Steve POV
Steve sat and watched Howard… it was entranced yet if anyone who didn't understand their relationship could possibly think he was an obsessive stalker.
Howard's stalker…
Steve suppressed a quiet laugh as he studied Howard.
Howard's dark lashes were cast downward and he truly looked beautiful, but if Steve were to ever call him that, then he would probably get punched… you know… since he was no punch-able… and bigger.
He didn't know how this would change their relationship…
Would Howard still want him in the end? He wanted to fight for his country and find Bucky of all people; if Bucky was even still alive for that matter.
Steve sighed and started drawing in his sketchbook.
It was a figure but he couldn't put individualistic traits into the face…no…. He knew it was Bucky but he couldn't see his face, couldn't even focus enough to imagine it.
Tears started falling down his face. The world blurred around him and he saw it concentrate into a bubble until it fell upon the pages of his sketchbook.
The drops fell on the lifeless figure that represented Bucky.
He didn't know what to do…
Howard POV
Howard could hardly see shit…but when he heard that little hiccupped sob come from the chair beside him… he knew… he just fucking knew and he had to help him in any way possible.
"We could…" He mumbled.
Steve bolted upright and leaned over him.
"What is it?" He asked the dark haired man in the hospital bed.
"Your friend… he's missing isn't he?" Howard whispered.
"Umm… yes he is." Steve stammered because this was the first time he'd admitted it out loud.
"We need to find him…" Howard responded.
"The army won't help us… what are we gonna do?" Steve couldn't hold back the tears that he'd splashed over Howard's face.
Howard's eyes widened when he felt Steve's tears… whoa kid…
"I…. I have an idea… but we need to go… right now."
Steve's eyes widened with his remark, but he wanted to try whatever Howard thought was a good plan.
Howard would never forget those tears… never.
His teeth bared as he pulled his leg over the bed, ignoring the railing around his arms and rather used it to hold himself up.
"Grab a first-aid kit." Howard ordered.
Steve saw it on the wall and grabbed it edges… He pulled and tore the entire unit of the wall, the case included.
"Oh…my God…" Howard stared with his jaw dropped.
"Let's just get the fuck out of here!" He shouted yet tried to contain it into a whisper.
Steve shrugged his shoulders and lifted Howard off of the ground.
The seething look in Howard's face told Steve all he needed to know, but it couldn't be helped; not if he was busting him outta the hospital.
Maria would have a fit when she visits later but whatever; Steve need Howard and you could be damned sure he would be there for him.
Howard made Steve drive,. But he wanted him to be careful not to tear a hole through the floor with the gas pedal.
The car flew…
For once when they needed it the car fucking flew…
Howard smiled as he saw the clouds, but the ride was not smooth whatsoever, not while Steve drove, but it was enough.
The officially beat-up blue Cadillac practically hugged the ground when they hit Howard's winding driveway.
Howard calmly ran his palm down the passenger door. He knew she was never meant for air travel, but that didn't mean she didn't want to fly…
They all wanted to fly… away from judgment… pain, suffering… the war.
"Come on." Howard pulled himself up properly and started to walk, slowly, but independently.
"You alright?" Steve was right behind him.
"Yeah… we need to get some clothes…. For winter." He added.
"Oh…" Steve wondered.
Howard jammed the key into his house faster than he ever had before, even faster than when he wanted a lay…
He chuckled at the thought and almost fell down when the thing finally opened. He went right to his large closet for his special clothing.
"What are you doing?" Steve asked.
"Just shut up for a minute…" He said quietly. Howard saw that Steve's eyes widened at the comment, but he knew when to be quiet; at least he didn't hurt his feelings.
Howard tore off the hospital gown and went for his black slacks and pulled them up at Steve insistent need to assist him; he snarled.
Steve back up…
Howard needed this, to know he was physically able to do this incredible task for Steve… his Steve.
Howard pulled dark brown leather chaps over the pants and put on s white shirt.
"No….no! No Howard we can't!" Steve started getting upset.
Howard remained silent as he pulled on his overcoat and aviator goggles.
"We find him now…get dressed. Be done in ten or I leave without you." Howard ordered. He had to be stern or Steve wouldn't listen in the case.
Howard readied his plane… the one vehicle that truly meant for flight that he owned. He ran a gloved hand down one of its wings and patted it before opening up the pilot's door.
Steve was running up to him decked in brown and somehow managed to find a leather jacket that could fit his large frame.
Howard noticed that the jacket wasn't his, but he remembered the guy he worked with two years ago that owned it had forgotten it… oh well…. Looked better on Steve anyways…
Howard smiled as he got into the plane and he sucked in a breath and felt the vibrations of the plane roaring to life… Howard could feel its power radiate through him.
Howard strapped Steve in buckled his seat as well. Steve looked nervous, but Howard knew… much like other things Steve enjoyed and was usually nervous about… he would ended up liking it.
"Do you want some fondue when we get back?" Howard smirke.
Steve blushed and started stammering, "I uhh… regular fondue or your kind of fondue?" He dared to ask.
"Maybe both… I have a wide pallet." He joked as the started to leave the self-built garage.
Bucky POV
He felt Johann started to shake and he held him close. He knew they were in trouble… he didn't know how to save them…
He didn't dare cry, Johann wouldn't like that, but a few months ago he probably would have.
He pulled him up and dragged him across the base of the mountain.
Johann slowed down and stopped, pulling Bucky to the ground with him.
For once Bucky knew Johann's life was in his hands.
"Oh don't give up on me… I know you have super-solider blood in you; you can do this!" He shouted at him.
He could see the light in Johann's pale. Bucky knew he wasn't going to walk out the door, yhe would fight it.
"Plane…" Johann said.
"What?" Bucky looked up and saw a little bi-plane go by.
He yanked Johann up off the snowy floor and heaved him against his shoulders.
Bucky's body burned with a fire…again, but different this time. He wanted to live… and he didn't want to leave Johann behind.
Steve POV
"There he is!" Steve pointed to two figures, but he was uncertain who the other was. He also noticed the Hydra symbol on his arm too…
Howard stiffened, "We can't take him." As they both sat in the parked plane that had just reached a leveled landing post.
"We have to!" Steve kicked open the door at Howard's insistence and ran to see Bucky.
"You got yourself into this didn't Howard?" He cursed to himself.
Steve ran and grabbed Bucky with a force that probably could've broken his back if he were not careful.
"I'm not leaving him…" was all Bucky had told him.
"Fine… Let's get him too." Steve saw the crumpled man on the floor. He didn't know him, nor recognized him, but if Bucky wanted to keep him safe then Steve would help in any way he could.
Steve helped Bucky to the plane and pulled up the much heavier man in the commanding officer suit.
He was kind of pretty, but in an odd way Steve noticed. Hi face was much angular than American, and his prominent nose… obviously German Steve thought.
He saw a Nazi cross with its signature bent arms on the side of his arm. Steve noticed that the symbol was just a tie-on. He unraveled the knot and let the wind carry it away.
He didn't know this man, but he didn't think Howard would appreciate it if there was a Nazi flag in his plane. Steve could see he was covering a very large red Hydra symbol.
This man… he was their leader…
Steve gulped as he pulled the man closer and stepped into the cockpit. Bucky held out his arms and wanted to hold the other man.
Steve thought for a single second before placing him in Bucky's arms…
He sat up in the front with Howard.
Howard was completely stiff in the pilot's chair, "Would you mind telling me why the fuck there's a Hydra leader in my plane?!" He said through clenched teeth.
"He won't leave him…" Steve simply said.
Bullets started whacking the body of the plane and Howard had no other choice…
They got the hell outta there…
Bucky POV
Bucky held Johann's face and held him closer. The officer's hat slipped off, showing his sweep of combed back hair which was now falling to one side.
Bucky pulled him close and buried his face into his neck and kept him close.
He placed a gentle kiss over his eyes.
Steve was peeking and he suddenly turned towards Howard…
"I think they're like us…" He said.
"What?" Howard's eyes narrowed as he kept his eyes in the sky.
"The hell do you mean?" He asked.
"I think he's gay…. With that guy." Steve said.
"No…." Howard's lips pursed as his brow furrowed.
Steve peeked back there again and watched Bucky pull up Johann in lap and pressed their bodies together… Bucky met his eyes.
His eyes were different, darker… He'd seen change and Steve suddenly knew Bucky was duifferent.
"We can't go to the S.S.R. lab." Steve said.
"I know…" was Howard's response.