Unexpected Sweetness

Apologies and paint.

Bucky walked into a sleeping house. He could hear the noise of a storm and a car engine coming from his girlfriend's room. He shook his head at that. She was sometimes soothed by the oddest things. He crept through the house settling his duffel in the laundry room, before settling onto the couch not sure if he was still welcome to snuggle with her. He blew out a breath. His nightmares had been acting up, not as bad as before but enough where sleep was fitful. Bekah padded out of the bedroom, crawling onto his chest. He chuckled at the dog's sensitivity to everyone around her. "Thank you, pretty girl." He cooed at the dog, who leaned into his stroking her soft ears. Deep pressure therapy was something doctor Raynor had suggested to him, but seeing Bekah initiate the cuddling she used to help made him realize that he needed this. He needed this little family, his little family.

Shawna stretched and sniffed the air smelling vanilla and bacon. Meg wasn't coming over so who was cooking breakfast? She turned off her white noise, it was replaced by soft jazz from the kitchen. "Bucky." She breathed, getting up and hurrying to see him flipping pancakes. "Hey." She greeted, feeling tears start to well. 

"Morning sunshine" He greeted, brushing her wild bedhead into some semblance of order. "Hey, why the tears?" He tried to soothe as she launched herself into a hug as she sobbed.

 "I was so scared I messed up. That I am too broken to be good for you." 

He rubbed her back, "Oh my sweet sunshine." He set her back on her feet, "I felt the same way." He admitted, wiping her cheeks dry. "Sarah gave me a talking to. She said I was moving a bit fast. She right?" He asked. Shawna nodded, looking at her toes. "You can always speak up. I want to be a safe person for you. I want this to be a we not a me and sometimes you if it is convenient." Shawna smiled shyly. 

"You are. But I tend to want to make everyone happy even if I'm not." She admitted, "Megan and Cassie suggested more therapy. They pointed out I haven't had something like this in my life. At least at the level of possibly being a permanent part of my life."

Bucky chuckled, "I plan on being permanent, yes. And I think therapy is a good plan. You don't deserve to carry around the garbage you do." He kissed her forehead, as she smacked his chest. 

"Neither do you. I know you have trauma from your past, but James Buchanan Barnes, I believe from the top of my head to the tips of my toes you are a good man. A hero. And I'm so proud of you." She said, wiggling her bare toes as she mentioned them.

Bucky buried his face in her tea tree scented hair, "Thank you, sunshine." He murmured, fighting his own tears. They stayed like that till burning pancakes which caused a bit of excitement. 

Becky and Flo enjoyed the burnt pancakes as the humans ate, making small talk. A fan blowing the smoky air out the open kitchen windows. As soon as he was full, Bucky leaned back, "I want to go get paint today. I would like you to come with." He asked.

Shawna nodded, "I was going to make a thrift store run. And I need to grocery shop. So if we can combine those errands, sure."

Bucky smiled, stroking the back of her hand. "I think we can do that."

They both strolled through the Sutherlands looking at paint chips. "So let's start at the entry and living room." Bucky suggested, a bit overwhelmed at all the options.

 "I don't like plain white at all." Shawna piped out of left field. He looked at her, curious. "I grew up living on bases, we never could paint our own rooms, then trailers where painting is a bit difficult. So my rooms have almost always been white. I hate it." She fidgeted with her bracelet. 

Bucky gently nodded. "I know you like blues and greens."

She blushed, picking a soft blue gray paint chip. "I like this one for that space. Thoughts?" 

Bucky thought the color looked familiar, but shrugged it off as they picked a soft yellow for the kitchen. A Caribbean blue was chosen for the bathrooms. A warm almond for the guest room. The master bedroom was blue, the color of the summer sky. The office was going to be a dove Grey. Then the basement was a squabble. Bucky won by picking a honey brown to go with the leather and hunter green furniture he liked. Shawna shook her head, amused at how happy Bucky was getting the paint to start the project. 

They stopped at the thrift store next, Shawna looking at the books and furniture. She found a few stuffed animals for the girls and bought them much to Bucky's amusement. 

Finally the pair tackled Wal-mart. Bucky loading down a cart with basics of a 30's kitchen. Shawna picking her favorites and lunches for work. Soon they were heading home. Bucky to start painting and Shawna to work on her own projects with Kenzie.