A Boy Who Likes a Boy Is a Dead Boy

"Well..." Bucky paused for a moment, thinking it through. "I don't have parents... Batman doesn't have parents... Plus, you've never seen me and Batman in the same room, so for all you know, I'm already Batman." He made his argument with his eyes cast downwards, mentally counting up how much change they had between them. The two of them only ever seemed to have small change, but they were always willing to rally together in order to buy something that they both wanted. Neither of them ever argued about having to share, or about the other one hogging something. "Yeah, I think you're right."

"You can't pull the no parents card. That definitely doesn't count. Having no parents doesn't automatically mean you're Batman, Buck." Steve said, shaking his head slightly. "You're definitely not already Batman. I would know even if you didn't tell me, I'm your best friend." He grinned slightly. He liked to think that he pretty much knew everything about Bucky. Of course, he didn't realize that that was pretty much the farthest from the truth. "Alright, I'll get the comic, you get the snacks."

"I couldn't tell you if I was Batman," Bucky scoffed, looking at the snacks the news stand had available. "I'd put you in danger if I told you my secret identity." Deep down, Bucky wished he would be able to tell his friend more than he did... But saying it aloud would only make it real, and he would be admitting it all to himself as well. It just didn't feel right, not now at least. It was something that Bucky needed to come to terms with first... And there was a lot of growing up that he needed to do before he could come to terms with it all. Right now, he was just confused and scared. It didn't feel like the time to talk about it.

"But what makes you think that you'd have to tell me?" Steve countered. "I'm your best friend, Buck. I think I'd know if you were Batman or really just any super hero for that matter." He had no idea that there really was a part of Bucky that he didn't know about, a side that his friend was afraid to tell him about, a side that he couldn't really even bring himself to accept either. He scanned the different items on the newsstand, smiling when he spotted the new comic.

Bucky laughed once more, shaking his head as he chose a couple of candy bars for the two of them to share. He didn't think about getting separate ones for the both of them. It just made sense to get a small selection, and then split them between them. Things that Bucky had were always things he was willing to share with Steve, and that's how it had always been. It wasn't about to change any time soon. "I'm Bucky Barnes, super-hero in my own right." He jokingly bragged, casting a glance at the change in his hand to make sure they still had enough to get a few packets of candy. Bucky always made a point of saving up each month for the days that they decided to get a comic book.

Steve let out a laugh of his own, shaking his head. "Whatever you say, Buck." He said. He picked the comic up, a smile finding a way onto his face. He was glad that this was something that he and his friend still managed to do. It was sort of a tradition for them, and he was glad that they both had something like that. It was one thing that, despite everything, didn't seem likely to change anytime soon.

There was always something about Steve's smile that caught Bucky off guard. When it was one of his truly genuine smiles, that showed just how happy he was, it would bowl Bucky over. Even when Steve had been sick, he would always manage to muster that one smile. The taller of the two boys paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Steve. In that moment, as he stared at the comic book, he just seemed to radiate happiness... And it was the type of happiness that Bucky had always wanted to ensure for his friend. Steve was a truly beautiful person, and he was the most deserving of happiness. Bucky broke himself off from his thoughts after a moment, silently reprimanding himself for getting lost in such thoughts. "Sorry... Do you want me to leave you and the comic book alone?" Bucky teased, nudging his friend with his elbow once again.

Steve chuckled. "Shut up, jerk." He said, shaking his head. No matter what life threw at him, he tried his best to keep smiling. It was hard at times, but he still managed to do it. He just knew that life was unpredictable and short. He saw no point in being miserable all the time. It would be a waste, and he wasn't about to waste any time that he was given. Not when it wasn't even clear how much time he'd actually end up having.

Bucky wished he was able to have the same outlook on life that Steve did, but with what was going round and round inside his head, it was hard to stay positive. There had been days where Bucky had shut himself away, and wished for unspeakable things to happen as some sort of twisted punishment for the things he thought of, and the things he wished he would have been able to say. He needed to cling onto these moments, the happier times with Steve, and actually being able to see his friend laugh and smile. "Alright, punk, calm down." He teased again, a grin on his face. "C'mon, let's pay for these and go."

Steve nodded, walking over to the side of the stand so that they could pay for the comic and their snacks. He was really glad that Bucky had suggested they do this. It was something that they hadn't done in ages. Sure, they got a new comic whenever one came out that they were interested in, but they usually just took turn reading it. This was different though. They were going about things like they used to when they were younger, and Steve was honestly really looking forward to it.

Bucky knew that they needed to make more time for things like this. Sure, they were a little older now, and most teenage boys weren't interested in making furniture forts with their best friend anymore... But Bucky and Steve weren't interested in what other boys were. Dates seemed more and more painful for the both of them the more that they went on. Even if Bucky had Steve's best interest at heart, he was starting to wonder if it was worth putting his friend through it all. Handing his change over to the stand vendor, Bucky shoved the snacks into his trouser pockets before turning to his friend. "Promise me you won't make yourself sick on candy this time, alright?"

"Why do you always bring that up?" Steve asked, chuckling slightly as he started walking back down the street. "It was one time, Buck. I'm pretty sure I said it'd never happen again right after it happened." Maybe he'd had a little bit too much candy last time, but it wasn't like he did that every single time they did this. It was one time, and he really regretted it after the fact, so it wasn't likely to happen ever again.

There had been a brief look of concern from the vendor before Bucky turned away. He and Steve were regulars at that particular news stand, and even though Bucky was notorious for getting into scraps, he was especially more beat up this time. He had brushed it off, favouring to walk with Steve down the street instead. "Because I like to embarrass you," He teased, laughing as they made their way home. "Besides, nothing to stop it from happening again."

Steve chuckled slightly, shaking his head. "You're such a jerk." He said, starting down the street with his friend. He'd noticed the concerned expression on the vendor's face when he first saw the state Bucky was in. He knew Steve and Bucky pretty well, so he knew that the man knew that Bucky got into street scraps pretty often, but it was pretty obvious that he was much worse for wear this time around. "You sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, and you're such a punk." Bucky retorted with a smile on his face as he reached over to ruffle his friends hair once more. He was never too rough with his friend, not when he knew what a fragile state he could get into when he was sick or hurt. But it didn't stop him from doing things like gently shoving Steve, or messing up his hair. He knew more than anything that Steve wanted to feel like he was just any other 'normal' teenage boy. "I feel like a million bucks..." He spoke casually, brushing the question off without hesitation "Guess that's why they call me Bucky."

Steve's face twisted slightly in distaste when his friend reached over and ruffled his hair. He chuckled slightly, swatting his friend's hand away. Bucky was never really rough with him or anything like that. He was certain that it was because he was afraid to ever be too rough with him. "I'm pretty sure that people call you Bucky because your middle name's Buchanan, Buck. Hate to break it to you..."

"Really?" Bucky gasped sarcastically, feigning surprise as he looked at Steve. He pulled a packet of liquorice out of his pocket, opening it so he could pull one stick out to halve between himself and Steve. "Well this changes everything. I know have to question everything I know... Who am I? What does this mean?" He continued, handing one half of the candy to Steve and taking a bite out of his own.

Steve let out a quiet laugh. "What? Has your life been a lie or something?" He asked, taking the other half of the candy bar from his friend. He broke off a piece of it, popping it into his mouth. "I'm pretty sure that might be a slight exaggeration, Buck. That could just be me though." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Here I was, thinking everyone called me Bucky because I look like a million bucks." He boasted, soon laughing at his own words. Despite his initial hesitation, Bucky was glad that he had bumped into Steve in the street. Sure, he had to cover up, and even lie, but now things just seemed to be back to normal. They were laughing, and making fun of themselves in the process. Everything just felt right, and it reminded Bucky of why he was so close with Steve. Even when things seemed to be at their worst, Steve could bring a smile to his face. "I never even knew my middle name was Buchanan!"

Steve let out a soft chuckle. "I'm sure you didn't, Buck." He said, shaking his head slightly. He was glad that things weren't tense like they had been earlier. The thought of his friend lying to him still hadn't crossed his mind, and it probably wouldn't without any actual reasoning behind it. Bucky was Steve's best friend, he was practically his brother, and he trusted him a lot.