[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 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.

[nerves_of_ice]

"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.

[from_the_outside]

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.

[nerves_of_ice]

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?”

[from_the_outside]

"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."

[nerves_of_ice]

“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.

[from_the_outside]

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?"

[nerves_of_ice]

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?”

[from_the_outside]

"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?"

[nerves_of_ice]

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

[from_the_outside]

"Good."

Sharon curls her legs to the side to sit on her hip and puts her head on his shoulder, leaning against him. She holds the flute delicately in her fingers, sipping now and then as they watch the stars gleam overhead.

[nerves_of_ice]

He puts his arm around her, holding her close, supported, and just breathes while the sky above slowly spins and the peace of a Wakandan night settles over then.