[Virginia AU] we rose up from the falling waters

[nerves_of_ice]

A little over a week goes by, and as it does Bucky falls into a pattern, slow but sure. He wakes with Sharon in the mornings, shares coffee and something that suffices for breakfast, then works a little on searches and checking contacts and sources from other time zones and locations. Mid-morning finds him at the Task Force offices with Riley and his team. Early afternoon finds him meeting with Ross, if there's any reason to; mid-afternoon he checks in with Steve, with Tony, or with Natasha before he goes back to tracing rumors and hints.

Today's different, though. Today is Sharon's first day back at work after her suspension, and Bucky's determined not to do a single damn thing that might possibly make it difficult for her.

Comments

[marvel_npc]

"Sometimes," Tony tells him, and follows as Barnes leads him through the building. "But I've got a good feeling about it working today."

[nerves_of_ice]

He sticks around until Tony takes off, then texts Sharon that he'll see her back at the flat and heads out himself, case in tow. He might as well use the time to familiarize himself with everything, starting with the surveillance tools.

[from_the_outside]

Klaue doesn't dilly-dally; he sends a confirmation and agreement to meet in Busan the following night. Sharon completes her strategy and sends it to Ross for rubber-stamping, then spends the rest of the afternoon prepping the team for the early morning departure. Ross sends her home to pack and get some rest, gruffly stating that he'll meet her and the rest of the team at the airport in the morning.

Bucky's already back at the flat, so she's not surprised to see him on the couch as she unlocks the door and lets herself in.

The case of equipment, on the other hand, is a little unusual, and she laughs as she sets her bag down by the door. "I thought I heard that you had a visitor today."

[nerves_of_ice]

He looks up from the earpiece he's examining and gives her a rueful grin. "Yeah. Evidently it's important that I be 'properly outfitted.'

Bucky shakes his head and leans back so he can see her better. "How was your day?"

[from_the_outside]

"Trust Tony to take professional umbrage that one of the Avengers might have to use sub-par equipment," she says, dry, and comes behind the couch before leaning over to press a kiss into his hair. "Good. We got the go ahead for the mission. We're flying out first thing tomorrow, okay?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Body armor, too," he informs her, and tilts his head to catch her mouth for a second quick kiss.

"Glad to hear it. I'll be ready. Can I help you with anything to prep?"

[from_the_outside]

She curves her hand at the back of his head and kisses him again, lingering and thorough, then smiles against his lips.

"You can help me pick a fancy dress," she informs him. "This casino has a dress code."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Uh." Every thought stalls for a moment, and he stares at her in mild dismay.

"Baby, I'm not good with fashion stuff."

[from_the_outside]

"All I'm looking for is your opinion," she tells him, smiling, and ruffles his hair before she straightens up.

"And don't worry. I'm having you stay outside to apprehend or tail Klaue." She gives him an amused look. "So that body armor will be fine for you."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives her a suspicious look at the placement, but can't argue that it's something he's well able for. No matter how fast or observant Klaue thinks he is, the Winter Soldier's going to be able to pin him down, he's certain. "Okay," he agrees, and goes back to the first point.

"Just an opinion?"

[from_the_outside]

"Just an opinion," she promises, and heads to the kitchen to pull something to snack on out of the fridge. "Did Tony say anything else? Or did he really just drop by to give you some fancy armor and toys?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Also to let me know about his vacation plans," Bucky drawls. "Apparently he's planning to be in Fukuoka for a few days."

He lets that sit for a second before he adds, "Across the strait from Busan. You know. Just in case."

[from_the_outside]

"I hear it's nice there," Sharon says, looking amused as she comes back into the living room, munching on an apricot.

"That's pretty fortuitous timing."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Isn’t it, though,” he says, dryly. “Anyway, if we need more backup, I can call him in.”

[from_the_outside]

"He's pretty good backup," Sharon agrees. "But I'm hoping we'll be able to complete this op without Iron Man's trademark, uh... explosions."

She heads past the couch and into her bedroom, where she drags a rolling bag out from a closet and sets it open on the bed before turning to her dresser. "How's that equipment he gave you?" she calls back to the other room. "And the armor?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“You and me both,” he calls back, then gets up to follow her. Bucky watches her preparations with interest.

“Haven’t tried the armor yet, but the equipment’s good. Very good. It’ll interface with the Task Force stuff, don’t worry.”

[from_the_outside]

"You should try it on," she suggests, as she packs the usual necessaries, then heads into the adjoining bathroom for her toiletries and makeup bag.

"Make sure it fits okay."

[nerves_of_ice]

“It should,” he says, but wanders obediently out to the front room. Bucky checks the angle to make sure no one can see in through the window, then opens the case and strips off his shirt.

[from_the_outside]

She hears the rustle of him getting undressed in the other room, and manfully refrains from going to tease him; she really does need to pack. Sharon digs out a pair of fancy but surprisingly comfortable heels from her closet and listens to him moving around.

"How is it?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He doesn’t answer her at first. He can’t.

It’s not the quality of the material, which is good as expected if not better. It’s not the fit, which is also pretty great.

It’s that now that he’s wearing it, he recognizes the pattern it’s based on. Tony must have taken the specs from the Smithsonian exhibit, he realizes, almost numb with stunned surprise.

[from_the_outside]

"Baby?"

He's silent in the other room, and she abandons her packing to come to the door and peer out. He's dressed in the armor, which seems to made out of some similar material to Steve's uniform, or Natasha's, and there's a look on his face she can't quite parse.

She casts a glance over the armor, and smiles, slight. "Looks good," she murmurs, then frowns, slightly. The blue coat and brown pants and tall boots are all ringing a vague bell in her head. "Why does it look kind of familiar?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Because it is,” he murmurs. The cut’s updated, of course, and the brown’s much darker than he remembers it being, but other than that—-

“He based it on my old squad uniform.”

[from_the_outside]

She comes into the room and steps close to him, close enough to set her hands on his chest. The material gives under her palms almost like cloth. "I like it," she murmurs, and smiles up at him.

"You look handsome in blue."

[nerves_of_ice]

There’s something complicated about his expression, he suspects, if it in any way reflects the crash of emotion inside.

“It’s nice. He didn’t have to do that,” he murmurs. “But it’s nice that he did.”

[from_the_outside]

"I guess he wanted to do something nice for you."

She reaches one hand up to touch the edge of her thumb to that blown-open, stunned expression he has. "I'm glad you like it, sweetheart."