[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]

She smiles at that, and sets her champagne down to pick up her plate. "I hope you do."

If she could preserve this night in amber, record it so she could close her eyes and live it all over again, she would. "I like making new memories with you."

[nerves_of_ice]

“So do I,” he tells her, softly. “Both things.”

Bucky takes another sip of champagne, then carefully sets the flute down and turns his attention to his own plate. “This is great, baby. All of it.”

[from_the_outside]

"We haven't had a date night in a while," she points out, forking up a few bites. As much as she teases him, he's right: she is starving. It's been a busy day.

"And I figured: no need to wait until we're in Brooklyn."

[nerves_of_ice]

He smiles a little wryly at that. "True. There's no reason to wait." Especially since there's no telling when it'll be possible for any of them to go there.

"Oh, you're going to get your Halloween, too."

[from_the_outside]

"How did this become my Halloween?" she asks, laughing.

"It was your idea."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Was it?" he says, keeping his tone bland. "I might have suggested to Shuri that you'd have some thoughts about how to do it."

[from_the_outside]

"Uh-huh."

She takes another bite and gives him a fondly exasperated glance. "Guess I'd better come up with a few, then."

[nerves_of_ice]

He widens his eyes at her, innocently. “I knew you could do it.”

[from_the_outside]

"Don't think you're getting out of this," she informs him, pointing at him with her fork, then laughs.

"Too bad the goats are too small to give hayrides."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins. “I know, I know,”
he promises. “I’ll help.”

He looks thoughtful. “Wonder if that rhino’d be an option. Okoye would know.”

[from_the_outside]

She allows herself a moment to imagine a cartload of children drawn by the enormous rhinoceros and can't help a laugh.

"If not, I'm sure someone has an ox or two they can loan to the cause."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We'll figure something out." He finishes up with his food and swaps the plate for the glass.

"It'll be fun. But right now, this is better."

[from_the_outside]

"I think so, too."

She keeps her eyes on him, taking in every nuance of his happiness. He looks so bright and pleased and she promises herself she'll do all she can to make him feel this way as often as possible.

A few more bites and she puts her plate down with a sigh, her stomach feeling pleasantly full. "And we can keep it, you know. The flooring. We probably won't want to have it out all the time, but it's ours for whenever we want it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We can store it at the back of the hay shed," he suggests. "It's open, so it'd be easy to get in and out, but it's sheltered enough from the weather."

Although 'shed' might be a bit of a stretch, the little lean-to is pretty sturdy, enough for this.

[from_the_outside]

"Perfect."

She grins at him. "Maybe some of the kids will want dance lessons."

[nerves_of_ice]

Amusement fills his expression. "Doubt it, but I guess we'll see."

[from_the_outside]

She tips the last of her champagne into her mouth, then sets the empty flute aside and leans back on her hands, stretching her legs out onto the blanket in front of her, toes pointing. Overhead, the stars are beginning to gleam through the dark evening sky.

"It's really nice here."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It is," he murmurs, watching her. "Don't move, okay?"

He's on his feet in the next instant and ducking into the hut.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft sound of acknowledgement and stays where she is, gazing up at the sky.

[nerves_of_ice]

The soft click of a camera shutter's the first sign of his return. He takes the picture from the edge of the hut, capturing the way she's stretched out, head tipped back and eyes dreamy, dress gleaming gold in the soft light.

[from_the_outside]

She glances over, amused, then tips her head back and smiles, modeling unashamedly.

[nerves_of_ice]

"You're always so patient with me," he murmurs, even as he circles to take images from various angles. Pictures of her, of the dance floor and the lights, hints of the stars above in the way he frames them, Bucky loses himself in them all.

[from_the_outside]

"Why wouldn't I be?" she counters, delighted to see him prowling around to take photo after photo.

"I love when you take pictures."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Still." He lowers the camera and smiles at her over the top of it.

[from_the_outside]

"You should have one with you in it, though," she points out, though it's mild. As far as she's concerned, he can take any picture he wants, and as many of them as he desires.