Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Steven Grant Rogers was a little shit. Bucky learned this the hard way when he was 6 years old and Steve was just 5 years old. In fact, it was how they met.

Tuesday, August 12, 1923

James was walking home from playing baseball with some neighborhood kids when he heard a ruckus coming from the alley next to his apartment building. James, being just as cautious and worried about self-preservation as any 6 year old boy faced with strange noises, went to investigate. What he saw when he turned the corner infuriated James. An older boy he knew to steer clear of because he had a reputation as a neighborhood bully was beating on this tiny kid who looked no older than 4 years old! Next to the pair was a bloody, sullen looking dog. James charged in, he didn't even know what he was thinking, and he definitely didn't intend on beating the bully with the baseball bat he raised purely out of instinct. It worked though. The bully ran away before James even reached them. James dropped the bat and approached the kid.
“Hey, what's a cute little kid like you doin’ gettin’ into fights?” He asked, extending his hand to help the kid up.
The kid took it but scowled as he stood, “HEY!” He shouted angrily, “don't call me cute!” Then he kicked James in the knee, picked up the dog (who was bigger than he was) and took off.
Very slowly. James caught him pretty quickly.
“Hey! Let go a’me!”
“Not ‘till you tell me your name.”
“Steven Grant Rogers! Now let. Me. GO!”
James let go, “James Buchanan Barnes,” James said proudly as he extended a hand once again, this time for shaking, “is it ok if I call you Steve?”
“Why would you wanna call me anything?” Steven asked, confused.
“Well I can't just call my new friend ‘hey you’ Ma says it's rude,” James said as he lowered his hand.
“You wanna be my friend?” Steven asked, flabbergasted.
“Well, yea, who wouldn't wanna be friends with a kid who puts himself in danger for a dog? That's what you were doin’ wasn't it, that kid was beating on that dog and you had to stop him right?”
“Yea. He needed to learn he can't push everybody around just ‘cause he's bigger an’ scarier,” Steven said looking down at his feet as he kicked at a rock on the ground, causing James to smile.
“So, you never answered my question, can I call you Steve?”
“Only if I can call you something less stuffy than James.”
James considered for a minute then,“My pa calls me Jimmy.”
It was true, but James had never liked the nickname much, so he was relieved when Steve said, “No… that's not right…” Steve thought. Mumbling, “Jim…no…Jimbo, mnm, Jamey… nope,” after some thinking Steve finally shouted, ”I got it! How about Bucky. For Buchanan!” Bucky’s grin split his face as he nodded. Yes, he could get used to Bucky, he liked the name Bucky.

The pair soon realized that Steve and the dog, who didn’t have a collar and Steve had named Bree, needed to be cleaned up from the fight.
“Won't your ma be worried when you walk in bloody with an even bloodier stray dog?” Bucky asked as they climbed the stairs of the building right next to Bucky’s own.
“Nah, Mom’s at work, Aunty Jazz is watching me today. She's the cat’s meow, I think you'll like her.”
“Well, where's your pa then?” Bucky asked, genuinely confused.
“My dad died in the Great War, so it's just me and Mom now, but Aunty Jazz moved in with us to help out.” Bucky was suddenly really grateful of Steve’s aunt and he didn’t know why.

Whatever Bucky expected Steve’s Aunty Jazz to look like, he was wrong, very very wrong. Bucky had, of course, known about the female impersonators and drag queens, after all how could he not in their neighborhood, even at 6 years old, but he had never actually met one. He also had never known one to be dressed up and not performing.
He… er, she was very pretty as a woman, Bucky supposed. Maybe she just thinks dresses are more comfy than pants Bucky figured and left it at that. Another thing about Aunty Jazz that Bucky noticed was that she couldn’t actually be related to Steve because Steve looked Irish, Aunty Jazz was colored. Despite the shock, Bucky's immediate reaction was to trust Aunty Jazz, she seemed nice.
Although her somewhat deep voice threw Bucky for another loop when she said, “Oh! Steve, there you are! I was so… did you get into another fight? What was it this time?” She suddenly seemed to notice the dog, though Bucky didn't think he'd been noticed yet. “A dog? You risked your life for a dog? With your health? You know I’m proud of you for your bravery Steve, but what if your heart gave out? What if you had an asthma attack? You don't carry your asthma cigarettes on you! And even if you did, your mother is too responsible to let her 5 year old run around with a matchbook!” When her rant was done she finally seemed to notice Bucky. “And who’s this Steve?” She asked, fetching first aid supplies.
“Aunty Jazz, this is my friend, Bucky Barnes,” Steve announced proudly. Aunty Jazz dropped the antiseptic she was holding.
“A friend?” She asked, clearly shocked.
“Yes mam, Steve’s my friend now, ‘cause I saved him from that jerk, so now we're gonna be friends forever, right Steve?” Aunty Jazz looked like she was going to faint with how proud she was. Steve, for his part, was stunned into silence, so he just nodded frantically.
They had no idea what had begun that day, but in time, they would learn.

After Steve and Bree were cleaned up and the antiseptic on the floor was wiped up, Steve, Bucky, and Bree went into Steve’s room to play.
The first thing Bucky noticed was the window, more importantly that Steve's window had a direct line of view to his own window, they were so close they could probably talk to one another through them! This was great! At some point Bucky had walked over to the window while Steve went to his bed and sat down a short distance away to pet Bree.
“Hey, Steve, that window right across from yours is mine we could talk even after we gotta go home,” Bucky said staring out the window. Steve didn't respond. “Steve?” Bucky asked, turning around.
“Sorry Bucky did you say something? I can't hear too well, I got a lotta problems” Steve finally answered. Bucky suddenly felt bad and realised that shouting out the window back and forth wouldn't work. But making one of those cup phones might.
“Hey Steve, d’you know who's window is right there that you can look right into here?” Bucky asked a bit louder and closer to Steve this time.
“No, who's”
Bucky’s grin widened, “Mine pal!”
Steve ran to the window now really excited, looking out at the room he had always ignored, “Really? That’s berries!”
“Yea it’s berries pal, it’s the bee’s knees ‘cause now my best friend and I can set up some cup phones and talk whenever we want!”
Steve didn’t even know where to start with that, best friend? He had a best friend? A couple hours ago he had no friends. Talk whenever we want? The only people who ever listened to him before were Mom and Aunty Jazz. Steve decided Bucky was going to be a perfect best friend and asked, “Whenever we want?”
Bucky smiled, something just felt right about Steve, like they were meant to meet, his ma always talks about how some people are supposed to meet because God wants them to, like his Ma and his Pa, or his Grandma and Grandpa. Like him and Steve. So after coming to stand next to Steve he says, “Yea pal, whenever we want!”
Steve suddenly had a thought, “Hey Bucky, wanna see something?” He hadn’t shown anybody these except his mom and aunt, but he felt he could trust Bucky, so after Bucky nodded, Steve walked back over to his bed and brought out a tin lunchbox from under it. When he pulled out the contents to show his new friend, Bucky looked amazed.
“You drew these?” Bucky asked as he gingerly took the drawings Steve procured.
“Yea, well I can’t go outside that much ‘cause of my health so I draw a lot.” Steve said with a shrug. Bucky couldn’t believe how good Steve’s drawings were!
“Steve, I’ve never seen anyone our age draw this good! You could be an artist when you grow up!”
Steve was really proud of his art and glad Bucky liked it too. “That’s what I want to be when I grow up!” Steve said proudly.
“My best friend’s gonna be a famous artist!” Steve couldn’t believe how Bucky could be so proud of him when they had only just met. He’d never met anyone like Bucky Barnes, and he hoped Bucky meant it when he said they’d be friends forever.

Steve and Bucky spent the rest of the afternoon playing in Steve’s room with Bree. Steve had never had so much fun, usually other kids didn’t like him because they thought he’d make them sick or slow them down, but Bucky didn’t seem to care, he didn’t mind playing inside so Steve could breathe better. And Bucky had more fun with Steve than he did with other kids, other kids were rougher, Bucky was used to being more gentle with his two little sisters, Becca and Mazie, so playing with Steve who wasn’t obsessed with wrestling and stuff, was nice, and kinda funny because of how they had met.
A little after 4:00 they heard the door open and close and Aunty Jazz say something they couldn’t make out with Steve’s bedroom door closed, but Steve knew what this meant and Bucky could guess it meant Steve’s mom was home and he was excited to meet her.
There was a light knock at the door and before Steve could respond the door was opening to reveal a beautiful woman who was obviously Steve’s mother. They looked the same to Bucky, besides that she was a woman and an adult and Steve was a boy and a kid. They had the same blond hair, the same nose, the same kind but strong eyes, and the same smile. Bucky thought that smile was beautiful on both Ms. Rogers and Steve.
“Hi dear, Jazz told me you made a friend!” Came a lilting Irish brogue, so Steve was Irish too, Bucky thought. “What’s your name then?” Ms. Rogers asked, addressing Bucky. Bucky made a decision then, one that would impact his life forever.
“My name’s Bucky m’am, Bucky Barnes.”
“My name is Sarah, you are my son’s only friend, if you’re gonna stick around you’ll call me either Sarah or Mum, none o’ that m’am malarkey Bucky my boy.” Bucky decided he really liked Steve’s mum.
When he heard, “Ok Mum.” Steve started beaming.
“Well, Bucky are you staying for dinner or do you have to run off home?” Sarah asked, her kind eyes shining.
“I should really be getting home, my ma and pa’ll be worried if I’m not home for dinner.” Bucky explained, “I’ll see you tomorrow, right Steve?”
Steve was excited! Bucky wanted to play with him again tomorrow! “Yea! I’ll see you tomorrow Bucky!”
All three members of the Rogers-Bell household were in very good moods the rest of the day, even when Steve had to choke down his raw liver it wasn’t nearly as bad after meeting his new best friend.

Chapter Text

Wednesday, August 13, 1923

The next day, just as Steve was finishing his breakfast, there was a knock on the door. When Aunty Jazz opened it, Bucky Barnes stood smiling up at her and asked, “Can Steve come play at my house today? I wanna introduce him to my Ma and my sisters!”
“Of course!” She turned to Steve sitting at the table and said, “Steve, Bucky’s here and he wants you to go play at his house, put some shoes on, I’ll send some asthma cigs with you, I’m sure Mrs. Barnes has matches just in case. Be careful Steve, you know how I worry.”
“I’ll be fine Aunty Jazz! I love you!” He said as he ran to grab his shoes.
He got an “I love you too Steve” back along with a kiss on the cheek and a pack of asthma cigarettes shoved in his pocket.
When Steve got to the door he saw an anxious and grinning Bucky who grabbed his hand and headed for the stairs. “Why’re your hands so cold Steve? They’re like ice pal!”
“They’re always cold, it’s ‘cause o’ my pernicious anemia, it’s fine.” Steve said, he really didn’t want Bucky to stop hanging out with him because of his health, and when he looked at Bucky he looked almost worried so Steve added, “It’s not contagious or nothin’ so wipe that worried look off your face.”
“I ain’t worried about catching something, I’m worried ‘cause I don’t like the idea of my best friend being’ sick.” Bucky responded with a soft smile at Steve.
Steve really didn’t know what to say to that, that was not what he expected. Usually people didn’t like him because they thought he was too weak and unhealthy to be friends with, some kids thought they would get sick too if they hung out with him, but that wasn’t true, it was his body that was the problem. But Bucky didn’t seem to be worried about any of that, he just wanted Steve to be ok, and this was only the second day they had known each other. Steve just couldn’t believe his luck at finding someone like Bucky.

They reached the Barnes’ appartement in no time and Bucky opened the door calling out, “Ma, I’m back and I brought my best friend that I told you about, Steve!”
As they entered Steve saw a dark haired heavily pregnant woman enter the kitchen holding a young girl who was probably around 2. Steve could see the family resemblance, though they didn’t look as much alike as people said Steve and his mum looked, Bucky definitely got his ma’s eyes, when she smiled at Steve they crinkled the same way Bucky’s did.
“Well hello Steve, Seamus hasn’t stopped talking about you since he got home yesterday, it’s very nice to meet you.” She extended her hand and Steve shook it. She had a similar accent as his mum, Steve notes, that must mean Bucky’s Irish too, plus Bucky had another first name like he did, only his mum called Stíabhan though.
“Steve, this is Rebecca, she’s 4, we usually call her Becca!” Bucky said pointing out a girl who looked around Steve’s age who had come to investigate the newcomer. “And this is Mairead, but we call her Mazie!” This time he indicated the young girl in their mother’s arms, “and Ma’s having another baby! Only we don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy! Maybe I’ll have a little brother! But Ma thinks it’s another sister, but that’s ok because I like Becca and Mazie, but I kinda want a little brother too!”
Steve didn’t know if Bucky even breathed during all of that, he sure liked this kid though. Steve was starting to realize Bucky was a ball of energy, he didn’t mind too much though, he was nice, and really, Steve figured that was the most important thing.
“Ma! Me and Steve’re gonna go play in my room!” And with that Bucky dragged Steve off to the room in the back of the tenement not much bigger than Steve’s.
Steve thought it was pretty cool that even though Bucky had little sisters he still got a room to himself, because the little apartment had three bedrooms so since Bucky didn’t have any brothers yet, he didn’t have to share.
The two of them played for hours, making up games and playing with Bucky’s toys. Steve had never been this happy, Bucky was the best friend he ever could’ve asked for! He couldn’t believe he got this lucky.
The day passes and before either boy realizes it, the front door is opening and Bucky’s dad is home for the day. Bucky runs to the door to greet him.
“Pa! Pa! Meet my pal Steve I told you about!” Bucky yells as he runs excitedly towards his father.
“Ah! The famous Steve! Jimmy’s told me so much already and it’s only been a day!” He says with a laugh, “it’s nice to meet you son!” Bucky’s dad shakes Steve’s hand like he thinks adults shake hands, he likes it.
Unfortunately not long after that, Steve has to go home, but he knows his days are going to be a lot more fun with Bucky in his life! He kinda can’t wait for tomorrow now!

Chapter Text

Friday, August 29, 1923

The next few weeks passed quickly, and Steve and Bucky continue to play together every day. Steve had never had so much fun, but now it was the last Friday before school started and he had an important question to ask Bucky.
He had already asked his mother, and Aunty Jazz was always singing at the clubs Friday nights anyway, so he just had to ask Bucky, and Steve was nervous. He had never had a friend sleep over before, but he was excited, and Bucky was the only person in the world who Steve thought might actually say yes to sleeping over with him. Sarah had finally been able to swipe some Dixie cups from the hospital so Steve and Bucky could finally make that cup phone they had been talking about, they figured it would work so long as Steve used his good ear.
So Friday morning, when Bucky came over like always, today they were playing at Steve’s, Steve met him at the door bouncing excitedly.
“Bucky! My mum finally got the cups she promised us! So we can make our cup phone! And Aunty Jazz said we could use some of her sewing thread, so long as we don’t take too much ‘cause she needs it to make me new pants for school ‘cause I’m finally growing out of these ones!”
“Hey pal! That’s Berries! I can’t wait to make the phone, ‘cause now we’ll be able to talk whenever we want!” Bucky replied slinging his arm around Steve’s shoulders.
As a wave of nerves washed over Steve, he suddenly got quiet and started fidgeting with his shirt hem. “Hey, what's the matter Stevie? You got real weird all of a sudden.”
“I wanted to ask, umm… do you maybe want to, would you wanna, doyouwannasleepovertonight?” Steve finally got the words out in a rush. He was really nervous now, Bucky might say no, and think Steve was weird for asking, and he’d lose his only friend. He knew what parents said about his mum for letting Aunty Jazz live with them, and he didn’t want Bucky to be weirded out, he shouldn’t have asked, he should just take it back. Yea he would say ‘never mind! I was just foolin’ and they could go on as friends. He was opening his mouth to do just that when Bucky spoke.
“Yea! I’d love to sleep over! We can build a fort in the living room and sleep on it! I just gotta ask my Ma first, but we should build the cup phone first, I wanna test it out anyway!” Bucky wore his same smile he almost always wore around Steve. And Steve couldn’t help but wonder why God put Bucky in his life. His mum was always saying that God put people in our lives for a reason, that nothing was by mistake. Steve figured that God must have to really like him to give him Bucky.
They spent the next half hour puting the phone together, then the half hour after that trying to throw it to Bucky’s window before Aunty Jazz, who had been listening to the boys’ struggle while she made the stew they were having for dinner, finally intervened. Coming into the room she said, “Why doesn’t Bucky go back home and then you can throw it, he can catch it, and then you can test it out and Bucky can ask his mother if he can sleep over, and then he can come right back here?”
Steve thought Aunty Jazz was the smartest person ever, that was a great idea! Then they could spend the rest of the day playing together without worrying if Bucky’s ma would say yes or no, they’d know already. Bucky agreed so he went home, Steve wasn’t exactly gonna be pitching for the Dodgers anytime soon, but he got the cup to Bucky’s window and Bucky caught it, so he figured that was a win. They tested it out and it worked great! This was gonna be awesome!
After they were done Bucky ran to his mother and asked excitedly, “hey Ma, can I sleep over Steve’s house? I really wanna!” Winifred just chuckled and told him he could, so long as he behaved himself and he ran out.
At about 4:00 Sarah came home, as per usual, and the four of them sat down to dinner. Steve liked Aunty Jazz’s cooking a lot, she usually made his mum’s recipes but with spices that Sarah never used. And getting to enjoy being with his 3 favorite people in the whole world was the best!
What wasn’t the best, was when Steve had to eat his raw liver. But Bucky sat next to him and slung his arm around his shoulders and talked like everything was normal, it helped a lot. Steve was glad he had met Bucky, bad stuff wasn’t so bad with Bucky around.
Steve and Bucky played some more after that. For Steve’s birthday last month he had gotten army men, so they were having a big battle. Steve liked army men, he wished he could be a hero like his dad, maybe someday he would be.
At about 8:00 Aunty Jazz left, she was singing at a club tonight. After she left Bucky asked, “where’d you’re aunt go this late?”
“Well she works at night on weekends usually, she sings at a club on Fridays and Saturdays.” For Steve it was normal, but he didn’t want to say it was a queer club just in case Bucky didn’t like folks like that. He thought Bucky probably knew Aunty Jazz was different, but he didn’t want to risk it. His mum and aunt always taught him to be careful what he said to who.
Bucky wasn’t surprised Aunty Jazz was a performer, he figured she probably would be, but he did have a few questions. “Hey Stevie, why does your Aunty Jazz dress like a woman all the time? I thought female impersonators and drag queens usually dressed like fellas most of the time, like my neighbor down the hall.” Bucky didn’t care, he was just curious, Aunty Jazz was the best, so Bucky thought he ought to learn more about her.
“Well, because she’s actually a woman, not a fella, God just put her soul in the wrong body is all. But she performs at the clubs so people don’t get too suspicious, plus she loves singing.” Steve was glad Bucky didn’t seem weirdos out about his aunt, which is why he answered, he figured Bucky was probably safe, especially if he was ok with his neighbor being a female impersonator.
“Really? I didn’t know that could happen, I like her, she’s the bees knees. Wanna build that fort now?”
“Sure! Thes use the couch cushions as the bottom so it’s soft!” And just like that they were focused on something else entirely.
Steve took the cushions off the couch while Bucky pushed some chairs over to use as sides along with the couch. Steve grabbed all the spare pillows and blankets and before long their fort was complete.
“So what should we do in our fort Stevie? I brought a book, maybe I could read it out loud?” Bucky loved to read, he was really good too, he read as well as most 3rd graders according to his teacher last year, and Steve liked it when Bucky read to him like he had a few times before.
“Sure, what book did you bring this time?”
“Doctor Dolittle! He talks to animals! I can’t wait to read it!” Bucky said with a huge grin as he produced the book.
“Berries! You read and I’ll draw you reading!” Steve said with a grin of his own.
They passed some time with Bucky reading and Steve drawing snuggled up together in their fort with Bree laying across their feet until Sarah told them it was bedtime and turned off the lights.
They fell asleep cuddled together dreaming of a talking Bree.

Chapter Text

Yea, so if anybody ever wanted this to update, my life went to shit, I picked the pieces back up, and yea I kept telling myself I’d finish it but, I’m not, so that’s it I guess