[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]

His arms tighten around her. “I know.”

Bucky draws a careful breath. “I don’t want to do anything that’s going to hurt you.”

[from_the_outside]

"Of course not," she says, but gives him a quizzical look. "What makes you even say that?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I know you need to keep it secret,” he says, softly. “Because of the Task Force. I want you to know I’ll do whatever you need.”

[from_the_outside]

She sighs, a small puff of air against his skin. "Yeah."

And if she stays on as liaison, how feasible is it that she could ever disclose it? Hoe long will they have to be so careful? "I know you will, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

He holds her a little closer and strokes his hand up and down her back, a little worried about that sigh.

[from_the_outside]

She tugs at a lock of his hair and smiles at him. "There's still more pie," she points out. "If you're hungry."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Not now,” he murmurs, and smiles back. “Save it for later.”

[from_the_outside]

"Then come curl up with me," she tells him, and leans up to kiss his sweet smile. "On the couch or bed, I don't care."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Let me wash the pan out,” he murmurs, not letting go. “Want to pick something to watch while I do? Then you can curl up with me there.”

[from_the_outside]

"Okay."

But she doesn't let go, either, just toys with the ends of his hair and leans up to kiss him again.

[nerves_of_ice]

He slides his hand up her back to her neck, cradling her head, and answers her kiss with a slow and lingering one.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft sound and relaxes against him. "Baby," she murmurs.

Later, he'd promised, and it's later. The whole rest of the day is stretching in front of them.

[nerves_of_ice]

The sweet little sound she makes sends fire racing through his veins. He kisses her again, pulling her against him.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon hums, amused and delighted against his mouth, then nudges her forehead against his when the kiss breaks, biting at her bottom lip. "Better get that pan," she reminds him, a little breathless.

"Otherwise it's going to sit there for a while."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Right.” He leans in for another kiss, catching her cutely-bitten lip.

“Right,” he says again, after a second. “Pan. Yes.”

[from_the_outside]

She pulls him in for another kiss, her arm around his neck and her other hand cradling his face, leaning back until she feels the edge of the counter into the small of her back, then sets both hands on his chest and pushes him gently away, laughing.

"Pan, you menace," she says. "And that's the last thing we have to do."

[nerves_of_ice]

He lets himself be pushed, mischief in his glance, and gives her a warm smile. Bucky ducks in to steal one last quick kiss before he steps back and grins.

“Pan,” he says. “Go. Quick.”

[from_the_outside]

"As if you're not a million times faster than me," she laughs, but makes her escape while she can, delighted by his good mood and playfulness.

Somehow she doubts they'll end up actually watching anything, but she dutifully puts The Great British Bake-Off back on and waits for him, toeing off her shoes so she can curl her legs up beneath herself on the couch.

[nerves_of_ice]

He disposed of the remains of the failed pie and scrubs the pan until it’s shining, then puts it away and checks the state of the oven. The cleaning cycle seems to have worked, which is a relief.

Bucky pads back into the living room and grins at the picture Sharon presents, curled up on the couch.

“Hi, baby.”

[from_the_outside]

Sharon leans her elbow on the back of the couch and sets her cheek on her hand to smile back at him. "Hi."

She pats the seat next to her. "C'mon. I saved a spot for you."

[nerves_of_ice]

He settles in beside her and puts his arm along her shoulders. “Comfortable?”

[from_the_outside]

"Mhm."

She curls against him and tucks her head against his shoulder, then turns her face to press a kiss to his neck. "You?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I am now.” A faint shiver runs through him at the feel of her kiss, and he tucks her a little closer against his side.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon huffs a breath of laughter into the curve of his neck and kisses him again, then sets her head against his shoulder. "I just put the baking show back on," she murmurs. "But I don't really care what we watch."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I don’t either,” he admits. “It’s just nice to be here with you.”