[WWII AU] you and your baby went to town

[from_the_outside]

Waiting for Bucky's day off has been as difficult as waiting for Christmas used to be when she was a kid. And it doesn't help that they just don't seem to be able to manage time alone together after the mission – not enough of it, anyway. A few stolen kisses here and there are all she gets, even as she feels like she's burning up from pure want.

When he finally tells her, grinning, that he's gotten another R&R day, she spends the next few days in a haze of relieved anticipation. Not just at the thought of finally being able to touch him, but just because she loves spending the time with him. She knows it's a bad idea, knows it's only going to hurt so much worse down the line, but she can't stop herself, and she doesn't want to.

She doesn't ride with him into town this time. Instead, he'd told her to meet him at the little chapel he'd shown her earlier. Wilkins is happy to give her a lift, after she spends extra time and care on her hair and makeup and clothes – the civilian outfit he likes so much and which Lorraine had tried to ruin. 

She's right on time as she walks into the little chapel and looks around for him. "Bucky?"

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky throws his head back and laughs. "If you say so, angel."

He finishes his own food and picks up his wineglass again, then shifts to lean sideways on the bed.

[from_the_outside]

She grins and bites back into her bread and cheese, then offers him the apricot she'd taken out earlier.

"Want a little fruit?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He shakes his head. "Maybe later." Bucky takes another sip of wine, luxuriating in the sight of her.

[from_the_outside]

She tucks the apricot back into the basket and lowers it to the floor, then finishes her own snack and lifts her wine for a sip, watching him back with warm dark eyes.

"Do you mind if we just hang out here today?" she asks, after a moment. "The town is nice, but I want to be able to spend as much time with you alone as I can."

[nerves_of_ice]

He shakes his head. "I don't mind at all," he murmurs, and then mischief flashes in his eyes.

"As long as you're not worried about getting bored."

[from_the_outside]

"Not even a little," she laughs, and gives him an arch glance of her own.

"I'm sure we can find some way to pass the time."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We'll think of something," he promises, solemnly. Bucky takes a sip of wine, then leans forward and reaches to brush his fingers lightly over her knee.

[from_the_outside]

A few goosebumps scatter across her skin at his touch, which somehow still feels just as electric now as it did before they spent the last few hours exploring each other.

She smiles and sips at her wine, then uncurls one leg to nudge the tip of her toes against him. "What did you do on your days off before I showed up?" she asks. "Is there anything you're missing out on you want to do?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm not missing out on anything," he assures her. "Mostly I explored the town and talked to people. Sometimes I hung around and read. A lot of the time I didn't take them... until Steve figured out that's what I was doing."

[from_the_outside]

"I can't judge," she tells him. "A lot of times I don't take my vacation, either."

There's always something else she needs to do, or work to catch up on, or skills to hone. She lifts her glass. "This is as close to a vacation as I've gotten in a while."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It just felt wrong. I mean, we're in the middle of a war, you know?" Bucky shrugs.

"Steve felt the same way. I think it was Peggy who threatened to jerk a knot in him if he didn't at least try to relax. She pointed out that the day would come when we weren't able to take down time, and that we'd be better prepared for everything if we rested and recovered when we could. He passed the same lecture on to me."

[from_the_outside]

"She's right," Sharon tells him. "It is important."

She laughs a little, wry. "She gives me the same lecture in my time."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky laughs as well. "She sure doesn't pull any punches, does she? Pretty amazing."

Even though it still stings that Peggy could have thought he'd mistreat Sharon, he can understand that she was being protective of her niece.

[from_the_outside]

"Not now, not ever," Sharon agrees, grinning. She finishes her wine and leans to set the glass on the floor, then stretches out to lie on her side, head on her hand as she watches him.

[nerves_of_ice]

He watches her for a moment over the edge of his glass, then finishes his own wine and sets it aside.

"How did I get so lucky?" he murmurs, still watching her.

[from_the_outside]

"I've been asking myself the same thing."

She lets herself look him over, her glance lingering, trying to memorize the way he looks, how the dappled sunlight kisses his skin. "I never thought I'd ever meet anyone as wonderful as you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you know I've decided the guys in your time are all idiots, right?" He reaches up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.

"The entire squad and more would back me up on this."

[from_the_outside]

"That's fair, honestly."

She tips her head into his touch, her smile crooked and wry. "I haven't had a lot of luck with them. It's nicer to think they're idiots than that there's something wrong with me."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Angel, there is nothing wrong with you," Bucky assures her, and leans in to give her a gentle kiss.

"Nothing at all."

[from_the_outside]

She returns his kiss, her smile still quirking across her lips. "I don't know about that," she teases. "But it's nice you believe it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's easy to believe," he tells her. "Because it's true." Bucky reaches to try to coax her into his arms.

"Lie down with me?"

[from_the_outside]

"Always," she murmurs, and comes into his arms, letting him guide her down to the sheet, which smells like hay and now also like the both of them. She winds a leg around his, running her ankle lightly up and down his calf as she relaxes.

[nerves_of_ice]

He holds her close, coaxing her to rest her head on his shoulder, and goes back to petting her hair and her back in long, lazy strokes.

"I want to ask more questions, but I don't know what to ask," he laughs, after a moment. "And I also just want to be here with you, like this."

[from_the_outside]

"It's nice just lying here with you," she murmurs, smiling.

"If you think of anything, let me know. But I don't mind just being here, like this."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay." He keeps petting her back, slow and steady.

"Do you have any questions for me? Anything you want me to tell you about?"