[Brooklyn] What are you doing New Year's, New Year's eve?

[from_the_outside]

Her parents had been in full party-prep mode when she and Bucky rolled up to the house, Alpine in his brand-new soft-sided carrier. They'd dodged the caterers and florists and the cater-waiters and found Harrison and Amanda deep in a discussion of which champagne glasses to use. Sharon, recognizing the signs, had given them both a hug and a kiss and promised she and Bucky would be in attendance, then brought Bucky and Alpine up the stairs to her room.

The early sunset had been gorgeous, glowing off the snow-coated woods, but full dark has fallen now. She can hear cars pulling into the drive and the strains of music drifting up from the big room where her parents are greeting their guests. 

She's not quite ready yet, blinking at herself in the bathroom mirror as she applies mascara, her hair in curlers. "How's it going in there, baby?" she calls towards the room. "Does that suit fit okay?"

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

“It’s fine,” he calls back. It is, even with two full sleeves; it fits his left arm well, and the glove on his hand slips neatly under the cuff.

The problem is that he’s trying to talk himself out of vanishing out the window instead of going downstairs, but he’s pretty sure if he does none of the Carters would ever forgive him.

“Alpine hasn’t even shed on it in the last five minutes.”

The little white cat trills at the sound of his name and rolls over on his back to bat at the edge of the bedspread.

[from_the_outside]

"Let's keep it that way, huh?"

Alpine's white fur seems to get just everywhere, no matter what they try. Sharon finishes her mascara and blinks at herself, then reaches for her lipstick. "I'll be out in a second."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m trying.” He drifts over to look out the window, away from the cat.

“Need anything?”

[from_the_outside]

"No."

She blots her lipstick and gives her makeup a critical onceover, then takes her dress off the hanger and slips it on. It's not her red dress, but it's short and gunmetal and hugs all her curves just right and she thinks he'll probably like it anyway.

Sharon undoes the rollers in her hair and brushes the resulting bouncy curls into smooth waves, then slips her feet into the high silver stilettos she bought to go with the dress. "Okay," she calls, and opens the door, then comes out, grinning, to give him a slow twirl.

"What do you think?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky turns entirely away from the window and lets out a low whistle. “Baby, I think you make this whole shindig worthwhile.”

[from_the_outside]

"It's worthwhile anyway," she laughs. She stops by her bureau and spritzes herself with perfume, then shakes out her hair and comes to join him by the window. "You look so handsome," she says, appreciative, resting her hands on his chest.

"Ready to knock 'em dead?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He sets his hands on her hips and gives her a rueful look. “It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like this.”

[from_the_outside]

"Don't worry," she coaxes, coming closer. With her heels, they're almost eye to eye. "Everyone's going to love you. And I'll be right there. You're just going to a party, Barnes, not behind enemy lines."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You sure they're not the same thing?" he teases. "No, I know, I know. And it'll be fun. I'm just nervous, I guess."

[from_the_outside]

"You were okay at Sam's fais do-do," she points out, before her smile twitches, teasing back. "This isn't that different, except it's fancier and there won't be any kids to play with."

[nerves_of_ice]

"They probably won't even notice me anyway," he decides, as his smile and the look in his eyes warms. "Who could look away from you?"

[from_the_outside]

"I'm happy to run interference for you," she says, grinning. "But if that's what you're banking on, I have to say you'd stop traffic tonight."

He's always handsome, but seeing him dressed to the nines like this is a pretty rare occasion. "Just think about it this way... you could have gone to spend New Year's with Melina and Alexei."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives her a deeply skeptical look that shifts to a grimace. "Please, no. Anything but that."

[from_the_outside]

She grins cheerfully at him and reaches to straighten his bow tie. "Then buck up, Barnes. Do we need a code for when you want to get away for a minute?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll muddle through," he promises her. Bucky waits until she's finished with his tie before he takes her hand in his right and presses a kiss to her fingers. "Ready, angel?"

[from_the_outside]

"Yes."

She laces her fingers with his and turns to give Alpine a mock-stern glance. "Be good while we're gone, Alpine."

[nerves_of_ice]

The white cat ignores them both, having curled up on top of the bed in the middle of the quilt for a snooze. Bucky laughs, under his breath. "I think he'll be fine."

[from_the_outside]

"He's got the right idea," she laughs. Sharon lets go of his hand to curl her fingers around his elbow instead, and heads with him toward the door. Once they're in the hall, the sounds of music and conversation are much louder, floating up the stairs.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky blows out a breath and presses her hand against his side, then gives her a warm smile. "Here we go. Your parents first, I figure?"

[from_the_outside]

"Got it in one."

She walks with him down the stairs, trailing her free hand along the bannister. The house is ablaze with lights and decorations, fresh flowers and greenery everywhere, and filled with the scent of cooking food. She directs him toward the normally-closed door which leads to the second wing, where Harrison and Amanda Carter are greeting their guests.

Her dad looks handsome in his white tuxedo jacket, and her mom is glowing in a floor-length gown in deep blue-green. "Kitten!" Amanda says, happily, letting go of her husband and coming to exchange a greeting with her daughter – air kisses, so as not to disturb their makeup. "You look beautiful. And Bucky, you look so handsome."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Thanks. You look amazing, yourself," he tells Amanda, meaning every word. Bucky gives Sharon's father a cordial nod. "Harrison," he greets him. "I can already tell this is going to be quite the party."

[marvel_npc]

Harrison reaches to shake hands, beaming. "I certainly hope so," he says. "We haven't had the heart to throw this party for the last few years. I'm looking forward to it."

He waves his hand back at the dining room, currently set up with hors d'oeuvres stations: charcuterie boards, vegetable platters, an enormous crystal bowl filled with ice and jumbo cocktail shrimp. Some guests are already milling around, filling plates and sipping champagne as they chat and laugh, voices lifting over the music. "Go on, have some food. Amanda and I have to greet our guests, but we'll come around and make introductions in a little while."

[nerves_of_ice]

He can well imagine that they hadn't had any desire to celebrate for a while, but now, with everything? Bucky figures that they're just lucky the Carters haven't thrown multiple events to shout their delight to the world.

His smile is warm and sincere as he turns it from Sharon's parents to Sharon herself. "Can I get you a glass of champagne?"

[from_the_outside]

"That would be great," she agrees, stepping back from her mother and going to embrace her father. "Thanks, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Of course," he says, then has to chuckle as before he can even take a step a server circulating nearby stops at his side and presents a tray laden with flutes, clearly having overheard him.

"Pretty quick on the ball," he compliments the server. Bucky takes a glass for Sharon and one for himself, and offers her hers first.