[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

[from_the_outside]

"Wearing our new pajamas," she confirms. "So Christmas is pretty low-key. But New Year's is a whole other ballgame."

She smiles up at him. "Remember the house I showed you? The one in Virginia? We throw a big New Year's Eve party there every year. Everyone dresses up. Sometimes black tie, sometimes cocktail attire. There's champagne and shrimp and oysters and the whole house is lit up."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky lets out a low whistle. “That’s one fancy party.” He presses a light kiss to her hair.

“The big hotels put on shindigs like that. Never been to one myself, but it’s something to see everyone heading in, and the way it’s all decorated.”

[from_the_outside]

"It is," she agrees. "My parents love it. I haven't been able to be home for it for a while now, but they tell me all about it."

She reaches to tug affectionately at his shirt. "I could just see you there, dressed to the nines, charming all my parents' friends."

[nerves_of_ice]

“With you on my arm, nobody’d be looking at me,” he teases. “I bet you’d outshine everyone.”

[from_the_outside]

"Not a chance," she teases back. "You're irresistible, baby. They'd all think so, too."

She reaches to fold back his collar and places a light kiss against the side of his neck. "Tell me about what it would be like in New York?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He shivers a little at the touch of her lips. “Well, you already heard about my attempt at a tree last year,” he says, dryly. “The year before it was a branch, but a nice big one, really green and fresh, so almost a tree.”

Bucky looks down at her and smiles. “One year I got clever with a knife and made tinsel out of wood shavings. Steve drew us a set of ornaments like the ones he sent the girls, and we lit candles and watched the way the flickering light made it all seem to sparkle.”

[from_the_outside]

"Smart," she says, smiling. "Inventive. It sounds really cosy."

[nerves_of_ice]

“It was.” He smiles back. “We always did stockings, too. Sometimes we had to get clever to fill the girls’, but usually we managed to figure something out. And then Steve and I would do one for each other, of course.”

He curves his arm around her waist and cuddles her closer. “We’d go up to Rockefeller Center and look at the big tree there, and the way everything was lit up, and just take it all in. There’s nothing like New York at Christmastime. It’s gorgeous.”

[from_the_outside]

"I'd love to see it with you," she murmurs. "Walk around downtown like we did today. See the big tree. Go skating."

Her smile is crooked and rueful. "Eat some roasted nuts."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’d buy you a cone full,” he promises. “We could walk through the tree lots and pretend it was a forest. Then skate over the ice like we were dancing.”

[from_the_outside]

"Build a snowman in the park," she suggests. "And then warm up with a cup of hot cocoa."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Exactly.” He tucks a lock of hair back from her face.

“New Year’s might not be as nice as what you’re used to,” he admits. “Watch the ball drop from a rooftop, make a wish, make a toast.”

[from_the_outside]

"It sounds perfect to me."

She tips her head into his touch, her gaze on his face. "As long as I get to kiss you at midnight."

[nerves_of_ice]

“At midnight,” he murmurs, “and after, and before—“

He kisses her, slow and sweet and lingering over the taste of her mouth.

[from_the_outside]

She makes a soft sound against his mouth and melts into him. "Pretend it's New Year's Eve," she whispers. "And we're up on that roof, and the ball just dropped."

She kisses him once more, slow. "Make a wish, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

It’s not fair to make the wish he wants to make, so he makes himself wish for as much time as is possible for them to have, instead.

“Okay, angel,” he whispers, and kisses her again. “Happy New Year.”

[from_the_outside]

"Happy New Year, darling," she murmurs, and kisses him back, sliding her hand along the back of his neck and slipping her fingers into his hair. Each kiss is lazy and sweet and lingering, and she can't get enough of them, or of him.

[nerves_of_ice]

He makes a low sound against her mouth and pulls her closer as he returns each slow kiss with another.

“Merry Christmas too. Everything.”

[from_the_outside]

"Bucky."

She lets herself drown in him, in his taste and scent and warmth, then shifts up onto her knees, facing him, so she can cradle his head in her hands and kiss him again and again. "You're already everything I want."

[nerves_of_ice]

"My angel," he murmurs, leaning up into her touch as he settles his hands at her hips and kisses her, kisses her, kisses her. "My darling.

[from_the_outside]

"Sweetheart."

She nips lightly at his lower lip and grins, mischievous, then shifts to lift a knee over his legs and settle into his lap. "Come play with me, baby."

[nerves_of_ice]

"How can I possibly say no to you?" he laughs, and leans up to kiss her again as he skims his hands lightly up her sides and around her back, delivering long, slow caresses.

[from_the_outside]

"It's definitely possible," she teases. "But I'm glad you don't."

Usually. "Because I can't get enough of you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I feel the same." He runs his hands over her curves and starts to kiss a slow, deliberate path along her throat.

[from_the_outside]

She tips her head to give him access to her throat, and sinks her fingers into his hair to play with it the way she knows he loves. "Sweet soldier boy," she murmurs, and presses herself against his chest, holding onto him like nothing could ever make her let go.