[OOM: Howard Stark]

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

London, 1943

Downtime is both precious and rare when you're in an elite military force. Steve spends it at Milliways when he can, and at the pub that's become their local when he wants to stay in London.

(Which he often does, despite the air raids and curfews. He's come to love this dark, sprawling city. It's not New York, but it'll do until it's time to go home.)

So Steve is having a drink and smiling at the singing. Another thing to like about the English--no matter what, they keep on singing.

Comments

[thefirststark]

There enters a man in a suit that probably cost more than most in the pub made in the last year. And a brunette in a dress that probably costs more than a typical tank. War or not, style endures.

The two go to the bar, trying to talk despite the singing. The man hasn't spotted any friends yet, but he knows this is where the "Howling Commandos" - Duggan's nickname - take their leave.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve spots Howard and starts to wave hello, but it looks like he's on a date. Steve would hate to interrupt, especially if it's going well.

Maybe Howard isn't all work and no play after all.

[thefirststark]

Things are going well for Howard and his companion, but eventually, he spots Steve - hard to miss him even in uniform - and he waves him over.

"Steve, come and say hello."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles and brings over his drink. "Ma'am," he said with a friendly nod to Howard's companion. "Mr. Stark."

[thefirststark]

"Mavis, this is Captain Rogers, one of the boys from the SSR base. Captain, this is Mavis Gregg."

The brunette extends her hand in the manner that suggests a gentleman might wish to kiss it. "Captain, it's a pleasure." Her voice drips with the sort of accent that conjures up visions of Jane Austen novels in the well read mind, and of high tone British movies in the more typical American.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Kissing her hand doesn't even cross Steve's mind. He shakes her fingers awkwardly. "Nice to met you, Miss Gregg."

[thefirststark]

Howard stifles a smile. Mavis tries to be polite. She's used to Americans by now. "Please, it's Mavis. I get enough of 'Miss Gregg' at the Ministry."

"She's in the War Department's typing pool," Howard adds. "Tried to get her moved our to SSR but they wouldn't budge."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. At least the War Department is still important work, right?"

[thefirststark]

"Of course, Captain." Not that Howard knows, either, but she's part of a team reporting to Intrepid himself. But tonight she's off duty as much as her date or the rather handsome soldier. "We all do our part."

"Join us for a drink, Captain," Howard asks?

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Absolutely, thank you," Steve says, though he gives a questioning look to Howard--won't he be a third wheel?

[thefirststark]

Howard gives a "don't worry about it" look back.

"What's your poison?"

Mavis gives the captain a longer once-over. But what she thinks of him is hers to know, and no one else's.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"A whiskey, neat, please."

He looks down at the table. They covered what Miss Gregg does, he knows what Howard does--and they couldn't discuss it anyway, in public--leaving him foundering for a topic of conversation.

Sometimes Steve just falls into conversation.

This is not one of those times.

[thefirststark]

"Mavis, isn't that Esmerelda over there?" Strange how Howard suddenly notices his date's friend on the other side of a very crowded room.

"Why, yes, Howard, it is. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. But don't be long." There is a rustle of skirt, and Mavis goes elsewhere.

Howard watches for a moment, and then turns his attention to Steve. "Does that help?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I'm sorry," Steve says sheepishly. "It really does.

"Dames like her--women like her--they're thin on the ground in Brooklyn."

[thefirststark]

"I noticed. They're actually not too common around here. But she makes for a nice night on the town, and she has her own apartment." Howard notes this rather matter of factly.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh," says Steve. "Then you don't have to worry about meeting her parents?"

[thefirststark]

Howard laughs a little. "Her parents are probably safely out of town for the duration. At some estate near Scotland.

"I did know her brother, but I don't think he would have any problem with us dating." Astonishing the things that Steve thinks Howard should worry about.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"They'd probably approve of you anyway."

[thefirststark]

"I'm an American, Steve. That makes me only slightly better than the Germans. My money wouldn't impress them.

"Have you tried to meet anyone here?" He can't resist asking.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Some GIs do okay, seems like."

Steve shakes his head. "You've seen how bad I am at this. I can talk to a fella all day and all night, but most women--they're still a complete mystery."

[thefirststark]

"Yes, I've seen." See under: fondue. "They're a mystery, true. They're also just people. Sometimes they actually like the same things you do."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Comic books, jazz music and baseball? I'd buy jazz music."

[thefirststark]

"Avoid the comic books, unless you really want to blow your cover, Captain.

"But there are women who like baseball. At home. You should try a Tigers game on Ladies' Day.

"I can't really speak to jazz. Music isn't my thing." Even though he likes to dance. Strange.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I'm really fond of music," says Steve and has a pull on his drink.

[thefirststark]

"Then try to find a place with music." Pause. "Professional music." The endless singing doesn't do anything for Howard. "Listen for a while, and then just start up a conversation with a woman the way you would with anyone else."