[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]

"Yes," she says, smiling. "Always."

She takes one of his hands and steps to the side to drop the switch on the table and tap the screen of her phone. A second later, music comes drifting dreamily out of the speakers: the same playlist she'd put on for him once before, a long time ago.

She curls her fingers around his and steps closer, looking up into his face with a smile. "I really wanted to dance with you again."

[nerves_of_ice]

This time, thanks to Shuri's prototype, he's able to draw her into his arms a lot more smoothly than when they'd first danced here. But just like then, he leads her into a slow foxtrot, smiling back down at her.

"Until the sun comes up, if you want," he promises. "You're amazing. And you look like a dream. How'd you manage all this?"

[from_the_outside]

"The local, for some of it."

It's easier now that he has a left arm. Her fingers curve over his vibranium ones without hesitation, and she sets her other hand at his shoulder, allowing him to draw her sweetly into his arms. "The marketplace, for the rest. Like those little speakers, and the lights."

She can't stop smiling up at him, her eyes shining with her success, with having made him so happy. It feels like she's already drunk on that unopened champagne. "But it took a while to pull everything together, even so."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You're amazing," he repeats, holding her a little closer than a strict dance frame would call for. Right now, in this moment, he's wholly, simply happy.

"I adore you, Sharon. I really do."

[from_the_outside]

"I adore you right back, Bucky Barnes."

She's flushed with success and delight as she curls her arm over his, dancing slow and close as he guides them easily around the miniature dance floor. "You've done so much for me. I wanted to do something nice for you, too."

Sharon looks up at him, her eyes bright, wanting to imprint the image of his happiness into her memory. "I'm so glad you like it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I do. This is really, really nice." He spins her deftly into a little twirl and brings her right back to him, catching her close and smiling down at her.

[from_the_outside]

She can't resist; she pushes up onto her toes and lightly kisses his mouth.

"Easier now that you have two hands again, too," she teases, as she drops back down.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Well, yes." He wraps his left arm around her waist and lifts her off her feet as he spins around in a circle with her.

[from_the_outside]

Her laughs peals out, clear as a ringing bell, as he picks her up so effortlessly.

"You've already swept me off my feet," she teases, her arms going comfortably around his neck. "You don't need to do it literally."

But it is fun.

[nerves_of_ice]

She's laughing and happy and clearly having fun, so he doesn't put her down just yet and instead spins them around again. "But, angel, how else are you going to fly?"

[from_the_outside]

"Think Shuri would build me some wings?"

Her hair bounces over her shoulders and flies out behind her as he smiles and spins them, as she laughs, and she hopes he never stops, hopes this moment never ends, when they're both so happy and he's so playful and she feels like she's glowing like one of the lightbulbs from how much she loves him.

She grins at him and lifts her arms from around his neck, letting her weight be supported just by the arm around her waist as she holds her arms out like wings.

[nerves_of_ice]

"She might, at that."

Sharon holds out her arms, and he feels his heart turn over in his chest at the visible sign of her trust in him. Bucky spins around again and again, faster this time, then draws her down and wraps her up in a tight embrace as he leans in to kiss her.

[from_the_outside]

She laughs as he whirls them around, making her feel like she really is flying, then curls her arms around his neck when he finally sets her back down and returns his kiss with everything she's feeling behind it.

"I love seeing you so happy," she murmurs, and kisses him again. "I love playing games with you. I love you, so much."

[nerves_of_ice]

He doesn't deserve this much happiness, he knows that, but for tonight, here in this moment with her, he pushes that knowledge aside.

"I love you too," he whispers, and kisses her back.

[from_the_outside]

A small sound escapes her as he kisses her again, as her heart flips in her chest. She slips one hand up along the back of his neck, slides her fingers into his hair, and presses herself to his chest. "Hold me close, soldier boy," she murmurs, her breath warm against his lips.

"Don't ever let me go."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky smiles, slow and sweet, and tightens his embrace just a little more. "Yes, ma'am," he murmurs. "As long as you want."

[from_the_outside]

She kisses him once more, then presses her cheek to his, her arm resting over his shoulders, her other hand curved gently at the back of his head. "Okay," she says, quiet. "Forever, then."

[nerves_of_ice]

Forever. He lowers his head to her shoulder and breathes in her warmth and the scent of her perfume, drawing her into a slow sway of a dance as the music shifts.

"Sounds good to me."

[from_the_outside]

"Good."

The music drifts around them, and he moves them, slow and sweet and swaying. She can feel the steady beat of his heart against her own chest and the warmth of his breath through the fabric of her dress as he rests his head on her shoulder.

She tucks her head against his, bright hair blending softly with dark, and closes her eyes to lose herself in the moment.

[nerves_of_ice]

When he thinks about it later, he'll never be able to say exactly how long they dance. It doesn't matter. What matters is the soft cadence of the music, the feel of Sharon in his arms, the way the two of them move across their own personal dance floor under the bright Wakandan stars, surrounded by tiny lights.

At some point, though, a thought occurs to him and he lifts his head to look down at her. "You must be starving. Let me make you a snack?"

[from_the_outside]

She opens her mouth to protest, but her stomach rumbles and she shakes her head at herself, amused. "Okay," she admits. "I am hungry. Let's have a little something to eat."

Stepping back, she lets him go, only to take his hand in hers and lead him over to the table. There's a large amount of fresh fruit, of course, cut up and whole, both, and cheeses, along with some of the Wakandan dishes they've both come to like. "You must be getting a little peckish, too. That super soldier metabolism must burn like the sun."

[nerves_of_ice]

"A little. I still don't usually notice," he admits. "But I'm learning to." Bucky looks over the arrangement she's set up and lets out a soft whistle. "Baby, you did all this?"

[from_the_outside]

"It's not hard to get food here," she points out, amused. "And it looks fancier than it is."

She pulls the sweating bottle of champagne from the ice bucket. "This, I had to get from the local."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Well, it looks pretty impressive," he counters. "Here, I'll fix a plate for you."

He grins at the champagne, and turns the smile on her. "I should have dressed up too."

[from_the_outside]

"Next time," she promises, smiling, and turns her attention to the champagne, her fingers deftly unwrapping the foil over the cork. "But you look very handsome anyway."