[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]

He looks a little sheepish at that.

“Have I repaired my reputation with you, at least?”

[from_the_outside]

“Mmhm.”

She chuckles a little at his expression. “Now I’m just amazed nobody snagged you while they could.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Maybe I didn’t want to be snagged, have you considered that?” He tugs at a lock of her hair.

“Until now, anyway.”

[from_the_outside]

“Oh, no?”

She lets her head move as he tugs at her hair, then leans up to brush a kiss against his mouth as she teases him. “Good timing for me, then.”

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles and kisses her back.

“If that’s how you want to think of it.”

[from_the_outside]

“What else could it be?” she teases, and settle back against him.

“And your reputation wasn’t bad, baby. Just… fun-loving.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“That’s fair, I guess.” He cuddles her closer to him.

[from_the_outside]

She curls against him, resting her arm comfortably over his stomach. “You’ve been a good sport about my teasing,” she tells him, amused.

“So you’ve earned an embarrassing secret: I was a debutante.”

[nerves_of_ice]

He tips his head back to look at her.

“Really?” Laughter ripples through his voice.

[from_the_outside]

“White dress, coming out ball, and everything,” she confirms, grinning at his amusement.

[nerves_of_ice]

“That’s amazing,” he laughs. “Do you have pictures on that little box? Can I see them?”

[from_the_outside]

“I do,” she promises, laughing. “And if the battery still works, yes, you can.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’ll hold you to that.” He kisses her to seal the promise, then grins.

“Maybe I should be calling you princess or something, huh?”

[from_the_outside]

“If you want,” she says, amused at the thought. He’s about the only person she’d allow it from, aside from her parents.

“I think your nicknames are cute.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Angel suits you better, though,” he observes, then blinks at her.

“You do?”

[from_the_outside]

“Mhm.”

She cuddles close and sets her head on his shoulder. “The only other people who call me by nicknames are my parents.”

[nerves_of_ice]

He kisses her hair and keeps her against him. “Well, I’m glad you like them,” he decides.

[from_the_outside]

“I do,” she murmurs, letting her eyes close. She exhales, slow and gentle, and relaxes against his side.

[nerves_of_ice]

He strokes a hand slowly up and down her back.

“Take a nap,” he murmurs. “Let me hold you in my arms while you sleep.”

[from_the_outside]

“You sure?”

She blinks her eyes open, but it’s difficult; her lashes feel so heavy. The look she glances up at him is warm and dopey. “You won’t get bored?”

[nerves_of_ice]

“I won’t get bored,” he promises. “I might even nap too.”

[from_the_outside]

She smiles at that, and the sweet image it provides, of the two of them falling asleep in each other’s arms.

“Okay,” she murmurs, and presses a kiss to his neck before settling back, boneless and relaxed, against him. “Let’s take a nap.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Sleep, baby,” he murmurs, with a kiss to her hair. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft, sleepy sound, and curves her arm over him, her body long and warm against his. It feels impossibly good to lie here in his arms, listening to his steady heart beat, feeling his breath lift her gently up and down. Between her bone-deep relaxation, the food and wine and the energy they’ve spent, it’s not long before her breathing lengthens and slows and her body grows heavy in sleep.

[nerves_of_ice]

He holds her as she slips into sleep, utterly relaxed in his arms and trusting him with all of herself yet again. Undone, Bucky lowers his face to her hair and breathes, quiet in this moment with her, cherishing it.

Peggy would be furious with him, he’s certain. Let her. He’d meant what he told her. Steve would know just what this means - and he knows his best friend is worried, as well as supportive. He himself doesn’t know what the future will bring, but he’s not going to ruin the precious time they have now by dwelling on it.

Thus decided, eventually he lets himself sleep as well, arms around her.