[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]

"They will. They may be a little surprised, but they'll approve." He smiles back at her.

"But yes, I figure you're better suited to answer questions about why the heck you agreed to go out with me in the first place, which believe me Becky will ask."

[from_the_outside]

"You trying to tell me there are people who say 'no' to that question?" she laughs. "I didn't even have to think about it."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles. "There've been a few, yes."

Her aunt, for one.

[from_the_outside]

"Their loss."

And her impossible gain. She gives his temple a fond kiss. "I'll happily answer that in my letter."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I can’t wait to see what you come up with,” he says, cheerfully.

“Let’s see. I’m supposed to tell them about care package stuff…and then I’ll tell them about London at the holidays, and how it compares to New York.”

[from_the_outside]

"What will you ask for in the care package?"

Just like Steve, she suspects he'd be fine with anything they sent, to his sisters' annoyance.

[nerves_of_ice]

“That’s part of why it’s taken so long for me to write this letter,” he admits. “I really don’t know.”

Bucky shrugs. “I liked that local paper idea. I’ll say maybe they can wrap stuff in newspaper sheets. But beyond that, no clue. Socks, I guess. Maybe a pair of knitted gloves, or even two.”

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe a hat?"

She ruffles his hair with her fingers. "Keep that handsome head warm."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins at her. “Think I’d look cute in a cap?”

[from_the_outside]

"I think you'd look cute in anything," she laughs. "But yes."

[nerves_of_ice]

He sets down his pen so he can take her hand in his. Bucky lifts it to kiss her fingers. “Okay then. I’ll ask for a hat.”

[from_the_outside]

She traces the edge of his smile with her thumb, smiling back at him. "Excellent choice, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

He holds still and lets her, smiling back, just lost in this moment here with her.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon leans in to kiss him, very gently. "Maybe I should go back to my quarters," she murmurs. "I don't know if you'll get your letter finished if I stick around."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I don’t either,” he laughs. “Go write yours and come back? I’ll finish mine before you do.”

[from_the_outside]

"You drive a hard bargain, Barnes," she teases, before reluctantly standing up. "Give me an hour?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“You got it.” But he leans up to kiss her first before she moves too far away. “Bargaining’s fun.”

[from_the_outside]

"You just like to tease," she laughs, but kisses him back. "Okay. One hour."

[nerves_of_ice]

“That too,” he agrees, untroubled. “See you in a little while, darling.”

[from_the_outside]

She gives him a wink and slips from his room, heading to hers with a brisk step. Once there, she sits down at her desk and takes out a sheet of paper and a pen of her own, then taps the pen against the table, thinking, before she starts to write.

[nerves_of_ice]

It takes him a while to settle to it, but eventually he gets into the rhythm of the letter. He thanks them for the knitting circle, shares everyone else’s wishes, then his own - including a hat.

He writes about the people he’s met in various places, without giving away specific locations, telling them stories and trying to keep them cheerful about his ‘adventure’ overseas.

Another Christmas away, but hopefully it’ll be the last one. The war has to end soon. Everything’s pointing to it.

[from_the_outside]

There are so many things she can't tell the Barnes sisters, but she focuses on what she can, and on what she thinks they're most curious about. By the time the hour is up, she has a page in neat writing that she folds up and takes with her as she heads back to Bucky's quarters.

[nerves_of_ice]

He stacks his letter on top of the portrait of Sharon, on top of Steve’s letter.

Satisfied, Bucky props his door open and idly wanders back to the desk to sort through the couple of books that’d come in the last distribution round.

[from_the_outside]

She watches him for a moment before coming in, holding her letter up. "Hi. All done?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“All done,” he says. “Want to read it?”