[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]

Sharon lifts a hand in a well, there you go gesture. "Makes sense in her position," she tells him. "Strike out with one guy, why not move on the next, even if they're buddies?"

Well, it makes sense if Lorraine wants to leave this war engaged or married, and if her goal is to link herself to the highest-ranking man around. That's not Sharon's preference, but she can see how it might be a reasonable course of action for Private Sellers. "If you want my advice, tell her straight out you're not interested. I hear direct communication works wonders."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's not just that we're friends," Bucky points out. "I mean, it is, we are, that's part of it, but - it's more than that. Because of how it was before. Anyway--"

He shakes his head. "I'll figure something out."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon pauses as she chews, and gives him a curious glance. "How it was before?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Well, it's like we were saying the other night," Bucky tells her. "He's the same guy as he was before the serum. But he looks a little different now."

He shrugs. "And it used to be that girls would just look right past him to me. Sometimes they'd try to get close to him to get closer to me. I shut that down fast whenever it happened, but it didn't make him feel too great, you know?"

[from_the_outside]

Her mouth presses, wry, and she nods. "Yeah, I know."

And she can see all too easily how girls might look past scrawny, serious, shy Steve Rogers to his handsome and charming best friend. "So anyone who moves on him or who he's interested in is off-limits, huh?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky shrugs again. "It's not that complicated. I just don't want to do anything that'll hurt him."

A second later, realizing, he adds, "Not that I think he's actually interested in Private Sellers or anything like that, but."

[from_the_outside]

"But if he's not interested, why would it hurt him?"

She's not even sure Steve would find it all that suspicious. He seems pretty oblivious to how women work.

[nerves_of_ice]

This time his shrug is a little awkward. He knows the reason, but he doesn't know how to explain it without making Lorraine sound ... well, predatory.

"It probably wouldn't. But I don't want him to - to feel like he's... easily replaceable, either. He deserves to be appreciated for who he really is. So when she finds whoever it is that she's going to have fun with, it's not going to be me."

[from_the_outside]

Her smile flickers, warm. "You're a good friend, Bucky Barnes," she tells him, scooping up a last bite of her meal.

"Her loss."

[nerves_of_ice]

His answering smile flashes bright at her second observation.

"You think so?" he teases.

[from_the_outside]

She gives him an arch glance and re-sets the cover on top of her emptied plate. "Kind of thought I made it obvious what I think."

[nerves_of_ice]

Amusement flickers in his eyes. "Well, I didn't want to assume," he points out. "You could have changed your mind."

[from_the_outside]

She huffs a laugh and sets the tray aside.

"Are women usually that fickle in the here and now, or have you just had bad luck?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's not being fickle," he protests, then realizes maybe this is something he should explain. She should know. Especially if she's going to be around longer than a few days.

"It's the usual thing for a woman to date around. Go on dates with different guys, I mean."

[from_the_outside]

She makes a thoughtful sound and considers him. "That sounds like a lot of work."

It's not that she can't see the appeal, especially in wartime when everyone is just trying to grab what moments of happiness they can, but she hasn't dated around since college. And, honestly, even then it never really had her full attention. "But even if that's the case, my opinion stands."

[nerves_of_ice]

His smile warms. "I hope I get a R&R day soon," Bucky murmurs. "I'd really like to take you out on the town."

He gets to his feet, and offers her a hand up. "Let's go find Steve and head over to command."

[from_the_outside]

"I hope so, too."

She lets him help her up, then brushes herself down. "Lead the way, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

She looks amazing in those slacks, but she looks good in a uniform too, Bucky thinks. He walks beside her to Steve's area - then holds the tent flap for her as usual before going inside and formally reporting to Steve just like before.

"Sir, Sergeant Barnes reporting," he says, laughter in his eyes. "With Agent Carter."

[from_the_outside]

Steve sighs and gives Bucky a fondly exasperated look as he stands and comes around to them. "Agent Carter," he says, shaking her hand before grinning at his best friend.

"Buck. How's the day been?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"The lab session went a lot better the second time around," Bucky tells him, with a quick answering grin. "So that's pretty good."

He glances at Sharon. "What do you think, Agent Carter?"

[from_the_outside]

"Fine so far," Sharon reports.

"I'm curious as to why you're including me in today's planning session, Captain."

[nerves_of_ice]

Steve blinks at her. "I understand from Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter that you want to take a more active role in things," he says, with a fleeting glance in Bucky's direction.

"Was I wrong?"

[from_the_outside]

"Not at all," she assures him.

"But still. Curious." She studies him for a moment. "I assume this means you've found a way to use me?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Steve frowns at her wording, and knowing his best friend Bucky knows exactly why even before Steve says, "I've found a way you might be able to help. With the team."

[from_the_outside]

"Right."

Isn't that what she said? "Then I'm all ears, Cap."