[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?"

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[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m glad.” He kisses her back and holds her close for a moment, then pulls back and leads her over to the cloth. Bucky bends down to grab the flowers and presents the bouquet to her with a charming smile.

[from_the_outside]

She accepts them with a laugh and lifts them to sniff their fragrance. "They're beautiful," she says, honestly. "Did you pick these?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I did,” he admits. “I’ve explored around here a bit.”

[from_the_outside]

"Well, they're gorgeous," she says, smiling. "You've got great taste."

And he's impossibly sweet. She's never been so charmed. Sharon gives him a teasing smile. "Should we sit down?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Make yourself comfortable,” he invites, as he goes down on one knee by the basket and opens it up. Bucky lifts out an unlabeled bottle with a golden liquid inside and two glasses and grins at her.

“Wine?”

[from_the_outside]

She lowers herself to sit on her hip, leaning on one hand with the flowers in the other as she watches him, then laughs at his question.

"Yes, please," she agrees, sitting up and setting the flowers aside. "Where the hell did you find wine?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Remember last time I pointed out Armand and Jean-Claude?” he laughs, uncorking the bottle. “Armand needed something to do after retiring. He offered me a glass once in appreciation for being willing to answer questions about New York and listen to his opinions, so I dropped by earlier to ask a favor.”

Bucky pours the first glass for her and hands it over, then pours one for himself and carefully nestles the bottle back in the corner of the basket. “Can’t vouch for how it compares to what you’re used to, but it’s something, anyway.”

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and accepts the glass, admiring the way the sunlight glows through the golden liquid. "It sure is," she agrees. "I've never had homemade wine before, but I'm sure it'll be delicious."

She waits until he pours a glass for himself, then lifts hers to him in a small toast. "To your day off."

[nerves_of_ice]

“To our time together,” he murmurs, and touches his glass to hers, watching her over the top of it with a warm smile before he takes a sip.

[from_the_outside]

She smiles at that and sips at her wine, which sings brightly against her tastebuds, dry and a little floral. "Oh, that's good," she says, lifting her glass again to look at it.

"That's really nice."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Armand’s got a gift,” he agrees, easily. Mischief dances in his eyes. “Maybe it goes with being French.”

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe," she laughs, and takes another sip before she lowers the glass to her side to give him a teasing glance.

"But you really can't beat a picnic out in the French countryside, sipping wine with the most handsome guy in two time periods."

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles, quick and bright and shining. “I wanted you to have a nice time,” he says, and tilts the picnic basket a little so she can see into it.

“I brought more than just wine. Nothing too fancy, I’m afraid, but the bread’s fresh-baked this morning and the cheese is amazing, I promise.

[from_the_outside]

"Who needs fancy when they've got all this?"

She looks around the pretty little clearing, then watches him, admiring the way the sunlight glances down off his hair and clothing. "It's perfect, Bucky, seriously."

[nerves_of_ice]

“So are you,” he murmurs, watching the way she watches him. “You knocked me for a loop, angel.”

[from_the_outside]

She sets a hand onto the burlap and leans forward to kiss him, lightly. "I'm pretty far from perfect, baby," she murmurs. "But I'm starting to think you're pretty close to it."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Not from where I’m sitting you’re not,” he returns, as he threads his fingers through her hair and brushes it back over her shoulder. Bucky kisses her again, light and sweet, and smiles.

[from_the_outside]

She smiles against his lips, then leans back, teasing. "Careful," she tells him, a smile playing around her mouth. "I just put this lipstick on. It'd be a shame to waste it."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles at that. “True. We’re not in a hurry.”

Bucky taps the side of the basket and raises his eyebrows at her. “Hungry?”

[from_the_outside]

"Mm-hm."

It's nice not to be in a hurry, because for all she's been impatient for this day, she finds she wants to savor the time she gets with him, to squeeze every last drop of joy and delight and sunshine from the day. She sips at her wine and nods. "Serve some up, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Yes, ma’am,” he laughs, and takes out a cloth napkin to serve as a makeshift plate, a fresh-baked roll, a knife, and a butter-soft cheese. Bucky splits the rind with the knife and spreads some of the cheese on the roll before handing it to her with a grin.

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks."

She accepts the roll and bites into it, making an inarticulate sound of pleasure as she does. The roll is fresh and warm, crusty on the outside and pillow-soft within, and the cheese is rich and velvety as butter. "Delicious," she mumbles from behind her hand, her mouth full. "So good."

[nerves_of_ice]

Something about her unabashed enjoyment sends warmth through him. Bucky’s smile is warm, too.

“I’m glad,” he tells her, as he quickly makes one for himself and shifts to sit beside her. “Like I said, it’s nothing fancy, but it’s nice.”

[from_the_outside]

"It is," she agrees, once she swallows and can smile over at him. "Really nice."

She takes another bite and nudges her shoulder against his, feeling almost giddy with the sense of freedom and anticipation. "It's nice to be able to hang out with you like this in the daytime."

[nerves_of_ice]

The dappled light falls over her hair and skin and that gorgeous outfit of hers, and he has to take a moment just to appreciate the vision she makes.

"It sure is," he murmurs. "I'm a lucky man."