[Virginia AU] as sunshine flows into trees

[nerves_of_ice]

In the wake of his success creating the block, Pepper manages to coax Tony into coming back down to the city for what Tony says'll be 'a few days, maybe a week.' Bucky wonders how successful she'll be at keeping him there, given that part of the reason he'd moved fully into the compound to begin with was evidently the strain between them, but decides it's not really his business.

In Tony's absence, Steve doesn't think it's a good idea for him to be too far out of reach, just in case something comes up that needs the Avengers. Bucky finds this out when he broaches the idea of going back to Virginia for a day or two, if they can figure out a plausible excuse. He encourages Bucky to go with Sharon anyway, though, and to have fun.

Bucky's not sure if they can get away with it, but there's no question that it'll be easier without Pepper and Tony around to ask awkward questions. Still, he tries not to get his hopes up too high when he comes to find Sharon in the office after Steve heads down for a training session with the team.

He raps on the door with his right hand, and waits for her to answer.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles back, clearly amused. "Who's winning?"

[from_the_outside]

"Them," she replies, promptly. "It's not even a competition. I am punching way above my weight class."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles, just a little. "You all seem fond of each other, though." He hesitates for a second, then adds, "I like your parents."

[from_the_outside]

"They liked you, too," she promises him. She squeezes his fingers once more, then lets go. "My mom keeps asking about you when she texts me."

[nerves_of_ice]

"She does?" He gives her a startled, slightly wary look. "What does she want to know?"

[from_the_outside]

"Are we going out, is it serious, am I going to bring you back around for them to see you again," she relays, and shakes her head.

"Mom stuff."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Uh-huh." He doesn't ask what she replies.

"She's definitely good at asking questions," he says, instead.

[from_the_outside]

"I didn't get all my charm and interrogative skill from Aunt Peggy," she says, amused.

[nerves_of_ice]

"No, you've got a style all your own," he teases back, with a flicker of real laughter in his eyes for a moment.

"Pretty effective, too."

[from_the_outside]

"What can I say?" she teases, mischief in her eyes. "You've got to go with your strengths."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Uh-huh." Bucky leans back in his seat and slants a skeptical look at her.

[from_the_outside]

She gives him an innocent look back, then turns her attention back to the Quinjet's instruments.

"I can give you a tour of the house, too," she tells him. "I think there are whole sections you haven't seen, unless you've gone prowling around."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I haven't. Not beyond exploring exits on the ground level and in the room upstairs," he amends. "I didn't - there was no need to invade your privacy."

[from_the_outside]

"Then it's past time to see the rest," she tells him, and smiles over at him, warm and sweet.

"But mostly I just want to spend time with you. I don't care what we do."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I hadn't gotten that far in thinking about it," he admits. "Not beyond 'go to Virginia', I mean."

Carefully, he adds, "It's been - I mean, I know you're still working. There, too. I won't interfere."

[from_the_outside]

"I need to be available, in case Ross calls," she tells him, "but I don't need to be working all day. Don't worry about that, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I wasn't."

Things are getting better, he reminds himself. They'll continue to. Especially now with the block in place, it'll be safer for him to explore some options for how to do something meaningful again without running the risk of destroying anyone or anything he cares about. It'll be safe to care, more now than before, even though they still have to be careful not to compromise her.

It just takes time. That's all.

[from_the_outside]

"Okay," she says, peaceably. "And don't worry about interfering, either."

It'd be nice to have a few days where she doesn't worry about what Ross will do, now that the block is in place. With any luck, he won't want to shake things up too much.

She's not sure they'll be that lucky.

[nerves_of_ice]

He starts to say something, shakes his head, and stops. "Okay," he says instead.

If she can use his help, she'll tell him. He can't push his way in. It might screw up anything she's working in an official capacity; he knows that.

[from_the_outside]

She frowns at him, inquisitive.

"What?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Nothing," he tells her, and smiles, a little. "I won't worry."

[from_the_outside]

"You looked like you were going to say something," she coaxes. "Something on your mind?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky shakes his head. "Nothing important."

Hoping to forestall further questions, he looks out at the landscape again. "Not too much further, right? It's a pretty short flight."

[from_the_outside]

As segues go, it's about as subtle as a derailing train, but if he doesn't want to tell her what's on his mind, she'll just have to wait until he's come around on it.

... Or until she loses patience and pries it out of him. "Not much further," she agrees, and nods to the view around them. "You'll be able to see the Shenandoah pretty soon."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm." A faint frown creases his forehead. "There's some kind of old song about it, isn't there?"