'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey
I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world
-On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons
The next couple of months pass like a blur. Bucky had adapted to his life in the tower and the compound. He liked flying with his new family any time they had to head to upstate New York. Peter was great in teaching him about the new technology of the world and Steve made sure that touches of his old world were still around. After he healed, Sophia made a new arm. It was just as sturdy as his old one but the star on his arm was gone and replaced with the Avengers "A" on it. He was able to start training with Steve and Sam. He got to know the other Avengers and got along with them.
The only fault he still had were the nightmares. Some nights he slept just fine. But on this night, a nightmare gripped him in complete fear. Most nights it was the flashing memories that gripped him. But tonight, it was a nightmare. Seeing Sophia beg for her life while he stood over her, full in Winter Soldier mode.
Sophia had gotten up to get a glass of water. She looked at the clock 1:45 AM. I am going to be a zombie in the morning she thought to herself. She heard a noise coming from the hallway. She put down the glass and made her way to the rooms. She opened Peter's door and found him deeply asleep. She heard the noise again and realized that it was Bucky making the noise.
She opened the door and saw that he was in the middle of a violent dream. She knew better than to touch him to wake him. "James," she called. "James, wake up. Its Sophia. You are ok sweetheart."
Bucky thrashed and mumbled in Russian. Sophia looked around to see what she could use to wake him. She didn't want to wake Steve unless she had too. She saw the nerf gun from his fight with Peter. She loaded it and fired at Bucky.
Bucky woke with a start. He grabbed the form ball and looked up to see Sophia pointing the gun at him, a hint of a smile on her face. "I didn't want to touch you while you were dreaming. That could be dangerous," she explained.
"Oh. I'm sorry Angel did I wake you?"
"No, I was getting a glass of water and I heard you. Are you ok?"
"Yes. No. I don't know." Bucky runs his hand through his hair. "I see faces. Of the people i...." he trails off. He couldn't explain that it was her he was hurting.
"Oh, sweetheart its ok. That wasn't you." Sophia sits on the edge of the bed. She sees a tear fall from Bucky's eye. He quickly wipes it away from his face.
"Thanks Angel. I think I am going to go back to sleep."
"Ok James." She leans over to kiss him on the forehead. "If you need me you know where I am."
Sophia closed the door and heads back to her room. She slides back into bed with Steve and he wakes with a start. "Love, you ok?"
"Yes love. I was getting a drink and Bucky had a nightmare. Don't worry he is ok."
The door creaks and Steve's head snaps up. Bucky pokes his head in. "I don't want to be by myself," he mumbles, a crack in his voice.
"Oh James, its ok." Sophia gets up and hugs Bucky. "You can stay in here tonight with us ok?" Sophia gets a blanket and pillow and puts it on the couch near the window. Bucky lays down and Sophia tucks him in. She goes back to her side of the bed and lays down on Steve's chest. "Good night my love. Good night James."
"Good night Angel. Good night Punk."
"Jeez. Good night jerk. Good night love."
Sophia smiles. She feels her eyes grow heavy and she falls asleep.
The next day, Sophia finds herself alone in the room. She stretches when the door opens.
"Happy birthday Ma!" Yells Peter as he jumps into the bed.
"Thank you, my love." She looks up and sees Steve carrying a tray into the room with Bucky following behind with some flowers and presents.
"What is all this?" She asks.
"Breakfast in bed for the lady of the house, followed by some presents for my queen. Nat says you have an hour before she takes you shopping because we are going to a club tonight," Steve explains.
Sophia looks shocked. "I haven't been to a club before." She says nervously.
"What did you do before in your spare time love?"
"You know, studying, passing the medical boards, residency, SHIELD, taking care of superhero children, the usual." She says sarcastically. "Genius, remember? I had a lot of things going on."
Steve and Bucky chuckle. "Angel you work too hard" Bucky says.
"Well, who else is going to take care of the three most handsome men in the world? And Tony," she joked.
"Hey, I'm not handsome?" Tony asks as he walks into the room holding Sophia's present. "Happy birthday Rosie."
"Aww thanks Tony. I have to ask; you are allowing this clubbing nonsense?"
"Allowing? Please Rose. I arranged it all. We have a private balcony and bottle service all set up just for you. A private entrance as well to avoid any press. It's just the team except Peter. He is going to Ned's for the night. Oh, and a couple of surprise guests."
"Wow, you really planned everything." Sophia sips her coffee. "This is good" she says.
"I learned how to make coffee," Bucky says proudly.
"Thanks James. I appreciate your hard work." She starts to open the present. A gift card to the candle store from Peter, a pashmina scarf from Bucky in her favorite color purple and bracelet from Tony of amethyst stones. She had one more box to open. She opens the card and reads:
To my love on her birthday. The light of my life to the end of time. Love Steven.
"Oh Steve." She says as he opens the velvet box. Inside are the most beautiful drop diamond earrings. Four smaller stones drop to a large one at the end. "These are gorgeous." She immediately puts them on. "How do they look?" She asks.
"You look beautiful Ma" replies Peter as he steals her bacon.
"Hey punk, leave your mom's food alone" says Bucky. "You look wonderful Angel."
"Wow Capcisle, who knew you had such great taste. Made my sister more beautiful."
Steve stares at Sophia, making her blush. He leans down to kiss her. I can't wait for later when you wear these and nothing else, he thinks to her, causing her to blush. He stands up, "You look amazing doll."
"I have the best men in the world." Sophia tries not to cry. "Umm, let me finish eating so Nat can torture me at the mall." The guys laugh and head out. Sophia finishes her breakfast and changes. She throws her hair in a messy bun and grabs her bag. She gets downstairs where the rest of the team in waiting for her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" The team cheers for her.
"Thank you, guys! Best birthday so far." She hugs everyone. Presents are presented to her and she opens everything.
"Ok gents, Wanda, Sophia and I are going shopping for tonight. Anyone want to come along for the ride?" Nat asks.
"I need a new belt so can I tag?" asks Sam.
"I just don't want to train with Steve" says Bucky jokingly.
"Well since it is a holiday because of me, you both can come along. We will be back in a couple of hours." Sophia says. "Bye love" she says to Steve and gives him a kiss. "See you later."
The group heads to the mall. Once inside, Sam and Bucky head off for coffee and Sam's new belt while the girls head to a dress store.
"God, I've never been to a club before. What do I wear?" asks Sophia.
"Well Rose, maybe you should be a little more daring. For Steve. He might enjoy it and you might enjoy it later." Nat smirks to her
"Shut it Nat. I may run away with you but that won't stop me from killing you."
"Try this one on Sophie." Wanda holds up a black dress.
"No try this one." Nat holds up a Champagne dress.
"Ok I'll try both."
Sophia slips on the black dress. It has little cap sleeves and a flared skirt. Oh my god, thinks Sophia. It barely covers my backside. "Umm I don't think this is the one" she says out loud.
"Well come out and we will tell you" replied Nat.
"Nat, I can't wear this. It's too short."
"Maybe a little" Nat says as Wanda giggles. "Try the other."
The champagne dress was strapless that fell to her mid-calf. It was form fitting on top but had an empire waist with little jewels all over. Sophia felt like a model in this dress. She came out to show the girls.
"Rose this is your dress!" Nat exclaims. Wanda twirls Sophia and say, "and with those new earrings you are going to set every guy there on fire."
"Really? Wow guys. Ok. I guess this is the one."
"Good take it off before anyone sees. We are going to give you a grand entrance tonight for everyone before we leave."
"I don't know what I would do without you guys." Sophia gushes. She pays for the dress and head out right as Bucky and Sam walk in to find them. "Hey guys. I just finished. Ready to go?"
"Sure Angel."
"Do we get to see the dress, Rosie?" asks Sam.
"Nope not until tonight per Nat's instruction."