[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]

"Me, too," he murmurs, continuing to draw his fingers through her hair.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft, thoughtful sound, and stays relaxed against him as he runs his fingers through her hair. "I'm glad you like it here."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I do," he assures her. "I really do. I don't know if I can explain all of why, though."

[from_the_outside]

"You don't have to explain it," she promises, and smiles at him. "But if there's anything you can pinpoint, it might be good for me to know. That way I can try to replicate it in other places."

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles back at her, sweet and bright. "Well, you being there - here - that's a big part of it."

[from_the_outside]

That smile melts her heart like ice cream on a hot day. "Well, I can control that part pretty easily," she observes.

For now, at least.

[nerves_of_ice]

“There you go, then.” He ruffles her hair, then runs his fingers through it again, combing it out.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft sound and tips her head into his touch, enjoying the feel of his fingers running through her hair.

It's impossible for her to miss how much more relaxed she is with him here, where the low-level tension of always being in Steve's space doesn't exist. It makes her thoughtful as she traces idle patterns over his collarbone while he combs the curls and tangles out of her hair.

[nerves_of_ice]

She’s quiet and still as he plays with her hair, drawing aimless patterns on his skin, her gaze a little abstract.

Bucky doesn’t say anything at first, but waits for her to work through whatever she’s thinking about.

[from_the_outside]

The last time they'd talked about this, he'd asked her to let him know if she wanted things to change, so after another moment of thought, she shifts and meets his eyes again.

"Baby," she murmurs. "How would you feel about not always being in Steve's apartment?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Where were you thinking, instead?”

His question is quiet. He studies her face carefully, taking in every nuance of her expression and the look in her eyes.

[from_the_outside]

"I don't know," she admits. "I haven't thought about it much. The other apartment, maybe."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Can you tell me why?”

Just as soft. The gentle motion of his hand stills, his fingers resting against her back, between her shoulder blades.

[from_the_outside]

"You know I've never really been comfortable with it," she points out. "Being in Steve's space all the time. But things are a little easier now, with the block in place. You don't always have to be with someone else."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I know. I didn't really understand why," he says, choosing his words carefully. "I think I do now, more than I did, anyway. But--"

His words slow as he searches through them, trying to figure out how to articulate what he's observed.

"--is it. Is it being at the compound itself, or being around Steve, that's the problem?"

[from_the_outside]

"I'd prefer not to be at the compound, for myself," she murmurs, "but I'd settle for being in a different apartment. I just can't relax, being around him all the time, Bucky. I'm sorry. I've tried."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You don't need to apologize," he assures her, gently. "It's okay, Sharon. There's nothing wrong with that."

A small, wry smile quirks. "As long as you know he wouldn't mind, that is. If you did stay. As long as you know you're welcome. But not being comfortable - that's different."

[from_the_outside]

"'Welcome' isn't the same as 'wanted,'" she points out. "You're a roommate. I'm a houseguest. It's different. And Steve's too polite to tell me to get the hell out of his space, even if he wanted to."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm not, though," Bucky says, almost absently, before he gives her an amused look.

"Polite, yeah, but stubborn too. Trust me, if he was unhappy about you being there, we'd both know it."

[from_the_outside]

She shrugs, slightly. "I don't think he's that happy about it, either," she says. "And it's not a very comfortable feeling to know I'm welcome there because of you, not because of me."

Sharon shakes her head. "And he wants you to be," she adds, moving on. "His roommate."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I don't think that's right," Bucky argues, "but it doesn't matter. You should be comfortable, and you're not, so things need to change."

He starts moving his hand up and down her back again, trying to soothe her... and to distract himself from the shift of his thoughts, as well.

"I know." He says it very, very quietly. "I know he does."

[from_the_outside]

She rests her chin on her arm and studies him, enjoying the feel of his hand stroking up and down her back.

"What do you think about that?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He shrugs, very slightly. "That it's complicated, I guess."

[from_the_outside]

She nods. "Would it help to talk about it?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I don't know." He refocuses on her face. "We can. If you want. But first - we can set things up back in the other apartment. And spend time there."