ᴏɴᴇ ɢʟɪᴍᴘsᴇ ᴏғ ʙʀɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ sᴋɪᴇs (sᴇᴍɪ-ᴏᴘᴇɴ)

[uprightness]

Who: avengersmas guests and starstruck crew!
Broadcast: nope
Action: on the starstruck
When: forwardate to christmas eve!



[ to all those who were invited, the crew, plus ones and random guests, you can use this mingle log for dinner stuff and drinking stuff and gifts stuff and passing out stuff.

don't ruin the christmas decorations though, they mean a lot to steve. ]

Comments

[uprightness]

[ steve slips into a seat just to her left when they pull out the space version of christmas pudding. it may not be the first time they've spoken tonight but he has a small, neatly wrapped box in his hands that he places in her lap. ]

it's not much but I figured you might like it.

[ inside the box are three glass wind chimes. but the paintwork is clearly done by hand. ]

I know we don't get a long of wind but you know, sometimes the air ventilation systems run a little quicker and then it might still have the same effect. and if not, you know, you could take then outside to the planet, if you ever rent a room or a cabin. there are nice once on this planet.

[ erm. he's being awkward about it, isn't he? ]

happy christmas, nat.

[outstandingbalance]

Oh, Steve...

[She holds it up, less charmed by the gift itself than the sentiment behind it.]

You know you didn't have to get me anything. I came for you, not for gifts.

[He's a good friend though.]

Thank you.

[uprightness]

I don't think gifts should ever be something you have to do. I wanted to.

[ he looks at the little wind chimes. they're not much, nothing too fancy but the attention is there. steve figured natasha romanoff might appreciate the intent behind a hand-painted craft more she would the ones sold on the marketplaces around the planet. ]

I figured - we never got to do this. christmas. gifts.

[ he looks at the scene around them. it almost looks normal, setting aside. ]

it's nice.

[outstandingbalance]

It is. [She follows his gaze, taking in the friends from home and the relationships they, as a group, have formed here. It's a little daunting, actually.]

The decorations turned out. I like them. They're... festive.

[uprightness]

They add a little color to the place, right? I mean they're not really traditionally Christmas but I think they still give the right atmosphere. did you see the snow man in the hall?

[ he's very proud of his snow man ]

[outstandingbalance]

[She can tell. Natasha clears her throat, maybe less sure about the snowman than he is.]

I saw the lights. I liked the lights. Maybe you can talk Peggy into leaving them up permanently?

[Just. Clearly teasing.]

[uprightness]

I stand better chances at getting her to play the whole Christmas album and sing along.

[ even in this favorable mood and with asgardian alcohol present in the room. ]

At least we feel the chance this way. If we're lucky enough to get another Christmas in, maybe it could be a tradition.

[ it says a lot, that he would consider himself lucky to stay another year and not return to the place most would call 'home'. ]

[outstandingbalance]

That would make a third. [A third for her. Some others have already been here that long—Bucky, for one.]

That seems like a lot to hope for. Maybe take it one day at a time.

[But they're pretty happy days.]

[uprightness]

One day at a time.

[ he can live with that. He turns to look at her and help himself to another glass of orange juice ( alcohol is wasted on him, after all ). ]

Any plans for Christmas morning?

[outstandingbalance]

Nothing specific. [A pause and a little bit of a smile, a little shine in her eyes.] I was thinking I'd probably spend it with Barnes.

Seems like a good way to enjoy a Christmas present to me.

[uprightness]

Careful, if I didn't know better I'd say you're turning into a romantic.

[ but he's glad for them, all the teasing amounts to just that, happiness. ]

it's a great way to spend Christmas. I'm happy for you.

[outstandingbalance]

But you do know better. So you can save all of those accusations for Barnes.

[Because he is, clearly, the romantic in this pair.]

How about you? You and Peggy have any plans?

[uprightness]

She doesn't know about them yet.

[ and steve doesn't know about hers. what a fine tangle to be in. ]

They let you rent out these cabins out by the forest. I figured we both need some time off the ship after everything that's happened. I got us one for a couple of days.

[ so basically, it's a surprise holiday. ]

[outstandingbalance]

That sounds good. You might want to give the girl a heads up. Considering Peggy, you might have some trouble dragging the captain away from her ship if you haven't given her time to plan.

[uprightness]

She goes with my plan from time to time, if they're any good. This one is pretty good and a long time in the making.

[ how odd, to be confident about an aspect of this relationship. ]

we'll be fine, don't worry. at worst, I'll pack for her. Wouldn't be the first time.

[outstandingbalance]

Worry isn't the word I'd use. Just looking out for my friends? I want your plan to work out.

[That gets a rare warm smile out of her.]

You both deserve it.

[uprightness]

That means you're worried about me. I'm used to it, you know.

[ and judging by his smile, he likes it, too. ]

you better make sure I ate enough tonight, too.

[ look romanoff is his work wife, everyone knows that. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Like I ever have to worry about you eating enough, Rogers. I know all about super soldiers' appetites. [She comes back wryly. She won't deny she's the work wife, though.

It's one of the ways she shows her affection.]

You boys eat enough all on your own.

[uprightness]

Hey, it only means that at times, we need to eat more of those protein cubes things and trust me, it's not a lot of fun.

[ she's one of the only people he will ever tell this to but: ]

you know, I really miss cheeseburgers.

[outstandingbalance]

[Steve. Do you think Natasha would be surprised by that? Or anyone would?]

We should make cheeseburgers. It's not that hard. Meat. Cheese. Bread.

[uprightness]

It's not really the same, is it? it's all weird. tall bird doesn't taste the same and ever since I had a job hunting them, I barely touch meat anyway.

[ the poor birds ok :< ]

[outstandingbalance]

Then we'll make veggie burgers.