make her see that you mean it. I'm actually in the same place as you," Steve added, sheepishly and smiling.

"Really! Thanks Steve!" Tony broke out in a grin and gave Steve a friendly hug. "And I'm sorry for you know, being an asshole to you too," he said.

"Well, it is given that you are an asshole to everyone, so it may not be okay but Tony Stark is not Tony Stark without all his bullshit. Just don't be too much, okay? Try being nicer, do you know how to do that?" Steve playfully asked and started to walk in, followed by Tony, who muttered, "I do know how to be nice!!"

"Oh," Steve stopped and turned to Tony. "We're gonna need to talk to Bucky first, so good luck." he said, a bit sympathetically, patting Tony's shoulder. Tony looked at him with wide eyes and swallowed - he's seen how Bucky can be, Steve's beat up face said it all.

During practice that day, Steve was looking for the perfect opportunity to talk to Bucky about Tony. Since Natasha was there the whole time, he knew he can't tell him during breaks so he decided to just approach him in the lockers' room, and texted Tony to be there. Once practice was over and everyone rushed to the showers, Steve tapped Bucky and asked him to follow him. Things between Bucky and Steve are still awkward, but they did have some conversations here and there, sometimes regarding basketball, and sometimes schoolwork. Steve considers this as progress, given that this is still so much more than before.

"Hey, Bucky, I have a big favor to ask you," Steve began, scanning the hallway for Tony and waving at the guy when he spotted him. "I uh, here, talk to Tony," he said, pointing at the said guy who's now running to them. Bucky was about to protest, eyes arched and face scrunched up, they can tell he's not interested.

"Why would I need to talk to Stark?" he said, sounding both annoyed and confused.

"Hello, just hear me out," Tony said, sounding breathless at first. "I know you hate me," Bucky scoffed at this, "Okay, like really hate me, but come on, give me a chance? For old time's sake," dragging his voice out, trying to sound hurt and convincing. Bucky rolled his eyes but leaned against the wall, ready to listen. Tony took this as his cue and started to tell him what he has said to Steve earlier, about Natasha. "Now listen, I know you'll say no, and I can't blame you for that, but give me a chance?"

"Pft, give you a chance? I should beat your ass!" Bucky protested, and Tony visibly shrunk at the threat as Steve watched on, both amused and curious. "You were mean to us, and still is! Natasha became the butt of all the jokes because of you!!! Didn't you realize that, huh, you ass" Bucky continued, each word coming out harsher and harsher. Tony stood still and hung his head low, but still listening. "If it wasn't for you, her life wouldn't have been this hard. You're such a scumbag! She deserves better than to be friends with you," Bucky said all in one go so he took a deep breath and panted, glaring at Tony.

"Everything you've said is true," Tony answered, voice lower, "and I get that. Just please, give me a chance. I will not screw it up. We only have 2 years and a half of high school left and I don't want to fuck it up. Even though yes, I was a demon child, maybe still am, but I want to make the last remaining years of us being together count. Come on, James, we were all friends, remember? 'The Boys', our mom would call us. We were like, baby squad goals. And I want that back, you know. I miss Aunt Win and Aunt Sarah, and hanging out with you guys. I was such an asshole and I want to change, please?" he all but pouted. Bucky sighed heavily and Steve was taken aback: that was usually his sign of surrender.

"Okay, okay" he held his hand up, "but before you start celebrating, I am with Natasha 100%. I go with whatever she says. I will not influence her decision as much as possible, but I might be able to have her talk to you, even though she'll hate me for it. But, just so you know, if she says no, then it's also a no for me, get it? So you better not fuck this up, Stark, if you still want you baby squad goals back," he gave the two guys a smirk and left, going back to the locker room to retrieve his stuff and go home with Natasha.