[WWII AU] a long-awaited mission

[nerves_of_ice]

He'd wondered what was up when Steve had asked him to join the strategy meeting with him and Colonel Phillips that morning, just after breakfast. His best friend had tried to keep it casual, given that the guys were around, but Bucky can still read him as easy as any book.

It had taken less than three minutes for him to realize, and a solid five hours for them to plan the details of the mission. They'd worked through lunch, and by the time he leaves officers' country, Bucky's nearly vibrating with excitement.

Zola. After all this time, they've finally got a lead on the son-of-a-bitch. And it's a good one. First Zola, then Schmidt, and then--

He doesn't let himself think about that yet. He can't. Bucky reminds himself to stay focused as he moves quickly along the hallways, heading for the weapons room.

They'll all be getting the official orders at the afternoon's training session, but he can't sit still. Not now. Might as well check over his gear and make sure everything's as tuned up as it can possibly be.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

"Lead the way." So much has changed in the years since he'd first given Steve a boxing lesson. Bucky can't help but be proud of his best friend, and glad that others are finally seeing the truth of who he is.

"Got anything in particular in mind?"

[marvel_npc]

Steve looks a little sheepish. "I think we're still waiting on the next shipment of heavy bags," he admits.

Maybe he'd gotten a little overzealous with his bag work. "But we can do shield drills, if you're up for it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Are you kidding?" Bucky laughs. "I guess I never did teach you how to pull your punches. But that suits me. It's fun to play with that shield of yours."

[marvel_npc]

"Pulling them wouldn't have done any good before," Steve points out. "But good. Besides, you may need to use it if we come across any of those cube-infused weapons."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I guess that's true." He hopes he's able to keep his expression from shifting as he continues, "You know, that's a good idea. Wouldn't hurt to work on drop-and-catch, or ricochet drills, or the like."

[marvel_npc]

There's that flicker again. Not surprising, considering what they're up against and what this mission will mean: for the war, for the team, for Bucky, personally. "Then that's what we'll do," he agrees.

"I want you as comfortable with the shield as I am by the time we leave for the Alps."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Then we better get to it." Bucky falls in beside him as they start toward the training room. "Hard to believe it's real, you know?"

[marvel_npc]

"You're telling me, pal."

Steve shakes his head, incredulous. "Even though I knew we'd get him eventually, it still hardly feels possible."

[nerves_of_ice]

"First him, then Schmidt. But ... yeah." Bucky stares into the distance for a second, then glances over at Steve. "They're a hell of a pair, those two."

[marvel_npc]

"Not for much longer," Steve says, with certainty.

They walk along the corridors, and he allows himself to touch lightly on the thoughts he's been trying to hold at bay. "But you were right, I think. Once we get the cube and Schmidt... I don't see how the war can last much longer after that."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Me either." He just hopes he'll be there for it. "Can you imagine how big the party's going to be?"

[marvel_npc]

Steve chuckles. "I'll bet no one sleeps for a week."

He glances over, his smile warm. "And then back to Brooklyn for you and me, I hope."

[nerves_of_ice]

"There's nowhere else I'd want to be," Bucky assures him, with deep sincerity. "Think you'll stay with the SSR after it's all over?"

[marvel_npc]

"Not sure who else would have a use for me," Steve admits. "But some R&R first, hopefully."

Maybe Peggy would be interested in a trip to New York.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Well, I hope you're ready for me to sign up right beside you." If only he can.

"But you're right, it'd be nice to have a break. And Becky'll have my head if I don't swing by Indiana for a few days. You should come with me," he decides.

[marvel_npc]

"I wouldn't want to do it without you."

He chuckles at Bucky's next thought. "Sure. I'd like to see the girls. I've heard so much about the place out there I can almost picture it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You could, though." A thread of seriousness slips into his tone. "If you had to, I mean. If, I don't know, the major leagues come calling and I get that job with the Dodgers we used to dream about - remember that?"

[marvel_npc]

Steve frowns a little at that, glancing over his shoulder at Bucky. "Even if I could, I wouldn't want to," he reiterates. "And if you're working with the Dodgers, you'd better believe I'd be tagging along."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky laughs. "What, thinking of being a ball boy? They'd recruit you in a flash for the starting lineup, Rogers, never doubt it."

[marvel_npc]

Steve looks a little abashed, grinning despite himself. "That hardly seems fair," he points out. "Maybe I can toss hot dogs and boxes of Cracker Jacks out into the crowd."

[nerves_of_ice]

"If you're not careful you'll end up showboating for whatever baseball's version of the USO is," he teases. "No, better you take the field."

[marvel_npc]

Steve chuckles, shaking his head. "I wonder if Peggy likes baseball."

[nerves_of_ice]

"No idea, but I know Sharon does. Maybe the two of you could talk Peggy into a game," Bucky suggests.

[marvel_npc]

"Maybe."

He frowns, slightly. Bucky almost always adds a caveat when talking about the things Sharon might do with him, or them, in the future. "If she's here, right?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"If she's here," he agrees. "But just so you know... we've started talking about what happens if she can't go back."