[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

[marvel_npc]

"It certainly is," Peggy agrees. "And you're quite right, the war won't last forever."

She looks back over her shoulder at the vanity once more, then firms her resolve as she turns to Mrs. Hughes. "I don't suppose you have anywhere that you could hold it for me, if I were to purchase it?"

[from_the_outside]

The shopkeeper looks surprised, but controls her expression easily enough. "Yes, of course," she promises. "We've a number of storage options, including the basement of this building. I'll simply ensure the piece is tagged and kept aside for you."

[marvel_npc]

Peggy draws a deep breath. Oh, it's probably still foolishness and no mistake, but there's no harm in it, and it's not as if she can't afford it.

Besides, it is a nice piece. "Very well. If you could do that, then I'd like to have it."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon squeezes Aunt Peggy's arm, pleased, then lets her go so she can make the necessary arrangements.

"A wonderful selection," the proprietor says, as she reaches into her desk and retrieves a receipt book. "Would you like a tour of our storage area downstairs? I'm happy to set your mind at ease on the security of your new piece. And if you would prefer, you could simply put half down now and the remaining half upon retrieval."

[marvel_npc]

"That's very kind of you," Peggy says. "I accept. Sharon, darling, could you explain to the others? I'll be back in just a few minutes, I'm sure."

[from_the_outside]

"Of course, Aunt Peggy," Sharon replies, and smiles to herself as she watches her aunt head off with the shopkeeper. Once they're out of sight, she turns to look around for Steve and Bucky, then makes her way toward them.

[nerves_of_ice]

"She'll never guess I have it," Bucky reassures Steve. "I'll swing by and leave it in your quarters when we get back."

Sharon's approach catches his eye, and he tips his head toward her to alert Steve to her presence. "Seen all you want to see?"

[from_the_outside]

"Uh-huh." She comes to stand with them, pleased with herself. "Aunt Peggy will be just a minute. She has to organize storage for something she got."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Really?" Bucky hears how startled he sounds and spends a quick second being grateful that the other Agent Carter wasn't around to hear him. "Good for her. See, Steve, I told you this was a good idea."

[from_the_outside]

She makes a face and laughs at him. "Yes, really. She's a human with needs and wants, you know."

[nerves_of_ice]

Mischief sparks in his glance, but he doesn't have a chance to say anything before Steve's elbow connects solidly with his ribcage. "Oof. Okay, okay," he says, holding up both hands. "Peace. I just meant I was glad to hear it."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon wrinkles up her nose at him, but magnanimously lets it slide.

"Either of you see anything here you like?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Found a pair of silk gloves that I think Becky'll like," Bucky tells her, looking pleased as a cat in the cream for a moment before his expression shifts into something rueful. "I sure hope they fit."

"They will," Steve assures him. "Probably. It's the thought that counts, right?"

[from_the_outside]

Sharon glances at her own hands, then shakes her head. "I'd offer to try them on, but who knows if her hands are around the same size as mine."

[nerves_of_ice]

"No idea. Thanks anyway, though." It's better not to risk her catching sight of the other small package nestled in with the gloves in the bottom of the bag, beside the one Steve had entrusted to him.

"Anyway, that's one sister taken care of, three to go."

[from_the_outside]

"Had any brainwaves about what to do for Maggie?" she asks, as they wait for Aunt Peggy to return. Nothing in here screamed 'teenage girl' to her, but maybe she'd missed something.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not yet, but it's only the first shop, right?" he says, cheerfully.

[from_the_outside]

"So I hear," she says, amused. Behind her, she hears Aunt Peggy and the shopkeeper returning. Aunt Peggy looks flushed and pleased, though she keeps her expression sternly controlled as she joins them. "Everything all set?" Sharon asks.

[nerves_of_ice]

"All set," Peggy reports, with a smile for her niece. Bucky can practically see the pleasure in Steve's gaze as he takes in how content she looks. He turns to Mrs. Hughes.

"Thank you so much," he tells her. "I'm sure we'll be seeing you again soon, but just in case it's not before the holidays, have a merry Christmas, won't you?"

[from_the_outside]

"The same to all of you," Mrs. Hughes replies, waving them all off with a warm smile. "Thank you so much for stopping in."

Steve gets the door, and Sharon and Peggy file out first, then wait for the boys on the sidewalk. "Pretty successful first stop," Sharon says, smiling. "Where to next?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Wander down towards the square and window-shop along the way?" Bucky suggests. "That way we can stop in anywhere interesting, or else visit the department stores once we get there."

[from_the_outside]

"Sounds good to me."

She waits for Steve to offer his arm once more to Aunt Peggy, then comes to stroll at Bucky's side, pleased with herself and with the day in general. "It'll be nice to see all the decorations."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Can't wait to see what they come up with," he agrees, cheerfully. "It may be wartime, but people are pretty creative when they need to be." He looks back over his shoulder at Steve. "You know, I'm pretty sure the girls still have the ornaments you drew for them that year."

[from_the_outside]

"It's sweet of them to humor me," Steve says, while Sharon's mouth twitches.

"I'm sure they're great," she points out. "What were they drawings of?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hey, they liked them!" Bucky insists. He turns back to Sharon. "Christmas stuff. He drew all the kinds of decorations you'd expect to see at a holiday, using his art school supplies, on thick paper so they'd last."

He tips his head back, trying to think. "There were gift boxes with ribbons, a teddy bear, a doll, at least a couple of candy canes, a Christmas tree..."