[open] You’re so far away

[captain_america]

Who: Steve Rogers and You!
Where: around the mansion
When: First few weeks of February
Rating: PG-13 for punching bag death
Summary: A few weeks in the life of Steve Rogers.
The Story:

Training Center

Steve’s normal daily routine usually includes an outdoor run, but it’s winter and Steve has never been the biggest fan of the cold, or snow, or anything that reminds him of crashing a plane and freezing in the cold Arctic Ocean, this is why he loves that that training center has an indoor track. It might not be as interesting as running outside but it’s warm and it will do for his daily 26 miles.

And that’s just a warm up.

Sometimes he follows the run with a turn on the mountain climbing wall, or at the weight racks, but usually he’s wrapping his hands and taking his aggression out on some punching bags. They aren’t the normal punching bags either, they are sturdier- able to withstand super soldiers beating on them for days and weeks. But the beginning of February has been hard. Peggy is gone and it’s taking everything in him not to break down.

That means the punching bags are getting more of a workout than normal and one particular strong punch has one ripping at the seams, chains snapping and it’s sailing across the room to hit a wall, sand spilling out into the floor. It’s been a while since he’s done that. That doesn’t stop him, even if he mutters a curse under his breathe, just goes and hauls up a new one as if it weighs nothing and starts another round. This one should last longer.

Diner

Steve started dropping by the diner once or twice a week about a month after he arrived. It was comfortable and it reminded him of home- not just 2018 but 1945 as well. There was something about a diner that was timeless- he always knew what to expect there. Plus they had really good pie.

Peggy started meeting him there once a week a few months ago and it had become their unspoken routine (because everything with them seemed to be unspoken). He would order pie, she would steal his pie and they would talk, like old friends, about everything and nothing. They would share stories about the war and that was something Steve hadn’t been able to do in years. Peggy always understood him in ways no one else ever had.

But she was gone now, again. That seemed to be his blessing and his curse, he would find Peggy again but he was always destined to lose her. He thought he had made peace with that back home but it was different here.

He still came to the diner at their unspoken agreed upon time, and he still ordered a slice of apple pie. Sometimes he ate it, sometimes he sat their and sketched, and sometimes he just stared out the window as the pie sat there untouched.

Fifth Floor Bar

For someone who couldn’t get drunk (unless Freya was around), Steve spent an awful lot of time in bars since he arrived in Wonderland.

It made sense, it was where a lot of his friends ended up gathering and Natasha worked behind the bar every so often. He might not be able to get drunk but he enjoyed a good beer, and Tony had turned him on to whiskey. He could be found nursing a drink at the bar or at one of the tables scattered around. He wouldn’t say no to a game of pool or darts or just some company. He was a friendly guy.

Wildcard

Have an idea for something with Steve? Make your own starter or hit me up courtings to discuss.

Comments

fifth floor bar }

[deathlessness]

Look, bars are important. At least as far as Freya is concerned.

There's something normalizing about a bar, in the grand scheme of things. Unless you were a child, having a place where people wouldn't judge you for needing a little help to bear your problems is likely part of what keeps society going. Alcohol lessens the weight of emotions, makes you forget your troubles, and makes things seem better, at least for a little while.

Freya wanders in somewhere in the early evening when she needs a break from both Fitz and Klaus, settles on a stool next to Steve, and rests her chin in her and. "And how was your overly garrish event adventure?"

[captain_america]

Freya is always a welcome sight and welcome company. He smiles as he turns to face her, though it turns a little wry when he answers.

“Well I woke up in a room with a plastic horse to ride and the closets didn’t want me wearing clothing, or at least nothing that really covered my chest. How was your weekend?”

Of all the events he’s been through this one was at least the most amusing...looking back at least.

[deathlessness]

"I spent most of it drunk and eating pizza in a hot tub shaped like a champagne glass."

It's probably the best event she's had in a while. She actually rather enjoyed it. No one bothered her, no one died, and she got to turn her brain off for a little while. And the pizza was rather delicious.

She also really, really tries to clamp down on the fact that she's got a dirty mind all the time when it comes to talking to Steve because as much as she may enjoy making him blush, she doesn't want to make him uncomfortable. But right now, in this moment? She can't resist.

"At least tell me you had someone to appreciate the fact that you were showing off your assets."

Look. It's not her fault you have the perfect nacho shaped torso, Steve. Those were choices you made.

[captain_america]

He’s too much of a gentleman to say it aloud but he’s kinda disappointed he missed that. He is only human after all.

He blushes and glances down for a moment before looking back up to meet her eyes. “I-uh. I ran into Juliet early on and we spent most of the weekend trying to find the most ridiculous rooms.” And if they ended up falling asleep together in one well, they needed to sleep didn’t they?

“Bondage Hello Kitty might have been the most bizarre.”

° Diner

[beautifullies]

As a whole, Claire doesn't eat much diner food, but there's something about a good cheeseburger and salty french fries she just needs, sometimes. Today, her goal is to get three meals to go, but when she sees Steve staring, alone, she makes a detour toward him.

He's become a friend, someone she's called upon during difficult times, and someone she would want to help through his own.

"You seem far too fit to indulge in junk food," she says with a gentle tease, though she doesn't sit, content to leave him with only that if he'd rather not have company.

[captain_america]

Steve looks up at the sound of her voice and finds himself smiling even if he’s not feeling all that happy, in general. Claire has been one of the best friends he’s made since arriving in Wonderland and it’s always good to see her.

“I know this would earn my a slap from most people but I can basically eat whatever I want and still look like this. Side effects of the serum. My metabolism works about four times faster than the average person’s.”

He gestured for her to sit if she wants to. “Would you like some, they make a really good pie.” Despite the fact that he hasn’t touched his yet.

[beautifullies]

Claire takes the offer as one to sit and shakes her head. "Every now and then good pie is needed. Besides, I was here for a cheeseburger. I hardly have room to judge."

She does order her own piece of pie before studying her friend, features softening.

"What's the matter?"

[captain_america]

“A good cheeseburger is also necessary sometimes. That’s something that hasn’t really changed since the 40s, cheeseburgers. In fact they’ve gotten better.” Which he can’t exactly say about everything.

He isn’t surprised when she asks, he’s not exactly hiding the brooding and it’s Claire, she would be concerned. What surprises him is that he actually wants to tell her. He’s never really been someone who talks about their feelings, he’d rather change the subject, or avoid it, or punch something. Claire makes him want to talk- probably because he thinks she would understand.

“Before I went into the ice, hell before I even got the serum, there was this woman. She was amazing, unlike any woman I had ever met before, and she saw me for who I was, even when I was 90 pounds soaking wet. I loved her- I still love her, and I was planning on spending my life with her. You know, the whole thing- kids and a house and a life. But I went into the ice for 68 years and when I came out she had lived a life. A full life with kids and a career- and she deserved it, she deserved everything she ever fought for and achieved. I just thought we would have done it together.”

He takes a breath and there’s moisture in his eyes. “By the time I came out of the ice she was sick, and she was dying, some days she didn’t remember who I was. She died two years ago and it was like losing her all over again. And then I came here and there she was- like 68 years had never happened. Only she had moved on, because the Steve That was here before me had fallen in love with someone else and she was forced to. And I told myself that was fine, she deserved to be happy and I was just glad to be around her again.”

He clenches his jaw, swallowing hard to keep his voice steady. “Peggy Carter seems to not be in Wonderland anymore and it’s like she’s died for the third time.”

bar

[outstandingbalance]

Unsurprising Natasha would be here considering she's in here at least a couple of times a week. For a while, she lets Steve nurse his drink, relax, they have little enough of that.

But when he gets to the end of his bear, she's there with a new bottle, setting it in front of him and sitting at his table.

"How's it going?"

[captain_america]

He know Nat will come over at the exact moment she’s ready to, and she does not disappoint, but she brings him another beer so she’s welcome- she’s always welcome beer or not.

He gives her a slight smile, one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes and he takes a drink before answering. “It’s been better...it’s also been worse so I gues I cant complain that much. Peggy’s gone.”

He knows she will know what that means to him without having to come out and say it.

[outstandingbalance]

"I noticed." She keeps tabs on people. Not exactly a surprise, is it? With all the coming and going. Natasha shrugs a little, sympathetic. People come and go here, some of them a lot, but Peggy had been here since before Natasha arrived. "You can complain if you want. Always got an ear for it?"

[captain_america]

“Not sure how much I have to say. Peg and I just seem to always be separated.” He takes a sip from his beer. It hurts- it always hurts but Steve has long since learned to live with pain. “It would be easier sometimes if alcohol actually had an effect.”

He realizes he’s being very maudlin.

training center;

[holyshihtzu]

Juliet has long had the habit of cycling through her own fitnesses routines and doing her best to not spend too much time doing the same thing. She gets bored easily, and bored risks laziness and Juliet doesn't really know how to be lazy. She does miss having a personal trainer around when she wants one, but the fitness center and gym at least give her the opportunity to keep some variety in her fitness routine.

She isn't unused to seeing Steve there on occasion, either, and she's never complained about the company, even though she's long since tried to keep up with him. She's fit, but not running-26-miles-a-day-as-a-warm-up fit. She's actually still not even entirely sure how that is humanly possible.

It isn't until he's just about split the punching bag at the seams that she comes in, though, her eyes widening with alarm as it bursts open and goes careening against the wall only a few feet away from her. Juliet knows what those bags can take and her startled expression almost immediately makes way for concern.

"I'm not sure it's worth even asking if you're okay because the answer seems pretty obvious." No one who is "okay" has that much built up tension in them.

[captain_america]

He winces when the bag goes flying passed her, a few seconds later and it would have hit her. That’s enough to rein in his emotions somewhat, because being a danger to someone else is not something he will ever be okay with.

It’s on the tip of his tongue to say he’s fine, but. Well that’s so obviously a lie and he won’t lie to Juliet.

“Sorry, just....it’s been a rough week.” To put it lightly. “Are you okay?”

[holyshihtzu]

"I'm fine," she assures him, waving her hand at the ruined punching bag. She comes towards him, her hands on her hips, and stares up at him with concern.

"You sure that's not putting it mildly? I know taking it out on a punching bag might help but I really don't want my first death in Wonderland to be the result of you having a bad week." She's trying to lighten the mood a little, teasing him in hopes of making him smile. "You wanna talk about it?"

[captain_america]

He did not like the thought of her dying, especially because of him. "I would never-" He needed to be more careful, he was used to being alone when he trained but here anyone could walk in at anytime.

He sighs, stepping away from the now empty rig. "It's probably stupid. Someone from home was here, she's dead now in my time, she's gone back home now."

training center

[selfworthbitches]

[Well, well. Maze enjoys the company of humans well enough, but most of them still lack... stamina. It's not their fault. Maze is a demon, and it takes a lot to keep up with her.

This man is a whole lot stronger than most humans. And certainly attractive enough. Time to see if he's up for some fun. Sparring or fucking, she'll be pretty pleased in either direction.

She strides over and catches the bag with one hand.]

You're pretty good at hitting something that can't fight back. How bout a real challenge?

[captain_america]

[ Well, that’s one way to get his attention. His breathing is slightly labored as he stops his assault on the bag; taking in the woman standing in front of him. He learned long ago not to underestimate women, and she doesn’t even flinch when she catches the bag. Still he has to ask. ]

What kind of challenge are we talking?

fifth floor bar;

[thecourier]

It's become almost funny to him how he hesitates before he walks in through the door of this place. More often than not, his intentions to find his way here end up with him sitting in Lucifer's old place - somewhere just that little bit too swanky for him, yet without the sting of memories that make the bar on the fifth floor all that more difficult to make use of.

When he does manage to get there, he'll usually start working his way through a bottle of whiskey until he can't see straight, then he'll leave. Tonight, though, he catches Steve's eye as he lingers near the pool table.

"... Fancy a game, bud?"

[captain_america]

Steve looks up, he's seen Dan around but they hadn't officially met- not unheard of considering how many people Wonderland seemed to have.

"Sure," its been a while since he had someone to play against. He holds out his hand to shake. "I'm Steve."

[thecourier]

Not unheard of given that Dan hasn't really been in the mood for meeting new people for a good many months now. But... hell, he's here, and just at the right level of drunk to make an effort.

"Dan," he says, taking Steve's offered hand to shake it firmly. "How's yer skill at this? Don't mind lettin' y' break."

[captain_america]

"I do okay," says the guy who can throw a large metal Frisbee with such accuracy to take out a room full of hydra agents.

Despite that he doesn't sink a single ball when he breaks the rack. He's not looking to swindle anyone.

Training Center

[theenforcer]

Old habits die hard for a lot of people, and especially with being trapped in the mansion, Barbie finds himself using the training center more and more.

That day he has a military issue pack from the closet on, loaded to simulate the packs he carried during training, not willing to let his guard down in Wonderland. He survived the Dome by staying to that regiment, he'll do it here as well.

Of course, his run is a bit shorter, and that day is interrupted by an odd sound, and then watching as a punching bag sails from it's mooring, hitting the floor with a thump and leaving a trail of sand in it's wake.

Lifting his shirt hem to wipe his face, Barbie slowly drops the pack from his shoulders, setting it to the floor as he takes a few cautious steps closer. Not towards the bag but to the man.

"Uhmmm..." Pausing as the guy starts all over again, glancing to the dead bag and back. "You, uhmmm... All good?"

[captain_america]

Steve forgets that he’s not always alone when he’s beating up punching bags and thus his emotions are pretty much on display for all to see, especially today. He stops hitting the bag and glances over at the man, an apologetic loon on his face.

“Yeah, Sorry. Didn’t mean to...do that.” True. “It’s been a rough week.” Also true. He doesn’t elaborate though, he doesn’t know this man, and he probably doesn’t want to listen to Steve’s problems, and Steve isn’t every good at sharing either. Still he knows what it must look like to watch someone destroy a punching bag and then keep going.

[theenforcer]

Since coming to this place, Barbie has oddly enough not had those moments. He's got Julia, and there's no Dome, and no fighting for food and water and air. Even with the events, there's the knowledge that after a few days, they'll have things back. Just so long as they survive those days. Not like back home where death is looming in a matter of a week or two.

"Well, glad to know it wasn't intentional," Barbie says with a chuckle, waving a hand to dismiss it. "Just wanted to make sure. I mean, all we can do around here, right?" He's been part of a unit, and then checked up on people in the Dome. He felt the need to do the same here as well.