A Stucky Story

The Asset and Life Skills part 2

Anger management

When Bucky came to Steve, he only knew what Rumlow had taught him. Which wasn't a lot.

As time went on, he learned so much in a matter of months. The word no was being used more aggressively, but that was just stubborn Bucky showing his face. Bucky learned to say please and thank you with some prompting. His therapist loved the strides he had made, but there was always set backs.

As Bucky was discovering his emotions, he fell into meltdowns and tantrums quickly. Anger was, obviously, the most violent and Bucky sometimes doesn't remember why he had the meltdown. Steve always had to restrain him and talk him down. When Steve asked him what upset him, he didn't remember. Sadness also played a big factor. It could either make him very fussy and throw him into a tantrum or he became super clingy.

After a few therapy sessions, Dr. Nicole recommended that he start trying to write out how he feels. And they quickly realized that Bucky didn't like to write at all. So during this week's session, they worked on anger management.

Bucky was in a mood today. Getting out the apartment had been a struggle. Getting in the car was a fight. Now he didn't want to get out the car.

"Bucky, come on, we're going to be late."

"No." Steve tried all he could to get Bucky out the car. But he was being extremely stubborn today. Then he reached inside his bag.

"Want a lollipop?" Bucky nodded and got out of the car. They went inside and sat in their room. Steve gave him the lollipop and watched him play with the stuffed animals.

"Good morning, guys. Everything alright?" Said Dr. Nicole coming in.

"Someone is being extra stubborn today. Took us ten minutes to get out out of the apartment and another twenty to get in here."

"Alright. I brought some writing books. You think he'll be up to learning to trace the alphabet?"

"I don't know."

"Hey, Bucky, how has your day been?" Bucky looked at her then shook his head.

"Did something bad happen?" Bucky shook his head again and got the stuffed dog from the bin.

"Bucky, I can't help if you don't talk about it." She said. Bucky stared at her then he shook his head.

"What's wrong?"

"No."

"Bucky, talking is good. Remember how we express what we feel." Bucky was shaking. Steve was bothered that something had upset Bucky and he didn't know. Dr. Nicole sighed and sat in front of him.

"Stop, please."

"We can take a small break." Bucky sat in his corner and played with his animals. Dr. Nicole got up and sat by Steve.

"Was he like this all morning?"

"He was just being stubborn today, I didn't know it was something more than that."

"From what I know from working with kids, their stubbornness can get mixed up with being angry at something. But also Bucky is just rediscovering his own emotions, so right now we could be seeing anger and stubborn. And I'm pretty sure if I ask him what has him upset, he won't know why."

"So he can get angry and not even know why?"  Dr. Nicole nodded and looked at Bucky who was drooling on his shirt. She got a couple of napkins and sat in front of him.

"Can I wipe your face?" She asked. Bucky shook his head. "Can you wipe your face?" Bucky shook his head again and pushed her arm away.

"No."