Warning: Child Abuse and Domestic Violence

Really though. This chapter is intense. Be forewarned. Steve's dad is a jerk.

This is also my longest chapter of this story to date. So let me know what you think!

God bless,

Trekkiehood

(P.S. I wrote this on my phone because I have no power, so if there are typos/mistakes, I am sorry).

~TH~

Steve went to school the next morning. His mother begged him not to, but he needed to. Needed to escape. He couldn't bear to look at the bruise on his momma's face. He should have been able to protect her. He was her son, that's what he was supposed to do.

When he got to school, he forgot how much he hurt. His face hurt and his chest hurt more than usual. He's pretty sure he would have broken something if it wasn't for his mother stepping in. He felt guilty for thinking that.

"What happened to you?" Lucky asked. While it was said flippantly, the concern was real in his voice.

"It's nothin'" Steve answered back.

"Did you get in another fight? You gotta stop doing that your gonna get yourself killed."

"Just leave off it Buck!" He said pushing past his best friend and heading towards the classroom.

No one else said anything about his appearance. People were pretty used to it at this point. Few knew the truth, but those who did, looked the other way. It was a pride issue. Steve was honestly glad.

He felt bad for blowing Bucky off, but he wished people would just leave him alone.

Bucky kept his distance for most of the day. After school, Steve was avoiding going home. He wasn't sure if his dad went into work today. He doubted it. He'd probably get fired from this job too.

"Hey Steve, " Bucky said starting the boy from his thought.

"Hey Buck," he answered.

"Look, I'm real sorry about this morning. I'm just get worried punk," he smiled bumping his arm lightly.

Steve winced and Bucky frowned.

"You know that if something is wrong, you can tell me, right?"

"Course," Steve mumbled.

Bucky watched him for a minute, "Shouldn't you be heading home?"

"Yeah," he said beginning to walk slowly. Buck followed him as they only lived a few minutes away from each other. But that few minutes made a huge difference in living conditions. While the Barnes weren't rich, they weren't quite as poor as the Rogers.

When they reached Steve's house, he walked up to his door and turned around to face his friend.

"See you tomorrow," he said with his hand reaching behind him for the handle.

Bucky looked at him suspiciously. "Can't I come in?"

"Uh, m-my dad's sick. I don't think-"

"Come on, that's never stopped me before!" He said walking up the front steps.

A loud crash sounded behind the door followed by a female shriek. His mother's shriek.

His eyed widened and he felt his face pale. He turned around and swung the door open.

His father was advancing towards his mother. There was a glass beer bottle shattered against the back wall.

"Leave her alone!" Steve yelled.

His father turned his eyes on him, "What did you say to me boy? This is my house and I can do what I want!"

Steve was honestly surprised, though he probably shouldn't have been, that his father was so drunk. It wasn't even four in the afternoon yet.

"Just leave her alone." He said again quietly.

The large man growled and came toward the boy.

"No!" Sarah shrieked grabbing her husbands arm.

"Stay out of this, woman." He said shoving her to the ground.

He grabbed Steve by the front of the shirt and slammed him against the wall. Steve cried out at the sudden pain.

He saw Bucky standing in the doorway with wide eyes. Then his friend turned and ran. Steve felt a moment of relief. At least Buck would be safe.

He tried to kick his father away, but the man only laughed, throwing a first. Then he did it again. Then again. Then again.

He tried not to cry. Really he did. But it hurt. He couldn't stop himself. He was finding harder to stay awake. Like last year when he had a bad fever and Mamma couldn't make him stay awake even though she tried to bribe him with real chocolate.

He was about to just let himself fall asleep when the door burst open and the punches stopped. He opened his eyes a little, not remembering when he closed them. Bucky was standing by the door again. Looking scared. More scared than Steve ever remembered seeing him. Mr Barnes was wrestling with his father. His Mamma came over to him just as he heard another loud crash. A bottle broke over his fathers head and he slumped to the floor.

Mr Barnes came over to Steve and knelt down beside him. He thought he heard his Mamma crying too. He didn't like that. He didn't want his Mamma to cry. Me Barnes told Bucky to go call the police.

Steve closed his eyes again. Everything hurt. He felt himself being picked up and open his eyes to see Mr Barnes. He started to cry again. He felt like such a baby being carried to his room. But his Mamma was there, telling him it was okay to cry and that things would get better.

Things would get better.

Things would get better.

And with that thought in mind, Steve fell asleep.

~TH~

Hey guys! I just thought I would let you guys know that I'm hosting "Marvel Whump Madness" on Wattpad at https: /my .w.tt /OhSWulXgAU (remove spaces) and would love for you guys to join! If you don't have Wattpad, you can just PM me the details.

Hope you guys check it out!

God bless,

Trekkiehood