[Open] Life doesn't discriminate Between the sinners and the saints

[captain_america]

Who: Steve Rogers and YOU
Where: Starting on the beach and then around the mansion
When: Saturday 10/20
Rating: PG13?
Summary: Steve is back from home, slightly beat up and looking a little worse for the wear
The Story:

[ One minute he's fighting in Wakanda, over run by Thanos' army, literally. He's on his back on the ground and he's got at least five on top of him that he's struggling to shrug off. The next thing he knows the weight is off him and thats the Bifrost and lightening raining down on the plains of Wakanda. Thor is alive, and thats the biggest relief Steve has felt in two days.

He doesn't even have time for that to sink in before he's blinking and he's definitely not in Wakanda anymore. He's on a beach, sitting on the sand just out of the reach of the water laping at the shore. It all comes back in an instant. Wonderland. He lets out a frustrated noise as he lifts himself up. It had to pull him back right then? In the middle of everything? Right when everything is hanging in the balance? When he doesn't have answers for the questions he knows he'll face.

He sighs and making his way back up to the mansion, theres nothing he can do about it now. But he could use a shower, and a change of clothes. And then there's some people he needs to talk to. He looks like he's been through a war, and he'll probably turn some heads as he heads up to the ninth floor. It might take him a little longer than anticipated. ]

Comments

Closed to Tony

[captain_america]

[ When he reaches his room he hesitates, glancing at the door across the hall. He's not ready to go inside and Tony's room is right there so he takes the few steps to cross the corridor. ]

Friday, is he in there?

[ He is, and Ms. Potts is out at the moment.

He nods, glad Pepper won't see him like this and he pushes the door open. Sorry Tony there's no time for knocking. ]

If I walk into my room right now will I find out you've turned it into a bald eagle roost?

[ Hi Tony, he's back. ]

[revokes]

[ Tony is working, keeping his projects to his designated work-space in the room, as everything else is in the lab as per Pepper's instructions. When FRIDAY announces he has a visitor, he looks up. ]

I take offense to that, I never use the same trick twice an we've already covered bald eagles.

[ he stares at him before moving to bring two glasses and a bottle of whiskey, it may not have an effect on steve, but it seems like the right time for drinks. ]

Well, looking at you, I'm torn between the urge to say you look like shit and the urge to sing the Flintstones theme song.

[captain_america]

[ He used to find Tony’s brand of humor jarring- now it’s just comforting, some things don’t change and it’s grounding to know Tony’s humor is one of those things. ]

You’ve covered posters, not live ones. [ Just different enough.

He will gratefully take a class of whiskey, the alcohol might not work but the act of drinking with a friend is exactly what he needs. He does hold up his wrists though, still attached to the shields T’challa gave him. ]

Not sure these fit in with the Flintstones.

Closed to Natasha

[captain_america]

[ He's talked to Tony, he's cleaned himself up and changed and taken a moment to breathe. He'd wanted to text Natasha immediately but he knew he needed to get this thoughts together first, there's a lot to tell her. So he's shooting her a text as he leaves his room. ]

I'm back. Where are you?

[outstandingbalance]

[Short as the message is, it says a lot. There's a sinking feeling in her stomach, remembering Rocket's news that he was from her own future and his grim refusal to say more.]

Where do you need me to be?

[captain_america]

Roof? I’ll be there in five.

[ He’s already changed direction and is heading there while he texts her. The roof is usually pretty empty and there’s less of a chance of being disturbed. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Roger that. I'll meet you there.

[She doesn't press for more details. If Steve wants to meet somewhere—somewhere private, from the sound of it—then she'll wait to find out face to face. She can be patient.

She'll also be early. Not by much, but she's already there when he arrives, waiting with her arms crossed and a serious expression.]

[captain_america]

[ He’s not surprised she’s there first, and while his expression is serious it’s god to see her. With red hair, he misses the red. He’s really still not used to her as a blonde. ]

Hey. This place is still standing I see, how long was I gone?

Closed to Peggy

[captain_america]

[ He's not surprised when his feet take him to Peggy's door. She's one of the main reasons he's not too upset with being back here- because here he still gets to see and talk to Peggy. He gets her no nonsense advice and her telling him when to stop being an ass. He can use her particular brand of sympathy right now. And a friendly face that isn't going to expect answers that he can't give because he doesn't know.

He really hopes she's home as he knocks on her door. ]

[mucked]

[ remarkably, she's there. more and more of her days and evenings and nights have been spent elsewhere, lately, but today she is the queen of her own domain. sitting with her feet up, wearing a pair of slacks and a silk blouse, and reading a well-thumbed copy of a book that was published a decade or so after her year.

peggy smiles to hear a knocking. she wasn't expecting any guests -- and, to be honest, her first guess as to who it might be falls far far from who it is. she leaves her paperback tented on the sofa as she stands up, rubs her fingers vigorously through her loose curls, and answers the door with an affectionate glimmer already in her eye...

only to be met by steve. whatever words she'd been about to say, whatever quip she'd been about to make, it sort of freezes in the back of her throat. she drinks in the sight of him -- fuller beard and a particular kind of weight burdening the corners of his eyes.

peggy softens. her smile stays, but it's more sympathetic than playful. easily -- gladly -- she pushes the door open and invites him inside. ]

Good God. There's more of it.

[ she gestures a cupped hand at her own chin. ]

[captain_america]

[ She was expecting someone else, he can see it in the way she pauses just slightly, but her smile doesn't falter and he can tell that his presence is still welcome.

He can't help the startled laugh that escapes him at her comment and as he passes her to come into the room he wraps her up in a quick hug- because he can, and because he needs to. ]

Its strategic.

[mucked]

[ his embrace catches her by surprise. but it's warm and firm and brief and -- after a moment's pause -- she returns it with conviction. momentarily, she rests her chin on his shoulder; she can feel the scratch of his bigger beard on her cheek.

peggy breathes him in, holds that air in her lungs, and then releases him with a sigh. even now, it's hard to feel accustomed to his presence. ]

What? So you can go undercover as a vagrant?

[ she nudges the door shut. ]

[captain_america]

No one suspects Captain America to look like this. [ its surprising how easy it is to hide in plain sight sometimes. ] People see what they want to see.

[ He can't helps the small smile that turns up the corners of his lips at their banter. Its familiar, its easy. ] How are you Peg?

[ he knows he's only been gone a week, but a lot can happen in this place in a week. ]

Closed to Claire

[captain_america]

[ Its not until Sunday that Steve realizes what the date is, and what date he missed the day before. Of all the people he's met in Wonderland Claire is one of his favorites. They both know what its like to be suddenly thrown around in time- though she went backwards while he went forwards, its still something no one else really understands. They also both know what its like to be a hundred. Which is why he feels bad that he missed her the day before.

So he shows up Sunday with a box of shortbread cookies in hand hoping she's in her room when he knocks. ]

[beautifullies]

[ It's a moment before the door opens, and when it does, when she sees Steve, she immediately hugs him. He's become a good friend in a short amount of time, and she'd known when he didn't reply to her message about Jamie that he wasn't in Wonderland.

Still, she steps out instead of inviting him in. ]

Are you all right?

[ She looks at him, noting the ways he's changed, trying to see any signs that he isn't. ]

[captain_america]

[ Steve returns the hug, squeezing her tightly, but briefly before stepping back. ]

I'm alright, can't say this place chose a good time to pull me back but, not much I can do about it here.

[ He holds out the box of cookies. ] Happy Birthday, a day late. I'm sorry I missed it. How are you doing?

[beautifullies]

[ She's touched that he even remembered and she laughs softly, taking the cookies from him. ]

You return from everything at home and remember my birthday? I have to say, I'm touched. Thank you, Steve.

[ At his question, she takes a breath and lets it out a sort of half-smile on her face because this is a good thing, but an odd thing. ]

I'm all right. Nothing's changed, really, concerning...

[ Her murder and he murderer. ]

...well, you know. But in the meantime, my husband is...he's here. Badly injured which is why we're talking out here, but. He's here.

[deathlessness]

[When Steve makes it to his device, he's likely treated to Freya's "my friend is home on a canon bump" ritual which essentially is just her leaving inane texts about unimportant things in the off chance they'll respond. It seems kinder than pouring her sorrows into the device and gives her an idea of when they return.

While the narration doesn't fully understand how the devices work, there's the off chance that Steve gets all his missed messages in which case he'll be treated to questions about various pieces of Americana that she doesn't understand where they came from but since Steve is the Star Spangled Man with the Plan, he may know the answer to.

Or there may be the option that he only gets the last one which is:]

I think I've perfected the formula. If you want to try and get drunk, meet me at the space formerly known as Damon's Bar.

[captain_america]

[ He does come back to some messages, and they make him smile- even if he doesn’t know why Memorial Day is a federal holiday and Vereran’s day is not. They both should be in his opinion. But he gets the most recent text when he’s already back, and that’s the one he responds to.

It’s been a day already and he can use a drink with a friend. ]

What time?

[deathlessness]

Welcome back.

[Even if back may not be where he wants to be, she offers it all the same before answering the question:]

I'll be here all night. I told Wynonna I'd help out while she was on her honeymoon, so come in whenever you're free.

[captain_america]

[ Steve eventually makes his way to the bar later that night. Immediately spotting Freya and taking a seat on her side of the bar. He shoots her a smile as he waits for her to finish up and come over to him. ]

Not much of a crowd tonight. [ Not that he really knows if the bar gets crowded but it seems rather dead considering half the mansion turned into ponies earlier. ]

[thesamurai]

[ Michonne spots him coming toward the mansion, and she lifts her head in acknowledgment. He's different. They always come back different. ]

Nice of you to join us.

[ Her tone is light, but her face is serious. ]

Looks like things are going about par for the course.

[captain_america]

[ Michoone’s is a welcome face if not suddenly more familiar than when he left. She looks exactly like Okoye and that makes him pause a moment. That’s weird.

He does muster up a tired smile for her though. ]

That sounds about right. Pulled me back right in the middle of a battle this time.

[thesamurai]

[ She doesn't miss the slight double take but she also doesn't question it. He looks exhausted, especially for him. ]

Wonderland always did have terrible timing. Come on.

[ She nods toward the mansion. ]

I'll walk with you.

[captain_america]

[ He nods, letting her fall into step beside him as they walk up to the mansion. He doesn’t say anything at first, content to just have the company. ]

There’s someone back home that looks like you. You have the same face- though her head is shaved. She’s a warrior, you’d like her.

[ It’s easier to focus on that then the rest of the mess. ]