Passersby | Steve/Howard
((FUCK K, IDK WHAT TO CALL THIS OMG HELP FSJKGSHKGFHLAIFHGKLSHF ok fuck I AM SO NERVOUS OK here go.)) He must've been distracted- not because he was oh-so-graceful 25/8 that he constantly avoided bumping into anyone at all, but because he was usually alert enough to stay out of the path of those who were hurrying along much faster than himself. If Steve weren't a super-soldier, his collision with the man probably would've been a rough shoulder check, and they'd both mutter apologies and be on their way but instead the impact would rather knock the other man backwards, forcing the Captain to reach out and catch his arm to pull him upright and steady him before something much worse happened. "Christ, I'm sorry, I-" All of this was stammering out as Steve's concerned, apologetic- (maybe a bit embarrassed for being such a careless brute) expression found the other man's face, and for an instant, he was speechless. His grip lessened on the elder Stark's arm, but not all the way. This was impossible. ...Except, it wasn't, Steve knew it wasn't because this wasn't the first time someone from his past had found a way to...reappear. "Howard-?" The Captain started questioningly- he had to, just in case, brow furrowed slightly, but as soon as there was a flash of recognition in Howard's eyes, Steve was absolutely convinced. "...I can't believe it!" And immediately the look of wonder and inquiry had melted into that of warmth and excitement and for some reason, Steve assumed this man would be the absolute same as the one he'd left from the 40s. Like 80, 90...however many more years hadn't even passed, like they hadn't been apart for more than a few months (which was how it seemed to Steve, barely a year), like Howard hadn't made a family, started the recognizable industries of today- done any of that stuff. It certainly wasn't registering that this Howard would be the one Tony remembered: the resentful, poor father, alcoholic, neglectful husband and cold businessman who supposedly left the world in that very state. But to Steve, this was his friend and partner and sure he'd aged a little but the face was unmistakable and within a moment, Steve had pulled him right in for a -very manly- embrace, remarkably glad to find he still sort of smelled the same. Like...cigar smoke and class, if class had a scent.
