usavatar: (Default)
Steve "I'LL KICK MY OWN ASS" Rogers ([personal profile] usavatar) wrote2011-08-27 08:40 pm

I WAS MADE TO HIT IN AMERICAAAA

He should know not to go out at night by himself. Not because he's in any danger - Captain America in New York City on a less-than-average day doesn't have much to worry about. But because, almost without exception, he gets lost. Steve tucks his hands into the pockets of his jeans and squints up at the buildings around him, ignoring the college student who staggers by, stops to stare at him, and bursts out laughing before moving on.

He's used to that, too, by now. Apparently dressing conservatively these days isn't a reflection of care for the resources of the country, or a side-effect of living life as a soldier for two years - it's just "dorky." At least he doesn't feel like someone's taped a sign to his back, not since he asked Darcy - Agent Lewis - why he kept getting that reaction.

Of course the fact that she had to explain what 'Because you're a dork' meant didn't really help his... street cred. He chuckles to himself, only a little ironic, at managing to use both terms in one train of thought.

A few streets later he's getting very confused. Usually he's able to find at least one familiar street or landmark to point him in the general right direction, at least until he finds a cab to get him the rest of the way back to the mansion. He's done this enough in the months he's been here that his assigned SHIELD shadows don't pop a vein unless he's not back by morning - in this case, though, that's probably working against him.

Finally Steve sighs and digs into his pocket to pull out his cellular phone. He looks at it for a moment, smiling to himself and wondering what Howard would make of all this. Tiny phones with tinier batteries and communicators and jets that don't need runways to take off.

Well, for all Steve knows, Howard invented most of it. He still hasn't been able to bring himself to look at history texts to see how his friends lived out their lives. There's something too much like admitting he's never going to see them again in doing that.

He flips the phone open gingerly, poking the tiny buttons with his pinky because he's not sure how else to manage the thing, and dials in what he's fairly sure is Darcy's number. Agent Lewis's number. He could try calling someone else, but she's friendly, in her own way. She doesn't treat him like a loaded gun waiting to be pointed at the next Big Bad Guy.

Steve lifts the phone to his ear with a frown. "Uh. Hello?"
hulk: (Dash of overreaction.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-16 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
He grabs a glass and fills it at the kitchen sink without preamble. After dealing with third-world water and power, American tap water is heavenly. Turning around, he hands it off with a mild expression on his face.

"When I have to. I mean. I don't really eat all that much in general, and when I do it's not like I can order out." He cocks his head at that, then smiles sheepishly. Money to pay for it and availability of take-out menus aren't issues anymore (the money thing sort of is, even though he's been told he's being paid top-tier agent salary; he's gotten used to frugality as a necessity). "Well, I suppose I can now, but. Fallen out of the habit. Plus, it's probably not the most healthy so. Yeah, when I have to eat I pretty much cook for myself."
hulk: (You want to go to the review board...)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-16 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"Work's more important," is the answer as he settles himself against the fridge. "Just... You know, you get into a rhythm and it's not really worth it to break for a bite. I mean I'll eat when it comes up, but."

A small smile lights up his face as he remembers. "There was this one time, I think I almost went for a whole week on just, uh. Coffee and pretzel sticks. Didn't even realize how long it'd been until I slid out of my chair with the room spinning like a top." He chuckles at himself, continuing without realizing what he's saying. "Didn't matter how often she'd yell at me about it, it'd always end up with somebody shoving loaded with carbs in my face and a lecture from Betty about--"

It's her name that snaps him back as his chest aches. Working in the lab at Culver seems like a lifetime ago, and in a lot of ways it is. Better that way, really.

"Anyway." Bruce clears his throat to get rid of whatever's trying to block it. "I mostly just throw whatever's in the fridge together and heat it up some. Quick and easy."
hulk: (Seemed that happily ever after.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-17 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Bruce blinks before registering what Cap's asking. Scrambling out of the way, he ducks his head in a nod and waves a welcoming hand.

"Uh, sure?" Not that he's at all sure what Steve wants with the fridge, especially since he's pretty sure it's still bare-ish.
hulk: (Better far to leave it now than stay.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-17 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
Okay... Mild confusion at Steve's interest in his fridge has evolved into wary curiosity at what Steve has or hasn't found and from there into subdued panic at the idea of leaving the room.

"Er, well. I'm not really that hungry, sir, but you can go on ahead. After all, I've still got a lot of reading to get through and besides, there's plenty I can have if I do get hungry later - which I'm not at this point in time. But, uh, thank you?"
hulk: (Default)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-17 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
"There's probably someone else upstairs who'd get hungry before I would, not to mention they'd probably be better company than me anyway, and."

Bruce fidgets under that look - feeling like he's somehow letting the captain down by not going with.
hulk: (I know a few ways to manage that anger.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-17 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
Forget the strength, speed, stamina, regeneration - Steve's real power has got to be the way he's staring at him right now with that kind of crushing sincerity.

Bruce doesn't last longer than a minute.

"Ah, w-well, if. I guess I can go for a little while while you're going and. Doing what it is you're going to do. At least until somebody else shows up, since." He clears his throat quietly. "Yeah."

[identity profile] toseethesunrise.livejournal.com 2011-09-17 07:50 am (UTC)(link)
Quorra is already in the kitchen, poking around in the fridge and cabinets for something to eat. She's rather absorbed in what she's doing that she probably doesn't quite hear anyone else that might be approaching. Yet.
hulk: (Had to go - I had no choice.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-17 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
Bruce nearly bolts when he registers there's someone else in the kitchen, even as Steve seems keen as anything to see her. There's a vague realization of this being the girl from the potluck, but still.

"Well, see, there's someone else right here so since you're all set on company, I'm just. I'm-- I'm gonna go, thank you, bye." He keeps babbling as he attempts to nonchalantly slide his way back to the stairs.

[identity profile] toseethesunrise.livejournal.com 2011-09-18 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
Quorra turns at the voice, a grin on her face. "Looking for something to eat," she explains, a different box in each hand (mac & cheese in one, mini-muffins in the other). "But I'm still deciding."

Then her face falls when Bruce makes the motions to leave. "Oh, no, please--you don't have to leave on my account."
hulk: (Might be in serious trouble.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-18 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
Spoiler alert: dual disappointed kicked puppy disappointment is super effective.

"I'm n- That's... I didn--" Bruce's shoulders slump as he grabs a stool by the island in the middle of the kitchen. "Okay, but. I do have reading to get back to," he protests weakly, foot tapping out a rhythm on the tile.

Nodding a quick hello to Quorra, he says, "And I already know Ms. Quorra, since there was that. Potluck thing a while ago. It was... An interesting conversation."

[identity profile] toseethesunrise.livejournal.com 2011-09-18 08:12 am (UTC)(link)
Feel that disappointment. Alllllll of it.

She looks pleased at his 'interesting conversation' comment, waving back at him, but awkwardly sets the food boxes on a counter. She'd like him to stay, but she can tell he doesn't entirely want to. "I don't want to force you to stay, especially if you have to read," she starts, fidgeting slightly, although his grabbing of the stool was a good sign. "But if you came up for food, you should have some. I don't want to spoil that for you."
hulk: (Can't break a broken man.)

[personal profile] hulk 2011-09-24 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
The combined amount of adorable unsurety makes Bruce sigh and hang his head as he plops himself at the table. "All right. I mean, I don't know why there's the whole... But. Yes."

Crossing his arms on the counter, he glances up from where he's decided to stake out the patterns in the formica. "And, uh, I don't want to be contrary, but. I'm not hungry so I'm not eating. That's- You don't have to go to any extra trouble on my account." He'll just. You know. Sit here. That's okay.

[identity profile] toseethesunrise.livejournal.com 2011-09-25 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
Quorra beams, clearly pleased that Bruce has decided to stay. If she bounces slightly, she doesn't realize it, only turning back to rummage for something to eat. "It wouldn't be extra trouble! It's the kitchen. It's supposed to be for food."