[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]

Steve gives Bucky a look that says I told you so as clear as anything, then draws a quick breath and responds, "It's pretty?"

"It is," Bucky adds. There's clear appreciation in his tone. "The color would look great with your hair."

[from_the_outside]

"Why don't you try it on, darling?" Aunt Peggy tells her. "I'd like to see how it looks on you."

Sharon glances at Bucky. "Do you guys mind waiting a few minutes?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Of course we don't mind," Bucky says, promptly. He'd like to see how it looks on her too, but suspects Peggy might be annoyed if he suggests it. Besides, Steve's looking closer and closer to panic, although he doesn't think the others will be able to tell.

"Steve and I can wait right out here. You two go ahead. Take your time."

[from_the_outside]

"We won't be long," she promises. And she means it; she doesn't love shopping for clothes. She lets go of Bucky's arm and gets the door for Aunt Peggy, then follows her aunt inside.

[nerves_of_ice]

He glances over at Steve. "We dodged the bullet," he teases. "Relax, Rogers."

[marvel_npc]

Steve gives him a wry look and turns away from the shop windows, not wanting it to look like he's hanging around like a creep. He's not sure how long they wait, but he doesn't think it's even ten minutes before the door opens and Peggy and Sharon come back out, chatting, Sharon holding a bag.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky raises his eyebrows. "So I guess that was a yes?" he observes, glancing between them.

[from_the_outside]

"I guess you'll have to wait and see," Sharon says, archly, as Aunt Peggy takes Steve's arm once more. "Coventry Street next?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He beckons for her to give him the bag to carry, even as he offers his other arm again.

"Coventry Street it is," he agrees. "Agent Carter, are you interested in looking for anything in particular?" He turns to look at Peggy to make it clear which one he's addressing the question to.

[from_the_outside]

"This is your expedition, Sergeant," Aunt Peggy says, as Sharon hands over the bag and takes Bucky's arm once more. "Sharon and I are here for the company and the fresh air, more than for errands of our own."

Sharon glances at him, her mouth twitching. "Which isn't to say we might not see something along the way worth looking at," she adds.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yes, ma'am, I understand," Bucky returns, perfectly polite. Looks like Steve's on his own when it comes to figuring out what Peggy might like for a Christmas gift.

"Well, if you do, just sing out. Besides, I can't say I wouldn't appreciate suggestions." His smile is warm and real. "Maggie informed me in no uncertain terms a couple of letters back that she's 'all grown up now' and I'd better not forget it. So now I've got two of them who need 'grown-up' presents, plus the younger two."

[from_the_outside]

"Well, I think we can help with some 'grown-up' presents for Becky and Maggie," Sharon laughs. She's unable to resist glancing back at Steve, who looks uncomfortable, before looking back at Bucky.

"Maggie might like something pretty to wear, or a nice hair pin, or some make up or perfume."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hm," Bucky muses, leading them down the sidewalk. It's a crisp day, but not too cold, and they're far from the only ones on the street. "I guess we'll see what there is to see. Speaking of--"

He tips his head toward the little shop halfway down the block. "That looks clever, doesn't it?"

The carved wooden Christmas village set in the antique shop window looks old but well-loved and cared for. A clever hand has made thrifty use of old cotton batting and scrap as snow and trees around the cottage pieces.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon looks over and smiles as she sees the little village. "It sure does," she agrees, and nudges Bucky to walk them close enough to look through the window at the set up. It's a charming little scene, made more so by a miniature railroad track that cuts through the fluffy 'snow.'

"Look!" says Sharon, delighted. She points as a tiny electric train comes chugging along the line, traveling through the village on its way around the shop.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hey, that's pretty neat," Steve approves. He shifts to make sure that Peggy has plenty of room to look past him, through the shop window.

"I've been in here a couple of times," Bucky tells them all. "It's half antiques, half estate-sale kind of stuff, and it changes up a lot."

[from_the_outside]

"Do you want to go inside?" Sharon asks him, glancing up as the train disappears along its track. "You never know what you might find at a place like this."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Thought you'd never ask," he teases, and moves to open the door for her. "Cap? Agent Carter?"

[from_the_outside]

"I'm certainly interested," Aunt Peggy admits. Hearing that, Steve's quick to usher her through the door. Sharon waits for Bucky to join her, then turns her attention to the store's many and varied wares.

[nerves_of_ice]

Everything in the little shop has a discreet price tag, including the furniture on which various items are displayed. The displays themselves are cozily arranged after the feeling of a sitting room or household, rather than structured on shelves.

The bell over the door as they enter draws the attention of the gray-haired shopkeeper, whose eyes are sharp behind her gold-rimmed glasses and whose smile is genuinely pleased as she sees them. "Welcome," she tells them. "Have as much of a look as you like, and I'll be here if you've any questions."

"Thanks, Mrs. Hughes," Bucky tells her. "How's the mister doing?"

"Oh, he's coming right along. He'll be right as rain in another few weeks, the doctor says."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon prowls around the shop, taking it all in. The items are all high quality and well made; clearly the proprietor has a discerning eye.

She might have expected that. What she doesn't expect is to come around a cluster of living room items and find herself face to face with her own reflection in an alarmingly familiar mirror.

Sharon blinks at herself, then looks down at the surface of a vanity she's sat at who knows how many dozens of times, then runs her fingers lightly over the engraved handle of a not-yet-antique silver hand mirror. There's a matching brush and comb somewhere, she knows. She can remember every time Aunt Peggy gave into her requests and let her sit at the vanity while her aunt did her hair.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Glad to hear it," Bucky says, with real warmth. "Just be careful not to overdo on that plaster, now." Mrs. Hughes laughs. "Yes, yes, I won't forget."

While Bucky chats with the shopkeeper and Peggy browses the wares, Steve wanders through the shop in another direction. He doesn't want Peggy to feel like he's crowding her, or anything like that.

At least there's enough room between things that he doesn't feel likely to break anything. He edges carefully around a display and spots Sharon staring at a mirror. "Excuse me," he apologizes, and starts to back away.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon glances quickly in the direction of movement, then relaxes at the sight of Steve. "Captain," she greets him, setting the hand mirror down. "Finding anything interesting?"

[marvel_npc]

"Not exactly," he hedges, "but it's a neat shop. Are you?"

Bucky's probably got all sorts of ideas already, but Steve's feeling a little lost at this kind of thing.

[from_the_outside]

Aunt Peggy hadn't actually ever told her where the toiletries set had come from. Sharon knows the vanity itself was the first piece of 'real' furniture her aunt had bought for herself, and she'd always assumed the set came with it, but...

She beckons Steve a little closer, smiling. "Look at this," she tells him, and lifts up the mirror for his perusal.

[marvel_npc]

He comes to stand beside her and peers at the mirror in her hand. "That's pretty nice." It is, elegant even, beautifully engraved with intricate designs.