Artemis' POV

"Artemis?"

I glanced up at Bucky from my computer, "What?"

He scratched the back of his head, "I uh, have a question."

I looked back down at the screen, resuming typing my college paper, "Ok, shoot."

"It's um, kinda personal."

I glanced up again, looking around the room, "We're alone."

"Artemis. Please."

I sighed, saving my paper and closing the lid of my laptop. I lifted my feet, patting the spot next to me on the couch, "Well come on." He gave a timid smile as he scurried over. Once he was seated, I put my feet up on his lap. "So, what's up?"

"How… Artemis, how do you know when you're, you know? In love?"

"Love? Since when are you in love?"

"Well… well I'm not, or maybe I am." He ran his hands through his hair, "Ugh, I don't know!"

I chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing." I chuckled again, "Nothing I swear."

He glared at me, "That's right, laugh it up."

"Buck, I don't think it's funny. I think it's cute."

"Cute?" He started to get up, but I pulled him back down.

"Your seventeen, you have your first crush. I think that's fricken adorable."

"Artemis."

"What?"
"Can you stop treating me like a baby for one second?"

"Buck, you're like a little brother to me. I remember when you actually were a baby, so yeah, I'm gonna keep seeing you like that."

He huffed, "Fine. But can you at least tell me how you know… you I can… well, you know, know."

"Well, you know, it's different for everyone…"

"But how did you know?"

"Bucky…"

"Artemis." He grabbed my arm, "I want you to tell me, because I know you and I trust you."

I smiled and shook my head, "Okay, all right, let's see. The first time I knew I was in love, I was twelve…"

Apollo whistled as he swung the door open, "Looks like they got you good Artie."

I glared at him, "Shut up Apollo, you should have seen what I did to them."

"I have," he closed the door, "those hospital reports were gruesome."

"Well child smugglers deserve the worst."

"Yeah, you're right about that."

Suddenly, the door flew open, hitting the wall with a bang. Ethan ran in, breathing heavily.

"Artemis? I heard what happened! Are you okay?"

"Ethan? What are you doing here?"

"I told you! I heard what happened. Please tell me if your okay."

"Dude," Apollo said, resting a hand on Ethan's shoulder, "Her leg's broken, that's all. She'll be fine in a few weeks."

I smiled at him, "What he said."

Ethan walked over to the bed I was in, letting out a deep breath, "Good. I mean, not good, but... well… you know what I mean."

"Yeah," I said, "Now, how did you get here?"

"Oh! I uh, stole my dad's suit."

My brother and I just stared, our eyes wide and mouths open. It took me a second to regain my composure before uttering, "You stole the Iron Man suit?"

He didn't hesitate before answering, "Of course, it was the fastest way to get here. I had to know that you were okay."

"You could have called."

"But I had to see for myself. You're my best friend Artemis, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I…uh, thanks. You too."

"Now," he grinned, "can I sign your cast?"

And I said yes. So he got a whole pack of sharpies and he and Apollo drew on it all day. He insisted on staying most of the time I was in medical, even after Uncle Tony and Aunt Pepper found out he stole the suit. When I finally got back home I had to have my dad tell me what Ethan wrote on the cast, since it was on the back. It said "Artie, Don't ever do anything that stupid again. I wouldn't know what to do without you. Love, Ethan."

"And that's when I knew."

Bucky looked confused, "So, you knew because he told you?"

"No silly," I shook my head, "I already knew he loved me, like he loved Jenna, or how I love you. It was because of what he did that I knew I loved him, like loved him loved him. Like my parents loved each other. Because he was willing to steal an Iron Man Suit to come and make sure I was okay. And how he stayed, even though I was really fine, and he was in a lot of trouble. I was worth more to him that anything, and that's how I knew."

Bucky seemed to contemplate it for a second, "Oh. I think I get it now."

"So, did that clear everything up for you?"

He jumped up, running for the door, "Yeah," he called over his shoulder, "Yeah it did! Thanks Artie!" Then the door slammed shut.

"Kids" I muttered before smiling and rolling my eyes, flipping my laptop back on to resume typing.