[ 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 scrubs a hand over his face and lets it drop. Maybe he can figure out a distraction before tomorrow.

"Once you get settled in, if you still want to meet Sharon, well... her suite's one floor above yours." Bucky glances over at her as the doors open and puts his arm out to keep them that way while she exits. "I don't know if she's there or not, but we can try."

[marvel_npc]

"I would like that, but..."

She glances back at him, waiting for him to join her before she starts walking again. "Do you want to talk to her alone, first?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I want to talk to her, of course I do, but it doesn't have to be first." His smile is a little rueful, but it's there. "We could just see how things go."

[marvel_npc]

"Then why don't we go up and say hello?" Becky suggests. "I'll want to lie down for a little while soon, so it'll be a quick visit for me anyway."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay." He turns to bring them back to the elevator, as he's not going to make his sister walk up the stairs. "I guess you've had a pretty long day, what with the trip and all."

He slants a look at her as the doors shut and the car begins to rise. "How long did it take you after I called to decide you were coming out?"

[marvel_npc]

"About... ten seconds after you asked me not to ask you about it," she says, cheerfully. "I went straight up and packed right afterwards. Tom drove me to the station."

[nerves_of_ice]

His laughter rings out as the elevator door opens, carrying down the hall. "Of course you did. Now I really, really have to meet your Tom."

Bucky holds the door for her once more and walks at her side to the door of the Carter suite. He raps sharply with his knuckles and steps back to wait.

[from_the_outside]

The knock comes a lot sooner than she expects — Aunt Peggy had said something about her friend Alfie coming by again for dinner, but it's not quite time to go, yet. Sharon hurriedly finishes putting in an earring, then makes for the door to pull it open.

It's not Alfie. It's so much better. Her grin shines out like sunbeams as she sees who it is. "Bucky! And..."

She turns her glance to the girl he has with him, curiosity overwhelming her delight at seeing him. "Who's this?"

[nerves_of_ice]

She looks happy to see him, and he feels a weight that he didn't even know he was carrying lift from his shoulders. Bucky grins back at her.

"Sharon, this is my sister, Rebecca Barnes. Becky." His smile is just as bright as he looks down at Becky. "Becky, this is Sharon Carter."

[from_the_outside]

"Becky?" She opens the door wider and comes forward to give the other girl an impetuous hug. "It's so great to finally meet you. Where's he been hiding you, huh?"

No wonder Bucky's been MIA today. Sharon's grinning as she pulls back and invites them both inside. "Did you just get here?"

[nerves_of_ice]

His sister hugs Sharon back without hesitation, and Bucky takes a deep breath in relief. He hadn't really thought Becky blamed her for any of this, but it's nice to be sure.

"A little while ago," Becky tells her. "The train takes a while." He recognizes the mischief in her smile as she continues, "He didn't know I was coming. I wanted it to be a surprise. It's wonderful to meet you too."

[from_the_outside]

"That must have been a hell of a surprise," Sharon laughs, waiting for them both to come in before she closes and locks the door behind them.

Coming in, she reaches briefly for Bucky's hand to give it a squeeze, then directs Becky to come sit with her on the couch. "I've been pretty impatient to get out to see you all, myself. Sorry we haven't been able to make it happen yet."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Oh, it was," Bucky agrees, wry. He follows them across the room and takes one of the armchairs across from the sofa for himself while Becky sits down beside Sharon.

"I know you two've been busy," Becky says cheerfully. "Bucky keeps explaining how he wants to see everyone settled before visiting. That's my brother for you, putting what he really wants second and everyone else first."

"Becky." He trades an exasperated look with her.

[from_the_outside]

"Sounds familiar," Sharon says, ignoring Bucky's exasperation with the ease of long practice.

"He's bending over backwards trying to help me find a place to live. Meanwhile, I'm pretty sure he and Steve are crammed in there at the boardinghouse."

[marvel_npc]

Becky laughs as her brother huffs out a breath and leans back into his chair. "And neither of them would ever dream of complaining. Never mind that for now, how are you settling in? Do you like New York?"

She hadn't missed how Sharon's eyes had lit up when she'd seen Bucky, nor the way she'd reached for his hand. It has to be a misunderstanding.

[from_the_outside]

"It's not quite what I'm used to," she says. She's an old hand now at skirting the truth of things with what she can actually say, and that's true enough. "But I'm enjoying it so far. You must be glad to see it again, even if it's just for a visit."

Sharon glances over at Bucky, then back at his sister. "Do you have dinner plans? Aunt Peggy's not available tonight, but her friend Lieutenant Scott was going to stop by. Why don't we all go together?"

[marvel_npc]

Becky's eyebrows wing upward as her brother goes very still in his chair. "Your aunt's friend is coming to take you to dinner?"

[from_the_outside]

"That was the plan." She frowns as Becky's brows go up, glances from her to Bucky again. He looks tense, for no reason she can think of. "He's nice," she tells him, trying to smooth away whatever misgivings he might have. "You'd like him — both of you," she adds, to include Becky.

"I barely know him, but he turned out to be pretty decent company, and Aunt Peggy's not going to be around to see him again tonight."

[marvel_npc]

"Oh, what a shame - she must be so disappointed," Becky says, sincerely doubting it. She's furious with Peggy Carter all over again, but that can wait. She's careful not to look at Bucky.

"It's kind of you to stand in on her behalf."

[from_the_outside]

She shrugs at that. "It's fine, I have to eat, too, and like I said, he's nice. So?"

Sharon looks between them. "What do you think?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I think if we're going out to dinner I'd better freshen up," Becky says firmly. She rises, and Bucky stands with her automatically, manners driving him by instinct, little sister or not.

Becky smiles at him. "I can find my way. Why don't you stay here and keep Sharon company until I get back?" She comes to hug him and whispers in his ear, "Don't be an idiot, brother dear. Talk to her."

She turns to smile at Sharon, too. "If that's okay with you?"

[from_the_outside]

"Fine by me." She gets up, too, brushing down her skirt as she does, and smiles over at Becky. "See you in a little while, Becky."

[nerves_of_ice]

"See you soon," Becky agrees cheerfully, and slips out the door. Bucky stays on his feet, swallowing his nerves, and studies Sharon's face for any hint of - of anything, really. He's not exactly sure.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon waves Becky off, then closes the door behind her and comes back to Bucky, drawn as if by a magnet. "Hey."

She smiles up at him, unable to keep from smiling even as she clocks the faint tension in his expression. "I'm so glad Becky came out. You must be over the moon, huh?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hi." He reaches for her hand, twining his fingers with hers, and cups the side of her face gently with his other hand. Bucky brushes his thumb lightly over her cheek.

"It's really great to see her, I can't argue that." A faint smile curves his lips. "It's really great to see you, too."