Most wonderful time of the year | Natasha and Bucky
The wind was freezing, bitter enough that every breath felt as though it was driving ice down into his lungs, even through the mask that he wore. It had a keen edge, sharp as any knife he wielded. The snow had stopped at least, settling over his position, masking where he lay as effectively as any other cover. He could feel the cold sinking deep into him, until it felt as though it had sunk into his very bones. He stared out from his position, an iron grey sky above, bleak white below, punctuated by the harsh edged concrete structures that he was watching.
He had been there for long enough that time had blurred, seconds becoming minutes becoming hours. He had seen the target disappear into the building. Now was the time to wait until they came out, drove past his position so that he could take the shot, could finish the mission. He systematically tensed and released his muscles, starting at his feet, working up to his head, keeping the blood flowing, keeping his body temperature high enough to stay at optimum functionality under the circumstances.
Silently he shifted, the movement almost imperceptible as he flexed the fingers of his right hand, noting the way that he was beginning to stiffen in the glacial temperatures with a flicker of something approaching irritation. It was not his chosen way to spend the days before Christmas. Vaguely he wondered if he’d even make it home that year. He focused back on the base, switched on to what he was doing, until he heard a crackle over the comm line. He forbore the urge to sigh. Each message had turned the mission into more of a pain in the ass than the one before it and he wasn’t looking forward to the next one.
“Well hey there handsome”
The familiar throaty chuckle that accompanied the Russian words made him smile beneath his mask. “Nat, what are you... you’re in with the team on this one?”
“No. I’m currently stood in a corner of the courtyard of a palace in St Petersburg. I hacked into the system when I had some downtime earlier. I thought that you might like the company.” She replied, her voice low and soft, the conversation private.
“You...”
“Don’t underestimate me idiot. How’s it going there?”
“Cold. Boring as hell.” He replied. “So, humour me, doll...”
“You’re about to say ‘what are you wearing’ aren’t you?”
“You can’t blame a guy for tryin’... Been out here in this for...six hours last count. They’re showing no signs of coming out. What are you doin’ in St Petersburg?”
“Infiltrating a diplomatic event. It’s decidedly dull you know. I miss having a decent dancing partner. You want to know what I’m wearing? Black velvet with silver embroidery, sinfully soft against my skin, those heels that you got for me in London, silk stockings, gossamer thin, just asking to be peeled off... all of it just waiting to pool on the floor so that there’s nothing left of this outfit save for the silver earrings I’m wearing...”
As the note in her voice changed he swallowed, a reaction that was involuntary, heard her laugh in response as she picked up on his silence. “Y’know, doll...this would be a lot better if you were here right now...”
“Just giving you something to think about to warm you up. A hint for when you get home. For when I get home.” She paused for a beat. “I have to go. The dancing is about to start again, and there’s a certain person that I need to spend some time with. Stay safe, my idiot, don’t freeze.”
“It wasn’t on my agenda.” He retorted. “Mind you it never was. Stay safe, don’t go findin’ yourself another dancing partner.”
Her laugh was like music to his ears and he couldn’t help the soft smile that just curved his lips as she disappeared once again, leaving him with the cold and with the mission.
