Chapter Text
She was sitting at the table sipping her coffee and reading her book when Steve walked in. He looked at her in surprise. It was early in the morning and the tower was still quiet. They had just gotten back from a mission that was supposed to be a quick in and out job. It ended up being a lot longer and harder than any of them had anticipated and they were all struggling let it go. Normally she would still be in bed with Bucky enjoying the fact that they could just relax especially after a mission that hard.
"Morning." She said bookmarking her spot.
"Morning, what are you doing up so early? Where's Bucky?" He asked looking around.
"He's still asleep. He had trouble falling asleep last night so I figured I wouldn't bother him and let him catch up on the sleep he lost." She answered, picking at an old chip in her favorite mug. She was quiet for a moment then said "I'm worried about him Steve. He's getting bad again." She looked up at him. He couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes.
He crossed his arms and opened his mouth to reply when they heard a scream come from down the hallway. They both looked towards the sound then at each other. When they heard it again they started running towards the sound, it was coming from Y/N and Bucky's shared room.
Steve threw the door open and ran inside Y/N hot on his heels; she stopped just inside the doorway. Bucky was in the middle of the bed thrashing around, his hair was plastered to his face with sweat. Her pillow was on the floor and the blanket was half off the bed.
"FRIDAY please sound proof this room." Steve asked.
"Yes Captain Rogers." The A.I. replied.
Bucky screamed again, a long and ragged sound filled with such pain and terror Steve went to him. "Buck! Buck! Wake up!" He half yelled grabbing his best friends shoulders. It didn't help.
She came to the bedside to help. "Don't. You know we never know what he is going to be like when he's like this." Steve warned holding out a hand to her. She glared at him, "I know what I am doing." She snapped.
"Yes, and I also know Buck would never forgive himself if he hurt you." Steve said with a fire in his eyes. She glared at him for a second longer then looked back at Bucky.
Her heart broke watching him thrash about on the bed. Whatever nightmares that plagued him had their hooks in deep. Sometimes her and Steve discussing what to do would lessen the hold the dreams had on him, but not this morning. Luckily these nightmares were occurring much less frequently than they used to. Occasionally when a mission was particularly difficult he would start having them again.
She shook her head, filled with a determination to help Bucky. She sat beside him and thought for half a second before straddling him and attempting to pin his arms by his head.
"Bucky! Bucky wake up! It's me! You're safe!" She said. He twisted his arms free and shoved her off of him.
Steve jumped on the bed and took over pinning him down "Bucky damn it wake up!" He half yelled.
Finally Bucky's eyes shot open and he stilled. Steve kept him pinned down for a minute longer before releasing him and climbing off of him. Bucky scooted back as far away from everyone as he could, pulling his knees to his chest.
"Y/N?" Bucky called hoarsely.
"I'm right here Bucky, I'm right here." She said softly reaching out to touch his arm but he pulled away. She noticed a fine tremor in his body. He looked between her and Steve for a moment before fleeing to the bathroom.