[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]

"Hey." She runs her hand down his ribs and pokes him lightly in the side, shaking with a silent laugh. "Don't patronize me."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm not!" he protests, trying not to laugh.

[from_the_outside]

"No?"

She prods his side again, then runs her fingers lightly over it, amused by the way he shakes beneath her as he tries not to laugh. "You better not be."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Wouldn't dream of it." He reaches down to catch her hand in his. "What're you up to, hm?"

[from_the_outside]

"Seeing if you're ticklish," she says, with a teasing grin. "Are you?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe a little." He looks down along his own body toward his ribcage, then back at her. "I haven't thought about it years."

[from_the_outside]

"Only one way to find out," she tells him, and frees her hand to draw her fingertips very lightly over his ribcage to his side.

[nerves_of_ice]

A huffed breath of laughter escapes him at her playfulness. "You know fair's fair, right?"

[from_the_outside]

"If you're not ticklish, then it wouldn't be very fair for you to tickle me," she points out.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Are you ticklish?"

Bucky sets one hand lightly on her side and gives her an innocent look.

[from_the_outside]

"I pleased the Fifth," she laughs.

Which is a yes.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Guess I'll just have to investigate," Bucky concludes, and tickles her.

[from_the_outside]

She shrieks and laughs, wriggling away from him as best she can while he has his other arm around her. "Baby – "

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky holds her tighter and tickles her some more, then relents in order to wrap both arms around her and pull her close while he laughs, too.

[from_the_outside]

Her giggles bubble up like freshly-poured champagne as she squirms, until he stops and she can relax again.

"Truce," she says, laughing.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Truce," he agrees, and kisses her. "Want me to get you anything?"

[from_the_outside]

"But if you get up, we'll have to get dressed," she points out. "I'm not sure I'm into that."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I could always get undressed again," he counters.

[from_the_outside]

"You make a strong argument," she muses. "I do like that part."

[nerves_of_ice]

He rolls them over, kisses her back into the quilt once, then again, and again before he rolls to the side and sits up. Bucky grabs the extra blanket that was discarded to the edge of the quilt some time ago and spreads it over her, tucking her cozily in.

"Wait here," he says, as he reaches for his jeans. "I'll bring back whatever you'd like."

[from_the_outside]

"Water," she requests, snuggling down into the sandwich of blankets. "... and strawberries, please."

[nerves_of_ice]

He shrugs into his jeans and strokes a hand over her hair. "You got it," Bucky promises, and collects the tray on his way back to the house.

[from_the_outside]

She slips an arm beneath her head as a pillow and watches the clouds scud slowly across the sky as she waits, every muscle relaxed in a way they haven't been in... god, who knows how long.

No need to worry about being loud, no need to worry about making Steve feel awkward or anyone asking question about their relationship, here in her own space with him.

It feels like heaven.

[nerves_of_ice]

He takes a moment to rinse out their cups and plates, then gets two glasses, a pitcher of water, and the strawberries from the fridge. Bucky washes them up quickly and puts them in a bowl, then loads the pitcher, glasses, and berries back on the tray and goes back outside.

All in all, it's only a few minutes before he's crossing the grassy space to where Sharon lies relaxed on the quilt.

"Hi," he murmurs. "Still awake?"

[from_the_outside]

She breathes deep and smiles up at him. "Mm-hm."

Sharon shifts to the side and lifts the blanket invitingly. "Come lie back down with me."