[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]

"Sharon," he murmurs, the sound of her name barely audible and warm with a soft, quiet contentment as he tips his head into the touch of her hand.

Sleep, she murmurs, and he can, he thinks; he's tired enough too, gently soothed, and they're safe here. It's safe.

[from_the_outside]

"Your Sharon," she promises. Just Sharon, and that's okay. With him, it's okay. She doesn't need to be anything or anyone else.

He tips his head into her touch and she nudges back an errant lock of hair with deliberate care, treating his as gently as a precious treasure as she tucks it back behind his ear. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes a low sound deep in his chest and relaxes completely, giving himself up to her care with utter trust.

[from_the_outside]

She watches as he grows loose and heavy, breathing slow and deep, and finally turns her attention partially back to the show once it seems he's well on his way to drifting off.

But she doesn't stop gently running her fingers over his hair, and she doesn't move. He can sleep as long as he needs.