Stark Madness (Book Two In The Heart Of A Stark) Series

Prologue

He had been reluctant when the man who introduced himself as Happy offered to drive them to her apartment, but one look at YNs pleading eyes had him yielding. Bucky would have given her anything she asked for in that moment. He had watched her struggle to keep her composure all afternoon when he could see all she wanted to do was fall apart. 

She had smiled and laughed at all the appropriate times while Steve and Peggy recounted the three years they had spent in the 1950s before deciding they needed to come back; had politely offered to help Pepper prepare a small feast when the sun started to dip in the sky. She had made small talk with Clint and his wife Laura, played with her little sister, and even helped with the clean up but Bucky saw her lip tremble when she thought no one was looking. He hadn't been surprised when she offered to take Morgan to bed, or that he had to go search for her a couple of hours later. He had been surprised, however, to find her sitting in the hallway silently crying against her sister's door. 

His first instinct had been that something happened to the little girl but he could hear her soft, even snores on the other side of the door. YN had simply let the mask she had been wearing from the moment Steve returned finally drop. She had furiously wiped at her eyes when she noticed he was there, giving him a tentative yet genuine smile. 

"I really missed you," she whispered. 

"Yeah?" he asked lightly, lowering himself down beside her, "is that why you're hiding up here?"

She dropped her head with a chuckle, "I'm not hiding from you, Buck. It's just... a lot... down there."

"I know," he grinned taking her hands in his, "why don't we get you home?"

He did have to admit being chauffered had its advantages. She had his undivided attention when she snuggled into his chest. He rubbed the sleeve of his leather jacket he had wrapped around her before they got into the car as he felt her let go, her tears soaking through his t-shirt. 

He knew they must have been close when she schooled her breathing down to a normal rhythm. By the time Happy brought the car to a stop she had successfully replaced the mask. 

They said their goodbyes to Happy before YN took Bucky by the hand to lead him inside. He allowed her to pull him across the garage but stopped her as she pushed the door to the staircase open. 

"The elevator might be easier," Bucky offered but she was already shaking her head. 

"No, the stairs are fine," she insisted, tugging at his arm. The fear that had flashed in her eyes at the suggestion convinced him to indulge her.

"Okay," he agreed but didn't move when she tugged on him again. "Can I at least help you?"

The small nod of her head was enough for him. He gently scooped her up in his arms and started up the stairs. He realized the only time he had seen her in an elevator was when they first met. They had never been in a rush in Wakanda, happy to prolong their time together. He hadn't considered she was avoiding the small spaces. In Siberia, he had noticed her increased heart rate and breathing but had correlated it to the stress of the situation at the time. He was a little disappointed in himself that he hadn't put it together sooner. 

"No helmet," he commented as they entered the penthouse apartment atop Stark Industries. 

"No helmet," she repeated, looking around the apartment as Bucky gently placed her back on her feet, barely recognizing the place. All evidence of her time here with Steve had been erased but so had the wear and tear of her depression. Every inch of the apartment had been scrubbed until sparkling, the cupboards were filled and fresh candles had been laid out on nearly every available surface. It was a beautiful punch to the gut.