This Is Stella's Reality

September 3, 2014

Bucky's lips were warm on my cheeks as he peppered light kisses across my face, waking me from my dreams. His smile was soft like the light that streamed between the breaks of the curtains and pooled on the floor in golden lakes of light.

"Morning, doll," his voice was still gruff.

I yawned, stretching away the sleep still stuck to my bones, "Morning, ducky."

His face buried into my neck, all of his weight crushing onto my chest. He sighed loudly into my ear, "I don't want to go downstairs."

I chuckled as much as I could under his weight, but it came out as more of a huff, "Why?"

"I hear Sharon downstairs."

I winced, "I wish she didn't hate me."

Bucky's lips pulled into a sympathetic smile as he sat above me, stroking hair out of my face, "You were really cute yesterday when you asked her to get dinner with you."

My eyebrows furrowed together, "Apparently not. She basically told me to go fuck myself."

He laughed, eyes sparkling in the warm glow of morning, "If she bothers you, tell me, please. I'll handle it."

I nodded at him. Not unless I handle it first.

There was a knock at the door. Bucky's eyes glanced towards it and back to me.

"James?" Speak of the devil. Sharon's voice sang through the door.

I smiled up at him, "Can I answer it?"

A devilish smirk spread across his face, "Only if you put my hoodie on."

Quickly, he rushed to the closet and tossed me a tan hoodie that reeked of his cologne. It was huge and the hem fell to my knees. Bucky threw on a pair of sweatpants and stood out of view of the door.

Sharon knocked again, and I opened the door with a grin, "Oh, hey, Sharon."

If looks could kill, I'd be a dead woman. Her eyes flew through the stages of grief, but ended at anger. She sucked her teeth, "Stella, didn't think you'd still be here."

I gave her an innocent smile, "Can I help you?"

She peeked over my shoulder, "I'm looking for my James."

I stuck my finger to my lips, pretending to think, "Hm, you know I haven't seen your James, but mine is right here."

My hand reached out to Bucky who was standing a few feet away at the closet. His hand grabbed mine, and I pulled him into Sharon's view. He wrapped his arms around my waist and settled his head atop mine.

He gave her a wide smile as her whole face turned ruby red, "Nevermind." She stormed off down the hallway, feet stomping on the hardwood floors.

Bucky twisted me in his arms, "You're such a brat." He kissed me deeply, pressing our bodies together. He pulled away, still holding me close, "Will you wear my hoodie today?"

Butterflies invaded my lungs.

I nodded, not sure if my voice would betray me with a trembling reply.

He smiled again, charming. This whole no emotions thing would not last long. I needed to ask Nat for a backup plan.

Bucky threw a shirt on, and we walked downstairs.

Nat's eyes locked with mine as we descended the steps. She winked and turned back to the book she was reading.

Nobody said anything. They all pretended nothing was awry. Tony was making pancakes, Bruce was drinking coffee, Nat read her book, and Clint and Thor watched ESPN recaps on TV.