[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

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, I know exactly how WASP-y and narrow-minded it is," she says, amused, and lifts her hand to pass on the rolls for now, wanting to save the rest for later.

"Somehow I feel like Fifth Avenue's not really your kind of place, anyway."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not especially," he says, as they reach the end of the stall.

"Not especially what?" asks the farmer. "Something wrong with my produce?" Bucky grins, quick and bright. "Not especially fond of upscale Manhattan," he says. "Here's better. And your produce looks great."

[from_the_outside]

"It should," says the farmer. "Grown right here in the valley. Our spring harvests are just starting to come in."

He gestures to the bins in front of him, full of artichokes and asparagus, fiddleheads and radishes, stalks of fragrant red and white rhubarb.

"Do you have an orchard, too?" Sharon asks, looking at the half-barrels of plump, glossy cherries. The farmer grins at her. "A small one," he says. "You should try our cider in the fall."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe we will," Bucky allows. Gently, showing care for the vegetables, he turns over one bundle of asparagus, then another, examining them before moving on to the radishes.

"Prices seem pretty good." He gives the farmer a cheerful look. "Any give on them if we take a few things?"

[from_the_outside]

"All this is best when you can get it fresh," the farmer says. "Asparagus that rots if I don't sell it won't do me or anyone else any good. So, sure. What'd you have in mind?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky slants a glance at Sharon.

"How much do you like cherries?"

[from_the_outside]

"They're some of my favorites," she admits.

"We've got Rainier," the farmer says, showing them baskets full of the sweet yellow-orange cherries, "and Bing. Nice and tart, perfect for pies, if you like to bake."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Have to say I like eating pie better than baking it, but..." Bucky smiles at him. "How about five pounds of cherries, split between the two, a couple bunches each of asparagus and radish, and enough rhubarb for two pies?"

He does the math in his head and names an amount that's about ten percent below the posted prices.

[from_the_outside]

The farmer, apparently recognizing a thrifty kindred spirit when he sees one, shakes his head.

"Can't go that far," he says. "How about five percent, and I throw in a bag of mixed greens?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Seems fair to me," he agrees, and pulls out the cash to cover. Bucky winks at Sharon.

[from_the_outside]

"Deal," says the farmer, grinning. He takes the cash and gives Bucky back his change, then starts bagging up their produce, whistling between his teeth.

Sharon sips at her coffee and watches with warm, bright eyes. Bucky's enjoying himself, she can tell; enjoying chatting with the vendors and perusing their wares, enjoying the light haggling and the satisfaction of a good deal fairly made.

"You know, there are a couple nice outdoor markets near the house in Virginia," she tells him. The mental image of walking around the little town there and the various markets and fairs it puts on makes her smile. "Maybe we could check it out sometime."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'd like that," Bucky tells her, something soft and almost wistful in his glance for an instant. "I'd like that a lot, if you would."

[from_the_outside]

"I'd love it."

Her own expression is almost as wistful as his. "I've really enjoyed having you down there. And there's so much you haven't even seen yet."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe now that the block's in place," he starts, carefully trying to suppress his hopes. "Maybe we could go back for a few days, without the need for ... you know. As close an eye."

The farmer comes back with their purchase and hands it over. "Here you go. Enjoy."

"Thanks, we will," Bucky says, with a quick smile.

[from_the_outside]

If Sharon's brilliant smile is any indication, it was the right thing to say.

"That sounds perfect," she says, happily, and: "Thank you," to the farmer. Sharon holds her tote bag open to Bucky. "Here, I can carry all that."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky gives her a stern look, and deposits the paper bag with the rest of the rolls in her tote. "You can carry that," he says, firmly. "I've got this."

He shifts the bags to his left hand, finishes the last of his coffee and tucks the empty cup in the nearest trash bin, then holds out his irght hand to her.

[from_the_outside]

"Yes, dear," she says, amused, and reaches to lace her fingers with his as they stroll back into the market. She tips the last of her own coffee into her mouth and disposes of the cup, then curls the fingers of her right hand around her tote bag straps.

"Anything else catching your eye?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"We could keep browsing, or..." He whistles a quick, cheerful tune and gives her a mischievous glance.

"Want to try baking a pie?"

[from_the_outside]

Sharon laughs and swings their hands.

"We can give it a shot," she says, optimistically. "No promises on how it might turn out."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her fingers and uses their linked hands to spin her into a dance twirl, right there in the middle of the street, then tugs her along with him.

"It won't take all the fruit," he reminds her. "So we'll have some good stuff either way."

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, delighted with his good mood and teasing, her hair flying as he spins her.

"Good point," she says, and falls into step next to him. "Then I guess we'd better be getting back."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe we can go the long way round," he suggests. "By that dairy Alicia mentioned. Pick up some fresh cream."

Bucky smiles at her. "For your coffee. And the cherries, too."

[from_the_outside]

"Ooh," she says, smiling. "Fresh whipped cream; now that I can definitely make."

She tugs lightly at his hand, beaming at him. He's so happy, and it's infectious. From where she's standing, it's hard to think the future could be anything but bright. "We could swing by the bookstore, first. See if there's anything that might be nice to add to your collection?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Or yours," he says, smiling back at her. "Okay. Let's."

It's a gorgeous day, sunny and warm but not too hot, and he's happy to go anywhere with her.

[from_the_outside]

"Besides, we told that guy we'd be back," she points out, as they stroll out towards the edge of the market side street.

It really is a nice little town, and she enjoys looking around as they walk. They're not the only ones with spring fever, it seems; plenty of townsfolk are out and about, running errands and enjoying the sunshine. The bookstore is across the street from where they parked, and it's as cool and quiet inside as she remembered.

"Hey, man," says the cashier, looking up at the sound of the bell that rings when they come in. "How's Lord of the Rings treating you?"