[WWII AU] the streets of london

[nerves_of_ice]

Becky's last letter had suggested she'd be sending a longer one soon, and between that, the previous promise of a knitting circle, and the time of year, Bucky's pretty sure that a care package will be coming their way with the next one.

Given that, it's not too hard to convince Steve that it might be nice to pick up a couple of small things to send back in appreciation when they can. And with that in mind, to suggest that maybe the Agents Carter might enjoy doing a little shopping themselves, and that it'd be only polite for the two of them to help carry packages and make sure they didn't get overcrowded on the streets, or anything like that.

He's pretty darn sure that Steve sees right through him, but his best friend agrees to it, if Bucky can talk Sharon and Peggy into the idea.

He's smiling to himself as he makes his way toward their respective quarters.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

Weeks they've been here, with Howard back among all his toys and tools, and he still hasn't found a way to reverse the wormhole that brought her here.

So she keeps busy in other ways. Today, she's trying to mend a tear in a set of her stockings and swearing bloody murder every time she stabs herself in the finger with the needle, so it's a relief when a knock comes at her door.

More so when she sees who it is. "Sergeant."

Sharon opens the door a little wider, her smile impossible to tuck away. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He leans against the doorjamb, grinning back at her. "Steve and I wanted to offer an invitation," he says, with as much innocence as he can muster. "We're heading out to pick up some things, and thought you and the other Agent Carter might want to put in a few requests."

Casually, before she can answer, he adds, "Or even come along."

[from_the_outside]

"Hmm."

That smile keeps toying around the edges of her mouth. "I guess that depends. What kind of things are you picking up?"

She keeps her tone bland and teasing. "Munitions?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not this time." It's all he can do to keep from laughing. "Personal items. Some souvenirs. That kind of thing."

The suppressed laughter twinkles in his eyes instead. "Don't women like to shop where you're from?"

[from_the_outside]

"Absolutely. It's just that they mostly do it online."

Not that that makes any kind of sense to Bucky. She studies him as he leans there, all relaxed grace. "So, you would like us to come out for a shopping trip in the city. Is that it?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Online?" he asks, curious, then nods. "Yes, ma'am. If you want. We can run interference with crowds, carry your packages for you, that kind of thing."

[from_the_outside]

"Future thing. Don't worry about it."

He's clearly up to something, but it sounds like fun regardless, so she huffs a laugh and nods. "Well, how could I resist an offer like that?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He stores it away with other incomprehensible tidbits about the time she comes from to puzzle over later - what kind of line? It can’t be like fishing; maybe a clothesline or delivery service? - and and grins more broadly, delighted. “Wonderful. I’ll go check with the other Agent Carter, and then maybe we could meet at the surface lift in half an hour?”

[from_the_outside]

"See you there," she agrees, then frowns. "Uniform or civilian clothes?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Either, I guess. Steve and I’ll be in uniform because of regulations, but if you and the other Agent Carter want to go in civvies be my guest.”

He touches his brow in a small, informal salute, winks at her, and goes to look for Peggy.

[from_the_outside]

Her mouth twitches as she returns his salute, and she closes her door behind him, then turns to look at her quarters and the choices she has.

[nerves_of_ice]

Peggy Carter will be the harder sell, he knows, but he’s determined to try. Bucky goes to her quarters first and knocks. If she isn’t there, he’ll head for the other most likely places, but given the time of day and the fact that he’d swung by a couple on the way here, he figures there’s a pretty good chance.

Unlike with Sharon, he doesn’t lean against the door, but stands straight and attentive while he waits for any answer.

[marvel_npc]

She's at her desk, writing a letter, when the knock comes and her pen pauses at the end of the word. "It's open," she calls, focusing on finishing her sentence so she can put her pen down and turn in her chair to see who's come to call.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky opens the door but doesn’t presume to step inside. “Ma’am,” he says, politely. “Captain Rogers and I are going into the city to pick up a few things and thought that you and your niece might be interested in coming along.”

[marvel_npc]

She stays at her seat, one arm lightly resting on her desk, and frowns at him. "I'm very busy, Sergeant," she says. "I can't simply drop everything I'm doing for a shopping trip."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Yes, ma’am, I know.” He’d expected something like this. “That’s why I— we thought you might find this an effective way to get errands done while spending time with the other Agent Carter. And with the two of us to help carry, you could do more than you might on your own.”

[marvel_npc]

She narrows her eyes at him, suspicious, but he'd chosen his argument well. It would be easier to run errands with their help, and she has to start thinking about what small things she'd like to send back home for the holidays. "Well."

She taps her pen on the desk, considering. "When were you thinking of going?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“In about half an hour.” His gaze is bland and innocent as he meets her eyes. “But if that’s not convenient for you we’d be happy to adjust.”

[marvel_npc]

Half an hour. Peggy does a swift but thorough mental calculation of everything she has to get done today, then weighs it against the admittedly far more pleasant prospect of spending an afternoon out in this city she loves with a niece she adores and –

She doesn't quite let herself finish the thought. "Half an hour is acceptable," she says, crisply. "Is there anything else, Sergeant?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“No ma’am,” he says, prompt. “I’ll leave you to it. If it’s convenient, we can meet at the surface lift then.”

[marvel_npc]

"Very well," she says, brisk, and gives him a nod. "On your way, then."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Yes, ma’am.” Bucky braces to attention, then shuts the door and heads back up the hall.

Now all he has to do is corral Steve and make sure his best friend doesn’t chicken out.

[marvel_npc]

Being back at HQ means there's time to breathe and plan out their next move – which is exactly what he'd just been doing in his meeting with Phillips. His CO has headed off to other duties of his own, but Steve's chosen to stay behind to study the maps, leaning onto the table with both hands as he considers all the angles.

[nerves_of_ice]

“Cap,” Bucky says, rapping on the door to announce himself. “Can I interrupt?”

[marvel_npc]

Steve glances up and smiles, the expression changing his face from serious to warm in an instant. "Bucky. Always."

He straightens and looks at his best friend. "What do you need?"