[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

[nerves_of_ice]

"Pretty as a picture, isn't she?" Dugan observes. Gabe lets out an admiring sigh and gets to his feet to go cut in on Jim. "She sure is."

Steve leans over to Bucky. "Do you think the guys are going to be able to keep their heads on the mission with her around?" He keeps it a bare whisper, but the flicker of concern is real.

"Don't worry," Bucky murmurs, just as quietly. "They're just having fun. It'll be different in the field, Cap."

[from_the_outside]

Before she knows it, the first song is ending and Jim is handing her off to Gabe, who spins her back into the next dance with a flashing grin. At some point, a few other couples come onto the dance floor, but she doesn't really pay any attention to them, too busy trying to keep up with the steps and the lively music.

After Gabe, Dugan squires her around, massive and cheerful, telling her stories about his time in the circus until her sides hurt from laughing.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Ah, jolie," Dernier says, and beats Falsworth to the floor next. Dugan swings by the bar on his way back to the table and brings another round of drinks, which he raises to Dernier to signal him he should bring Sharon back, too.

[from_the_outside]

Dernier spins her through the next dance, then slips her hand into the crook of his arm and leads her back over to the table once it's done. Her cheeks are pink and she's a little breathless, but she shucks the uniform jacket and takes the seat he pulls back out for her once more.

"Thanks," she teases Dugan. "I needed to catch my breath."

[nerves_of_ice]

Solicitously, Bucky sets her drink in front of her as she settles into her seat. "When you're ready," he smiles, "I'll take you back out there."

[from_the_outside]

She lifts her beer and takes a sip, then gives him an arch glance. "One or two songs should do the trick, Sergeant," she tells him.

"And I'll be ready to go again."

[nerves_of_ice]

He raises his own glass to her as Falsworth says, with a charming smile, "If you're up for it, Agent Carter, we'll dance the whole night away, never doubt it."

Steve chuckles. "Don't worry, I'll hold down the table for you light-footed types."

[from_the_outside]

"If my shoes are up for it, Private, so am I," she tells him, amused, and sips at her beer.

Two more songs, however, apparently finishes up the disc, and Brad is setting up a new one as she sets her drink down and lifts her eyebrows at Bucky. "Well, Sergeant?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Your wish is my command," he teases, standing, and offers her his arm. There are a few more dancers milling around the edge of the floor waiting for Brad to get the music going again - and when he does, Bucky has to swallow a delighted laugh as the first few notes of "Moonlight Becomes You" float into the air.

He can't hide the sparkle in his eyes as he offers his hands to her, though, and he doesn't even try.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, thinking of a dance drenched in moonlight, and gives him her hand, then steps in to set her other hand lightly on his shoulder in the same position they'd been in just the night before.

"Did you do this, somehow?" she asks, her voice low enough only he might be able to hear her. "Or just happy coincidence?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not this time," he murmurs, as he steps into the slow swirl of the dance with her. "But I think I owe Brad a drink or five for this anyway."

He turns with her, then chuckles as he catches a glimpse of the others out of the corner of his eye. Over at the table, Jim Morita has his face buried in his hands, with Dugan patting him gently on his shoulder.

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe he didn't do it on purpose."

She follows his glance and her mouth quirks before she looks back up at him. "This is easier with music."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It is," he murmurs. "But not any less enjoyable." Bucky turns with her and smiles into her eyes, warm and fond.

"Not in the least."

[from_the_outside]

"Not at all," she agrees.

There's absolutely nothing improper in the way he's holding her or how they're dancing, but she can feel the warmth of his hand against her back as she breathes and as he guides her slowly around the floor, and all she can think of is the way he'd whispered her name in the starlight with his expression blown wide open.

[nerves_of_ice]

He can almost see the moonlight on her hair, inspired not only by the lyrics but by the memory of what she'd looked like the other night, and he draws her the tiniest bit closer - although careful to stay well within the bounds of propriety.

"I know I've said it before," Bucky tells her, "but you really do dance like a dream, angel."

[from_the_outside]

"So do you."

She can feel his warmth as he pulls her just slightly closer, her eyes on his. "Fast or slow."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm glad you think so." He twirls her out and then back to his arms, shifting to pass behind her on the crossover.

"We worked out the R&R schedule, by the way."

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, yeah?"

She keeps her eyes on him as much as she can as he crosses behind her, then turns her head to meet his gaze again. "Do you have a day off coming up?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"A couple days from now," he murmurs. Mischief flickers in his glance. "Think you'll be able to make some time for me then?"

[from_the_outside]

"I think we might be able to arrange that," she tells him.

Her tone is arch but she can't help the way her eyes sparkle at the thought. "I hope the theater is playing something good."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky's smile is quick and bright. "I do, too. Can't have you getting a bad impression."

[from_the_outside]

She smiles back up at him, warm.

"You know, I don't think that'll be a problem."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her hands gently and turns her into another long, slow twirl as the song winds toward its end.

"Glad to hear it," he murmurs.

[from_the_outside]

A small shock of warmth goes through her as he squeezes her hands and turns her. "I'll look forward to it," she tells him, as the song slows and so do they.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Believe me, so will I," he promises her, as he guides her to the edge of the floor. Bucky gives her hands one last quick, light squeeze, then lets go and steps back as Falsworth comes to whirl Sharon back out onto the dance floor.

He makes his way back to the table with a cheerful smile, and sits back down by Steve. "Can't blame this one on me, boys," he points out. "Luck of the draw."