[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 slants a teasing half-smile at him, then focuses back on the carbine.

"So you taught boxing? Did you like that?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles. "Sure. It's a lot of fun. I do okay at it," he tells her.

"Mostly I taught the lower weight groups, and a couple of special kids' classes."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon glances over at him, her eyes flickering down over his shoulders, the way he holds himself with easy grace. "I bet you do better than okay."

He holds himself like someone who's ready at a second's notice to throw down, and he's light on his feet; good for footwork. "Sounds fun. Though it looks like your old student Steve has moved up a few weight classes."

[nerves_of_ice]

"He sure has," Bucky laughs, but his eyes have darkened slightly at the appreciation in her glance. "Figure he'd take the title off me pretty fast now if he wanted, but that's okay. More than okay."

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, a title, huh?" she teases.

"Sounds like you're pretty good, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

He shrugs, and finishes reassembling the Browning as he says, "Three-time YMCA welterweight champion. Like I said, I do okay."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon whistles and finishes cleaning the M1, then clips the bottom of the stock back on.

"Like I said," she tells him, her lips quirking, "better than okay."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins at her, then leans over to examine the carbine. "Looking good."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon leans slightly to show him the carbine, turning it in her hands before she looks over at him. "Do you want to finish it up?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sure," he says, and cups his hands gently under hers to take it from her. "Not fair to make you do all my work, right?"

[from_the_outside]

She shivers a little as his fingers curve under hers, warm and gentle. "I don't mind," she protests, but lets him take the carbine from her, anyway. "It saves you a little time."

[nerves_of_ice]

He looks up at her at that small shiver - then past her, toward the front of the armory, checking to make sure they're still alone in this section. When he looks back at her, his glance lingers on her mouth for a moment.

"Still," he murmurs. "I can't take advantage of you that way."

[from_the_outside]

Her heart skips a beat and her eyes darken at the way he watches her before his eyes lift.

"You're not," she murmurs. "I'm offering."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her hands gently and slips the gun from her grasp.

"Better not," he murmurs, and glances past her at the front of the armory again, just for a moment.

[from_the_outside]

She follows his glance and breathes out, a little unsteadily, then leans back as he takes the gun. "Fair enough."

Sharon starts cleaning up the used patches, watching as he handles the gun with easy familiarity.

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes himself focus on the carbine, putting all his attention on it as he takes care of the last few tasks.

It's only a few minutes later when he smiles up at her. "There we go. I'll show you where to get rid of that," he adds, noticing the debris she's collected. "It's on the way out."

[from_the_outside]

"Okay."

She pushes off her seat and stands, collecting the Colt and cleaning kit once more. "Lead the way, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

He carries the other two weapons back to storage, holds the wire for her while she puts her share back in place, then closes it up and retraces their back to the front of the armory.

Bucky tosses a quick farewell to the soldier on guard and holds the door flap for Sharon to pass through. He steps out after her and glances at the sky.

"It's probably getting on near time for lunch. You hungry?"

[from_the_outside]

"Getting there," she admits.

"Want to head back over to the mess tent?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sure," he agrees, easily. "Think you can get us there, or do you want me to point the way?"

[from_the_outside]

She huffs a laugh and glances around, then takes off confidently in the direction of the mess. "Come on, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yes, ma'am," he replies, laughter barely suppressed, and keeps pace at her side.

They're not the only ones headed that way. Bucky doesn't see Steve anywhere in the small crowd coming from officers' country, and makes a mental note to make sure his best friend eats something at dinner if not before.

[from_the_outside]

She flashes a triumphant smile at him when it's clear she'd remembered it right, and heads towards the entrance to the tent.

"Look," she tells Bucky. "Dugan and Falsworth are in line already."

[nerves_of_ice]

"So they are," he agrees. "We should--"

"Agent Carter! Sergeant Barnes," Lorraine coos, stepping up right between them and giving a bright smile to Sharon as she does. "How are you settling in?"

[from_the_outside]

"Private Sellers."

She shifts aside to make a little more room, inwardly amused at the satisfaction on the other woman's face. "I am, thanks."

"That's wonderful," the Private says. "And don't you look lovely and civilian today. Those slacks! Colonel Phillips would have my head if I walked around out of uniform."