[oom] let's go dancin' in the light

[from_the_outside]

She's late to the lab, having cited an errand she needed to run once they made their way up to the Citadel from the hut by the lake, and her footsteps ring out quick and firm as she makes her way down the walkway from the train platform. Shuri's voice is clear as she makes her way into the lab, and Sharon can't help but smile at the note of gleeful triumph in the princess's voice.

"Good," Shuri's saying, as Sharon walks into the side room where Shuri has been conducting her design fittings and reviews. The princess stands in front of Bucky, who wears a white sleeveless shirt that clearly shows the new vibranium shoulder joint Shuri had constructed... and a new left arm, gleaming beneath the lab lights.

"The dimensions are perfect. How does it feel?"

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

"Messier, too." He rolls onto his left side, making room for her to join him.

[from_the_outside]

She shakes her hair back out and comes to kneel, then lie on her stomach next to him. She stretches, makes a small contented sound, then pillows her cheek on her folded arms to look at him.

“How’s the arm?”

[nerves_of_ice]

"Still drying," he informs her. "Might be it got a lot of water down in where it'll need to be drained after this, rather than just dried."

A slight wince, and he adds, "Hopefully Shuri won't be too mad."

[from_the_outside]

“She told you to test it,” Sharon points out.

“With everyday things. And you swim pretty often, so it was a good test.”

She grins at a thought. “She might be annoyed at herself, but not you.”

[nerves_of_ice]

"Test it, not break it," he points out. "But you're probably right."

[from_the_outside]

“You didn’t break it. You’re just… kicking the tires.”

She rolls her weight to press against him, making a pleased sound at his warm skin. “And after this you just know she’ll waterproof the heck out of it.”

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm," he agrees, and puts his right arm over her to draw her a little closer.

[from_the_outside]

"I'm all wet," she protests, but she lets him pull her closer, closing her eyes as she basks in the warmth of the sun and the throw and him.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm," he says again, amiably, and runs his hand along her spine.

"You'll dry."

[from_the_outside]

"There's that."

She shivers at the touch and makes a small contented sound. After the activity of the morning, lying here in the sun with him is making her feel like a puddle of sunshine.

[nerves_of_ice]

He does it again, slow and sure and soothing.

"You really are like a cat."

[from_the_outside]

She makes a rumbling, purring noise and smiles.

"Well, it feels good. Maybe cats have it right."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles at that.

"They're pretty smart. Scrappy, too."

[from_the_outside]

"You're right. That does sound like me."

She grins and stretches out underneath his hand, then turns herself over to sun her belly, tucking an arm behind her head as she closes her eyes to the sun. "Did you ever want a pet?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Never really thought about it,” he tells her, matter-of-fact. “It wasn’t really an option.”

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe someday," she muses.

"You've gotten pretty good at taking care of the goats; I'm sure you could handle a cat."

[nerves_of_ice]

“If one would tolerate me,” he points out, amused. “They’re pretty independent.”

[from_the_outside]

"I tolerate you," she teases.

"So does T'Challa. That's two cats who like you already."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I guess that’s a pretty good start.”

He leans over and presses a quick kiss to her hair.

[from_the_outside]

"It could be a lot worse," she says, loftily.

"I'm very discerning."

[nerves_of_ice]

"About most things," he agrees, blandly.

[from_the_outside]

“There’s that,” she grins.

“But right now everything is looking pretty good to me.”

[nerves_of_ice]

He carefully props himself on his left elbow, pleased when it doesn’t protest, and rests his right hand on her shoulder.

“I’m glad,” he murmurs.

[from_the_outside]

She watches him through her lashes, her gaze soft and fond despite her lowered eyelids. Framed against the blue sky like this, there’s a warm glow around him.

“Hey, you,” she says, still smiling. “Wanna hang out here with me for a while longer?”

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky smiles at her.

“There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

The rest of the world will wait.