[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

[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."

[from_the_outside]

"I'm pretty lucky, too."

He's achingly beautiful here in the sunshine, clear-eyed and fresh-faced and so sweet she can't get enough of him. She pushes away intruding thoughts of the future and just lets herself be here, right now, with him in this moment. "You've swept me right off my feet, soldier boy."

[nerves_of_ice]

"My angel." Bucky reaches up with one hand to brush her hair back again, slow and deliberate this time. "My lovely, lovely angel."

[from_the_outside]

She tips her head into his touch, her eyes dark and warm on his, enjoying the little thrill that runs through her. It's impossible to think that she could deserve any of this, but she's determined to savor it anyway, no matter what. "Yes," she murmurs, her lips curving gently.

"All yours."

[nerves_of_ice]

His quick smile is bright as sunlight. Bucky curves his hand behind her neck as he leans in for another gentle kiss, then lets go and reaches to pull a daisy from her bouquet.

He taps her nose with it, teasing, then deftly tucks it behind her ear, into her hair. "There."

[from_the_outside]

She crinkles up her nose at him in a smile, but makes sure not to move her head until he's finished tucking the flower into her hair. "Cute," she says, amused. "Very cute."

Fury would probably wonder what the hell happened to the sharp-tongued Agent 13 if he could see her now, but she doesn't care. "I knew this outfit was missing an accessory."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives her a cheerful smile. "All taken care of."

[from_the_outside]

She chuckles at that and finishes her roll, then lifts her wine for a sip.

"I can't believe you managed to put all this together," she comments, marveling as she looks around the little clearing. "You're full of surprises."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives a shrug that's deliberately casual as he finishes his own roll. Bucky reaches for the wine bottle and raises it in silent question, offering to top off her glass.

"I might have a trick or two up my sleeve from time to time," he admits.

[from_the_outside]

"Very impressive," she compliments him, amused, and lifts her glass for him to top her off. She'll have to be careful not to have too much too quickly; she can already feel the warm glow of the wine seeping through her veins.

She looks around the clearing and the trees, blinks up at the dappled sunlight as it comes filtering down. "It reminds me a little of Virginia," she murmurs. "Our house is out in the woods, on the mountain."

[nerves_of_ice]

He refills her glass, then his own, and stretches out to lean on his elbow and look up at her.

"What's it like there? If you can tell me, that is," he amends.

[from_the_outside]

"I don't see why not," she tells him, with a quick smile of her own.

Not when it's just describing a place, anyway. "It's out near the Shenandoah River. The house is way up, tucked away on the mountainside, looking down over the valley. There are a lot of trails to walk along, and some small streams and waterfalls nearby, and a little town down in the valley where we can go to shop and see people."

Her expression has turned dreamy and a little wistful. "I loved going there as a kid. There's a big lawn to run around and play on, and trees to climb. It's so quiet and peaceful there."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It sounds pretty great," he murmurs, looking at the way her gaze goes distant. Bucky promises himself that once she's gone, once she's returned to the time she's come from, he'll go to Virginia, see if he can find this place she loves. Maybe it'll help him feel close to her still, across all the years between them. Maybe he could--

"Do you have a secret hiding place there?" he teases. "Where you keep treasures?"

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, and comes back to the present. "There are some caves nearby," she admits. "Not real caves, just rocks that have been eroded away, but they were great places to hide out and play at being a pirate, burying treasure. I used to hide things there in a metal lunch box."

[nerves_of_ice]

"All you need's an eyepatch," he laughs. "Arrr. That's amazing, I'm never going to forget that."

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and puts a hand over one eye, then scowls theatrically at him.

"My dad and I would draw maps, sometimes," she laughs, when she lowers her hand. "'X marks the spot' and all."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm definitely going to remember that, too," he teases. "I can just see you looking for treasure like that. You were cute as a button back then, from those pictures you showed Peggy."

[from_the_outside]

"I was a wild tomboy," she laughs. "My poor parents had no idea what to do with me. Their little blonde angel used to come back covered in grass stains and scratches from running around the woods and climbing trees and playing with the boys."

She smiles, remembering. "Aunt Peggy was the one who really understood me."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Looks like she still does," he observes. "Besides, who says an angel can't be tough stuff?"

[from_the_outside]

"Yes, she does."

And Sharon hasn't stopped being grateful for that since her first moments here. She smiles at him and sips her wine. "Angels are tough stuff," she points out. "Isn't the first thing they always have to say to someone: 'don't be afraid'? And then you get into the flaming swords and righteous anger. Very tough."

[nerves_of_ice]

"See?" he teases. "I knew you were an angel, right from the start."

[from_the_outside]

"I guess you did," she teases back.

She wishes she could bring him to the house in Virginia, so they could sit outside in the sun like this, and sleep in the same bed, and have a real chance at time together.

It's impossible, but she wants it anyway.

[nerves_of_ice]

Laughter dances in his eyes as he takes a sip of wine. He looks as relaxed as he feels, stretched out beside her, and at this moment he can't think of anywhere else he'd rather be.

"Sounds like you had a lot of fun growing up."

[from_the_outside]

"I did." She smiles down at him and reaches to run her fingers lightly through the wave of his hair. "I was very fortunate. I still am, I guess."

She's never had to scrape together money to see a movie, or wonder how her family will get fed. She grew up without a care in the world, happy and wild and excited for the future. "And because of Aunt Peggy, I always knew what I wanted to do with my life."