Leipzig AU: the choices we make

[nerves_of_ice]

It's a month after Thessaloniki when he slips the unmarked, unstamped postcard in the mail at Sharon Carter's apartment.

(It had taken him the entire month to decide to reach out. He'd spent most of the time burying himself in his self-imposed work and not allowing himself to think about anything other than the mission. Eventually, he'd realized that it wasn't working, and that there was only one way to find out what he now needs to know, even if he can't admit even to himself exactly why he does.)

Of course there's always the chance she'll think it's just an advertisement and ignore it. If she does, he'll try again with something a little more obvious before deciding she's not interested in reconnecting. Still, he thinks she's clever enough to catch it, and to decode the message, which isn't that subtle when it comes down to it: time, place, location.

It takes far less than a minute to pick the lock on the mailbox security panel - two seconds, maybe three, and he's able to pull it open, drop the card on top of her mail, and secure it once more.

Bucky makes his way from her apartment back down the Berlin street quickly and quietly, cap pulled down to hide his face, and disappears into the crowd.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

"No," she says, quickly. "You're fine."

She hitches her left knee up onto the booth seat so she's turned at the hips and makes a ta-da gesture. "See? No problem."

This way she can see him and reach the table, so it works perfectly well.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe I should have brought the arnica," he observes. Bucky shifts in his own seat until he's facing her a little more directly.

"There should be a live band later - a few musicians, anyway. Until then there's a jukebox, basically. In case you were wondering."

[from_the_outside]

"I have a confession to make," she tells him, her mouth twitching.

"I ended up trying the arnica. And it helped."

[nerves_of_ice]

There's no missing it: first he looks utterly startled, then smug.

"Glad to hear it. On both counts."

[from_the_outside]

That twitch of her lips is threatening to become a full-blown grin.

"Not much good for broken bones, though," she points out.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Never had a broken bone without at least some bruising," he counters. "Anyway, I'm just glad you're feeling better."

[from_the_outside]

"Me, too," she says. "Remind me not to get shot next time; it sucks."

[nerves_of_ice]

He narrows his eyes at her. "Yes. It does."

A beat.

"Don't get shot. Please."

[from_the_outside]

"I will try my very best," she promises blithely, as the waiter brings over the first of their appetizers: an enormous soft pretzel with several mustards for dipping and what look like miniature pirogies, or something similar. "Something to drink?" he asks. "Sparkling water, for now," she requests, and he nods and returns to the bar.

Sharon tears off a piece of pretzel and dips it into some grainy mustard, then pops it into her mouth with a contented sigh.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Thank you." He leans against the back of his seat, watching her, the faintest of thoughtful smiles curving the corners of his mouth.

"And thank you for being here tonight."

[from_the_outside]

She chews and swallows, the pretzel a lump in her throat, and is unable to fully parse that tiny smile of his.

"Thank you for reaching out," she returns. "It was a relief. And... thanks for putting together a nice evening out. I haven't had one of these in a while."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I hadn't thought that you wouldn't really have a way to get in touch." He looks thoughtful.

"I still have that phone, but I've only turned it on once a week or so. I can change that, if you want."

[from_the_outside]

"Do you?" She's genuinely surprised, and absently thanks the waiter as he brings two glasses of sparkling water and retreats again.

"I would have thought you'd gotten rid of it right after Thessaloniki."

He had, after all, been working solo before running into her, and she'd had no idea if she'd ever even see him again. "So I didn't bother trying."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I should have, but..."

He shrugs and reaches for one of the water glasses.

[from_the_outside]

It's her turn to look startled and then a little smug, as she tears off another piece of pretzel.

"Uh-huh," she says, arch, and looks amused.

[nerves_of_ice]

Well, he'd known it would reveal his interest, but since he's already done that himself a lot more directly, it probably doesn't matter.

"Anyway. If you want," he says, and takes one of the dumplings. "I can figure something out."

[from_the_outside]

"That would be great," she says, pert, a smile playing around her mouth.

"I mean, we can stay all cloak-and-dagger if you prefer, but texting is faster."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll have to swap it out every so often," he warns her. "And I can't keep it on all the time. But every day at least."

Maybe he can figure something more secure out, but this'll be safest for her in the meantime.

[from_the_outside]

"I'll need a burner of my own," she muses. "Can't go around with incriminating texts on my personal phone."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm." A shadow passes through his glance. It'd be safer for her if she changed her mind, he knows. But like he told her before... he's selfish. At least about this.

"We're both experts," he says, dryly. "We'll figure it out."

[from_the_outside]

"That I have no doubt."

They made a great team before. Why would setting this up be any different? If nothing else, they'll find a secure way to communicate. Just thinking it makes her relax a little.

She selects one of the dumplings and pops it in her mouth, making a surprised, pleased face as she chews. "Okay, that's super yummy."

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes a mental note of that, even as he asks, "Do you have a favorite food?"

[from_the_outside]

"Cheeseburgers," she says, instantly. She doesn't even need to think about it, even as the waiter brings a plate of cheese and fruit and honey and bread over and leaves again.

"Hands down." She reaches for her glass of water and looks at him. "You?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He has to think about it, carefully, stretching the boundaries of the programming. Progress has been slow over the last couple of years, but steady as well.

"Fresh fruit," he says, finally.

[from_the_outside]

She smiles, bright, and turns the newest plate so the sliced apple and small pile of grapes is closer to him.

"Solid choice," she says. "Much healthier than mine."