[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]

Steve's laugh rumbles in his chest. "Then you deserve everything you're going to get from them," he says, amused. "Going to volunteer any information, or just answer what they asked?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Dunno yet. They asked a lot,” he points out. “We’ll see what comes to me. Enough to keep Becky from joining the WACs for sure.”

[marvel_npc]

"Not that I wouldn't love to see her," Steve laughs. "But let's make sure that's when we get home, and not when she comes here."

[nerves_of_ice]

"She'd love to see you too. They all would." Mischief sparkles in his eyes. "Especially Maggie, maybe."

[marvel_npc]

Steve groans and hides his face in his hands. "Don't remind me."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky laughs and claps Steve on the shoulder. "Don't worry. She'll grow out of it."

[marvel_npc]

"I hope so," he says, muffled. He'd never had to navigate anything like this with Becky, but with Maggie it was like, one day, a switch just flipped.

Steve scrubs his face and gives Bucky a rueful glance. "It can't last that long, right?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Right," he reassures him, with a grin. "And, you know, there's worse people for her to have her first crush on. At least I know you're not going to give her a hard time about it."

[marvel_npc]

"Of course not," Steve says, sincerely. "I just don't want to hurt her feelings."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I know. You never would. That's not the kind of guy you are." Bucky's absolute faith in his best friend is audible.

[marvel_npc]

Steve smiles over at his best friend as a knock comes at the door and Sharon returns, brandishing an empty shoebox. "This should work," she says, pleased, and offer it to Steve, who nods.

"I think you're right."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Perfect," Bucky agrees. "Sharon, thanks for helping out with this. Both the finding and the packaging."

[from_the_outside]

"Happy to help out," she says, perching on the edge of the bed. Steve opens the shoebox and starts carefully setting the vanity set into the tissue paper inside. "Besides, Steve's clearly done me a solid with those drawings."

[nerves_of_ice]

He grins at that. “Makes two of us.”

Bucky taps the portrait. “I figure to send them this one and keep the other.”

[from_the_outside]

"I think that's perfect."

Steve closes the box lid and looks pleased with himself. "That's going to work great. All it needs is a little paper or a ribbon."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll see what I can scrounge up," he offers. "I'm going to be doing that for the girls' presents anyway."

[from_the_outside]

"If it won't be any trouble." Steve stands, lifting the box. "Thanks again. I'll let you go ahead and finish that letter."

"I guess you'll need to edit it a little," Sharon tells Bucky, laughing. "Have a good night, Steve."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe a little," he agrees, untroubled. "Night, Steve. See you first thing tomorrow after dealing with Howard."

[from_the_outside]

"Night, all."

Steve lifts a hand to them and heads out of Bucky's quarters, while Sharon crosses one leg over the other and leans back on her hands. "That was really nice of him," she says.

[nerves_of_ice]

"It really was." Quiet, yet fond. "He said he'd do another, too, if I wanted to send both of these."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon gets up and goes to softly close the door, then comes to stand behind him, setting her hands lightly on his shoulders so she can lean down to drop a kiss into his hair. "I'm sure he would."

[nerves_of_ice]

He tips his head back to smile up at her. "He will. But I think I'm keeping the one of the two of us here anyway."

[from_the_outside]

She slips a hand off his shoulder, leaning against him, and touches the drawing lightly. "Good," she murmurs. "I really like that one."

[nerves_of_ice]

“So do I.” He’s looking at her as she looks at the sketch. “He’s got a gift.”

[from_the_outside]

"He really does."

She smiles over at him, then leans down to kiss his mouth, gently. "Want to finish your letter?"