The Winter | Bucky Barnes Fanfiction |

Chapter 2

I didn't go to bed until late that night, I began to put notes together on my file for Bucky. Well, it was that, and I was expecting to hear screaming coming from my guest bedroom. I didn't have any actual notes seeing that we hadn't started our sessions, so I typed general information. And included spaces for information I would have to ask Steve about later.

After reaching a large roadblock with the information I had to type in, I saved my document and shut my laptop. I wasn't used to doing work in my room, let alone having a desk in it. I would usually do my work searched in the study; however, seeing that it was on the other side of the library I wouldn't be of much use of Bucky were to lash out. I left my desk and walked to the window of my room. The center of which was at the perfect position to climb out onto the roof. I pulled up the glass, and stepped one bare foot out and into the cold October air. The roof was freezing, and I was still in the same white long sleeved dress from earlier. The wind came and pushed the air up and around my legs.

I was balanced at the apex of one of the rooflines with my arms crossed. I hadn't come out there for some time, but I found it oddly refreshing to be outside. The moon's full glow cast a cool white light on everything around the house, and the stars winked along side.

I felt a chill run up my spine. And although it was cold, I knew that wasn't the reason. Eyes. I was being watched. I could assume one of three origins. The first was Steve, but I didn't think that was plausible. It was just as likely as an animal watching me from just past the driveway, which happened to be my second guess. My third, and most plausible, was that Bucky was awake.

I didn't try to catch him, I didn't even try and turn around. Normally, I would have turned around but I was almost compelled to stay still. I took a deep breath, and uncrossed my arms to run a hand through my hair. I slowly turned around and waltzed back to my window. I knew he was still watching, but I didn't even shoot him a passing glance.

I stepped back through the window, and I could almost feel my body defrosting. I moved closer to the cast-iron space heater that was a couple feet away from the window. It was one of the trade offs of owning a house this old. No central heating air-conditioning.

My eyes were beginning to get heavy, and I finally made my way into bed. I set my clock to wake me up at an unreasonable six o'clock before turning over and getting comfortable.

I didn't sleep well that night, mostly fading in and out with the fear that Bucky would start screaming in the other room. It didn't happen, surprisingly, and when I got up at six the next morning I paid extra attention to covering up the bags that had started forming under my eyes. I stood in the mirror dabbing on foundation and concealer for quite some time all to look like I had done nothing at all. I looked especially fair, most likely from the terrible sleep. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed as I continued to look myself over in the mirror.

I broke away from the vanity, and walked into try closet. I threw on an outfit that I would be able to cook in that consisted of a pair of clack leggings and a sorority teeshirt from several decades ago. I had picked it up in a thrift shop burly because I liked the way it felt. I decided the outfit was sufficient, and walked downstairs to make breakfast.

I started the coffee, as well as the kettle for myself. I hummed as I scrambled eggs and fried bacon. I know that in recent years there had been a drive to leave the doting housewife aesthetic, but I enjoyed cooking for others. I had a purpose, I was a doctor after all, but I liked seeing people enjoying what I had made.

I popped open a container of biscuits and laid them out on a tray after the oven preheated. With a sigh I leaned back against the island and watched them for a moment as I took a break. I leaned back to get my back to crack, and then went back to work.