Hopefully, you're here because you really liked the first chapter and I thank you for continuing to read! This is the first chapter set back in the past, so I hope it all goes well and doesn't confuse anyone! I promise I won't interrupt the story too much more, unless there is anything crucial I need to explain. Enjoy!

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June 6th, 1928. Brooklyn, New York.

It wasn't too unusual to have a cold snap in June, but after the heatwave they had only a week earlier, this one had taken the whole city by surprise. As a result, people were in too much of a rush to get in to the warmth to notice anything going on around them, too busy to even to find out what the source of the loud crashing noise was as they passed one particular alley. Nobody stopped to witness a small boy being thrown into the opposite wall by a boy much larger than himself. They just continued on their way, unaware of the blood beginning to pool on the floor as it gushed out of the smaller boy's nose. The boy refused to back down despite his injuries, barley able to stand on his feet as he tried to out-stare his attacker.

"I gotta hand it to ya, ya don't go down easy. Makes it more fun."

Despite the fact his head was spinning from the blood loss and repeated punches, he simply stared back, determination to keep fighting dominating his expression. The other boy snarled, grasping the front of his shirt and throwing him further into the alley with such force, the material ripped as his victim crashed to the floor. Still, the runt scrambled back to his feet, fists sloppily raised as he faced off once more. The older boy glared, the stubbornness of the kid quickly turning him from amused to angry.

"Seriously? What is with you, you little brat, wanna die?"

Azure blue eyes narrowed, even as deep down, he knew that he really should back down.

"I don't like bullies." He stated simply, speaking as if the answer should have been obvious to said bully.

Unfortunately, his response only earned him another hit to the face, this time with enough force to finally knock him on to his back. He groaned as he fell, knowing he wasn't getting up again any time soon. He clenched his eyes shut, not particularly wanting to see the foot heading his way collide with his face. Had his eyes been open, he would have noticed that finally, somebody had ignored the cold enough to stop and see what was causing the noise in the alley. He would have also recognised the person and moved out of their sight so they couldn't recognise him in return, but luck was not on his side. The bully lowered his foot at the sound of footsteps approaching and glared down as a small girl appeared in front of him. Before he could open his mouth to tell her to leave, her eyes drifted down to the boy laying on the ground and her eyes widened in shock.

"Steve!?" She called.

Ten year-old Steven Grant Rogers let out a groan at the familiarity of the voice, wishing that he was strong enough to get up, grab her and get her to safety. He knew she was exactly the same as him when it came to bullies, especially when he was the one being bullied, and would inevitably end up hurt in a bid to try and help him. His eyes opened slowly to see her looking at him, a mixture of horror and anger on her face as she took in his state. It didn't take long for her to realise the injuries came from the boy hovering above him, and she quickly glared, hands falling on to her hips to mirror the stance her mother fell in to whenever she was angry.

"You big jerk! Pick on somebody else or I'll call the police!" she shouted as loud as she could, hoping her voice would carry and attract some help.

Steve let out another groan and tried to pick himself up as the bully returned her glare, walking up to her until he was towering above her. The momentary bravado she had vanished, and Steve could only watch helplessly as the older boy bent so he was face to face with her.

"Is that so, pipsqueak? Well, okay then I will pick on somebody else. Let's see, there's only you, me and him here, so I guess you'll have to do won't you?"

By now, the seven year old realised that her threat of calling the police hadn't scared him away as she had naively thought it would. Slowly, she began to back away, eyes wide with fear. Without warning, he reached out and grasped her arm, throwing her towards Steve so she couldn't dart away from the alley without having to get through him first. With a squeak of pain, she landed next to Steve, her knee scraping against the floor. She let out a small whimper as she automatically shuffled towards Steve, her eyes watering with pain. The moment she was close enough to him, Steve protectively wrapped his arms round her and scowled up at the bully once more.

"Leave her alone." He warned.

The boy sneered, knowing there was nothing the kid could do to hurt him.

"Why, is she your girlfriend or something? She's a bit young don't you think? Though I bet one day she'll be a fine piece of ass" he mocked, echoing the words he'd heard some older boys say about a woman a few days earlier.

With a burst of rage at the insult to the girl, Steve lurched to his feet and managed to successfully collide with the bully's stomach, making the boy stumble back with a look of surprise.

"She's actually my little sister and you'd better treat her with more respect than that." Steve growled, eyes still flashing with anger.

Keeping her mouth shut despite wanting to call out to her brother, Elizabeth May Rogers quietly began edging away from the pair, even as Steve was once more sent to the floor by the bully's right hook. She didn't want to leave her brother alone with the bully, but he needed help that she knew she couldn't give. Their mother wasn't too far away, the older woman also looking for Steve after he had disappeared an hour earlier. She knew if she could just slip past, she could raise an alarm, however, the bully read her movements, his hand shooting out once more to grab her shoulder. Reacting instinctively, she swung her other arm round and there was a loud slap as her hand met the boy's cheek. seeing the dark look that shot across the bully's face, Steve grit his teeth and tried to pull himself up, but the dizziness from that last punch kept him firmly on the cold ground. The older boy's grip tightened, the young girl yelping in pain, however she still tried to twist and hit him again. This time he was ready for the move and blocked it before slamming her hard against the wall behind her, her skull hitting the brick with a crack that had Steve calling out her name in a panic. There was no sound from her, the force enough to daze her. He released his grip and she slumped to the floor, silent tears rolling down her face as she clutched the back of her head.

"Serves you right for getting involved. Such a little crybaby." he taunted.

At the sight of blood seeping through his sister's fingers, Steve managed to pull himself off the floor and rushed over to her, narrowly dodging another hit from the bully. He barely managed to stop from standing on her, the move twisting his ankle and sending him sprawling in front of her. As the bully began advancing towards them, a voice suddenly called out, the sound making all three children jump.

"Hey!"

The bully turned to tell the newcomer to mind his own business, only to have a fist smash into his face instead. He let out a loud wail as his front teeth were knocked from their sockets. In seconds he took off running, his loud cries of pain fading as he made his way to the nearest person who would help him. Steve didn't bother to watch him run, instead turning to his sister, cradling her face in his hands as her eyes slowly came back in to focus.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry as blood continued to run from the back of her skull.

She let out a tiny whimper as she said no and shook her head in response. He pulled her into an embrace, kissing the top of her head as her small body quivered against his own. A cough from nearby reminded him that somebody had helped them and he looked up to find a boy not much older than himself walking back over to them after making sure the bully wasn't coming back. The two boy's eyes met and Steve nodded his head in thanks, receiving a small nod in return. Steve gently unwrapped his arms from Beth and helped her to her feet so he could look at her more closely, uncaring that his own injuries were worse. Her knee was badly grazed, her arm already bruising from the bully's grasp and he could see a cut on the back of her head from hitting the wall that he had no doubt would need stitches.

"Did you get hurt anywhere else?" he asked her softly.

She shook her head and sniffled. It was then that she looked at the new boy, immediately mesmerised by his deep blue eyes that looked at her with a warmth that seemed to make them glow. He gave her a smile and she felt her own mouth return the gesture, even as she shyly pressed herself further into Steve's side. Steve's arms tightened round her briefly before letting her go so he could extend his hand out.

"Thanks for helping, I owe you one."

"Don't mention it. If there's one thing I hate, its people that pick on those smaller than them or who hit girls. I'm just glad you're both okay. Oh! My names James Barnes, but you can call me Bucky" The boy said as he took hold of Steve's hand with his own, a grin on his face.

Steve returned Bucky's grin as he released his hand.

"I'm Steve and this is my sister, Elizabeth."

"Beth!" she argued, her lip forming a put that made Bucky's smile deepen as Steve corrected himself and explained she hated being called by her full name.

It was at that moment a frantic woman with blonde hair pulled neatly into a bun came running into the alley. Her blue eyes fell on the Roger's siblings and relief filled them, quickly replaced with more concern.

"There you two are! I've been going crazy looking for you! What on earth happened to you both!?" she exclaimed as she took in the sight before her of both children bleeding.

Beth flew into her mothers arms, breaking into loud sobs as her mother's arms wrapped round her. Sarah looked to Steve for an explanation, but Bucky beat him to it.

"A boy was bullying them ma'am. I helped them make him leave." Bucky answered, hoping to get the pair out of any trouble for getting into a fight.

She blinked in surprise at him as she hadn't noticed him at first, too worried about her children. Bucky shuffled his feet, expecting a reprimand or for her to tell him to leave, only to find himself shocked when she reached over and kissed his cheek.

"In that case, I owe you thanks. Lord knows these two get into far too much trouble, both of them too stubborn to back down from a fight just like their father. Do you live nearby? I have to take these rascals to the doctor but afterwards we'll go for ice cream and I'd like you to join us as a thank you for rescuing my babies."

Bucky noticed Steve blush at being called a baby, while Elizabeth's face scrunched up in distaste. Too humbled by the gratefulness of the lady in front of him, he didn't grin, but as she turned to fuss over them, he sent them both a glance so they knew he'd seen their reactions.

"I live just across the street ma'am and it would be my pleasure to come for ice cream." He responded, his voice oozing a charm that told Sarah Rogers he would one day turn into a heart breaker.

As she turned to tuck Steve and Elizabeth under each of her arms, she indicated for Bucky to follow them. Falling in to step, Bucky caught gazes with the siblings and the three broke out into matching grins, cementing the friendship that would take them through their lives.