Shortly after Endgame/Just under six months before The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
Bucky and Michaela boarded a plane, destined for Brooklyn, New York.
He glanced at the shaking blonde and asked, "You okay?"
Michaela nodded slowly, her eyes seemingly scanning for a flaw that could cause a crash.
"You're not okay," Bucky said softly. "But I'm here, all right?"
Michaela grabbed Bucky's hand tightly, keeping her grip on his hand even as the two sat in their seats.
She buckled herself in, tightening it as much as she could. She'd risk her ability to move if it meant her safety, though the notion never helped.
The plane soon took off and Michaela made the mistake of looking out the window. The ground loomed below and the blonde leaned back in her seat, trying to calm her breaths.
As hard as she tried, she couldn't catch her breath. She grabbed at Bucky's arm, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe.
Bucky opened his eyes, as he'd been resting, and glanced at Michaela.
"Mick, hey," he said quietly. "You okay?" He studied her expression, quickly realizing she was having a panic attack.
A flight attendant came up to them and asked, "Can I get anything to help?"
Bucky nodded. "Some water would be great." The flight attendant walked away and he turned back to Michaela, who was still gasping for air. "Michaela, I'm here. What do you need?"
"W-water," she managed.
"Water's coming. Hey, let's try counting to ten, okay? Repeat after me."
Together, the two counted to ten.
"Good," Bucky said. "Let's do that again."
When they reached ten a second time, Michaela counted again and her breaths slowly steadied.
Once she'd calmed down, she rested her head on Bucky's chest and whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Bucky stroked her arm. "Mick, you never have to apologize for a panic attack."
The flight attendant returned with a bottle of water and a little bag of mixed snacks. "Here you are. I hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"
Bucky nodded. "Thanks." He opened the water, then the snack.
Michaela lifted her head up and took the water. As she slowly drank it, Bucky closed the window to hopefully prevent another panic attack.
The blonde nibbled at the snack as she rested her head on Bucky's shoulder, her eyes fighting sleep. The panic attack had taken a lot out of her, but she didn't want to fall asleep.
Bucky laced his fingers through hers as he said, "Doll, if you're tired, get some sleep."
"But what if we crash?" Michaela asked shakily.
"Then I'll save you."
She nodded as she succumbed to sleep, curling into Bucky as much as she could.
YOU ARE READING
War of Change // TFATWS
ActionSix months after everyone dusted returns, there's a new Captain America in town. Three Avengers reluctantly team up to fight against a group of radicals who want things the way they were the five years between the Blip and when everyone returned. ...
