nerves_of_ice | [oom] training ground

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[oom] training ground

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.

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"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.

"Perfect."

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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.

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

"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.

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

"I love when you take pictures."

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

"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.

"I have an idea for that." He circles the area again, making sure he's got the right angle, then takes the little spider stand out of a pocket and sets it up. Bucky brings it to its full height, mounts the camera, and checks the view before he programs a few settings.

Having done that, he comes over to offer her a hand up. "May I have this dance?"

She accepts his hand and allows him to lift her to her feet, laughing. "As long as it's nothing too quick yet," she warns. "I'm really full."

"Nothing too quick," he promises, drawing her close. "Mostly to pose for the camera."

She steps lightly into his arms and curls her fingers over his shoulder, her other hand tucked into his vibranium one.

"That'll be a nice picture," she murmurs, looking up at him with warm, fond eyes.

"I thought so too." The timer on the camera runs out and the quiet clicks of a shutter begin to sound as it starts taking the set of exposures he'd set up. Bucky smiles down at her and twirls her around very slowly, very gently, dancing with her while the camera captures it all.

She moves easily with him, twirling when he lifts his hand and coming back to him in the next breath, each step slow and sweet and perfect.

Never in a million years could she have imagined her little surprise would go so well. She'll be riding the high of this satisfaction for days.

The last picture clicks and the shutter slides to lock, along with the lens cover. Bucky draws her close once more and smiles at her. “There,” he murmurs. “Want to watch the stars a while?”

"Definitely."

She's not sure there's anything he could suggest right now that she wouldn't go along with. "Let me turn out the lights so we can see them better."

“I’ll put the camera away and pour some more champagne while you do.”

He suits actions to words and meets her back at the edge of the purple-and-smoke throw that she’d given him all those months ago.

She switches off the string lights, but lets the music stay on, playing something soft and slow, then comes to join him, holding out her hand.

"Sit down with me?"

He lets his small, warm smile answer for him as he takes her hand and kisses her fingers, then helps her to sit down and hands her the champagne.

Bucky settles beside her and reaches to brush her hair back over her shoulder. “Hi,” he murmurs. “Happy?”

"Yes."

Completely, wholly. She doesn't hesitate to answer, not when she has the answer right here at her fingertips.

He'd been so worried, she knows. That she was unhappy. That she felt trapped and restless. But she has a goal, now, and a few things of her own, and this evening is so perfect she couldn't imagine how it could be better. "You?"

“Yes.” More than he could ever possibly deserve. Tomorrow will wait. What’s important now is right here.

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from_the_outside - 2022-09-19 18:41 (UTC) - Expand

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