[Virginia AU] take my waking slow

[nerves_of_ice]

The nightmares are present, but at least they don’t jerk him out of sleep in any way that disturbs Sharon. When he does finally wake sometime shortly before dawn, he kisses her shoulder and her hair before sliding silently from the bed.

Bucky pulls his shorts back on, then pads into the kitchen and searches out the coffee. He sets it to brewing as quietly as he can and picks up his phone to send Alyona a text while he watches the sky lighten.

surprise - am in Berlin
hope all is going well

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[from_the_outside]

She breathes out, exaggeratedly sulky, and lifts her head. "Mm."

He gets a kiss on his cheek before she pushes herself up and back onto her feet.

[nerves_of_ice]

He stands, scoops her up in his arms, gives her a kiss, and settles her gently back down on the couch.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs and curls into the couch, resting her head on her hand as she watches him.

“I’ll be right here,” she promises.

[nerves_of_ice]

“Good. Give me just a second,” he tells her, and goes into the kitchen. He’d already found the cinnamon earlier, and it’s the work of just a moment to make a cup of coffee just the way she likes it.

Bucky carries it back over to her and passes it to her with a smile before sitting down beside her.

[from_the_outside]

She takes the coffee with a smile for him that brightens as she smells the cinnamon in the drink.

“Thanks, baby,” she murmurs, and sips at it contentedly as he joins her on the couch. “Have you been up long?”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Long enough to watch the sunrise,” he says, untroubled by the fact.

[from_the_outside]

“Mm.”

It would be nice if he’s slept longer, but that’s probably the best she can hope for. “Have you heard from Riley yet?”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Not yet, but I figure he’ll check in soon,” Bucky reassures her. “We’re not planning to head in until nine.”

[from_the_outside]

She’s sure Riley will check in soon, so she just nods and sips at her coffee, then curls against him on her couch, marveling that he’s here and she can. “Will you be back here later?”

[nerves_of_ice]

He stretches his arm out behind her shoulders and draws her close. “I will if you want,” he murmurs. “I figured on finding a place to stay and taking care of the basics once Ross stops yelling. And I’m supposed to meet Alyona this afternoon. I texted her I was in town and she wants to come see me.”

His smile is sweet and hopeful. “Do you want to meet her, too?”

[from_the_outside]

“Stay here,” she suggests, as she curls against his side. “Unless Ross says you need to be in the dorms. You don’t need to worry about finding some other place to stay.”

She smiles at his smile, the sweetness of it. “You know, I really do.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Are you sure? I didn’t intend to just move in on your space,” he protests.

[from_the_outside]

"I know you didn't."

If he had, he wouldn't have been talking about needing to find a space of his own. "If you're comfortable here, stay, baby."

She reaches her free hand to curve lightly against his cheek. "You're more than welcome. I want you here."

[nerves_of_ice]

He leans into her touch, then leans further so that he can kiss her, gentle and sweet. “You tell me if you change your mind,” he murmurs. “But until then, okay. I’ll stay.”

[from_the_outside]

A pleased flush of warmth runs through her as she kisses him back, soft and full of promise.

"Good," she murmurs, and smiles against his lips before she leans back again. "Will you bring Yelena here? Should I come with you to meet her?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I can bring her here if you don’t mind,” he murmurs. “Although I should explain to her first. She doesn’t know who you are to me yet. I didn’t - I wasn’t going to compromise you.”

[from_the_outside]

"Bring her here once she knows," Sharon offers. "If she wants to come."

She smiles at him. "I'll pick up some vodka. And anything else you can think of that she might like."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I will.” The storm of emotion at how easily she welcomes him, welcomes Alyona, it threatens to drown him.

“Vodka definitely. Otherwise I’m not sure. She hasn’t been out long, so she’ll still be figuring out what she likes.” Flickering memories of sneaking candy to a much younger girl try to edge in, but he pushes them back, knowing that it’s not that simple.

[from_the_outside]

"Then I'll just make sure we have some good things," she promises. "I'm glad she'll be able to come see you, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I am, too,” he says, very softly. “And that she wants to.”

[from_the_outside]

She curves her hand at his cheek once more, then smiles as his phone buzzes.

"I bet that's Riley," she says, leaning back to sip her coffee.

Indeed, when he checks his phone, a message waits there, along with an address:

Good morning! Rendezvous 0830?

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky eyes the address and puts it into the map app to check the location.

“Is he always cheerful?”

[from_the_outside]

“Always,” Sharon says, laughing. “It’s like working with a puppy. But he’s good at the job, too. Behind that charming smile is a pretty sharp mind.”

[nerves_of_ice]

“Oh, no question,” Bucky agrees. “Saw a few indications of that already.”

The location seems innocuous enough and an easy distance from the Task Force building. He texts back a quick ok - see you then and looks up at Sharon. “I should get ready soon.”

[from_the_outside]

“Okay, baby,” she says, peaceably, and sips at her coffee. “Feel free to use the shower or have some breakfast. My place is yours.”