Chaos in The Morning, Peace at Night
Harry woke up to chaos.
Not the life-threatening kind. The Stark Tower kind.
Clint was chasing a rogue waffle drone through the kitchen. Tony was yelling at Jarvis about coffee settings. Steve was trying to mediate with the patience of a kindergarten teacher. Natasha was sharpening knives at the table, completely unbothered.
And Bucky?
Bucky was in the corner, holding a steaming mug of Harry's favorite tea, wearing the hoodie Harry rated "best smell, best fit, best boyfriend."
Harry grinned.
He didn't rush to join the noise.
He lived in it now.
By mid-afternoon, the chaos mellowed into soft routines.
Bruce handed him a new book. Steve helped him reach something high. Natasha taught him how to throw a knife around a corner (Tony was not thrilled). Pepper brought him a blanket fresh from the dryer, ruffled his hair, and called him "sweetheart" like she'd been doing it forever.
And Bucky?
Bucky pulled him aside. Quiet. Certain.
"I made something," he said, handing Harry a small, square box.
Inside: a key.
"What's this?" Harry asked.
"To my floor," Bucky said. "To my space. To me. It's not a proposal or anything, just... I want you to know you're wanted."
Harry stared.
Then grinned. "You sap."
"I'm your sap."
"Damn right."
That evening, Harry curled up in the lounge. Tea. Blanket. Hoodie that smelled like home.
The rest of the Tower was around him—talking, laughing, arguing about toppings. He wasn't watching them. Not really.
Just listening.
Breathing it in.
Belonging.
Pepper sat beside him quietly. "You look content."
Harry leaned his head on her shoulder. "I am."
She smiled. "What would you call this part of your life?"
Harry blinked. "Hmm?"
"You're always naming things. Giving them flair."
Harry looked around, smiled to himself.
"Book one," he said. "The origin story."
Pepper laughed. "Oh? And what comes next?"
Harry's grin turned feral.
"Trouble."
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End of Book One.
Coming Soon:
Book Two – "Chaos And a Bit of Rum"
With more chaos, more hoodies, new enemies, family secrets, and maybe... a road trip.