[ Brooklyn ] a new beginning

[from_the_outside]

Going down to DC has been a much easier prospect ever since she bought the condo and had it furnished (and adapted) to her specifications. It gives them a place to settle that isn't the hotel; a place that's theirs, that feels like home. There are cat toys and a tree for Alpine and dog toys for the little gray bully who'd moved directly into their hearts and home, and it's lighter and airier than the Brooklyn apartment but feels just as much like home.

Because he's there. That's the secret ingredient.

She wakes up slow, light diffused through the white linen shades she'd had installed in their bedroom, and rolls over to find Bucky's side of the bed still warm but rumpled and empty.

A deep breath in, and she rubs at her eyes, stretching over the bed to eye the door and the sounds beyond it. "Baby?" she calls. Her voice is gritty with sleep, and she takes a second to clear it. "Are you heading out for a run?

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

"I didn't mean to wake you." Apologetic, Bucky opens the door, and manages to catch the excited dog's collar before he can leap on the bed and greet Sharon.

"Thought we'd do a good one, run off some of this energy."

[from_the_outside]

"It's okay." She smiles over at him, sleep-eyed, hair mussed. "I was going to tell you you should take Backup with you."

She wriggles over to the side of the bed and stretches out an arm to let the dog lick at her fingers. "Are you gonna take Bucky on a run, good boy?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Backup wags his tail so hard that his whole body shudders, alternately licking her hand and butting his head into it.

"I think he has a lot of fun with them. And it's early enough we shouldn't run into traffic."

[from_the_outside]

"He loves spending the time with you. And going for a run," she agrees, running her hand over the little pit's square head.

"Will you go down to the Mall?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Either that or along the river. Figure we'll pick once we see how crowded it is either way."

Bucky leans over the bed to kiss her. "Sleep in, angel. I'll pick up one of those coffee drinks you like on the way back."

[from_the_outside]

"Mm." She hums, lifting a lazy hand to his cheek, then curls up with his pillow under the sheets, smiling at them both. "Have a good run. Take care of Bucky, Backup."

[nerves_of_ice]

The pit woofs softly at his name before going to Bucky's side as he snaps his fingers to call him.

"See you later."

He almost can't believe this is his life, their lives, but every second of it is precious to him.

[from_the_outside]

She waves at them, then burrows into his pillow, breathing in the scent of him as she closes her eyes once more.

There's plenty to do today, but he's right. There's no rush. She'll get up once he's back.

[nerves_of_ice]

They end up doing both. Bucky winds them along the Mall and around the Reflecting Pool for a few laps, then brings them back up the river path. By the time they're done and heading home, Backup is panting but still game.

Bucky crouches down to ruffle his ears. "Good boy. Knew you had it in you. Let's go get Sharon her coffee, hm? Then breakfast for you."

[from_the_outside]

Backup pants and wags his tail, butting his nose into Bucky's palm. He's tired, but he always loves these trips.

A few quick barks, catching the attention of a couple other early birds: he recognizes Sharon's name. Sharon! Yes! Sharon!

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's right, boy. Sharon. Let's go."

Together, they take the winding path back to sidewalks and home. Bucky leaves Backup outside the café drinking at the water bowl there and goes in to place Sharon's order and his own.

A few minutes later, they're wending their way through the building and up to the condo.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon's still in bed where they left her, but she isn't asleep; she's lazing back in the pillows, scrolling through her phone when she hears the door and the dog. She lifts her voice to call down the hall.

"Have a good run?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sure did." He nudges the door open with his elbow and walks to the bed. Bucky sinks down on it and holds out her to-go cup with a grin. "For you."

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks, baby." She sits up, fluffing a pillow behind herself, and reaches for the coffee and Backup comes trotting in. He gives a whuff of tired breath and flops onto his bed on the floor, side lifting and falling rapidly as his tail thuds in a weary beat.

Sharon laughs. "Definitely looks like a good run."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles at that. "Did my best. Now if I could just get Alpine to join in..."

The little white cat had turned over on the back of the couch and waved a disdainful paw in the air as they went by, deep in feline dreams.

[from_the_outside]

"Yeah, right," she laughs. "Maybe if he could ride on your shoulder."

She shifts to make room for him, then plucks at his wet shirt and wrinkles her nose. "You'd better go shower."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You're not wrong. It's going to be a swamper out there today," he says, rueful. Bucky gets to his feet and sets his coffee aside.

"Back in a few."

[from_the_outside]

Backup is tired enough he only rolls an eye to follow Bucky as he heads into the ensuite bathroom before he licks his chops and closes his eyes, his side lifting and falling with a huge sigh.

"Any big plans for the day?" Sharon calls, back on her phone to scroll through the news. "I need to head into the office for a little while, but it should only be an hour or two."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not big plans, especially." He leaves the door cracked so Sharon can hear him as he turns on the shower.

"Just kind of keeping an eye on a couple of things, but nothing that should get in the way if there's something you need."

[from_the_outside]

"Oh?" Her eyebrows raise as she sips at her coffee, careful with the hot liquid.

"Anything in particular? Or anything I can help with?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe. I don't know. Maybe."

It's hard to figure out how to talk about what he's been mulling over and why, and doing it from the shower's harder.

"Seen any interesting news on any of our old friends recently?"

[from_the_outside]

Her eyebrows push up, and she shifts to sit a little straighter in the bed. "Depends. Which old friend are you talking about?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Walker, for one." Annoyance comes through in his tone, try though he might to hide it.

"De Fontaine, for another."

[from_the_outside]

She sets her phone down and takes a long, slow sip of her coffee, turning all her focus toward his question.

"Val's a pretty tough nut to crack. Even for someone with extensive resources."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Figured." The water shuts off. Bucky wanders back out with a towel wrapped around his waist and goes to the closet.

"I just keep remembering what Yelena said. I don't like the idea that she's trying to run people in the shadows."