[WWII AU] a brand new day

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky wakes in the predawn darkness, long before reveille would normally be called. He spends a few minutes reviewing the mission in his head before he rolls from his cot; there's no room to think about anything else. He meets Steve and the rest of the Howling Commandos at five-fifteen. As planned, they're on the move before the hour has passed.

It's a long day, a hard day, but in the end a successful day, for the most part. The hidden facility carved into the hillside is no more when they leave, HYDRA's agents defeated, their stockpiles destroyed. But there's still no sign of Schmidt, nor of Zola, and that remains incredibly frustrating.

Still, there's reason to celebrate today's win, and the squad's more or less exuberant on their return, some fourteen or so hours later. Steve disappears into the command tent to debrief with Colonel Phillips; Bucky'll catch up with him afterward, as usual. He spends a few minutes trading quips with the others before disappearing to weapons storage to see to his own rifle - also as usual. Something about taking care of it helps him feel like he's cleaning the blood off his own hands.

After that, he finds he's too restless to settle yet, and figures it's not the best idea for him to be around others until he sorts himself out. Bucky wanders along the edge of camp in the dark, then veers from the path and off into the field where he'd spent some time watching the stars only a couple of days ago.

It should be peaceful there, more or less.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

She wants him so badly it hurts, like she's a teenager again, and her breath shakes as he runs his fingers through her hair. "Probably," she agrees, and takes a deep breath of the night air, trying to cool her thoughts and slow her racing heart.

"It's getting late."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm." He should move, he knows he should, but he doesn't want to pull away from her.

He argues with himself for a second or two, then compromises by lifting his hand from her shoulder and running it lightly down her arm. Bucky laces his fingers with hers and smiles at her.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon shivers as he runs his fingers down her arm, then curls her fingers in his. "Look at you," she murmurs. "Holding my hand again."

At least this time they're fully dressed. Not that a large part of her finds that an improvement. She lifts her hand from his shoulder and carefully smooths back a lock of hair that's fallen over his forehead. "Is this more like what you were picturing?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"A little more like it," he agrees, as his memory promptly and unhelpfully presents him with the sensation of the warmth of her bare back against his.

He tips his head slightly into her touch as his smile softens and warms.

[from_the_outside]

"Good." His smile is so sweet. Her glance drops to his mouth, and back up again as she gently tucks the lock of hair back into place.

Her own smile is more than a little teasing. "Aren't you going to walk me back, Sergeant?"

[nerves_of_ice]

His gaze darkens, becoming more intent as she looks at his mouth, but he answers her teasing question with a prompt "Yes, ma'am."

Bucky squeezes her hand, runs his thumb lightly over her palm, then lets go and offers her his arm again.

[from_the_outside]

She huffs a laugh and slips her hand into his the crook of his elbow, which leaves her snug against his side.

"What a gentleman."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I do my best," he tells her, and starts to lead her slowly back toward the forest edge, angling toward the route that'll bring them back down toward camp on the other side of the hill.

"Thank you for the dance."

[from_the_outside]

"Thank you."

She looks over and up at him as she keeps pace slowly at his side. "I'm only sorry it was over so soon."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Oh?" he murmurs, glancing back over at her. "Maybe I should have pushed my luck, asked you for another."

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe," she says, arch.

"I guess we'll never know."

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes an amused, noncommittal sound at that and smiles at her.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon smiles back, warm and sweet, and wishes for some of the leniency of the future.

"Do you have a favorite dance?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mostly I just like to dance," Bucky says, "although the lindy's always fun."

His quick smile is filled with mischief. "I've recently developed a fondness for the rumba, though. And the foxtrot."

[from_the_outside]

She has to laugh at his teasing. "Have you?"

Tipping her chin up, she smiles back at him. "How coincidentally fortunate for me."

[nerves_of_ice]

"For me too," Bucky tells her. "You dance like a dream, angel."

[from_the_outside]

"It's easy with a good leader."

Angel. The more he says it, the less ridiculous it sounds. She feels a pleasant warmth blossom in her stomach. "Even easier with music, though."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Music helps," he agrees. "But I wouldn't trade that dance just now for anything."

[from_the_outside]

She looks up at him at that, and smiles. "Me neither," she murmurs.

[nerves_of_ice]

He puts his hand over hers on his arm and draws her a little closer as they step into the trees.

"You're a pretty amazing lady, Agent Carter."

[from_the_outside]

She lifts her free hand and sets it over his, warm and light, just like she'd done before.

"You're pretty incredible yourself, Sergeant Barnes."

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles down at her at that, enjoying the feel of her hand on his and the way she's tucked securely by his side.

[from_the_outside]

Maybe she's stupid to fall for his charm and flirtation, but none of this seems like what he'd pull with a dozen other women. She thinks about the way he looked as he lifted her up and spun her beneath the trees, and can't help smiling.

"And sweet," she adds, smiling. "Very sweet."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sweet?" he asks, a little surprised. "How so?"

[from_the_outside]

Her smile quirks. "Just generally."

It's not a quality most of the men she knows in her own time have.