[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]

She shrugs, but doesn't deny it. "I work directly with the Deputy Commander, and I'm one of the more senior agents there. But I'm not a policy maker. And at the end of the day, Deputy Commander Ross calls the shots."

[marvel_npc]

"Well, I know Captain Rogers's been glad about how you've handled everything." His gaze drifts down the table. "Sergeant Barnes means a lot to him."

[from_the_outside]

"I know," she says, because she can't say to me, too. "I'm just happy I could help."

She may be nearing the limit on how much she can help, but as long as she can ease even a little of everything Bucky's going through, she'll call it a win.

[marvel_npc]

He nods. "And just so you know, I'm sorry for Tony having given you a hard time there for a while."

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, I'm sure he'll keep giving me a hard time," she says, dry.

She's grateful to Tony, of course, but she hasn't forgotten -- and neither has he, she's sure -- how they got here in the first place. Only the fact that his block worked saved him this morning from her wrath at his using the words again, even as a test. Bucky had been so worried and stressed about it. "We didn't really get off on the right foot."

[marvel_npc]

“I know. I’m sorry about that.” He sounds as resigned as he feels.

“He’s my friend, but I know he can be difficult sometimes.”

[from_the_outside]

"You're not your friend's keeper, Colonel," she points out. "But I appreciate the sentiment. Besides, I can be pretty difficult sometimes, too."

[marvel_npc]

“We all can. And I know I’m not. That doesn’t matter.”

He looks a little wry. “People don’t always get me and Tony.”

[from_the_outside]

"Well, you're pretty different," she says, which is about as diplomatic as she can get.

"But it seems like you're really close. It's great that you can work together now."

[marvel_npc]

“We are. We’ve been working together for years, as I’m sure you know.” Rhodes shakes his head. “We don’t always agree, but we understand each other. That’s what matters.”

[from_the_outside]

"The basis of any successful working relationship," she says, amused. "But, you know, I have to say he's really put his money and effort where his mouth is. I don't know if he and I will ever get along personally, but I've appreciated his willingness to work with Sergeant Barnes."

[marvel_npc]

“I wish I’d been here to talk him down from what he was thinking,” Rhodes tells her, and deep regret’s clear in his tone. “I know Pepper feels the same.”

He shakes his head. “The man you’re seeing now, the one who gives his all, that’s Tony at his heart.”

[from_the_outside]

"I figured it had to be," she admits. "It's hard to imagine Steve being friends with the other guy."

She gives him a rueful smile. "I know it must have been hard not to be here. But please know the Task Force deeply appreciated your assistance on location in Siberia and in Berlin."

[marvel_npc]

“I was happy to give it,” Rhodes assures her. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help. Either the Task Force or you.”

[from_the_outside]

"I'm sure I'll take you up on that offer, Colonel," she says. "Especially as we start considering next steps. I think your... unique perspective might be very helpful."

[marvel_npc]

“Any time,” he promises. “Any time at all.”

[from_the_outside]

She smiles and gives him a small nod, then looks back across the table, eying the scraped-clean plates with amusement.

"Looks like this was a hit," she says, to the table at large. "So, who's going to volunteer to do the dishes?"

[marvel_npc]

Bucky starts to stand, only for Steve to catch him by the shoulder as Sam shakes his head.

“No, we got this,” Sam insists. “Y’all put in all the work, we can bat cleanup.”

Steve smiles at Bucky. “Listen to Sam,” he tells him.

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks, Sam," Sharon says, as he gets up and starts collecting plates.

"Thank you," he says, with feeling, and grins at her before turning his smile on Wanda and Bucky. "Been a while since I've had homemade pie. Brought me right back. Now we ever do a crawfish boil? I'm your guy."

[nerves_of_ice]

“What’s that?” Wanda asks. Sam grins at her. “Sounds like we need to do one soon. You boil up a mess of crawfish, corn on the cob, new potatoes, and let loose for a real all you can eat kind of thing.”

Bucky leans back in his chair a little, just listening, a small smile on his face.

[from_the_outside]

"What are crawfish?" Wanda asks, and Sam grins, pausing in his task to dig out his phone and pull up a picture to show her. She leans over, curious, then looks at him. "Those are bugs!"

"Mud bugs," Sam confirms, grinning even more widely. "And they're delicious. You'll see. Once it gets warm enough, we'll do it outside, 'cause it makes a mess."

[nerves_of_ice]

“It’s a Louisiana thing,” Steve tells Wanda and Vision, who’s leaned over for a look of his own. “Or so Sam says.”

“That’s ‘cause it is,” he calls over his shoulder.”

Bucky looks at Steve. “Something new every day, I guess.”

[from_the_outside]

Sharon tries to picture her parents digging in to a table full of crawfish boil, eating with their hands and getting butter everywhere, and has to stifle a grin. "Sounds fun," she says, and doesn't let herself wonder if she might be around to enjoy it with them.

"But one culinary adventure has been enough for me today."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Agent Carter, you’ve been very patient. I’ll come help you with the details for your report,” Bucky says, then glances at Steve.

“And I’ll get the pan in the kitchen, too. See you there in a bit.”

[from_the_outside]

Steve lifts a hand to in farewell as he gets up to help Sam. "You wash, I'll dry," he says, jogging up to the counter as Sharon gets up from the table and slants a smile at Wanda and Vision.

"Thanks for the help," she tells them, and goes to the counter to pick up the pie pan with the remaining pieces before turning to Bucky. "Ready when you are, Sergeant."