Stressful day (Bob Reynolds x Reader)
Inspired by a character.ai bot by @/jerimovich (Not sure if they have Tumblr)
The sunset was approaching, you were returning from a mission with Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Soldier, and John Walker, alias U.S. Agent. You had been dating Bob for some time, something you didn't expect because you ignored him a lot, and somehow he won your heart.
You put away your Black Widow gear in your closet and spotted him in the kitchen washing the dishes, he didn't notice your arrival. He seemed more calm, peaceful, he didn't have those horrible eye bags like when you first meet him, that was a plus of course.
As you put on some pajamas and threw your Black Widow suit on the laundry basket, you walked to the kitchen and hugged him from behind, nuzzling against his shoulder.
-You're back -He turned his face to see you, smiling softly like he always does. -Just let me finish washing these and then we can read a book, or watch a movie.
-I think I prefer a book today.
-Really? -He smiled more, he really loved reading books, mostly with you by his side.
-Yeah, why not? -You shrugged, closing your eyes for a brief moment with a smirk, he smelled like strawberry soap, the same soap he uses for the dishes -Your hands are going to get hurt if you keep constantly washing the dishes.
-There's nothing wrong with washing the dishes, I-I realy love doing it.
You chuckled by that and stepped aside, grabbing a towel and helping him to dry them and put them on their place.
-What happened today? -Bob asked as he was cleaning the last dishes.
-Well, we had a mission, of course, AND, it turns out that Sam and Joaquin too.
-Did Bucky... -Before he could finish, you nodded, understanding what he meant.
-Yeah, he discussed with Sam, and it was uncomfortable, they looked like -You leaned closer and lowered your voice - They looked like two divorced parents, arguing at a dinner.
Bob chuckled hard, he couldn't help it, and you couldn't help looking at that pretty smile of his.
-Don't tell him -You move your face away to continue drying the dishes -Please
-I won't, I swear, but you have to stop looking at them like if they're that.
-It's not my fault that they act like that!
-I know, but please stop -He handed you the last dish -Remember what happened when Walker said that to him and Yelena?
-Yeah, but, Bucky didn't like the comment.
-Well, he doesn't like anything but Alpine.
When you put the las dish on its place, you two entered the library, one of Bob's favorite rooms from the New Avengers tower. He knelt down to pick some books and you did as well.
Bob always hummed when he looked for books, it wasn't a specific tune, but he really enjoyed it along with drinking coffee or chamomile tea.
-What did you choose, love? -You asked as he got up and showed you the books with a big smile, he looked proud and excited.
-To The Lighthouse -He showed you the book and you nodded- Lessons in Chemistry... The Book Thief... The Green Mile... It Ends With Us...
-It Ends With Us? From Colleen Hoover?
-Of course!... Not, but if you want, I can put that book away -You grabbed the book a little disgusted, you wanted to throw it away, bit it was one of your fans' gifts.
-Ava really likes that book...
-Well, Ava has such a bad taste... No, I'm kidding, I just don't like the book...
-Oh, okay -He looked at his book options a little doubtful. -Are my options bad?
-Just asking -He pursed his lips and you grabbed To The Lighthouse.
-Let's read this one, it's one of our favorites
Bob nodded and you two sat down on the couch. You noticed that he was feeling a little down, you could see it in his eyes, maybe he was doubting about himself again, he sometimes does. It's been more than a year since the Void incident happened, 9 months since Bob started therapy and 3 months since you two started dating. You knew him all too well what was going on on him.
-Bob? -You asked in such a soft and gentle voice.
-Yeah? -He looked at you as he opened the book.
He nodded, but he didn't look at you, he doubted it for a moment.
-Yeah... -His eyes looked down at the book.
-Do you want to talk about...
-Do you want me to read the book this time? You can lay your head on my lap if you want to -You stroked his hair, something that he deeply loved.
He sighed through his nose, biting his lip thoughtful and laid down your lap as you start reading the worn out book.
As you did, you stroked his hair gently, you could feel his chest rising and falling by everytime he breathed. He closed his eyes, right now you were the only habitant to his world, the only one that mattered in that specific and intimate moment.
You kept reading, your voice felt soothing, sometimes you caressed his cheek and held his hand.
You two felt like if you were in a bubble, nothing else mattered. He grabbed a fuzzy blanket and wrapped yourselves around it.
Everything was peaceful until he spoke.
You stopped reading and looked down at him.
-About myself... I dreamed about it last night... And the Void too... What if, what if I'm not able to control my powers?... I really want to help, but, I don't want Sentry or the Void to come out and hurt you or the others... I don't want to feel useless either...
-You're not useless, love.
-Sometimes I've been feeling down about it, but not like now... I know that I'm a grown man, that I can do so much than this, that I shouldn't be scared or feeling fragile like a child, but...
He didn't find the words to continue, he was speechless, he really wanted to continue, but with what words? Before he could continue, he started to cry, but tried to hide it, he wanted to show you that he was more than Bob, that he could be Sentry without losing control, losing himself in the attempt.
Bob sat up, covering his face — frustrated and worn out. He could have walked away from the library to be alone in his bedroom, like he always did when he was a child. But he didn’t. Deep down, he knew he could trust you. He loved you so much that, in that moment, he realized he wasn’t alone anymore. He had you, Yelena, Bucky, and the rest of the team — his family.
So you hugged him, and he cried on your shoulder, finally feeling free.
Free, and home.
Because you were his home.
