Christmas passes. The Howlies don’t make a big fuss about it. They’re narrowing in on Zola’s location. The SSR tells them Zola will be traveling to Switzerland soon, and the best time to intercept him will be while he’s in transit. They make camp near the base of Piz Buin in the Austrian Alps. They stay there for several days.
Bucky stands closer to Steve. He knocks shoulders with him in a show of good-humored posturing for the other men. Steve waits in vain for Bucky to come to his tent, or to invite Steve into his. He reminds himself how hard Bucky is trying. How, soon, they’ll have all the time in the world to try together.
They get the message on December 31st. Zola’s train will pass through the following morning. Steve and the Howlies talk strategy all day. According to Monty’s calculations, double-checked by Jim and Bucky, only three of them can zipline onto the train in time. Even then, it’ll be risky. Steve will lead, of course, but there’s a discussion about who will accompany him. It comes down to Bucky, Gabe, and Dum Dum. Then Gabe and Dum Dum. Gabe narrowly beats Dum Dum in an arm-wrestling contest and wins the third spot.
They celebrate the New Year that night. Jacques passes around his carefully guarded flask. Bucky hums “Auld Lang Syne” in Steve’s ear until Steve tells him to quit it. Dum Dum starts talking to Gabe again, and by midnight they’ve got their arms over each other’s shoulders, singing along with Bucky by the fire.
“There’s no way any of you are drunk enough for this,” Steve teases.
“Like you would know, Cap,” Bucky shoots back.
Monty and Jim join the song. Steve’s pretty sure they’ve forgotten some of the verses.
“We two have run about the hills and pulled the daisies fine- ”
Jacques offers his flask to Steve. Steve waves it away. There’s not much, no need to waste it on him. Jacques takes another swig and joins the song, looking expectantly at Steve.
“But seas between us broad have roared since long, long ago- ”
Steve joins the chorus with a smile. He watches his friends enjoy themselves. He watches Bucky beside him, his face illuminated in firelight. He’s grinning. It’s beautiful.
“For auld lang syne!”
Bucky comes to Steve’s tent later. He lets Steve hold him for a little while. Not nearly long enough, but they have to sleep. They have to be sharp for the mission ahead. Bucky kisses Steve goodbye and lets Steve squeeze his hand. It’s enough for now. It’s enough, because it has to be.
Re: Fill: Wrong (9/10)
Bucky stands closer to Steve. He knocks shoulders with him in a show of good-humored posturing for the other men. Steve waits in vain for Bucky to come to his tent, or to invite Steve into his. He reminds himself how hard Bucky is trying. How, soon, they’ll have all the time in the world to try together.
They get the message on December 31st. Zola’s train will pass through the following morning. Steve and the Howlies talk strategy all day. According to Monty’s calculations, double-checked by Jim and Bucky, only three of them can zipline onto the train in time. Even then, it’ll be risky. Steve will lead, of course, but there’s a discussion about who will accompany him. It comes down to Bucky, Gabe, and Dum Dum. Then Gabe and Dum Dum. Gabe narrowly beats Dum Dum in an arm-wrestling contest and wins the third spot.
They celebrate the New Year that night. Jacques passes around his carefully guarded flask. Bucky hums “Auld Lang Syne” in Steve’s ear until Steve tells him to quit it. Dum Dum starts talking to Gabe again, and by midnight they’ve got their arms over each other’s shoulders, singing along with Bucky by the fire.
“There’s no way any of you are drunk enough for this,” Steve teases.
“Like you would know, Cap,” Bucky shoots back.
Monty and Jim join the song. Steve’s pretty sure they’ve forgotten some of the verses.
“We two have run about the hills and pulled the daisies fine- ”
Jacques offers his flask to Steve. Steve waves it away. There’s not much, no need to waste it on him. Jacques takes another swig and joins the song, looking expectantly at Steve.
“But seas between us broad have roared since long, long ago- ”
Steve joins the chorus with a smile. He watches his friends enjoy themselves. He watches Bucky beside him, his face illuminated in firelight. He’s grinning. It’s beautiful.
“For auld lang syne!”
Bucky comes to Steve’s tent later. He lets Steve hold him for a little while. Not nearly long enough, but they have to sleep. They have to be sharp for the mission ahead. Bucky kisses Steve goodbye and lets Steve squeeze his hand. It’s enough for now. It’s enough, because it has to be.