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

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m a quick learner.” He runs his hands up over her thighs, over the curve of her hips, then the swell of her rear, cupping her there and supporting her as he places a first kiss at her center, then licks into her.

[from_the_outside]

"Ah –" she groans, her head pushing back into her pillow, her fingers tightening in his hair. "Bucky – "

She scuffs her feet against the bed and pushes her knees apart, opening to him, her hips rocking helplessly against his hands and into his mouth as pleasure rockets through her, setting every nerve alight.

[nerves_of_ice]

He hums against her, confirming he’s heard her, and loses himself in exploring the pressures and touches that drive her wild. He’s attuned to every cry and shift, every little catch in her breath, and he responds to each with more of what she likes.

[from_the_outside]

"Bucky," she begs, writhing restlessly beneath him as he continues his sweet assault. "Baby, baby – "

Shivers chase each other across her skin, through every muscle, as each nerve bursts into life in succession, a warm pressure beginning to build low in her belly. "Don't push me over too soon," she gasps, laughing, even as her fingers grip lightly into his hair.

[nerves_of_ice]

He raises his head and looks up along her body to meet her eyes, his own dark and intent and searching.

“Only the first,” he swears. “Not the last tonight. As long as you’ll allow.”

[from_the_outside]

There's not a chance in hell she deserves him and his single-minded attention, or his sweet promises that hit like boiling water splashing her skin, or, Christ, anything he's done for her tonight.

She strokes her fingers through his hair, gentle and fond, her heart aching with everything she wants, everything he deserves, everything that's still so far out of reach for both of them.

But not tonight. Tonight he's here with her, his weight warm between her legs, his breath against the skin of her thigh making her tremble. "Okay," she murmurs, caught in his dark glance, the sheer want she sees in it and which is mirrored in her. "Okay. We've got all night."

[nerves_of_ice]

He kisses her low on her belly again, like a promise, then lowers himself to her once more with all his attention, fluttering his tongue against her and drawing with gentle suction on the sensitive bud at her core.

As he does, he shifts his right hand to trace over her hip and along her warmth with his fingers, teasing at her opening.

[from_the_outside]

Her breath hitches and then speeds again as her eyes fall closed, the better to focus on the sweet, perfect sensation he's sending through her with his warm, clever tongue and lips. "Yes," she breathes, as she feels his fingers teasing her, and pushes her legs further, wild with sensation.

"Bucky, please."

[nerves_of_ice]

He presses one finger into her as she pleads, then a second, sliding deep and shallow as he continues to taste her, then crooking them into her and looking for the hidden spot inside, trying to wring every possible bit of pleasure from her.

[from_the_outside]

She groans at the first brush of his fingers, then cries out, over and over, as he caresses her inside and out. "Bucky," she gasps, almost sobs. "Bucky – "

It's all too much; he drives her inexorably to the edge as the climax builds and builds and builds inside her until she can't take anymore, until it releases in a sweet explosion of pleasure that suffuses her whole body, tightens the muscles of her core and has her crying out, wordless, in the dark.

[nerves_of_ice]

He holds her through it, pressing against her as the shocks of aftermath ripple through her, before he kisses her thigh, her hip, and back up along her body.

Once he's stretched out beside her, he takes her in his arms, holding her tight.

[from_the_outside]

She curls into his arms and puts hers around him in return, nudging her forehead against his, her eyes lazy and half-lidded, every muscle warm and loose. "Just give me a minute," she murmurs, winding a leg around his, tangling them together.

"To catch my breath."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Take all the time you want," he murmurs, shifting onto his back and coaxing her to rest against him. "It's nice to hold you like this."

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft sound and settles onto him, settling her head into the curve of his shoulder. "It's nice to be held," she says, her voice quiet.

Sharon traces lazy shapes on his chest just to feel his warm skin beneath her fingers, her breath beginning to steady. "You're being so good to me."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm being good to us both," he counters. "Believe it."

[from_the_outside]

"I'll take your word for it."

She doesn't want him to have to wait, wants to make sure he can feel as good as she does right now, but even though she can tell how affected he is, he doesn't sound and isn't acting impatient in any way. "You're like a dream come true," she murmurs. "Honestly."

[nerves_of_ice]

"No, that's you." He combs his fingers gently through her hair, drawing it along her back in wavy locks, enjoying the way it feels.

"Like I said before... I couldn't stay away."

[from_the_outside]

"I'm so glad you didn't."

She doesn't know how she could be such a draw to anyone, let alone him, but she's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Sharon cuddles up to his side, letting her hand drift down along his side, to his stomach. "That feels nice," she murmurs. "You playing with my hair."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It shines like gold in the sunlight," he tells her, coiling a lock around his fingers before he lets go and pulls his fingers through again.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft, pleased sound and presses a kiss to his throat.

"I'm glad you like it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Very much," he admits, shivering slightly at the feel of her lips on his skin.

[from_the_outside]

She smiles and kisses him again, her lips gentle over his pulse point, then lifts her hand to run her fingers through his hair.

"I like yours, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Really?" His eyebrows wing upward. "Why?"

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and grips her fingers into a light fist. "Because it's soft," she says, and kisses his throat. "– And silky – "

Another kiss, this one beneath the angle of his jaw as she pushes herself carefully up. "And I like putting my fingers in it – "

She pushes herself up further, then leans down to kiss his mouth.

[nerves_of_ice]

He moans, feeling his blood heat as she kisses beneath his jaw and grips his hair, and returns her kiss avidly, his arm tightening around her.