Time Bomb

Chapter 31

I woke up the next morning alone in the bed. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. I looked around the room for Dani and didn't see her. I could hear muffled music coming from somewhere and knew instantly where she was. I got out of bed and got dressed. Jeans and a shirt as per my usual. I put my boots on and ran a comb through my hair that had gotten pretty messed up from last night's activities with Dani. After I kissed her when she straddled me, things got heated pretty quickly.
I made my way to the garage attached to the house where we instead of storing vehicles, turned half of it into a training room and the other half into a writing station for Dani.
I opened the door and see Dani sitting at her desk, her head bobbing to the beat of the song playing. A pen in hand and her notebook opened on the desk in front of her.
I smiled and walked up behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders. Her entire body jumped and she almost fell out of the chair.
"Jesus fucking hell, Bucky!" She yelled but smiled at me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I said, sitting on the desk.
"It's okay. I was in such a trance with the music, I didn't even hear the door open. I hope I didn't wake you." She said as she turned her chair to face me.
"Oh, no. I woke up and you weren't in bed so I came looking for you. Heard the music and knew you'd be in here. On the days when you weren't training with T'Challa, you were in here writing and blasting music." I said and leaned back against the wall.
"Well... I figured it might be time to try getting back into it. Since you were gone, I haven't sang or written anything. And Clint wasn't around that whole time either so... my inspiration just went out the window. There were songs that formed in my mind but I never wrote them down." She said as she flipped through the pages of her notebook.
"Well, is there anything cooking up in that beautiful mind of yours now that you've got us both back?" I asked and she let her head fall back against the chair.
"Well yeah, I just can't seem to write the lyrics down. Every time I try, it's like they all get jumbled up." She said and tossed her pen to the desk.
"Hey, you'll get there. I'm sure you just need some time to focus on it." I said encouragingly.
"I'm sure you're right but I don't even know if I'm ready to get back into singing. I need time to heal. You and Clint being gone for 5 years, especially you, really broke me. Even T'Challa was gone, Buck. I couldn't even come back here. Not without you. There were just too many memories that I didn't want to relive every time I walked into any room." She said and I could see the pain in her eyes as she continued telling me what it was like for her while I was gone. It was hell for her.
She told me last night the times she tried to end her own life just to be done with the pain and how it didn't work at all. She hates what she is. Hates the nuke she lives with in her chest. I just wish there were a way I could make it go away, take away the nuke. I would do that for her in a heartbeat if I even knew of a way to do it. Maybe I should talk to T'Challa and see if there's a way to do that. They have some of the best technology here, maybe he would know of something.

After awhile, Dani and I went to the kitchen together and made breakfast for our guests. Pancakes, bacon, and eggs.
"Oh my god, what smells so good?" Sam asked as he came into the kitchen. His eyes widening as he saw the platters of food on the counter.
"Good morning, Sammy. Dig in, I'm sure you're starving." Dani said with a smile and handed him a plate. He happily took the plate and began loading it with food then took a seat at the table.
"Morning everyone." Steve said as he walked in.
"Ooh, may I?" He asked as he saw the food.
"Of course, here." Dani said and handed him a plate. He too loaded his plate and took a seat at the table.
"All that's left is Clint and he's always either been an early riser or a late one. So we'll... wait. There he is." Dani said and smiled as she heard him grumbling as he approached the kitchen.
"Coffee. Where's the coffee?" He asked as he came to a stop beside Dani.
"Right here. Please get some food too. You can't live on coffee." She said and handed him the thermos filled with hot coffee that she did earlier when we first started cooking. That's who that was for.
"Mmmm. Coffee first." He said and leaned against the counter.
"Hey, I've gotta go talk to T'Challa about something. I'll be back in a bit." I said and kissed Dani's forehead before making my way outside to my bike.

—Dani's POV—
Bucky kissed my forehead before he left. Wonder what he has to talk to T'Challa for. He's only been back for less than 24 hours.
"Dani, these pancakes are fantastic." Sam said with food in his mouth.
"Hey, say it don't spray it." I laughed and handed him a napkin. He smiled and took the napkin.
"You and Buck both cook or just you?" Steve asked.
"Mostly just me. But if he asks, he did mix the batter and flip the bacon so he gets some credit." I chuckled and sat down at the table with a cup of coffee, Clint following and sitting beside me.
"Well thank you. This is great. You really didn't have to do this but I do appreciate it." He said and smiled before taking his last bite of a pancake.
"Mhm, yeah. What he said. I know I've been gone for awhile but this is definitely the best thing since coming back." Sam added and he too finished his last bite.
"I just wanted to do something nice for you guys. Steve, you've really been there for me these last 5 years even though I tried like hell to push you away. Clint, regardless of you being away after the blip, you're still my brother and I still love you. And Sam. Well. I just like you. You've got a great personality and you're an amazing person so I truly just thought a home cooked meal was something you all would enjoy. I know Clint will be leaving here in the next day or so to go be with his family now that they're back. Which means, Sam or Steve, one of you will get to sleep in the available room." I said and took a sip of my coffee.
"Ahh, good morning all! Sorry I'm late, I've been on the phone with Pepper all morning." Tony said as he entered the room.
"Morning, Tony. There's breakfast on the counter if you're hungry." I said and pointed to the platters. He smiled and made his way into the kitchen.
"Well hey, I've got some writers block to figure out so you guys enjoy your breakfast. I'll be in the garage if you need me for anything." I smiled and made my way back to the garage.