Newbie (Bucky x Reader)

No news & tempers

After supper Bruce took Daisy out for you, and you decided to walk up and down the hallways several times trying to get your strength up before going to bed. You checked your phone for messages from Bucky, but there were none. Alpine curled up on your side while Daisy curled up in your back as you went to bed fairly early for a change. You woke up with another screaming nightmare that night, and Happy came in to get you to take you for some hot chocolate and cookies again. You weren't sure how you did it before, now that you were getting used to having someone there when you woke up. Daisy didn't put up much of a fight when Happy came in the room. Once you came around, she stopped growling immediately and became her normal happy go lucky self again. Happy made sure that you made it back to bed, and then went on his own way. You felt badly for putting him out like that, two nights in a row, but didn't know what else to say besides apologize profusely but he kept waving off your apologies. When you got up the next morning you put on your red swimsuit under your jean shorts and a tank top with Bucky's sweater again, gearing up for all you would need for the pool. You headed down to the kitchen with a lot more confident strides again, and smiled to yourself that you didn't need a break this time. You had made it in record time compared to usual. Happy was waiting with a smile and your coffee already by the stool you had been taking every morning.
"I'm sorry I woke you up again" you felt so bad.
"I was awake watching my stories" he lied easily.
"That was a lie" you pointed out quickly.
"Its no trouble to come check on you if you're having a nightmare. Its only until Bucky is back, and then I'm sure he will be back to making sure you have none" he implied with a grin.
"Daisy used to be enough" you sighed.
"That's a lie. You might not know it, but Doctor Cho when she was here used to talk about how you would wake up several housing units with your screams" he chuckled.
"That's why they put me on sleeping pills, didn't work as good as they thought it would though" you admitted.
"I got you some protein drinks ordered in, they came in last night. I want you to drink three a day between meals" he gestured to the fridge. "They are strawberry flavored, which Pepper wont touch, so don't let them go to waste"
"Why?" you blushed slightly.
"You are starting to fill out again, but you looked pretty haggard after your mission. Just trying to help out" he gave a soft smile. "Make sure you drink them" he reminded you.
"I promise" you nodded, feeling touched he seemed so worried. He turned to look at you, and you gave a smile drinking your coffee again.
"Did you hear from Bucky again yet?" he arched an eyebrow.
"No" you pouted. "He sent me the cutest selfie of him laughing so I printed it off and put it on my wall" you smiled at the thought of it and took out your phone showing him your lock screen. "Isn't he so handsome?"
"Of course" he nodded with a smirk. "Where's your music this morning?"
"I didn't want to play it too loudly and bother anyone yet" you flushed.
"Turn it up, give me a hand with breakfast. We need more coffee made" he smiled at you and you hopped off your stool finishing your cup, and turning up your music. "The first time I ever saw your face" by Harry Connick Jr filled the room as you started to sing softly to it while refilling your coffee cup, then making a fresh pot of coffee. Happy stood back and let you start flipping the pancakes as you seemed to be at more ease in the kitchen. He grinned to himself and sat down watching you dance slightly to the music. Pepper and Bruce came in without you noticing and grabbed their coffees while you continued to sing quietly to yourself and dancing while continuing to help finish breakfast. You finished the batter and turned around to take another sip of coffee and jumped.
"Karaoke indeed for the next girls night" Pepper smiled sipping at her coffee.
"Oh, I don't sing" you shook your head.
"You have a beautiful voice, you should do it more often" Happy grinned. "I noticed you do it when you relax". You found yourself blushing while Happy took over putting everything on the table. "Pepper, I put her protein drinks in the fridge, be careful when you go to grab yours"
"Okay, thanks for the heads up. I remember you said you went with strawberry" Pepper nodded as you followed them into the dining room. You turned down your music and sat with them.
"Anything from Nat?" you looked at Bruce anxiously.
"Not yet, she will check in when its safe" he gave a strained smile.
"Tony checked in, they are still getting data" Pepper offered. "We don't know about the other team yet" she admitted. "They haven't checked in with Tony yet, but that's normal if they are knee deep in a mission"
"What's the plan for the morning?" Happy looked at you expectantly.
"Swimming, and then walking around the hallways again if I don't push it too much again" you bit your bottom lip.
"Bring your protein shake with you for after your swim" he pointed his fork at you and you nodded obediently. "I'll take Daisy out for you after breakfast"
"I have a few virtual meetings today, so I might be late for meals" Pepper gave you all warnings. "I will have to go to the office tomorrow, so I'll be missing lunch for sure" she added.
"Its not the meeting with the odd man is it?" you asked curiously.
"No, I still have to make appearances on site once in a while" she giggled.
"Doctor Joy wanted to have a meeting with you tonight too Sunshine" Bruce broached the subject gently. "She wants to know if you've been doing your homework"
"I have, I've been doing things for myself every day" you nodded with a smile. "I like swimming" you grinned.
"Make sure she knows" he nodded with a smile. "She's coming after supper, so no wandering the halls for a few hours tonight"
"Is it because of the nightmares?" you asked after a long silence.
"Yes" he nodded. "We are worried about you, and they seem to be getting worse"
"Thank you for being honest" you gave a smile and went back to your food.