✮ video.

[uprightness]

Who: Steve Rogers + you.
Broadcast: yep.
Action: on the starstruck, if you're inclined!
When: current.

[ It has been a long time since Steve Rogers has done one of these little network announcements, seven months, if you want to be specific about it. Some things have changed, others haven't. He still looks awkward about addressing a whole lot of people at once for something that isn't an emergency. The uniform is gone, however, replaced by a simple blue t-shirt and jeans and the shield is nowhere in sight.

He seems to have spread many sheets of paper all over the Starstruck's kitchen. Some feature tables of dates - undoubtedly a calendar in the making and others feature, well, drawings; each sheet contains one scenery. They would strike some people as rather familiar, a hand-holding tree, a sandy beach, the market of the tri-fraction system with people wearing clothes in various colors, the woods of the Lagan system, the Nebula lights and lastly, the mountains of Siourew and the Co’kal. ]

I meant to finish a few calendars by New Year's Eve but it seems I'm behind on my deadline.

[ To say the very least. He rubs his chin, there's a beginning of a stubble there. How many days has he devoted to this as of late? it's hard to tell. ]

I'm not going to write years on 'em, since it's different for all of us but I thought it might be a nice way to keep up with dates and holidays.

[ He frowns and confesses, ]

I feel like I've left some things out - and some of you have seen planets I haven't been around to see for myself. I figured I'd ask - if you have the time, you can describe some of them to me and I'll add them to the calendar. It can be anything you liked on any of the planets we've been to.

[ and, okay, fine - ]

I could use a description of where we're currently docked, too.

[ How can a person so big can seem so awkward? ]

Thanks you.

Comments

video

[outstandingbalance]

Steve... When was the last time you got out?

[Steve Rogers looking unkempt? That's not an everyday occurrence.]

I haven't seen much of you lately.

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[uprightness]

Natasha.

[ how bad he is at evading this conversation? ]

You look nice.

[ ah. that bad. ]

video

[outstandingbalance]

Oh, you have got to be joking. Compliments?

[That is very bad.]

Do I look like you can distract me that easy?

video

[uprightness]

Dunno what you mean.

[ watch the way he shrugs off the accusations. ]

How are you doing?

video

[outstandingbalance]

[Okay, sure. Natasha will let that go for now.]

I'm doing okay. Tried air diving. That was fun? But not much to really do around here.

video

[uprightness]

Do they have cities down there?

[ he assumes there are; he visited one, at the last planet. had gone to trade work for one a necklace he gave peggy on valentine's day. ]

They weren't in great shape at the last planet.

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[outstandingbalance]

They do. A couple of big ones. I went down for some shopping, a little local culture.

[She gives a sigh.]

They're not all doing great here, but they're working on it. People here with the medical skills.

video

[uprightness]

That's good.

[ he smiles, small but genuine. ]

I'm glad we get to do that from time to time.

[ help others. ]

video

[outstandingbalance]

Well, more for some of us to do than others.

[Unfortunately both of them are on the list of people who can't do too much. At least not as far as Natasha sees it.]

I'm surprised you haven't checked on how well we're doing in person. What's up?

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[uprightness]

[ he opens his mouth and closes it, puts away the sketch he's working on. he and natasha operate on honesty and on trust. she's one in a few he allows himself to simply try and be frank with. ]

Not a big fan of staying underwater for too long.

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[outstandingbalance]

[Ah, there it is.]

You want some company?

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[uprightness]

[ people may not know a lot of things about steve rogers. stories are still told and will be told about captain america.

but steve isn't quite captain america, not anymore.

natasha is different. what she knows, she knows about him. everything she had ever asked him was about the man behind the title.

it meant a lot, it still does. ]

Sure. If you're not planning on any more air-diving.

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[outstandingbalance]

I think I could put that off a little while. Give my hair the chance to dry out?

[Which is to say, they can pretend she's not offering comfort. Pretend it's just a normal social call.

Up to Steve.]

video

[uprightness]

I'll have a towel ready for you.

[ and maybe some coffee. ]

video > action

[outstandingbalance]

In that case Rogers, you have yourself a date.

[You get her.]

action

[uprightness]

[ he moves his things, together with two cups of coffee to his old room. they may be watched by a supposed audience but the sense of privacy is still appreciated. there's music playing in the background, a result of the little music player wanda got him for christmas. true to a rather nostalgic mood, the tune is old - vera lynn's we'll meet again. ]

Hi.

[ he tosses a towel in her direction, lets the song come to an end before putting away the music player. his room looks a little odd, just a bit empty, as if it hasn't been used in a little while. ]

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha catches the towel. She wasn't lying about her hair—it's soaked, a little frizzy from so much water]

Hey. I assume you don't mind me interrupting your project?

[It's a question, but just barely.]

Is that really how you've been passing the time here?

[uprightness]

I'd tell you if I did.

[ it's an assurance they're both rather used to. telling each other how they feel and what they mind is how this friendship had started. ]

I've been doing some reading, too. Just finished Daisy Miller.

[outstandingbalance]

I guess that's putting your time to good use.

[Natasha tilts her head, leaning against the wall as she sips her coffee, throwing the towel over one shoulder.]

Still... you're missing out.

Tell me you at least went out for Barnes' birthday?

[uprightness]

I went. Took a few hours to get the glitter out of my hair.

[ he catches her gaze, holds it and smiles. ]

It's been quiet but it hasn't been bad.

[outstandingbalance]

I wish I had a picture of that. Hopefully you got him to loosen up a little.

[Not all bad, at least. If he's uncomfortable underwater, that's not good.]

I'm glad you had a good time.

[uprightness]

A little.

[ it was more the superbrew than him, but. ]

I know you're worried.

[ once, it would have been viewed as a vulnerability. he and her have come a long way since. ]

[outstandingbalance]

I just wanted to make sure you're okay. That's what we do for each other, isn't it?

[uprightness]

It is.

[ he shifts, takes her hand in his and gives it a little squeeze. ]

Thank you.

[ for making sure, that is. ]

I guess I just like solid ground a bit too much.

[outstandingbalance]

[Boys have so many feelings. Natasha allows it though. It's why she came here—comfort, maybe a distraction.]

Like to know where you stand?

[Her tone's is teasing.]

That sounds like you.