[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

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins at him. “To remind you that we’re leaving in half an hour to go shopping.”

[marvel_npc]

Surprise chases clear across Steve's face. "We are?"

If he's being honest, he didn't really think the girls would agree to it.

[nerves_of_ice]

“We are,” he says, firmly. “All four of us.”

[marvel_npc]

"All four of us?"

Yes, he'd had a wonderful time with Peggy the other night, but that was in the evening, when everyone relaxes a little. He thinks about walking around London with her, helping her with packages, and flushes a little. "They said yes?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“They did.” Bucky walks all the way in and over to Steve. “So you better get a move on, Rogers. Anything I can help you wrap up here?”

[marvel_npc]

"Uh..."

He glances down at the map, distracted, and takes a moment to wonder if he might be able to come up with some reason why he can't go. "No, I was just musing. So... half an hour?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“A little less than that, now.” Bucky makes his smile warm and reassuring. “We’re all to meet at the lift.”

[marvel_npc]

It's all arranged already, and if he backs out, he has the sinking suspicion Agent Carter – the Agents Carter – will guess why. "At the lift," he repeats. "I'll be there."

[nerves_of_ice]

“You sure will.” He clasps Steve’s shoulder. “Buck up, Rogers. This is going to be fun.”

[marvel_npc]

"If you say so," Steve says, a little doubtful. But Bucky wouldn't lead him astray, and it would be nice to have a little time with Agent – the Agents – Carter outside HQ. "What kinds of things do you think they want to shop for?"

Nothing too embarrassing, he hopes.

[nerves_of_ice]

“No idea,” he says, cheerfully. “I’m thinking to look for little things to send to the girls with the next letter, and maybe that’ll appeal to them, too. If not, I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

[marvel_npc]

"What if they want to shop for clothes?" Steve wonders, nervous. The thought of being asked his opinion on a dress or pair of gloves makes him break out into a cold sweat.

[nerves_of_ice]

“Then we just stand around and carry things and make approving noises, mostly,” Bucky tells him. “They’ll probably ask each other fashion questions, not us.”

[marvel_npc]

He'd rather run headlong into enemy fire than step foot in a ladies' clothing store. Everything in there is so delicate and dainty. He'd be worried about accidentally tripping over his feet and crushing something expensive.

"If you say so." He takes a breath and steels himself. "I better swing by my quarters. Make sure I have my wallet."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’ll come with you.” It’s not that he thinks Steve might run, exactly, but he’s pretty sure he wouldn’t mind a little extra support.

[marvel_npc]

Steve nods and moves away from the table, toward the door. "I'm working on a page for that letter," he tells Bucky. "For whenever you send it."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I need to finish my own up,” he admits, keeping pace. “I figured later tonight maybe, if we can find some stuff for the girls today.”

[marvel_npc]

"Well, they asked for a lot of information from you," Steve says, amused. "Did you answer all Becky's questions?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“That’s the part I’m still working on.” He knows he sounds sheepish, and that Steve’ll be able to tell exactly why. “It’s a little hard to explain.”

[marvel_npc]

Steve smiles to himself, thinking of the other sheet he's been working on to add to the letter. It's no magic photograph, but hopefully it'll help quell the Barnes girls' curiosity. "I'd say you could tell them it's classified, but somehow I think that would only make Becky try to find a way to get over here herself."

[nerves_of_ice]

“She would. You know she would. She’d sign up as a WAC, or a nurse or something.” Bucky shakes his head. “No thanks. I’ll write letters, and she’ll stay safe in Indiana.”

[marvel_npc]

"That sounds like a good idea."

They turn into the corridor his quarters are on, and Steve opens the door as they arrive. "Seems like they like it out there."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky follows him in and leans against the wall, shoving his hands idly in his pockets. “You know, I really think they do? Me, I’d miss Brooklyn too much. But I’m glad they’re happy.”

[marvel_npc]

Steve heads to his desk, surreptitiously closing his sketchbook before Bucky can see his work in progress. "So I'm not going to lose you to a country life in Indiana when we get home?" he teases.

"No dreams of becoming a farmer?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Me? A farmer?” Bucky throws his head back and laughs. “Not a chance. I’m a city boy through and through. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Rogers.”