[ WWII AU ] all this and heaven too

[from_the_outside]

She's been back in this decade now for months and months, just shy of a year, and she still has to laugh at herself when they drive into the city and she realizes it's not in black and white like all the photos she remembers. Of course it isn't — she's been in London and France and everywhere else the Howling Commandos and SSR were called — but for some reason Brooklyn, in her head, has always been sepia-toned or black and white. Removed from reality by time and subsequently categorized in her mind as almost fictional.

It certainly isn't that. This isn't the New York or the Brooklyn she knows — there are fewer skyscrapers, for one thing — but it's still a busy, vibrant city packed with people. And every damn one of them hasn't stopped celebrating yet.

"You realize you guys are going to have to be in the parade, right?" She directs it to Bucky as they're walking along the sidewalk, just a few days after arriving; one of the few times she's actually gotten to be alone with him. She and Aunt Peggy aren't roommates yet, they're still in the hotel, but her aunt has made it crystal clear that she's planning to keep a much sharper eye on the two of them now that they're back in the city.

It was cute, for about a day. But she's already starting to feel like she's going to explode if she doesn't get to be alone with him.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles, but it's more than a little rueful. "Yeah. Steve's not happy about it, but he's resigned. Besides, he's done more of that kind of thing than I have."

Bucky puts his hand over hers where it rests on his arm and squeezes her fingers. "It'll all die down soon enough. Probably."

[from_the_outside]

"If you say so," she says, amused. Unlikely, considering the Howling Commandos are the heroes of the hour, and interest in Steve has hit a fever pitch. If they want to lay low, what they really should do is get out of Brooklyn for a little while... but she knows that would go over like a lead balloon.

"How's apartment hunting going?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"We've got a lead on a few possible places." He gives her a mischievous look. "Steve took a list to talk about with Peggy. You two shouldn't have to be stuck in that hotel much longer."

[from_the_outside]

"Here's hoping," she grins back at him. "How about you and Steve? Finding a place to hang your hat?"

One with separate bedrooms and doors that lock, hopefully. Aunt Peggy can't be around her all the time.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Working on it. We'll figure something out soon." If nothing else, they could use a little more privacy.

"I talked with a couple of guys I worked construction with. They say there's going to be a lot of buildings going up."

[from_the_outside]

"I bet they're right." This city's got to become the one she's familiar with sooner or later, right?

Sharon looks over at him, smiling. "It's kind of weird seeing you in something other than your uniform."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I have to admit," he confides, "it feels weird. I figure I'll get used to it again soon enough, but it's been a while."

He coaxes her to take a left at the corner, automatically steering them toward the old neighborhood. "So what do you think of Brooklyn so far?"

[from_the_outside]

At least she can wear slacks again without it being too big of a deal... though she's still been getting glances, from both men and women alike, as they walk along. "So far, so good."

It's impossible to explain how strange this is, how much stranger than it was to find herself in France, so she doesn't try, not right now. "I'm definitely used to there being more buildings, though."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hard to imagine all the changes that are coming." He glances over at her. "And you'll be here to see them with me."

[from_the_outside]

"It's sure looking that way." Which is still intensely weird to think about.

And she can't deny that coming back to the States, in the wrong time, has made her homesick in a way she hasn't been since she was just a little girl. She should be able to go home, to see her parents, her friends, to report in to her superior officers, but she can't. She may as well be on another planet.

[nerves_of_ice]

He presses his hand over hers again and draws her a little closer to his side, trying to comfort her in response to that flicker in her glance. "Maybe you could write letters. It's what I was going to do."

[from_the_outside]

The smile she gives him is wry, but warm. "That sounds like an OPSEC nightmare," she points out. "It's okay, baby. I get you, and that's a pretty damn good consolation prize."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll try to be." Everything about him is gentle, from the way he looks at her to the tone of his voice to the protective lean of his body towards her. "Always, angel."

[from_the_outside]

"Hey, come on." She squeezes his hand, smiling at him.

"Cheer up, soldier boy. We're in your favorite place in the world, and I'm with my favorite guy in the world, and we're together. Things could be a lot worse."

[nerves_of_ice]

He throws back his head and laughs, bright and shining. "You got that right."

"Why as I live and breathe, it's the Barnes boy!" The surprised observation comes from the elderly woman sweeping her stoop a few houses down. She leans on her broom and regards them both with open curiosity. "I'd heard you'd come home."

"Mrs. Jenkins. It's good to see you again, ma'am." Bucky smiles down at Sharon. "I've got someone I'd like you to meet."

[from_the_outside]

She gives Bucky an amused glance, then heads with him over to meet the woman before she detaches her hand from Bucky's arm and holds it out for a friendly shake. "Sharon Carter. It's nice to meet you."

Somehow, she thinks she's going to be doing a lot of this as they walk around the old neighborhood. Hopefully they won't run into any of Bucky's ex-girlfriends while they do.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Patty Jenkins. Very nice to meet you too." She shakes hands, and although her skin is wrinkled and spotted with age, her grip is firm. "I haven't seen you around here before. Where'd you meet little Jimmy?"

[from_the_outside]

"Overseas," Sharon tells her, without hesitation. "We met when I was transferred to his company."

Something like that, anyway. She looks over at Bucky before directing her smile at the older woman. "Sounds like you've known him for a quite a while. Got any embarrassing stories for me?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Ever since he was a babe in arms,” she tells her. “Him and all the rest of them, and young Stevie too once Jimmy here started bringing him around.”

Bucky sighs, patient. “Mrs. Jenkins —“

“Hush. I’m old enough to be choosy, and you’ll always be Jimmy to me. He never did look like a Bucky,” she tells Sharon. “Not to me, anyway.”

[from_the_outside]

"Stevie," Sharon says, with undisguised glee. "You know, Mrs. Jenkins, I can see it. I've only ever known him as Bucky, but Jimmy's a nice name. Very cute."

[nerves_of_ice]

He transfers his patient look to Sharon as Mrs. Jenkins beams. "That's the spirit. So the two of you met Over There, hm? And now you're here?"

Bucky's ready when she turns to pin him with a keen look. "Does that mean you're keeping this one?" He grins at them both, quick and bright. "If she'll let me, I am."

[from_the_outside]

She lifts her eyebrows at Bucky, thoroughly enjoying herself. "'This one,' huh?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"He always was a popular boy," Mrs. Jenkins says, comfortably. Bucky winks at Sharon, then looks back at the older woman. "Any errands you need done while we're out?"

"Still the sweetheart. No, dear, you two go on and have fun. Freddy does my marketing and errands for me these days, and he'll be by later to bring the shopping."

[from_the_outside]

"Still, always," Sharon agrees, amused at Bucky's wink and charmed by this whole interaction.

"Freddy? Your son?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"My grandbaby," Mrs. Jenkins tells her. "He's all of twelve now. They grow up fast, you know."