Hard to Love (Bucky Barnes fanfic)

Chapter 42

"Little help please?!" I shout down the hallway in hopes that someone hears me

I got notified all the gifts I ordered for everyone had been delivered so I went down to grab and sign for them. I guess I just didn't think some would be as heavy as they are. When nobody responds, I exhale a groan and look to the stack of boxes, really not in the mood to make multiple trips

But the whole teams been... off since the meeting yesterday. Every time I pass by someone they give me a sympathetic smile and ask me how I'm feeling

Every. Time.

I swear if one more person asks me how I'm feeling or if I'm okay, I might actually implode on myself

With a heavy sigh, I squat down and begin to pick up and stack some decent sized boxes to lift

Oh, wait

I mentally smack myself and chuckle at how dumb I am

With a flick and curl of my hands, my energy flows out and under each parcel in a dark storm cloud manner, lifting them effortlessly. I smile to myself and walk down the corridor to the elevator, my little conga line of floating packages trailing behind me

When the elevator dings and the doors open, I can't help the annoyed breath that escapes me and the droop in my shoulders. Sam offers me a gentle smile as he steps out of the elevator

"Hey, how-"

"Am I feeling? Same as I was the last time you all asked." I finish his sentence gruffly, stepping onto the elevator with my floating parcels. Sam breathes out a chuckle with a shake of his head

"Sorry. Just waiting for a different answer one of these times." He tilts his head in my direction

"Well thanks Sammy. But I'm fine. Really I am. Body feels like I went toe to toe with Hulk and lost but I'm good." I press the button to my floor

"Mhm. Well let me know if that changes? Your best friend will swoop in to help." He beams at me

I giggle at him with an arched brow. "I'd hope Nat would help." Sams smile drops as he gives me a 'come on man' look which only makes me laugh

"Get outta here before I call Red Wing on you." He waves me away with a laugh of his own. I roll my eyes as the doors finally close and the lift takes me to my floor

After a few long moments the elevator dings and the doors glide open. I step out with my levitating mail and make my way to my bedroom. I silently thank the gods above that I didn't run into anyone else on my trek as I open my door. I place all the boxes in a neat pile next to my dresser and in clear sight so I remember to wrap everything before tomorrow's festivities

Man I am really bad at timing these sort of things. At least I was able to afford the same day shipping fee on top of the express delivery charges on all of these so I can have them just in time. It also helps when the buyer/company see that it's for the Avengers

It's a weird feeling honestly, going from having absolutely no one but yourself for the holidays to suddenly having nearly a dozen individuals around. And they all care about me, that's the crazy part. I really got lucky on finding this team. This family. And to think, if I hadn't tried pickpocketing Tony that faithful day, I wouldn't be here right now. I'd probably still be working 60+ hour work weeks and pawning off stolen items just to afford heating for the month

Alright, enough of the sentimental nonsense

"Doll.." His voice was just above a whisper yet scared the hell out of me like he screamed it in my ear. Normally I can sense when he's in my room so this incident really got me