AN: This has been on my computer for a while so I finally decided to upload it. The first chapter of a short story that I'm not sure exactly how long will be. The pairing is Bucky/Howard, one that is extremely underrated but one of my favorites none the less. Enjoy and reviews are greatly appreciated.

This wasn't a good idea. Really, this was probably one of the worst ideas that Howard had ever had. You just didn't do this. There was no flirting, not even a suggestive comment, was allowed when talking to someone of the same gender. In some places you were simply shunned and looked down upon but there was always the huge chance of getting beat up as well. Some people had died from just beatings. In other cities you had a different problem; they might throw you in jail.

Granted, the war was going on right now so throwing the gays into jail wasn't exactly top priority but the threat was still there. That and of course, Howard had to think of not just his reputation but his family's and company's as well. Really he didn't want to have to worry about either of those things, he wanted to be himself, but that wasn't Howard's decision.

And yet, after a couple of drinks and a few words, his whole life seemed to be hanging in the balance. Howard didn't even know the guys name who sat next to him and yet he had just thrown out the most obvious innuendo ever.

His entire body was cool and collected on the outside but on the inside fear gripped him like ice. What would happen? Would the man even understand his words? And if he did, what would he do?

However, his fears were taken away when the man replied, "So, your place or mine?" He was probably around Howard's age but had an extremely boyish grin had appeared on his face at that moment.

"I'm at a hotel right now. How about there?" Howard replied. He was nervous of course and still uncertain but he had shut every bit of common sense he had left away. He was going to go through with this.

Howard then began to leave, the man following behind him. Sometimes Howard would quicken his pace a bit but then the other man would catch right up to him until they were side beside. Howard thought the man might end up deciding this was a bad idea and walk away but it seemed that he had done the same as Howard and thrown all sense away.

When they got to the hotel, there weren't many people around which was good. Rumors could start with only a whisper on the wind as proof though of course, these rumors would be true if anyone had ever said anything.

But Howard wasn't really concentrating on things like that. Instead they had just gotten to his hotel room, a suit actually. He opened the door and then closed it behind him, placing the key on a small table that was beside the door. He turned, not really knowing what to expect. However, he wasn't disappointed when the man kissed him.

He was surprised though at the way the kiss felt. It was soft and hard, gentle and rough, friendly and mean, messy and graceful, all at the same time. Howard had never been kissed like this but he liked it and quickly let his fingers go through the man's short, dark hair.

Howard led him to the bedroom, not breaking contact once while cloths moved off as they went. The shoes went off first, making both stumble slightly and Howard to wonder if maybe he had drunk more than he had thought. When they landed on the bed, he could feel the man's smile against his lips, making him smile in turn.

Howard let the man position himself on top of him, all of their cloths were finally off at this point, and he grabbed some lube. Even though he was as hard as hell and softly moaning now, he had to say that he had never gotten someone in bed that liked to be so . . . well it was hard to really find a word for it.

The few guys Howard had been with normally went along with whatever and then left the moment everything was done. Out of the many girls that he had slept with, a lot also went along with everything then usually left. It was usually just hard and rough, something that Howard didn't mind, and that was it.

This guy was certainly rough but he was also gentle as well. He took his time letting his hands softly caress Howard's sides at different points, sometimes allowing his tongue to travel up and down his body. He made Howard really enjoy every little touch, every teasing move, in a way that kept him on edge the entire time.

When Howard came, it wasn't a cry of ecstasy, just a moan/sigh of happiness and satisfaction. When the man pulled out of him, Howard expected him to roll over and either go to sleep or just simply leave. He figured that the man would probably make some snarky comment in between that because he seemed like the type as well.

Yet, Howard was surprised again as the man simply gave him soft, quick, pecks along his face and neck. When he did finally stop, the man rolled over on his side, staring at Howard with a satisfied smirk on his face.

Howard then spoke, deciding that he was curious about the answer to this question if the man was to leave now even though he had the feeling he wouldn't. "Are you always so gentle with your bed partners?" He asked it with a laugh, making the question lighter than he really meant it.

"Only with things that look beautifully fragile," the man replied, also with a laugh. The way he said the answer made it seem like it was meant as a joke but that behind it he really did mean the compliment.

"Well, how about you actually tell me your name before you just go ahead and start complimenting me now."

"You tell me yours first."

"Why me? I asked."

"Yes, but you invited me to bed."

"Fine, I'm Howard. Howard Stark."

The man smiled at that, nodding in a way that suggested he liked that name. "I'm James Barnes but all my friends call me Bucky," he replied.

"I think I'll just call you James," replied Howard. He liked the way that name sounded on his tongue and besides, he figured it probably would sound better if he ever got the chance to moan it out loud.

"Suit yourself," Bucky replied with a shrug of his shoulders. He really didn't care. "Mind if I stay the night, Howard?"

"Not at all," Howard replied. He didn't say it but he liked the way his own name sounded coming out of James' mouth.

Really, if he thought about it, this was all wrong though. He'd probably never see James again, ever, and yet Howard was thinking about him like this was a thing they did on a regular basis. Of course, he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to see James again. So little time had been spent between the two of them and Howard already really liked him.

Sadly, even though he had never really been interested in girls, he just didn't get the chance he did with guys like he did with girls. With guys, you had to be careful, you had to be sure.

Or as Howard had portrayed that night, be completely stupid and put everything on the line.

Still, even though he was pretty young, Howard knew that chasing after strangers, or at the most well known acquaintances, wasn't how he wanted to live the rest of his life. He needed someone and somehow this stranger, James, had weaseled his way into his mind and heart already.

At that point, James was rolling over onto his side, seeming content with where he was when Howard decided to ask, "Any chance I might see you again?"

Bucky opened his eyes and smiled, but it was a sad smile that told Howard what was going to be said before he had to hear it. "I'm shipping off day after tomorrow sadly."

"Soldier then, I should've guessed."

"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not," Bucky replied with a laugh. "Not everyone is a fan of the military."

"Don't worry, it was a compliment. Besides, I work for them-well! Work with them is really more the word. I supply them their toys."

"So you are the Howard Stark. I was wondering about that when you told me your last name."

"Yes I'm Howard Stark. You know, you might actually see more of me."

"Well, I know I'm seeing you tomorrow."

"Of course, you're sleeping in my bed," replied Howard with a chuckle. "But I meant I might end up going over the sea as well. Something tells me that you didn't mean just waking up in bed though."

"No, I'm going to the Expo thing with a friend, last time I'll get to see him. I'm guessing you'll be there?"

Howard rolled his eyes, giving his answer as he smiled at James. Suddenly, as he looked at him, Howard had the urge to kiss him. He leaned in, his eyes half closed as he paused for a few seconds before finally moving forward. He couldn't help but smile at the fact that it seemed that he had caught Bucky off guard finally.

James had seemed like he had expected every move Howard had made but he was clearly surprised by this. However, after the initial shock, he did begin to move with Howard, slowly, letting his hand cup his cheek. When they stopped, James didn't fully pull away and kept his hand where it was.

"You make it very hard to follow orders," Bucky said.

"I can see the headlines now; 'Good soldier turned bad boy because of genius, billionaire, playboy, Stark.'"

"Hmm….I like it," replied James. He let his thumb slowly rub Howard's cheek as he then added, "I was being truthful though. I was all prepared to leave in two days time and then you walked in. I'd like to know what makes you so special though. Can you tell me that Howard? What makes you suddenly such an important part of my life?"

"I honestly don't know but would you believe me if I said I was in the same boat? There are very few people I automatically trust without any reason."

"Well then I guess I should count myself lucky as one of them," replied James with a soft smile. He then rolled over closing his eyes and it seemed that he would be going to sleep now.

Howard smiled also, happy but tinged with sadness on the edges. He closed his eyes, bent on sleeping now.

When Howard woke up, Bucky was kissing him soft and sweet, making Howard open his eyes when he was fully awake. Why did James have to a soldier? Why couldn't he just stay here? Granted, if this new project he was getting ready for the military worked then who knows where Howard might end up. He just wished things could stay the way they were, right here, right now.

But eventually, Bucky got up as he said he had to go.

Howard hoped prayed even, that he would get to see the soldier again, at least one last time. However, it was doubtful and unlikely. Still, instead of wallowing in bed, he got up and went and got ready for the Expo.

Bucky met up with Steve before the Expo that night. He was getting beat up again and had apparently tried to join the army again. As much as he usually supported Steve's decisions, he really wished he'd stop this.

However, he forgot about that and chose to have a good last night with his best friend before he was shipped out. When he met Steve, he of course brought two girls along, one for each. While both girls clung to Bucky though, he couldn't help but think about Howard.

And it of course didn't help when he saw the man himself. Bucky could tell Howard was in his element and how, even though the car did kind of break, he kept it in control. He doubted that the man saw him but Bucky couldn't help but smile up at him.

When Steve left to try and get into the army once more, Bucky sighed and turned back now defiantly stuck with both girls. He had promised to take them dancing and he wasn't going to let them down even if he really didn't feel like it right now.

However, fate seemed with him when he quite literally ran into Howard.

"Hello again," Bucky said with a slight smile as he saw the surprise on his face.

Howard quickly recovered himself and smiled, saying, "James, nice to see you again. And who are these two lovely ladies?"

One of the girls giggled as introductions were made, even though they both of course knew who Howard Stark was.

"It's a little hard to dance with three people. How about you join us Howard," Bucky suggested with a raised eyebrow. He would've been lying if he had said he was begging for Howard to join them.

Howard was a bit hesitant, there were things he had to do but Bucky was shipping off tomorrow. Just relaxing for one more night certainly wouldn't do to much harm. "I'd love to. Rebecca, would you care to accompany me?"

One of the girls, Rebecca, took Howard's arm and the group walked to the small club where Bucky had planned on taking the girls originally. It wasn't huge but it was clean and there was plenty of people dancing and drinking and laughing together. You could nearly forget there was a war going on.

Bucky and Howard switched girls every now and then when the song would switch. Bucky was enjoying himself but he wished that it could've been just him and Howard. However, he did get his wish afterwards. After taking the girls to a cab, Bucky turned to Howard with a questioning glance, one that the billionaire returned.

"So what were your plans for tonight?" Howard asked.

"Going home, that was about it now."

"Care to come over for a drink?"

"Sounds great."

And once again, Bucky was following Howard to his hotel suite. This time, Howard was a bit quicker and made the first move the moment the door was closed and they once again made towards the bed.

"Do you have to go James?" asked Howard for probably the tenth time that morning.

Bucky sighed, a smirk growing on his face. "Yeah. But hey, who knows, we could meet up again."

"Maybe."

This time when Bucky walked out that door, Howard was sure he'd never see him again.