[oom] training ground

[nerves_of_ice]

He'd made a promise, and he intends to deliver. He just also intends to make sure it's not the sort of thing that draws an audience - especially not any of the kids.

It takes a little while to find a clearing further out but within reasonable distance of the hut, then a little bit longer to set it up with a waterproof chest and some basic equipment. But eventually it's ready, or good enough as.

Once the goats are taken care of for the morning, he takes up position under the usual shade tree to scratch out a few notes in his latest journal and to wait for Sharon to drop by. If she's got time this afternoon, if she's not busy with Shuri or Ayo, well, then they'll see.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

"We'll know you're a good trainer for sure if I start swearing at you in the morning," she says, without much concern behind it.

Her smile is crooked and warm and sweet as she looks over at him. "Thanks, baby. Really. It means a lot."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her hand and raises it to press a brief kiss to her fingers. "Thanks for being patient with me."

[from_the_outside]

"Pretty sure it's the other way around," she teases, gently.

"But you're welcome."

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives her a sideways smile and makes a soft, noncommittal sound, and leaves it at that.

It's still just the two of them when they walk out of the woods and approach the hut. "Want another cup of coffee?" he asks. "Or are you thinking to head back up to the Citadel and get cleaned up there?"

Not that she's not welcome to use anything he has, but he also knows that his setup's a little simpler than what she's got available to her. It's designed to be; it's what he still needs, right now, although he also knows that T'Challa would do more, if he asked.

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, I'll stick around," she says, blithely. "Why don't I make another pot, and you take the first shower? I can clean up while you're at the lab."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I was kind of thinking that'd work the other way around," he says, slowly, "but I can, if you'd rather."

[from_the_outside]

"Then we're all set," she says, and leans up to kiss his cheek as they come in sight of the hut. "Enjoy your shower."

[nerves_of_ice]

He's still not entirely sure how she turned that around so neatly, but forbears to argue. Bucky ducks inside long enough to grab a change of clothes, then goes around the back to the outdoor shower stall.

[from_the_outside]

She smiles to herself and heads back to the shelf where he keeps the coffee and water, humming a little under her breath as she starts the process over again.

[nerves_of_ice]

About five minutes later he wanders back inside, still finger-combing his damp hair, and gives her a sweet smile. "All set," he reports, a little amused. "Is the coffee ready yet?"

[from_the_outside]

"Just."

She picks up the mug she'd poured for him and comes over to offer it, then leans up to kiss his clean, warm, cheek. "Did the shower feel good?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"It was pleasant, sure." He takes the cup in his left hand - carefully - and slips his right arm around her waist. "There's plenty of hot water left for you, though."

[from_the_outside]

"Okay."

She doesn't make any motions towards leaving for the shower, though, just leans in and breathes deep before pressing a gentle kiss to his bare, slightly damp neck. He smells clean and warm and perfect and she's smiling when she leans back again. "Come sit under the shade tree with me while we have our coffee?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Gladly." He waits for her to pull away to claim her own cup, then opens the door for her.

"Wonder what the winter'll be like here," he muses, as they walk toward the tree.

[from_the_outside]

"Me too. Rainy, maybe?"

It has to rain sometime. The weather is a little more temperate in the jungle region of Wakanda, but here the weather's been sunny and hot and clear most days. "I guess if we miss snow, we could always go visit M'Baku."

[nerves_of_ice]

"There's that." As they reach the tree, Bucky holds out his hand to take her cup so she doesn't have to balance it while sitting down. "Assuming you can get away long enough."

[from_the_outside]

She hums agreement and sits, then reaches to take her cup back.

"Halloween's soon," she points out. "Did you tell the kids about it?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not yet." He passes over her cup and takes a seat beside her. "I thought maybe I - we - should talk to Elder Ayemi about it first. Just in case there's some custom we don't know about."

[from_the_outside]

"Hmm."

She shifts to press her knee against his as she leans back against the tree. "Good point. I hope not, though. That would be really fun."

[nerves_of_ice]

"There probably isn't," he reassures her. Bucky rests his right hand lightly on her knee. "And even if there is, as long as we make it clear this was just a fun thing from where we grew up, it might be like novelty entertainment, or something."

[from_the_outside]

"Exactly."

She sets her free hand over his and strokes her thumb lightly back and forth over his knuckles."And what kid doesn't like dressing up and getting candy?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"You know, we could float it to Nakia and Shuri as an outreach activity. Cultural exchange." He gives her a quick smile.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs at that, clear and warm.

"Perfect. They'll be all for it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's probably a better idea anyway." He likes it better than trying to explain the whole thing to the elders himself, that's for sure. Bucky takes a long swallow of coffee, savoring the taste.

[from_the_outside]

"Of course, we won't be able to get costumes as good as Bar's," she muses, and reaches up to pat the top of his head where that hat had been.