[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.

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[nerves_of_ice]

He holds out the basket to take her burden from her as he nods. “I agree. With both.”

After a considered pause for him to make sure the words won’t stick in his throat, he adds, “I liked Europe.”

[from_the_outside]

Real happiness and warm pride sparks in her eyes as he says those words, knowing how hard he's worked to be able to even have that sentiment, let alone verbalize it. "Where you were sounded kind of nice," she agrees.

"I wish we could have spent a little time together in Berlin."

[nerves_of_ice]

She doesn’t mean his apartment, he knows; she’d seen it, and he’d seen her face as she looked around. But the city itself, some of the other areas - Bucky nods.

“Maybe we still can. Eventually.”

[from_the_outside]

"I'd like that a lot."

He almost never talks about what might be; he's shunted aside some of her own thoughts about it with a noncommittal noise or a 'maybe.' The block has changed everything, she thinks. He's starting to think about the future, when he never allowed himself to wonder about it before. "Besides," she adds, coming back to his side and taking his hand once more as she looks up at him. "You owe me a date."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her fingers and smiles down at her. “So I do,” he murmurs. “And a dance or two.”

[from_the_outside]

"That, I think, we can manage on our own," she tells him, smiling back before leading him over towards the check out lanes.

"Did we forget anything?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“You’re asking me?” he counters, dryly. Bucky looks down at the basket.

“I don’t think so,” he decides. “Unless we want more eggs than this.”

[from_the_outside]

"Yep," she tells him. "I'm asking you. Consider it practice."

She glances at the eggs, then shakes her head. "The carton in the fridge is still okay," she tells him. "I think we'll have plenty. And we can always come back for more."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Okay.” The single word still conveys that he’s amenable - to both things, being asked and the current state of supply. “Then I guess we’re ready.”

[from_the_outside]

"Okay," she agrees, smiling, and leads him into one of the checkout lanes, where an older woman begins swiping the items as Sharon loads them onto the belt.

"Sharon Carter!" she says, delighted, casting a warm smile on Sharon and a similarly warm, if more curious one on Bucky. "It's been a while since you've been down here, hasn't it?"

"Hi, Gladys," Sharon says, taking out her wallet. "Not that long, but I must have missed you the last time. How's everything?"

"Oh, same as always, dear." The woman sets the bag of lettuce on the scale and types in a code. "Are your parents going to come down this summer?"

Sharon shakes her head. "You'd have to ask them," she says. "I have no idea."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives Gladys a friendly smile and moves past Sharon to begin bagging their items after the older woman scans them.

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, thank you, dear," Gladys says, and Sharon hides a smile.

"This is James," she tells the older woman. "We're taking a little vacation time."

"Oh!" Gladys beams at them. "How nice. And it's going to be a nice week, too. I hope you get outside and enjoy some of the beautiful weather." She passes the carton of strawberries to Bucky and smiles at him. "Welcome to our little town, James."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Thanks,” he says, accepting the berries and carefully stowing them. Bucky lets his smile warm.

“Everyone’s been very friendly. It’s beautiful here,” he says. “And Sharon’s told me so much about the area, I can’t wait to see more of it.”

[from_the_outside]

"There are some gorgeous spots," she tells him. "Do you like hiking?"

"I thought I'd take him up to Mary's Rock," Sharon tells Gladys as she inserts her chip card and waits for the total to be rung up. "And along Skyline Drive, of course."

"Of course," Gladys agrees. "And the falls are lovely this time of year, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Hiking’s fun,” he agrees, cheerful. “Anything else I should be sure to see while I’m here?”

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, the whole park is lovely, dear," she tells him. "Or you could spend some time on the river. There are canoe rentals a little ways outside of town."

"That might be nice," Sharon agrees, and takes the receipt as the woman hands it to her. "Thanks, Gladys. Tell Frank I say hi, okay?"

The woman beams at her. "I will, sweetheart," she says. "Tell your folks the same for me. And it was lovely to meet you, James."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Nice to meet you too,” he tells her, and picks up their shopping bags. Bucky gives Sharon a quick grin. “Lead the way.”

[from_the_outside]

She brings them back out into the spring sunshine and opens the trunk of the car, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Small towns," she says, waiting as he loads the groceries.

"Bakery next, and then we should get this stuff back home to the fridge."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Guess we’ll find out how fast the grapevine climbs around here. I’m betting pretty damn quick.” Bucky closes the trunk and looks up and down the street, spotting the bakery. He tips his head toward it.

“That one?”

[from_the_outside]

"No way am I taking that bet," she laughs, and nods. "That's the one."

She slips her phone from her pocket and opens a message to her mother, typing quickly.

At the house for a few days with James. Ran into Gladys in town. She says hi.

Putting her phone away again, she laces her fingers with his. "Let's see what they've got today."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her hand gently and lets her lead him along beside her to the small bakery.

When he opens the door for them, a wave of warm, fresh-bread scent washes over them both. Bucky draws a deep, appreciative breath as a bright smile flashes over his face.

“It smells amazing.”

[from_the_outside]

"Nothing better than the smell of fresh bread," laughs the baker from behind the counter, a younger woman with short, wildly dyed hair and an impressive number of piercings. "Can I help you folks?"

"We're definitely here for bread," Sharon tells her, but she can't help hovering near a glass-covered display of cakes and tarts. "... But I wouldn't say no to something sweet, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky takes in the way she’s looking at the dessert display and laughs. “Yes, something sweet,” he agrees. “Maybe even more than one thing.”

[from_the_outside]

She gives him an amused glance, but doesn't argue. "We'll take a couple of baguettes," she tells the baker, who starts packing items up for them. "And a loaf of cinnamon-raisin."

Sharon looks at the display again. "And that fruit tart."

[nerves_of_ice]

He steps up beside her and allows himself the incredible gift of running his hand gently over her back.

“Do you want cake, too? Something to go with afternoon coffee maybe?”