[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

[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?”

[from_the_outside]

"That sounds great," she tells him, smiling up at him and resting her hand at the small of his back in return.

"That blueberry streusel cake is great with coffee," the baker tells them, as she boxes up the fruit tart.

"Sold," says Sharon. "We'll take that, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Thanks,” he tells the baker, and grins down at Sharon. “Much better than trying to make another pie.”

[from_the_outside]

"I bet we could manage it if we really tried," she says, laughing. "Now that we've had a lesson. Besides, it was fun to make the attempt."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Maybe,” he allows. “But this is better for now anyway.”

The baker slides the cake into a second box, stacks it on the first, and takes a paper bag for the baguettes. Bucky picks up the boxes, helpfully.

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks," Sharon tells the baker, handing over her card, then takes the baguettes and loaf from the woman, along with her receipt.

"Enjoy," she says, cheerfully, and goes back to frosting cupcakes as Sharon pushes her way back out of the little store, the bell on the door chiming cheerfully as they pass through.

[nerves_of_ice]

He secures everything in the trunk with the handy netting that’s included on a built-in frame and walks around to open Sharon’s door for her.

“Ready to get back?”

[from_the_outside]

"Yep," she says, and slides back into the driver's seat, waiting for him to come around and get in before she turns the car on. "And ready for a little lunch. That bakery smelled so good, I'm starving."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I think we can manage that.” He tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “And burgers tonight.”

[from_the_outside]

"You know just what to say to a girl," she teases him, and lifts her hand to catch his, pressing a kiss to his fingers before she reverses out of the parking space and back onto the road, heading the car back through the town toward the calm green bulk of the mountain.

[nerves_of_ice]

“It’s peaceful here,” he murmurs, watching the mountain slide by as they climb the road to Sharon’s family home.

“I can see why you liked it so much growing up.”

[from_the_outside]

"It's no Brooklyn," she admits, "but for a girl who just wanted to run around outside and climb trees, it was a hell of a lot better than Richmond."

She gazes at the trees that go by as they climb the road. "I feel like I can relax and just be myself here."

[nerves_of_ice]

“You can.” He glances over at her at that. “I like who you are, Sharon. All of you.”

[from_the_outside]

She reaches across the gearshift for his hand and twines their fingers loosely together, her smile small and crooked. "That means a lot to me, baby," she murmurs.

"I'm glad you like me. And I like who you are, too."