[Open with some closed prompts] Where have all the good men gone?

[livingsymbol]

who: Steve Rogers and anyone else!
what: Various bonding type things
when: General March catch-all
where: Different locations, pick your favorite!
warnings: Nothing yet. Will update as needed?



I. Training exercises [OPEN]

[For any members of the Perimeter Guard hanging around the compound when they aren't on jobs or for those who just frequent the local gyms and need some extra exercise, Steve can be found at both, either very early or late when there aren't as many spectators, running through his routines. It's mostly for his own mental health, although during the midday he offers to do self-defense and combat training or take jogs with people who just want some company. If there are people he's spoken to before that have expressed some interest, he'll probably drag them into a session or two.]

So how do you feel about obstacle courses? We could race.

II. Shield toss beyond the city fences [OPEN]

[Of course Steve Rogers is exploring out alone in the dangerous open wilderness. Of course he's out of his Guard uniform and wearing the navy blue issued to him by SHIELD before he ended up in Quarantine. And of course he's poked his nose right into the middle of a nest of lizard-like creatures each the size of very large dogs, which look none too happy about the human's arrival. This normally wouldn't be too much of a problem, but Steve has somehow managed to find them in a sea of tall grass where they are hunting and the pack is far greater in number than even a super-soldier can handle alone. He's left stranded on a tall rock surrounded by very tall, angry versions of Komodo dragons that are slinking around below, trying to figure out how to reach their dinner. If he tries to attack, he'll most likely lose his one defense and possibly a limb trying to retrieve it. He might make a run for it, but without knowing where all the lizards are, his chances are pretty bad. If anyone happens to pass by or overhead, at least he has their attention.]

This is probably when I should call for help. But it'd be pretty bad for a Search and Rescue member to need rescued. How about it, boys? How smart are you, exactly?

[He may just make a run for it.]

III. Aftermath from his walk in the wilds [OPEN]

[Within the city limits on a few evenings Steve is found limping down the streets. He's probably on his way to buy a burger or some easy food from one of the familiar places he goes to after a hard day out. He has definitely been thrown around and is sporting some interesting scratches and bruises, which mostly means he'll take his meals outside so he doesn't bother other patrons. But he could stand to clean up.

If he happens to run into someone literally by not watching where he's going or if someone gives him and his battered style funny looks he'll stop and give them a polite nod.]

Sorry. I hope I'm not disturbing you.

[It's a zombie Cap cosplay!]

[Closed to MCU!Bucky] Tracking down an old friend (again)

[Steve did try to behave and respect Bucky's privacy. He's been trying to give the man some space and not crowd him, but when his Bucky mentioned that James Barnes of the other world knew who Pierce was and had a history with him, he had to find him. So he starts tracking, asking people around the city if they've seen a guy that looks like Bucky around, and hunting through the city is thankfully not as hard as tracking a man across an entire country, so eventually, with painstaking effort, Steve does catch up. He approaches him in a secluded spot away from everyone else, dropping down before Bucky can bolt.]

I was hoping that you'd call me. Or leave a message at least.

[Closed to Hiccup] Baking can be an adventure too

[As promised, Steve comes to visit Hiccup with a bag of cake making supplies. He might be a bit late considering it's a few days after their talk about his birthday, but Steve is still there and still keeping his promise. He contacts Hiccup and makes sure he's home and then heads over, knocking on the room door of the first floor where the young man and dragon are staying.]

Ready to tackle the oven?

[Closed to Pierce] Tea with enemies

[He's not happy with his own decision to meet with Pierce, but he also hadn't been entirely happy to meet with Loki the first time he did it. This choice is Steve's attempt at keeping an open mind and giving even the worst possible figure in his mind a chance to prove that he's not just out for destruction the way Steve wants to assume he is. It goes against everything Steve believes of him, but at least at this point he doesn't think Pierce will make any hostile moves. Not yet.

So he shows up as planned at the diner, nodding once he finds Pierce even if the motion is slightly stiff.]

After you.

[Because he's going to make Pierce go in first.]

[Closed to Tony Stark] Is this a serious talk?

[Tony did invite him to visit and see his work, so Steve, out of the blue, decides he's going to do that. He also wants to visit JARVIS and Dum-E, so it's not entirely a professional visit, but since Tony seems to be caught up in his own business most of the time, it's up to Steve to bridge the gap. He shows up at the workshop doorstep, greeting JARVIS and asking if Tony is around. And then, of course, making conversation.]

Are you making sure he remembers to eat? He was looking a little thin before.

[You're welcome, Stark.]

Comments

[livingsymbol]

Well, I wasn't taunting them, but now that you mention it, I could probably come up with something.

[Even cornered on a rock by dozens of sharp-toothed predators, Steve is unapologetic for his poorly planned walk. He doesn't even seem upset about needing to be rescued. If anything, this just shows some of Captain America's bad sense of humor about battle. He smirks at Loki, pleased to see the god even if Loki himself looks exasperated.]

I thought you liked a little bit of excitement.

[They might have a different definition of a little excitement. Just a bit.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki casually flips his knives, slowly warming up to the prospect. ]

This is not quite what I had in mind. Though I'm not against a little blood-letting.

[livingsymbol]

I wasn't exactly planning on getting stuck up here either, but I appreciate your company.

[Steve smiles from his spot above the snapping heads.]

You could get away. I don't think they'll follow.

[dothelokimotion]

And leave you here with all the fun?

[ Loki casually throws a dagger into a lizard's eye. It gurgles and croaks, toppling over. ]

Who do you take me for?

[livingsymbol]

[Steve's smile grows from a gentle reassurance to a grin when Loki makes his choice. He knows that the god doesn't like violence no matter how capable he is, and Steve wouldn't hold it against him if he left him to figure his own way home.]

My hero.

[He leaps down from his safe spot, jumping into the crowd. The lizards immediately start to dive for him, but Steve rolls and leaps to his feet, punching a lizard as it tries to grab him. He heads toward Loki at a run.]

I think they want us to stick around.

[dothelokimotion]

[ A flicker of a glow passes through Loki's face. Certain compliments still make him feel warm. ]

Any particular reason why?

[livingsymbol]

My guess? Probably for dinner.

[Steve is shoving snapping jaws away from himself as he tries to get away from the pack, but by leaping down he's become even more exposed to the lizards. Now he's just fighting his way through.]

Loki, stay back.

[It turns from Steve defending himself to Steve staying in the middle of the attack, refusing to draw any more of the angry animals toward Loki. While he's smacking one over the head with his shield, another lunges in and bites his arm, dragging him down to the ground.]

[dothelokimotion]

Steve.

[ Loki immediately lashes out with a golden blast of magic, sending the lizards flying as he drops to the ground to help him up. His heart is in his chest, hammering — no, no, no. He immediately curls an arm around Steve's waist, trying to help him up. ]

[livingsymbol]

[The lizards scream and scatter, fleeing after they manage to get to their feet after that blast. It's intimidating enough to send them running for the moment at least. Steve feels Loki helping him up before he opens his eyes. The attack from the hungry beasts lasted only a few seconds, but he's still sporting several nasty gashes.]

You okay?

[At least it seems like Loki wasn't hurt. That's the important part to him.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki splutters. ]

I'm fine. You on the other hand, do not look so good.

[ There is a faint thread of panic in his voice and Loki looks a little haplessly wild. ]

[livingsymbol]

You should get to safety.

[ Steve rests his hand on Loki's arm, both assuring himself that Loki is there and trying to comfort his obviously distraught boyfriend. ]

I'll be okay. It's not that bad.

[ It's something he's used to saying. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I don't know what nonsense you are babbling, but it has gone far enough.

[ The lizards seem to have skittered away, wary of Loki's talents and that gives him enough time to use a little bit of healing magic on Steve. ]

Bad or good, if something hurts, then it should be fixed.

[livingsymbol]

[ The lizards stay hidden in the tall grass, but a rustle around them or behind them gives away their presence as individuals creep around the intruders. They don't dare come close to the unpredictable power, but they are still alert, waiting for their opening.

Steve looks more relieved as the danger passes and Loki turns his attention to healing him. It's a strange feeling, one Steve doesn't have to feel often. He looks confused at first as the pain passes so quickly and his injuries knit together. Then he puts his hand against Loki's arm. ]

I'm all right. Thank you, Loki. I'll be okay now.

[ Steve is starting to realize just how important this is to Loki. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki gives him a critical look. Steve wouldn't lie to him, but he's a soldier. And Loki knows how soldiers think. How Asgardians think. Loki is an aberration, not one to shoulder pain unless he has to or if he thought it made him look weak. He lacks a heart of steel. His hands pull away finally, feeling a little . . . weak-hearted. ]

Of course.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve smiles, putting an arm over Loki's shoulders and leaning in. If the god was planning on letting Steve play tough, he missed his chance. Steve switches directions and uses Loki for support.]

I'm sorry I scared you. I just didn't want them to go after you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki looks startled before he keeps his arm around Steve, giving him a warm squeeze. ]

I would have been fine.

[livingsymbol]

Mm. I know that. You're a god.

[Steve doesn't pull away.]

But I couldn't just let them go after you. Not when I could stop it.

[dothelokimotion]

Ah, Steve.

[ He leans closer. ]

You're too good to me.

[livingsymbol]

I can't let you get hurt because of me. What sort of man would that make me?

[ Steve runs his fingers lightly through Loki's hair. ]

Thanks for coming to help. I know it wasn't how you planned on spending the day.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki purrs at the touch. ]

Not at all. A good fight is worth attending.

[livingsymbol]

Does that mean you'll finish the run with me?

[ Loki should have probably seen that one coming. Steve is never one to back down from a fight. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ He rolls his eyes, but doesn't seem all that fussed. And he's still a little tense from those lizards, so the decision was easily made. ]

Why not?

[livingsymbol]

[While Loki rolls his eyes, Steve looks pleased to have him agree to come along.]

Let's go then. Better keep the blades out just in case.

[He acts as thought he wasn't just knocked down and nearly sent to the hospital, leading the way back through a path in the grass.]

Why were you way out here anyway?

[dothelokimotion]

I make trips here when I need samples for Gramarye. I do it sparingly though.

[ His first trip into the wild got him mauled and every since then, he's been careful. ]

[livingsymbol]

Not a fan of the wilderness? That's a shame.

[ Steve is probably too comfortable with the danger. He leads the way, pushing through the grass and scouting a little ahead of Loki so he doesn't walk him into trouble, calling back to talk. ]

It's nice out here. Good scenery. Bucky and I found a waterfall.