[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 chuckles and keeps going. It doesn't take long to set her bags on the desk in her room, or to lean his backpack against the wall. He considers unpacking a few things and decides against it for now. Besides, he's not sure where she'd prefer to put them.

Bucky considers for a moment, then goes down the hall to the guest room he'd used the first time and retrieves the quilt from the bed. He brings it back and folds it over the end of Sharon's bed, then goes back downstairs.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon's peering into the fridge as he comes into the kitchen, checking the expiration date on a carton of eggs sitting on one of the shelves. "Well, we're set for condiments and anything canned or frozen, pretty much," she tells him, shutting the fridge door and making a note on her list.

"But we need some fresh food."

[nerves_of_ice]

He blinks at her. "Did you expect otherwise?"

[from_the_outside]

"Sometimes my parents have someone from the store come and stock the place up if they're planning on coming down," she points out, pocketing the list. "And it's getting toward the time of year when they might be here a little more often. So it's worth it to check."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Speaking of that,” he says, “should you let them know we’re here?”

[from_the_outside]

"Definitely," she agrees. "If only to make sure they won't show up this time."

She comes towards him and takes his hand, then tugs him down the hall with her toward the door. "Come on, let's go into town."

[nerves_of_ice]

He follows after her willingly. “If they wanted to come down for an afternoon or something…”

[from_the_outside]

"If they do, you're on your own," she warns him. "I'm climbing through a window. You can give my mom all the details."

[nerves_of_ice]

He laughs, soft and low. “It’s just I know you don’t get to see them very often.”

[from_the_outside]

She lifts their linked hands to press a kiss to his knuckles as they near the garage, then hits the door opener with her free hand. "They'd love to see you," she teases. "They're so excited I have a boyfriend that they don't even care that you're not a lawyer. Now that's enthusiasm."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Or a doctor,” he remembers. “Your mom says she’s not picky.”

[from_the_outside]

"So she keeps telling me," Sharon says, deeply amused, and tugs out a pair of keys from her pocket to unlock the glossy silver sedan that's waiting in the cool garage. "Feel like driving?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Not unless you don’t want to,” he says, immediately. “I’m fine riding along.”

[from_the_outside]

She grins at him and lets go of his hand to head to the driver's side door. "Then grab shotgun, baby," she tells him and settles herself behind the wheel. The car smells clean, like quality leather, which is what the seats are upholstered in. She waits for him to get in, then backs slowly out of the garage, the gravel of the driveway crunching beneath the tires.

[nerves_of_ice]

It’s the small details that speak of casual wealth, he thinks, amused.

“Nice car.”

[from_the_outside]

"Not as fun as the sports cars the Avengers have," she says, amused, "but comfortable."

She turns out of the driveway and onto the road that winds down through the trees, dappled light sliding over the car as it purrs along the mountain road.

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's different." He watches the area around them with interest, having not come this way before. His and Steve's runs had been up the mountain, not down toward town.

[from_the_outside]

She rolls the windows down to let the fresh air roll in as they follow the curving road down along the mountain slope, through trees which finally begin to thin. The little town is nestled at the base of the slope, along a flat valley floor. A small town center gives way to houses and apartments, and an orchard climbs the gentle slope.

"There are a few small farms," Sharon tells him, driving into the town center, where small shops line the street. "And a whole lot of artisans: pottery and candles and textiles, that kind of thing."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's nice," he says, looking around them. "It looks nice, anyway. Lots of tourists, or pretty local?"

[from_the_outside]

"Local, mostly. But there's a craft fair in the fall, and a bunch of tourists come then, for that and for the leaves."

She drives carefully along the main street, then pulls into a spot in front of a small market store. "There are bigger grocery stores a little further away, but this one usually has everything we need."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky gives her a quick grin, then ducks out of the car and comes around to open the door for her.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and waits patiently, then gets out when he opens the door, sliding the car keys back into the pocket of her jeans.

"Come on," she says, and holds out her hand to him with a smile. "Let's see what they've got."

[nerves_of_ice]

He takes her hand, twining his fingers with hers, and smiles down at her as they start toward the market.

"You know your mom's going to get calls from anyone who knows you that's gossipy, right?"

[from_the_outside]

"She'll love it," Sharon teases. "It'll give her something to do with her day."

She doesn't care who sees them here. No one in this town has any idea what she does, or who he is; none of them are going to go tattling to Ross about her lack of professionalism.

The little market is cool on the inside. At this time of the day, there aren't many other shoppers. Sharon picks up a basket and offers it to Bucky to hold. "Fresh produce and the refrigerated section is this way."

[nerves_of_ice]

He loops the handles over his left arm and keeps it close to his side, automatically checking to make sure there’s no sign of metal visible between his shirt sleeve and his black leather glove.

“I’m probably not anywhere near as skilled as your dad but I can manage a few things on the grill or in a pan. Don’t expect anything fancy, though.”