Elementary School Stucky - Detention

Today was just like any other day at school for an eight year old Steve Rogers. Some jerk had just tried to take his lunch and Bucky had kicked that bully's ass so hard, he ran crying. And now all three of them were outside the principal's office, waiting. Bucky and Charlie - the bully - were glaring at each other and Steve was feeling uncomfortable and out of place.

When they were called into the principal's office, the three of them were sat down in front of the principal's desk. Steve felt even more uncomfortable in here, but Bucky and Charlie looked right at home.

"James, Charles," The principal looked to both the boys in turn and shook his head, clasping his hands in front of him. Bucky shot an evil look at Charlie. "and Steven." The blond started at the sound of his name, unused to being in trouble with someone this far up the school hierarchy. "I didn't expect to see you in here, son." Steve shrunk further into his seat and he could just sense Bucky struggling to restrain himself. "It seems like you're innocent in this, Steven." The principal stood up, walked over to his office door and opened it. "You're free to go."

Steve left the principal's office with extreme reluctance and ended up waiting around outside until Bucky was released, a grim look on his face.

"How'd it go, Buck?" Steve asked, falling into step beside his protector.

"Got two weeks detention at lunch time." Bucky replied in that tone of voice that said he was trying to sound tougher than he was feeling.

Steve couldn't help himself. "I'm sorry, Bucky." Despite the fact that he couldn't control all his health issues, the intense protectiveness Bucky felt towards him, and never forced Bucky's hand in defending him, he felt partially responsible. Bucky had gotten detention because he was defending Steve from a bully. Bucky got detention inadvertently because of Steve. Steve now felt extremely responsible for the situation.

But Bucky wasn't having any of that. He stepped ahead of Steve and stopped, facing the blond. He placed his hands on Steve's shoulders and gave the blond his very sternest look. "This is not your fault." Steve avoided eye contact. Bucky tried harder to make it. "Steve, look at me." When he didn't, Bucky grabbed his face and turned his head. "This was not your fault." He insisted.

It was about this point that the tears Steve had been biting back broke through the dam. This was stupid. This was nothing to cry about. But Steve couldn't stop thinking about how Bucky was willing to risk his lunch breaks for two weeks, for him. The thought both broke and warmed the blond inside and he impatiently wiped the tears from his eyes, hoping to God that Bucky didn't see them.

He did, and his gaze softened. Steve had this way of just working his way into Bucky's soft spots and making himself comfortable. Bucky sighed. "Look, it's okay. I don't mind detention." Not if it means they won't mess with you for a while. "I just hate that I won't be around for a while to look after ya."

It was then that Steve realized that Bucky was worried. Tough Bucky Barnes was worried. Steve started to feel worse. "Maybe I'll just sit in detention with you." Steve was thinking out loud, but once he said it, it sounded like a great idea. "Yeah, I'll just sit in detention with you!" He was grinning now, so pleased with himself for thinking of such a great idea.

Bucky was looking at him like he was crazy. "Steve, are you sure that guy didn't clock you one over the head?" He spoke slowly and tilted the blond's head to the side giving him a closer look over. Steve shook him off.

"No, I'm serious!" He put on his best serious face and hoped his friend would listen to him. The blond held up one finger. "This is kind of my fault," and then, "in a sense." He added quickly when he saw Bucky begin to protest. Steve held up another finger. "I'm safest when you're around."

Bucky frowned at him for a few moments before replying. "I'm not gonna make you do this, Steve."

Steve held his gaze, resolutely attempting to stare Bucky down. "You're not making me sit in detention any more than I'm making you beat up my bullies."

Bucky looked shocked for a bit, but his expression quickly changed to one of pride and he grinned, reaching out to ruffle Steve's hair. "I taught you well, didn't I?" He laughed.

From that day onward, Steve always sat detention with Bucky, all the way through till the end of high school. Steve always plunked himself in the desk beside his friend, smiling with the joy of knowing they were with each other till the end of the line.