[ WWII AU ] what a night to go dreaming

[from_the_outside]

There's no doubt that things have shifted, a little, since the day they spent tangled up together in that sun-dappled cottage, tucked away in the trees behind the nearby town. The other Howling Commandos have, seemingly by silent agreement, stopped flirting so outrageously with her, though she's caught Jim and Gabe giving Bucky more than one fondly exasperated glance. She still dances with all of them, and enjoys their company, but they yield the floor to Bucky at the end of the night, and he's the one who, as she said she wanted, walks her back to her tent. 

And then there are their rendezvous' out in the field, where she still checks, each night, for a portal opening in the air. It never comes, but she spends hours there with him, walking and laughing and dancing under the starlight, stealing every moment they can together.

Aunt Peggy says nothing, but Sharon knows she can tell things have changed. There's a worried frown that lives between her brows, but she doesn't forbid her niece to see Steve's best friend, knowing it would only backfire.

Other things change not at all... like the morning tests Howard still makes them do. They're nearing the end of the sequence today, and she lets go of Bucky when Howard tells her to, careful not to linger. It's difficult to say what Stark thinks of his findings; he mutters to himself and snaps at his assistants, but all she can glean from it is that the resonance is still fading at a regular rate from her cells.

But none of them know why.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

“Just give them more time. Or us, even. Once we take that cube away from Schmidt, that’ll help, if Stark hasn’t figured out something before then.”

Bucky throws a desperate look at Steve. “Right?”

[from_the_outside]

"Right," Steve says, instantly, solid and dependable, and Sharon just feels so damn tired. She can't drum up the optimism that never runs dry for Steve Rogers, and she doesn't want them to throw any more of that blue light at Bucky in the name of getting her home.

She looks up at the sky. Where the hell are you, Nick?

"Well, it will all have to wait," Aunt Peggy says, practically. "We'll need to start packing for our return to London shortly."

[nerves_of_ice]

Steve nods at Peggy. “In a couple of days,” he tells them. “As soon as the route’s confirmed clear.”

Bucky nods. He’d give a lot to be able to put his arm around Sharon right now, but settles for walking a little closer, steady at her side.

[from_the_outside]

What will she do, if she can't go home? Is there a life she can make here? Won't that screw with the timeline even more than spilling secrets of the future might?

She feels a breath of warmth at her side and looks over to see Bucky's shifted a bit closer. She gives him a flicker of a smile as they make their way into the edge of the camp. "... be ready," Aunt Peggy's saying, as Sharon tunes back in again. She's not sure what her aunt had been saying, but she guesses it must be about the trip to London.

"Aunt Peggy," she says, and her aunt glances over at her. "I'll drop these things by your tent in a minute, okay?"

She just needs a few moments alone. And then, maybe, to steal a few with Bucky.

[nerves_of_ice]

“Of course,” Peggy says, a hint of something softer in her customarily brisk tone. “Take your time.”

Bucky flicks a glance at Steve, who nods to him and says, “I need to check in with Colonel Phillips. He’s waiting to hear the outcome. If you’ll excuse me?”

[from_the_outside]

Sharon reaches to put her hand around Aunt Peggy's arm a moment and smiles at her. "Thanks," she murmurs, before she nods to Steve.

"Captain. Thank you, too. All of you," she adds, including Bucky in her glance. "For everything."

[nerves_of_ice]

“It’s no trouble,” promises Steve. Bucky nods. “What Cap says. You’re welcome, but it’s no trouble at all. We’re glad to help.”

[from_the_outside]

She nods back and glances at Aunt Peggy, then turns her steps towards her own tent, slowly enough that she could be followed, if someone wanted to join her.

If not, she'll look for him later.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky trades a look with Peggy Carter, who presses her lips together before giving a short, sharp nod. He nods back and leaves her with Steve, following Sharon.

“Mind if I see you the rest of the way?” he murmurs.

[from_the_outside]

"I never mind that."

She feels sore all over, like she's just taken a series of body blows from a mob of bad guys. Between the emotions that have been riding high all day and the sudden letdown of Stark's failed experiment, her body chemicals are about a hundred versions of messed up right now.

But she can't mind his company. If anything, she craves it, the solidity and steadiness he brings. She pauses and waits for him to catch up, her eyes dark and solemn as she watches him. "Are you sure you're okay?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m sure.” He falls in beside her and looks down at her as they start to walk again, searching her face. “Are you?” he asks, softly.

[from_the_outside]

Yes rises to her lips, but he knows her well enough now to know when she's lying, and she doesn't want to lie to him. "I don't know, Bucky," she says, finally.

"The experiment didn't hurt me. But it didn't work, either."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I know.” How badly must she be hurting, having her hopes crushed like that? He keeps his voice low.

“I’m sorry, angel.”

[from_the_outside]

Maybe this is her fault. Maybe she didn't want to go home enough – but then, she hadn't wanted to come here, in the first place. She shakes off the gloomy thoughts and flicks her crooked smile at him.

"I know, baby," she murmurs, and lets her fingers brush his. "Thanks for trying."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Of course.” Just as quiet, deep and steady.

Steve and Peggy are talking quietly behind them. He can’t hear what they’re saying, but he’s glad they’re giving them a little space.

“Do you want me to wait for you to change?”

[from_the_outside]

She nods, and glances back at her aunt and Steve before looking back at him.

"Can you sneak away with me?" she asks, soft. "A little later? Just for a little while?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Yes.” There’s no way he could give any other answer. “I can wait for you, or meet you somewhere.”

[from_the_outside]

"Wait for me," she asks.

It's so selfish. He's had a long, hard day, too, and she hasn't missed the looks Steve's been giving him. "I won't be long. I just need to give Aunt Peggy my things."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Don’t worry about that,” he tells her. “I’ll wait as long as you need.”

There’s no duty he needs to stand tonight, that he knows of. If Steve needs him after all, he can explain to Sharon and then arrange to meet her later.

[from_the_outside]

She smiles at him, small, and nods before striding to her tent and ducking inside.

She'd left everything neatly put away, thinking to make it easier on whoever would be cleaning up after her. Only a few things sit out: the outfit Aunt Peggy had bought for her, and the little ceramic star lamp Bucky had bought for her, sitting next to a small bunch of dried wildflowers. Tucked beneath it is a folded note she won't need to give to him after all.

Sharon considers the small pile of things, then turns her focus toward getting out of her SHIELD uniform. Boots, holster, belt, sidearm, and phone get set neatly aside before she skins out of the suit and folds it. She dresses once more in the skirted uniform she'd been wearing earlier, then collects the small pile of things and pushes back out of the tent and into the warm late summer night.

[nerves_of_ice]

There’s absolutely no reason for him to wait outside Sharon’s tent with Peggy and Steve now that they’ve escorted her there. All of them know it. No one says anything about it, although Peggy gives him a long look.

“Is Colonel Phillips waiting to hear tonight?” he asks, finally.

“Morning report was soon enough as long as nothing blew up, he said,” Steve tells him. “Figured I could swing by to see if he’s still working, though.”

[from_the_outside]

The three of them are in a loose cluster nearby, and Sharon quickens her steps, arriving in time to hear Steve's comment. "It's late, but I wouldn't be surprised," Aunt Peggy is telling him, before she turns to Sharon, taking in the SSR uniform and the pile of things in Sharon's hands with a quick, close glance as her niece holds them out.

"Will you hold onto these for me again, Aunt Peggy?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Of course I will,” Peggy confirms. She holds out her hands to accept the bundle. “I’ll put these away and go with Captain Rogers to see if the colonel’s available, then check back in on you, shall I?”

Bucky has to admire how deftly she lets them know how much time they have.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon nods, relieved to not have to come up with an excuse of her own. "Yes," she says. The words are simple but her eyes are full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Aunt Peggy." She looks to Steve. "Cap."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Agent Carter,” Steve says. He looks at Bucky; Bucky nods to him. Steve turns to Peggy. “When you’re ready, Agent Carter.”