Me, her, and You

6

    The next week was you establishing a routine, you'd sleep till about 9am. Get up, get Kayla up, make her breakfast, set her up with books upon books to keep her busy. Then you would go clean the kitchen, throw a bunch of sandwiches together for lunch. You did this encase anyone was to lazy to make themselves a meal and it also cut down on dishes being used.
      Then you'd check in on your daughter, who was usually writing out mathematical equations. Lord knows what they meant, you had given up on that one two years ago. Opting out for science and math books. After making sure she was good, you'd go to the gym, and grab dirty towels throwing them in the wash. Hit the library, pick that up, maybe snag a book for Kayla.
       Check on her again, go back to kitchen, clean it up. Then you'd get dinner going, by that time people would filing in. They never failed to thank you for dinner, insisting that they did know how to cook. You didn't mind, you never told them it's because you didn't want them making a huge mess.
     After getting dinner done you would go back to your little apartment with a plate for you and Kayla. Then you'd spend the next couple hours with her before she went to bed.
       It was routine, stability. She opened up more to you. Trying to explain whatever she was working on, it always went over your head, but you listening anyway. After she went to bed, depending on the night, you'd leave her a note just encase she woke up.
      Tonight was one of those nights, you finished out writing your shopping list. Grabbing your key card you slipped out of your room. The sound of I love Lucy greeted once again. You stopped by the common room, Bucky sat in his usual spot. Most of the time you didn't see him during the day, once in a while you'd catch a glimpse of him at the gym.
     "Hey." He said, as he looked over. "Where are you going this late?"
      "To the store, I have a few things I need to get for the next week." You tell him, leaning against the edge of the wall.
     "Want some company" He offered, you couldn't help the flutter in your stomach when he asked.
     "I'd love some, but everyone seems to be asleep." You joke, he grinned back at you
     "Let me grab my jacket." He rose from his chair, coming towards you. He slowed down as he passed you, his eyes connected with yours. You could feel your face flush up under his look, thanking the fact it was dark.

    Later you found the two you at the store, he was pushing the cart as you pick up random veggies and fruit. You were bagging up various different meats, when you noticed out of the corner of your eye that he was scanning the entire section. His body was tense, as his knuckles were gripped tight on the cart.
    "James, why are you so tense?" You finally asked, putting your stuff in the cart.
     "Habit?" He questioned himself, eyes casted to the floor. "I don't get out to often, so it's all too much sometimes."
    "I know how that is." You sighed as the two of you walked down another isle. Bucky waited in silence for you to continue. Your hands shook a bit, talking about the past always seemed to do that to you. "My ex, he secluded me from everything for a couple years. The first year I left was the worst, first time in store set me into a panic attack."
      "The subway was the one that sent me into one." He slowly lifted his gaze to meet yours. "I.. I fell off of a train in the war. Ended up losing my arm."
     "Is that why I always see you with along sleeve shirt and gloves on?" You asked picking up several boxes of pasta.
    "Yeah." He nodded. "I didn't want to frighten you or Kayla. My left arm is completely metal from the shoulder down."
    "It won't scare us." You give him a sweet smile. "So don't wear them anymore on our account, wear whatever is comfortable."
    "Thank you." He relaxed a bit, smiling to himself as you finished your shopping. You paid for the groceries, and left. Bucky helped put the items in one of Tony's cars.
     "Does Kayla not go to school? I don't see her leave." He asked as the two of you climbed in.
      "She does home schooling." You tried to sound casual, your body tensed up at being asked such a normal question. "She's a head of peers, so she does much her stuff online."
     "Smart kid."
      "You don't know the half of it." You sigh, leaning your head back. Truth was she was a genius, where she got it from you had no idea.
You sat in comfortable silence the rest of the drive back. Bucky helped you bring the bags up, and continued to help put all the items away. The two you working in tandem, though whenever he walk passed you he would place his hand on your lower back or brush you in someway.
When the two of you were done he walked you back to your door, even though his was about ten feet away.
"Thank you for your help and company." You tell him, turning your doorknob. "Good Night James."
"No, thank you." He respond, he grabbed your free hand suddenly as you turned. He stepped in a bit, leaning down. His lips brushed your cheek before you knew what was happening. You could feel your face flush up, trying not to grin like an idiot.
"Night, Y/n." He let go of your hand, and walked to his room.
You entered you apartment, closing the door behind you. You leaned against it sighing loudly, trying to wrap your head around what happened. Sure, you liked him and he was very attractive but this is not what you needed right now.
You walked over to Kayla's room to check on her before you went to bed. You expected to see her tangled up in the sheets, dark hair fanned out in every direction. Your heart jumped to your throat when you found her bed empty. You tore through your apartment looking for her, coming up empty handed.