Opposites Attract

Sixteen

Bucky had no idea what Steve had planned for them to do. It was Sunday, so whatever happened they would have to be back in time for tomorrow without getting caught out late.

That wouldn't help smooth things over.

"Okay," Steve said as they reached the bus stop. "We're going into town."

Bucky frowned as he scrounged up enough change to catch the bus. "Why?"

"Because it's time we did something different," Steve answered as he ushered Bucky onto the bus. Bucky smiled and slid into a window seat, and Steve nestled in beside him.

They stayed on the bus for a long while, until Steve got off in a place Bucky didn't recognise.

"Where are we?"

"I'm actually not sure." Steve smiled sheepishly, but didn't actually look too bothered by the predicament.

"So... we're lost?"

Steve shrugged. "Small town. Whatever happens, we can figure it out."

Bucky smiled and took his hand, nodding. It was a little chillier as the sky darkened. Steve's phone was lighting up with texts -- he answered his dad only, with an apology saying that he had to help Bucky and he would he safe.

Well, his father wasn't thrilled about it -- the chance of Steve's grounding being lessened was completely out the window. He didn't care. His mother had absolutely shattered what little trust he had had with her, and he only wished he had seen it sooner.

"You okay, Stevie?" Bucky's voice was soft, his eyes concerned as he watched him. Steve slipped his phone away and smiled, and nodded a little.

"Yeah, everything's fine," he assured and kissed his cheek. "So what's first?"

Bucky hesitantly led the way, as Steve prompted him to do, and after a while it was as if the disaster dinner had never happened. They almost got caught bouncing on the beds in a Brick sales department, but somehow got away with little trouble.

They were laughing at one of Bucky's lame puns as they walked down the street. That was when everything that could've gone worse, did.

Steve hesitated as he saw the familiar group of boys hanging around a lamppost. He gritted his teeth and held Bucky's hand tighter. Bucky, his smile fading, followed his gaze and almost stopped.

These were the boys who had kicked at Steve, spit at him, ruined his drawings. Anger ignited in Bucky's chest and he struggled to keep calm.

"Just keep walking," he murmured to Steve as they came closer and closer. The boys all elbowed each other, muttering and laughing.

Bucky tried not to panic as he noticed that they were slowly being circled by the boys, like sharks taunting their prey. Bucky really didn't want any bloodshed, so he stopped.

"Little Stevie's got himself a fairy, huh? Cute," the tallest boy crooned.

"Don't call him that." Steve's voice was dangerously low. The same boy stepped up close and tilted his head at him.

"What're you gonna do, hmm? You gonna hit me?" He pushed him back and Steve only stumbled a step, and stood his ground.

"Don't touch him," Bucky protested, pushing the tall boy back. The other boys circled closer; Steve sensed danger and grabbed Bucky's elbow.

"Let's just go, you told me to ignore them," he muttered and Bucky shot him a dark look.

"Steve -- "

"Going to run away, princess? You only just arrived," a smaller boy chimed in. Steve was yanked away from Bucky by his collar. The tall boy leered at him, lips curling. Then, he spat on him and Steve recoiled.

Bucky snapped.

He tackled the tall boy and tried to hit him -- missing hit after hit, the boy was faster and more agile. He punched him back, clocked him hard in the jaw, and Bucky fell backwards.

There were six boys to their two. The pair fought as best they could, constantly watching each other's backs. They were a team, tirelessly fighting for each other.

"On your left, Steve," Bucky panted as he rolled away from one of the boys. Some were stepping back, and soon there were only two left.

Steve jerked his elbow towards the taller boys face -- Brock, he'd heard one of the smaller boys shout out -- and Brock ducked, swooped around and twisted his arm, then shoved him down to the ground. Gritting his teeth, Steve flailed on the ground.

Bucky pushed himself up, spitting blood and curses. "Leave him alone," he spat as he stood, shaking with exertion. Brock straightened up, huffing, turning his attention to him. The other guy had fled; Brock noticed that he was outnumbered, something that the two had also paid attention to.

"Fine." Brock smiled, his teeth bloodied from one of Steve's punches. "I'll leave you two f**s to your business, then." And he retreated.

Panting, Bucky hurried over to Steve, who groaned as he sat up. "That went well," he breathed, closing his eyes briefly. Bucky huffed a laugh and wiped his face.

"What a great idea, doll. Go out -- " He grunted as he stood to his feet. "Late at night, just the two of us -- " He pulled Steve up with a huff. "Now what?"

Steve leaned over his knees and sighed. "I want some food. It's on me, okay?"

Bucky grinned. "Free food is always the way to a man's heart."

Despite the dramatic events of the night, the food was at least good, and they even shared a milkshake.

"Hope we don't look too horribly bad by tomorrow," Bucky murmured as he leaned over the table, resting his head on his arms. Steve leaned back and nodded, crossing his arms.

"Sorry for getting us punched," he spoke, frowning. "That really wasn't the plan for tonight."

Bucky cracked a grin. "Really? I thought it was smashing."

Steve squinted at him. "I'm glad your sense of humour is still well grounded."

"I really thought the night was a knock out," he continued, smirking over at Steve, who rolled his eyes and shot him a playful look.

"Ha ha," he said sarcastically as he finished off the milkshake. Bucky smiled over at him, resting his cheek on his arm. Steve busied himself with cleaning up the garbage and Bucky watched him quietly, appreciating what he's done for him. "Hey, we should probably get ourselves cleaned up. Find a bathroom?"

Bucky nodded and went to do so. After he'd finished cleaning, Steve knocked, trying not to seem like stereotypical troublesome teens. Bucky let him in casually.

"So who looks the worst?"

Bucky gestured to Steve. "Well, you've got -- here." He helped clean him up, since there was no mirror in the bathroom of the worn diner they'd stopped at. Bucky winced for him as he wiped a streak of blood off of his cheekbone. Steve met his gaze and Bucky smiled a little.

"Isn't so bad," he assured. Steve nodded and stood still while Bucky cleaned him up.

Surprisingly, there in the flickering lights of the bathroom, they were finally somewhere quiet. They could finally take a breath.

"Well, my dad likes you," Steve said finally and Bucky smiled a little.

"My ma really likes you too, and my dad is actually coming around. Slowly," he added. Steve nodded and paid attention to Bucky's wounds. He gently ran his thumb over one of the bruises on Bucky's cheek and stared at him. Bucky kept his gaze, and Steve found himself leaning in.

Bucky was pressed against the wall as Steve kissed him, his apology for every wrong thing that had happened tonight. Bucky kissed back just as passionately, closing his eyes and resting his hands on Steve's hips, pulling them close.

When he was with Steve, anything felt possible -- be it standing up to his mother or facing down half a dozen bullies, Bucky knew that they could get through it, together.