[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]

"We're here now," he says, softly. Careful not to spill their coffee, Bucky lifts her into his arms and settles her in his lap, keeping his arms around her.

[from_the_outside]

She puts her arms around his neck and nudges her forehead against his temple. "You might need me," she says, just as soft. "Who's going to yell at Tony Stark if I'm not around?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I have to admit you're pretty good at that," he murmurs, and turns his head to kiss her.

"But that's not the only reason I need you."

[from_the_outside]

"I need you, too."

Her voice is quiet and the kiss she gives him is gentle, her fingers toying lightly with the ends of his hair. "If I can disclose it," she murmurs. "If we go aboveboard with it, maybe he'd consider the liaison position. Make it less about you, more about the Avengers and the Task Force working together."

[nerves_of_ice]

He pulls back just enough to search her face without moving away from her touch.

"Would you want that?"

[from_the_outside]

"I don't know," she admits. "It's not what I've been doing. It's not what I expected to do. But I don't know how long it might be before I get assigned back to the State, otherwise."

[nerves_of_ice]

"To be a shield," he murmurs. "Take your time, baby. Think about it. If it's not what you want, we'll figure something else out. Hell, once I'm clear to travel -- officially -- I could even come back to Europe for a while."

[from_the_outside]

One corner of her mouth curves up, very slightly. "You did say you liked Europe," she recalls.

"Maybe. We've got time to think about it. A little bit, anyway. Ross hasn't said anything about pulling me back just yet."

[nerves_of_ice]

"There's that." Bucky smiles at her. "I can think of better things to focus on right now anyway."

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, yeah?"

She leans in and kisses him, her smile teasing. "Don't forget all about your coffee and cake."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm. But you have a point," he agrees, with mischief in his glance. Bucky breaks off a piece of her cake and holds it to her lips.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, but opens her mouth obediently to accept the cake. "Good thing we don't have anywhere to be today," she teases, and reaches to break off a piece of his cake, offering it up to him in the same way.

[nerves_of_ice]

He accepts it, savors it, then smiles at her. "Just so you know, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

[from_the_outside]

"Me, too." She kisses him again, soft and sweet. "It's really nice to be here with you."

She can almost pretend that this is a normal life, that they could be here anytime they wanted, instead of just stealing a few precious moments.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yes," he says, softly, and kisses her again. "Yes."

A beat of silence, followed by a truly wicked smile. "Better finish or move the coffee and cake."

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, bright and delighted, and curls her arms a little more closely around his neck. "The coffee was getting cold anyway," she murmurs, and kisses him again.

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes a low sound of approval and kisses her back even as he manages to stretch out an arm to retrieve both plates and mugs and shoves them onto the tray and the tray as far off to the side as he can.

Task accomplished, Bucky wraps both arms around her and rolls her over to lie on her back on the quilt, covering her with his body as he kisses her much more deeply.

[from_the_outside]

Her laugh bubbles up as he rolls them over and gently pins her to the quilt, and she runs her fingers up into his hair, tipping his head to kiss him, deep and thorough. The sun is warm on his back as she runs her palm over his shirt, savoring him every bit as much as she had the coffee and cake earlier.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Sharon," he murmurs, between kisses. Bucky braces himself on his left arm and runs his right hand slowly along her body from shoulder to hip as he keeps kissing her. "Sharon. Baby."

[from_the_outside]

"Yes," she murmurs back, answer and affirmation in one. She arches up into his touch, her body loving the feel of his hand as it roams over her. "I'm here, baby. You have me."

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles against her mouth. "Please tell me none of your curious town friends are likely to drive up for a drop-in."

Bucky curves his hand over her hip, running his thumb back and forth over the arch of bone.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and shakes her head, then kisses him again. "We're safe," she promises, running her hands over his shoulders. "Nobody's going to come up here. It's just you and me, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good." With that he kisses her again as he slides his hand under her shirt at her waist and trails his fingers slowly along her side.

[from_the_outside]

She skates her hands over his shoulders and along the sloping curve of his back, then slides them into the back pockets of his jeans as she kisses him back. "Bucky," she murmurs. "You drive me crazy."

[nerves_of_ice]

His smile flashes, quick and bright with mischief. "Good," he repeats, and kisses her once more before he starts trailing more kisses along the line of her throat.