[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

[from_the_outside]

Sharon opens the door and smiles at him as she leans against the jamb.

"Am I interrupting?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not at all." He meets her at the door and smiles down at her. "Come in, if you like," he teases.

[from_the_outside]

"I do like," she responds, arch, and slips into the room, letting the door shut behind her. Her smile turns a little crooked as she looks up into his face. "Hey. How'd it all go?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Pretty good, I think." Bucky locks the door and leans back against it, looking down at her. "How was your afternoon?"

[from_the_outside]

"It's always nice to spend time with Aunt Peggy."

Which isn't exactly an answer, but she feels like she's entitled. Sharon steps close and sets her hands lightly at his sides. "Did you... tell Steve any of it?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He shakes his head. Very gently, Bucky brushes the backs of his fingers over her cheek as he meets her eyes and holds her gaze.

"I mentioned we'd probably want to be ready to go up against cube tech, given - given what cargo they're supposed to be carrying. We did shield drill. Worked on coming up with ways to make sure we'll be ready."

[from_the_outside]

She sighs a little, but doesn't argue. Sharon only tips her head into his touch. "Good," she murmurs. "Get plenty of that in."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We did. We will. The better prepared we are... well." He runs his touch lightly over her cheek a second time, then a third.

"Steve's already worried about me, you know. I can't make him shoulder this too."

[from_the_outside]

"I know, but, darling – "

Her glance is worried as she meets his eyes. "If it were him, you'd want to know, wouldn't you? Even if you were already worried?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I would." He doesn't hesitate. "You know I would. But, Sharon..."

He's been thinking about this, among the other things that he's been trying to consider. "I swear I'm going to do everything I can to come home to you. To him. I swear. Everything. But if - if it doesn't work. If somehow... if Steve knew, and we couldn't -- it'd destroy him. I know it would."

The smallest of rueful smiles appears, just for an instant. "I've been looking out for him my entire life. I can't stop now."

[from_the_outside]

She reaches up to grip lightly at his shirt, wanting to shake reason into him, knowing she can't force him to change his mind.

Could she? If she told him about the plane, the ice? "But who's looking out for you?"

[nerves_of_ice]

His smile grows. "You are. And he is too - the way he always does."

[from_the_outside]

"Of course I am, and I know he will, but..."

But it's Bucky's call. She exhales, long and low, and gives him a rueful look. "How was the shield drill?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good." He lets his hand drop to the base of her throat, then steps forward to put his arm around her shoulders and lead her in to sit down.

"Really good. I'm surprised at how well I was able to keep up, to tell you the truth. But it means we've really found our stride."

[from_the_outside]

"You're good at it," she tells him, letting him coax her to sit. She hadn't changed out of her dinner dress, and the skirt falls in silken folds against her legs. "I loved watching you practice before."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's kind of fun." He brushes his free hand over the skirt of her pretty dress and smiles at her. "Have I mentioned how gorgeous you look?"

[from_the_outside]

"Not today," she says, with a wry smile that says she knows what he's doing. "In general, lots of times."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Well, you do." He grins back at her, answering that smile.

[from_the_outside]

She exhales through her nose and presses her lips together, her glance exasperated but warmly fond. "Charming as ever, Sergeant."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles. "I wouldn't be me otherwise."

[from_the_outside]

"Maybe not."

She reaches up to lightly touch his chin, turning his face down towards her as she leans up toward him. "And I do adore you."

Murmured, before she leans a little further and presses a soft kiss to his mouth.

[nerves_of_ice]

He sinks willingly into the kiss and kisses her back, slow and sweet and lingering. "My darling angel," he whispers, once it breaks. "Sweet Sharon."

[from_the_outside]

"Bucky."

She cups his cheeks and studies his face. "Were you busy with anything? Or do you want to curl up with me?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I want that," he murmurs, holding still beneath her touch. "I don't even have the words to tell you how much I want that."

[from_the_outside]

She smiles at him, sweet and a little crooked, and leans up to kiss him gently once more before letting him go so she can slip off her shoes and push further up onto the bed. "Then come here."