[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]

"Maybe," he agrees, and points at the turn on the right, and the small sign shaped like a cow swinging on two little chains from a metal post. MALONE FARMS, it reads.

"There, I'm betting."

[from_the_outside]

"I bet you're right."

She slows the car and turns, wheels crunching on the gravel of the side road as they drive along it. Ahead, she can see a large white and green farmhouse with a wraparound porch, silos in the distance. On either side, electric fences line large pastures full of grazing fawn-colored cows, who look up and blink calm liquid eyes at them as they pass.

The farm stand is stationed in a half-circle turnaround on the drive, and appears to be based on the honor system. There's a fridge full of glass bottled milk and cream and eggs in their cartons, hand-lettered with chicken or duck.

There's also a small assortment of produce and flowers, and a cheerful note that tells buyers to take what they like and put the money into the till, then reminds them to bring the bottles back to be re-used.

"Cute," Sharon says, glancing through the products.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky looks absolutely delighted by the options. He steps out of the car and stretches a little, then comes around to join her.

"Pint of cream," he says, with certainty. "Milk -- and eggs?" He glances over at her with the question.

[from_the_outside]

"Fresh eggs? From a dairy farm? You bet, eggs."

They all eat enough eggs to make it well worthwhile. Sharon finds a small basket and begins loading it up, looking in delight as she tips the pint bottle of cream from side to side and watches it coat the glass. "This really is the good stuff."

[nerves_of_ice]

He adds a mixed bouquet of flowers to the top of the basket with a quick smile for her, then digs in his pocket for cash and adds it to the till.

"Fresh fruit used to be a real luxury," he murmurs. "Fresh cream with it, well, that's just amazing."

[from_the_outside]

"It's so close," she says, delighted. "We can keep you and Steve stocked up, no problem."

She wonders if Tony's made any kind of arrangements with the farmers and other providers in the area. It might be worth looking into; she's sure they would appreciate the kind of cash Tony throws around.

[nerves_of_ice]

He collects everything and carries it around to the back of the car.

"You know, Steve and I used to give each other oranges for Christmas," he tells her, as he starts setting things in the net with the produce. "A long time ago."

[from_the_outside]

"I hear that used to be tradition."

Fresh fruit, as a special treat. There are so many luxuries she has access to every day that she never even thinks about. It must have been a hell of a culture shock for him and Steve. "I guess you could probably pick it up again, though you've go a while until Christmas."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe." He finishes securing everything, shuts the trunk, and smiles at her.

"But this is pretty nice."

[from_the_outside]

She smiles back at him, then tosses him the keys.

"Take us home, soldier boy."

[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.”