Chapter 15
The tech doesn't surprise him.
He wanders carefully around Bucharest, making the grocery rounds again after his trip to the library.
He's been trained in all of it.
Multiple aviation systems, computer framework; when the Soviet branch of HYDRA fell apart (from what he figures, it was DC cutting their losses, with Serbia holding too many of the cards), he was given to the highest bidder.
Buys some chips from the only market that doesn't have a security camera. Too poor to afford one.
It just happened that it was the DC branch, who kept him up to date on it. For them.
"Asta e tot?"
"Da. Multumesc."
DC comes back clearer than Serbia.
Walks back, cap kept low.
He just doesn't want to remember it.
The headline of the paper on the window reads "TONY STARK: INVENTOR OR MAD GENIUS?"
He drops the bag on the table, more tired than he's been in a few days.
He read archives from 2008-2009 today. Almost all of it is about Stark.
Cussed under his breath, forgot to buy asprin, down to his last 5.
He looks so much like Howard, it's funny.
Remembers a time he took Steve, Bucky & the Commandos to some French club, where Dernier practically had his mouth 10ft on the floor.
...Acts just like him too, really.
One If the first things he's read was the Commandos.
They all got happily married, aside from Dernier, who was widowed.
He's read enough about Steve. Enough to fill 2 Smithsonians, & it's not even half of what he remembers.
Opens a chocolate bar, trying to stave of the edges of the headache that's slowly growing.
Of all the people, he expected Howard never to get married. Too full of his expectations. And, really, himself. Still was a good man though.
& it seems this generations going to get the same dosage of him that he & Steve all did, magnified by 50.
He's read about Tony. About how the suit works (it's typical Stark technological witchcraft that you can't hate him for because it's so brilliant), & what he's done since that time.
Sighs, taking the last batch of asprin he has.
He's read about him because he hasn't slept since Monday (2 days ago?...). Because he remembers 1991, & tries to make up for it by reading about the kid.
He goes to the bed, lying & looking at the ceiling.
Because all he can hear is Howard saying his name, and he can't ever forgive himself for it.
....Knows Tony Stark will probably kill him for it later.
Turns, trying to sleep.
He wouldn't blame him.