[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

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky lets out a long, slow sigh.

"I'll rest if you will," he counters. "Fair?"

[from_the_outside]

"Sounds fair to me," Sharon says, sweetly. Ross sighs.

"Fine," he says, with poor grace. "We'd better all be as sharp as possible once Stark gets to the border, so... rest it is."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky gets up and goes to open the door to the middle bedroom for Sharon. "I'll take this side," he says, and looks to Ross. "Other side okay with you?"

[from_the_outside]

"Fine," Ross says. Sharon doubts he'd notice the difference between any of them right now, and is also reasonably sure he'd be fine napping on the couch. He aims an exasperated glance at Sharon, who gets up, hands in the air to signify surrender.

"Have a good rest," she tells him, and heads into the room, closing the door behind her.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky looks at Ross. "Six hours," he suggests. "I can leave some of the surveillance gear out here to give us warning in case of any attempted intrusions."

Ross gives a sharp nod. "Meet back here then." As he goes into the other room, Bucky sets up a few silent sensors and alarms before going into his room and shutting the door behind him.

[from_the_outside]

Sitting down on the bed is enough to let her know that if she lies down, she'll be asleep in minutes, so she doesn't let herself, not yet.

Instead, she waits and listens to Bucky and Ross and their soft words, then waits longer until she hears first one, then a second door close. Slipping her borrowed sandals off her feet, she pushes up off the bed and pads through the adjoining bathroom, then taps quietly with one finger on the door to the next room.

[nerves_of_ice]

He'd promised himself he wouldn't disturb her if she didn't want him to, sworn to himself that he wouldn't hover over her just to watch her breathe, but here she is and the swell of relief that washes over him threatens to knock him from his feet.

Bucky opens the bathroom door and without a word reaches to pull her into his arms.

[from_the_outside]

She wraps her arms around his middle and presses into his chest, breathing him in, letting some of the determination that's been keeping her relaxed and upright bleed out until she's trembling lightly in his arms.

"Don't let go," she murmurs.

[nerves_of_ice]

"I won't," he promises. Bucky tightens one arm around her and shifts just enough to pick her up, then carries her to the bed and sits down with her on his lap.

"I've got you, baby. Hold on to me."

[from_the_outside]

She lets herself lightly grip the back of his shirt, presses her forehead into the crook of his neck, closes her eyes and opens them again because she's not ready to not be seeing him, yet.

She came so close to never seeing him again. "How do you feel?" she asks, quietly.

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'm okay now." Soft and as certain as he can make it. Bucky feels her weight in his arms - alive and moving and not limp and near death - listens to the sound of her breath and her voice, and holds her a little closer.

"How about you?"

[from_the_outside]

"Same," she murmurs. He holds her a little closer and she shifts to put her arms around his neck, lifting her head to nudge her forehead against his temple. "But I don't want to let go of you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Then don't." He tips his head against hers and tilts it enough to catch her mouth in a slow, gentle kiss. "Stay right here."

[from_the_outside]

She kisses him back and shivers, then reaches up one hand to run lightly over his hair. "Okay."

And, honestly, she'd be surprised as hell if he wanted to let go of her. "Lie down with me?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Believe me, I'm not going anywhere," he murmurs. "Stretch out, baby. Let me get rid of the boots and armor, and I'll be right beside you."

[from_the_outside]

She nods and kisses him lightly once more, then sets her feet on the floor to lever herself up and off his lap. Crawling onto the bed, she settles down on the side she's started to think of as hers, slipping her arm beneath the pillow as she sets her head down. Her eyes stay open, watching him.

[nerves_of_ice]

He tucks his boots under the bed and strips down to t-shirt and shorts, draping the armor over a nearby chair, then circles the bed to give her a light kiss before he heads into the bathroom for a quick wash. He's back in under three minutes and slides into bed beside her.

"Come here, baby."

[from_the_outside]

She shifts beneath the sheets and tugs them up over them both, then presses against his side, her body a long warm line against his.

Sharon drops a soft kiss onto his shoulder and puts an arm over his middle. "Try to relax baby," she murmurs. "We made it."

[nerves_of_ice]

He puts one arm along her back, resting his hand at her waist, and places his other hand over her arm.

"Just hold on to me," he asks. "Let me feel you breathing."

[from_the_outside]

She wraps her arm around him and presses closer; close enough every breath expands her chest against his side, close enough he should be able to feel her heart beating.

"I'm here," she promises. "I'm okay, baby. I'm alive and okay."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I know." Barely audible. She almost wasn't, and he'll never, never forget that. "Get some rest, okay? I've got you."

[from_the_outside]

"Okay."

Soft as a murmuring breeze. She mouths a kiss against his skin and settles her head on his shoulder. "Promise you'll wake me up if you get anxious. I don't want you to worry."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Mm-hm." He figures it's not a lie, as it's not likely he's going to get more worried than he presently is. Bucky presses a kiss to her hair.

"Sleep, angel."

[from_the_outside]

"You sleep," she mutters, but it lacks heat. Whatever Shuri did to heal her seems to be ongoing; she doesn't hurt, but she does feel dog-tired, which is really the best-case scenario for coming out of a life-threatening injury.

She closes her eyes and exhales in a long slow puff of warm air, her ribs dropping beneath his arm before they rise again, slow and steady with her breath as she allows herself to doze. After that, it's not long before the doze becomes the deep relaxation of sleep, her body a warm, pliable weight next to him.

[nerves_of_ice]

Six hours; just under, now, and then they'll have to deal with whatever comes next. But that's then, and this is now, and right now Sharon's safe and healing and secure in his arms.

Bucky counts her breaths for a few minutes, then finally lets himself slip into a doze. It's rest enough.