Inseparable

War is here

Times Square, Manhattan, December 7, 1941.

Bucky had a day off from the docks and was enjoying a day with Steve. Steve took him to an art class where the subject was a beautiful redhead woman, in a pink robe showing cleavage and bare legs with bright painted red nails.

"She ever gonna take the robe off?" Bucky whispered.

 "Eventually she does, yeah."

Bucky squirmed in his chair, "About what time? I got to go to the can and I don't want to miss it."

Steve shook his head at his friend's lack of patience. "The whole concept of "Art Appreciation" isn't really sinking in with you, Bucky, is it?" 

Bucky's eyes widened, "What? SHE'S art. And I appreciate her."

"You got a funny way of showing it," Steve replied. Looking between their drawings, Steve's being nearly perfect and Bucky's chubby stick figure, Steve grinned. "It's true what they say then. Art is dead." Bucky snorted, "Philistine. You are talking to the next Picasso." They laughed before being interrupted by a shout. "War, we're at war!" 

Turning around the two men saw a stranger panting in the doorway, their fellow classmates already gathered around him. " Wait -who bombed what now? " "Sneak attack- they bombed the hell out of Pearl Harbor! Get your uniforms on boys!"

 "Pearl Harbor? That's in Queens!"

 "Turn on the radio!"

Sharing glances, the two friends packed up their belongings in silence as the men continued talking, Bucky casting a longing glance at the curtain the woman had vanished behind. Once they got outside with all the noise of people shouting the news on the streets Bucky finally voiced his thoughts. "All those sailors entombed in their ships at the bottom of the sea."

"What their families must be going through. " Steve added.

A radio blared across the street, "At approximately 8 am local time Japanese aircraft attacked the main base of the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor just outside Honolulu..."

" We have to enlist!" Steve declared. Bucky tried to lighten the situation and hopefully distract Steve from the idea. "I know I do but I thought you were going to put Norman Rockwell outta business."

"This is a higher calling." Steve insisted. "Roosevelt won't just go after Japan, we'll be at war with Hitler and Mussolini soon enough. He'll need everybody he can get."

Bucky began to protest, " But you..."

"Save your breath. I've heard the same script since we were kids." Steve cut him off.

Bucky looked away, thinking frantically of a way to stop him. "Am I or am I not talking to the three-time West Side YMCA welterweight champ?" Startled, he turned back to Steve who was looking at him in firm determination. "Well sure, but......" He stuttered. "You can get me ready to pass that physical Buck, I know you can!" Bucky tried to keep himself from shouting, "I don't know that! I need something to work with first! " Hurt flashed across Steve's face but he still continued, "You get winded taking three flights of stairs! You don't need a trainer Steve-o," "You need a complete body transplant!" Steve looked down and walked away from him. Guilt immediately hit him as Steve mumbled, "Forget it. Then. I'll figure it out on my own."

Bucky put a hand on his shoulder, a soft smile on his face, maybe there was a chance. Why couldn't he try? "Whoa there cowboy. I didn't say no." And the smile that lit Steve's face and the glow in his blue eyes made it worth it.

December 11, 1941,

It was early in the morning when Steve arose to go to the gym. He found Bucky already awake and reading the daily paper. "I made you some coffee," Bucky said, not looking up. "Thanks, Buck." As Steve busied himself around the kitchen he asked, "So, what's the news?" Bucky slid the paper in front of him as he sat down. "See for yourself." The front headline read, "U.S. NOW AT WAR WITH GERMANY AND ITALY; JAPANESE CHECKED IN ALL LAND FIGHTING; 3 OF THEIR SHIPS SUNK, 2D BATTLESHIP HIT." Steve looked up at Bucky whose face was solemn, "That's why we need to fight Buck, we need to help." Bucky nodded, "I know. So let's get you trained." A half-hour later Steve was all dressed up in boxing gear in the middle of the ring, Bucky in front of him brandishing boxing gloves, and wearing a training suit. "Boxing regimes are the toughest there is," Bucky explained. "You do what I say, when I say it; or I walk out of that door and you don't see me til' the wars over. We understand each other?" 

Steve looked in Bucky's eyes, he wasn't joking. "You're already enjoying this." Steve cracked, "You bet your ass I am." "Some getup. So we gonna warm up with jump rope, or.." Steve didn't get to finish his sentence. Bucky's fist slammed into his left cheek, sending spit flying. "AAhh!" he cried as he found himself on the floor. Steve rolled over, grimacing as he frowned up at Bucky. "What the hell?!" Bucky didn't smile, he meant business. "No warm-up. Basic principles," he replied. "You're weak Steve. So you gotta stay alert at all times or the strong'll take advantage of you."' Bucky hoisted Steve to his feet, "Just like the many gang up on the few." The next time he fell, Bucky had some advice, "Bigger means slower, so you gotta be fast." So when he got up again Steve faked a dodge and went for a punch, but found himself on the floor instead. Bucky laughed this time, "Now don't make the mistake of thinking all big guys are dumb." Steve chuckled, "I know ...you're a genius." Bucky smirked before going serious again," But still... You gotta be smarter."

December 16 1941:

Bucky was proud. Although it was slow, Steve was making some progress. He didn't like that Steve was coughing though but didn't bring it to attention. Instead, he encouraged him, "Good! That's my man!" Steve looked like he might collapse, sweat streaming down his face. "Come on! Keep it going! Don't punk out on me now! Gimme an uppercut!" Steve followed through. "Good!"

December 20th 1941:

It was a beautiful day and Bucky had found some pretty young ladies to talk to on the bridge as he kept track of Steve's progress. One was a blond with a hat and fur coat, and her dark-haired friend wore a leather overjacket. Although he preferred redheads he turned up the charm as he saw Steve approaching. "Visiting us from Indiana, huh? Never been there. But for some reason.. Now I really want to go." The blond blushed as he continued, "You should work for the board of tourism or something." The brunette, who seemed more level-headed than her friend scoffed, "You're one of those smooth silver-tongued city types my mother warned me about, aren't you?" He smirked, "If your mother had known me, she woulda given you a recommendation, not a warning." She sighed, "Oh brother." 

"Bucky, Bucky I made it!" Steve said with a cough as he reached Bucky and the girls. He looked absolutely exhausted and sweaty but Bucky wasn't going to be easy on him. That wouldn't keep him alive in the war. Bucky smiled down at his stopwatch as Steve bent over panting. "Yeah, the first lap maybe. Gonna need you to shave ten seconds off your time too." Steve groaned with frustration, "Are you kidding me?" He stood up, adjusted his backpack full of rocks, and started running again, shouting back "I hate you." "Good, means I'm getting through," Bucky replied.