[AU] these are not the parts and poems of the body only, but of the soul

[from_the_outside]

They've all entered a kind of tense détente after the ill-advised dinner party. Tony throws himself into work, Sharon and Pepper mostly avoid each other, and Steve, Vision, and Nat continue with oversight duties.

And the thing is... Tony's working it out. 

Not a removal, exactly, but he's getting close, he'd told them, to at least blocking the commands. It's not perfect and it's not a permanent solution, but it's a step in the right direction. It's also a step in the direction of Tony needing to test the words on Bucky himself, and so Sharon and Steve are on extra high alert, keeping an eye out for any indication that Bucky's retreating into himself again. Sharon's mostly moved into the room they share in Steve's apartment for that very reason, though she still isn't wholly comfortable with being in Steve's space all the time.

He's away today, working with Sam and Rhodey on a veteran's outreach program, so it's Sharon who walks with Bucky through the halls of the compound towards Tony's rooms. "It's you and Vision with Tony today," she tells him, and glances across the distance they're careful to maintain when not alone behind closed doors.

"How are you feeling about everything?"

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

He plucks them from the air with a laugh, and comes over to open the car door for her before he does anything else. Once she's in, he goes around the front to the driver's side and slides into the seat.

"You're in charge of the music," he tells her, and revs the engine.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and fiddles with the radio until she finds some light-hearted oldies, then cranks the volume up and leans back, letting the wind whip her hair into a cloud around her.

[nerves_of_ice]

This time, he doesn't race the little car as fast as it'll go. He pushes the speed limit, testing its control on curves and straights, but he's in no hurry to end this trip.

But it won't be the last time, Bucky reminds himself. He can allow himself to think of the hope of possibilities now.

[from_the_outside]

She watches as the countryside unspools around them, green fields and the far-off glitter of sunlight on lake water. 'Brown-Eyed Girl' comes on and she grins, thinking of all the times she'd danced around the living room with her father to that song.

Sharon rolls her head against the seat to watch Bucky, the wind whipping his long hair, the ease and lightness in his eyes. Her heart is so full it feels like it's about to burst.

[nerves_of_ice]

He catches her watching him and flashes her a quick, bright smile.

"Having fun?"

[from_the_outside]

"Most fun I've had all week," she says, honestly.

"I love getting out with you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yes," he says, softly. "Me, too."

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe we can do it more often, now."

Now that the block is in place, now that he has a little more freedom in his grasp.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe," he agrees, and although his voice is casual, his smile's as bright as the sunshine around them.

He takes the curve that leads toward the long rise of the hill with the slope down toward the compound to follow.

"Wonder if Steve's got all the baking stuff we'll need. If not, I'll go look in the community kitchen, or for Hogan."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon laughs, a little ruefully. "You'd better be the one to ask him," she says.

"I think he's not likely to do me any favors."

[nerves_of_ice]

“He’s not especially fond of me either,” Bucky points out. “But I think I know how to bribe him.”

[from_the_outside]

"If you're thinking of bribing him with pie," Sharon points out, "remember that it might be a complete disaster."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Nope. He’s got a little bit of a crush on Pepper,” Bucky tells her.

“Not enough of anything to be a problem for her and Tony. But if I tell him where he can get fresh flowers for her to spruce up the place, I think he’ll jump at it.”

[from_the_outside]

"Bucky Barnes," she says, laughing. "You sly dog."

[nerves_of_ice]

“What?” he protests. “I’m just being observant! I’m not hurting anyone, or even calling him on it.”

[from_the_outside]

"I know," she says, amused.

He's jut really good at figuring out what makes people tick. And then being able to lightly manipulate them. "It's a good plan. And we'll need it, because I'd put money down that Steve doesn't even have a bag of flour."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m not taking that bet,” he says, ruefully. “I mean, he might have learned more about cooking in the last few years, but even then.”

He slows for the turn and pulls into the compound, then into the garage.

[from_the_outside]

Anticipating him, Sharon unbuckles but doesn't bother to get her own door. "It'll be the blind leading the blind on this," she says, a little rueful.

"But at least there are plenty of extra cherries."

[nerves_of_ice]

He comes around to open the door for her, then continues on to the back of the car and starts collecting things.

“Cherries are good to eat without pie too,” he assures her. “We’ll be fine.”

[from_the_outside]

She comes around behind him, then reaches past him to filch a cherry and pop it into her mouth, her eyes sparkling and mischievous.

"Mhm. They sure are."

[nerves_of_ice]

He lets out a low groan but doesn’t reach for her, mindful of the gate’s security camera.

“You’re a tease, Agent Carter,” he murmurs, his slight smile a little wry. “I’ll remember that.”

[from_the_outside]

"Just enjoying myself on a day when we got a win, Sergeant," she replies.

It's fine if they seem to be friends – better, even, because it gives her more of an argument to stay on. He likes her, he trusts her, he's comfortable with her – all of those are good reasons for her to be the Task Force representative here. "Come on. I'm sure you want to get those groceries into the fridge."

[nerves_of_ice]

“You’re right about that. Both things,” he agrees, and loads all the bags over his left arm, then reaches for the container of eggs and the bouquet of flowers with his right hand.

[from_the_outside]

The compound is very nearly empty today – she thinks maybe Wanda and Vision are the only others around. Except, potentially, Happy. But there are still cameras everywhere, so she stays a polite distance away from Bucky as they walk through the corridors of the sprawling building, the taste of her stolen cherry still lingering on her tongue.

Back at Steve's, she takes the eggs and flowers and waits for Bucky to unlock the door before heading in, relaxing a little as soon as they're out of sight of any cameras or prying eyes.

[nerves_of_ice]

He carries everything straight through to the kitchen, leaving her to secure the door behind them. Bucky sets it all down on the counter and turns to face her as Sharon joins him, an innocent smile on his face.

“Here,” he says, helpfully, reaching for her load.