[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]

"I do," he tells her, even as he closes the book with his finger as a placeholder and smiles down at her.

"Hi there, Sleeping Beauty."

[from_the_outside]

She half-groans, half-laughs, and rolls to rub her face into his stomach, muttering something that gets muffled by his shirt.

[nerves_of_ice]

"What was that?" He runs one hand along her back and into her hair, drawing his fingers through the sunlit gold.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft, contented sound as his fingers run up her back and into her hair and shifts to free her face from his shirt. "Sorry I fell asleep on you," she murmurs. "Sort of."

He's very comfortable, and she gets the impression he doesn't mind.

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm not." He pulls his fingers through her hair again, slow and deliberate, then rests his hand at the curve of her waist.

"You needed the break."

[from_the_outside]

"Mm."

He's not wrong, and right now she can't think of a reason to argue with him about it. She did need a break. So did he. That's why they're here to begin with. "How long was I out?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He glances at the book as if it'll tell him, then back at her.

"Not more than an hour, I think."

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft acknowledging sound and reaches up to rub at her eyes. "How are Hazel and Fiver doing?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Pretty good so far, I think. They've crossed the river with their friends and are on the way to their mystery destination," Bucky tells her.

[from_the_outside]

"Good for them."

She reaches back and stretches, then sits up, pushing the extra blanket off her legs as she does. "I don't want to interrupt you, if you're on a roll."

[nerves_of_ice]

He shakes his head. "You're not interrupting me. What were you thinking?"

[from_the_outside]

"Nothing in particular."

She reaches out to tuck back a lock of windblown hair behind his ear and smiles at him. "I might go put some coffee on. How about I bring a cup out to you?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Coffee sounds nice," he admits. "Want help?"

[from_the_outside]

"I've got it."

She leans in on her knees to kiss his cheek, then runs her hand over his hair and gets up. "Back in a few."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll be here," he promises, and watches after her until she goes inside. Bucky draws a long breath, bundles up the blanket into a makeshift pillow, and lies down before opening the book again.

[from_the_outside]

Once she has the coffee percolating, she lifts her phone from the counter and reads through the rest of the messages her mother had sent her throughout the afternoon.

Going to be a beautiful few days Be sure to get out and enjoy it
How is James enjoying Virginia?
Dad and I are going out to dinner tonight but will give you a call later

She shakes her head and types out a quick response.

okay, talk to you later
enjoy dinner <3

She busies herself for the next few minutes cutting a couple pieces from the coffee cake they'd picked up, setting them on a plate. When the coffee maker beeps, she pours two mugs and doctors hers with cream, sugar, and cinnamon, leaving one black for Bucky.

The whole snack goes onto a tray that she hefts and brings with her out the door and back to the yard, where he's reclined and reading. "Here we go."

[nerves_of_ice]

He lowers the book to his chest and looks up at her, then sits up, a little startled, as he takes in the full scope of what she's carrying.

"Coffee and then some," he laughs. "Thanks, baby."

[from_the_outside]

"I didn't want to waste the cake," she says, amused, and lowers the tray before taking a seat back on the quilt, curling her legs beneath herself.

"I thought we could use a snack."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I think that's a great idea." He leans forward over the tray to give her a quick kiss.

[from_the_outside]

She kisses him sweetly back, then offers him the mug of black coffee and one of the pieces of cake. "My mom texted again," she says, as she sips at her own coffee. "She said they'll call later tonight to chat."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sounds good," he says, accepting both. "I should call Steve, too."

[from_the_outside]

"Definitely," she says, amused. "This is almost the longest you two have been apart since you first reunited."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You know, I guess it is," he says, startled. "Second longest must have been the Lagos mission."

Which hadn't turned out well for them at the time, he realizes, and winces.

"I'll call him after this."

[from_the_outside]

"Okay," she says, peaceably, and breaks off a piece of the cake to eat. It's moist and spiced and lightly sweet and delicious with the coffee, exactly as asked. "I'm sure he'll appreciate that."

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes a noncommittal sound and takes a sip of coffee, then a bit of cake.

"Do you need to check in with Ross?"