[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]

As long as you don't mind a challenge.

[ Even between the two of them, the trip is dangerous. Maybe that's part of why Steve likes it. It's his pilgrimage to a place of completion, where he feels accomplished and can enjoy the beauty along with the sense of victory. ]

I'm glad you came out here. It's not a fancy party, but I like spending time with you.

[dothelokimotion]

I have never minded a challenge.

[ Loki hates being bored and generally throws himself into whatever can keep him occupied. Loki elbows Steve lightly for his "fancy party" remark. ]

I do enjoy a variety of things.

[livingsymbol]

[ The elbow to his ribs is received with a huff from the blond, who grins over at him and pushes back with a shoulder. ]

I've noticed. You've got more experience than most of us. Bet you've seen plenty of water before too. You sure this isn't too boring for you?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Steve asks this often. Sometimes, Loki wonders how Steve pictures his experiences. His years. There is a lot Loki has seen. Plenty he wished he hadn't. His mind had been opened up by titans and monsters. He can appreciate simplicity. At times. ]

You are far too concerned about my investment. I am here, aren't I?

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve for once laughs. It's an easy, comfortable sound. ]

I'm teasing. You've seen so much. You can make anything you want, but you chose to come to me. You really are amazing, you know that?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His expression softens as he reaches over to cup Steve's face. He could have left. Maybe he should have, back then. And yet. ]

You chose me too.

[livingsymbol]

Of course I did.

[Only Steve Rogers would say that like it was an obvious choice to make.]

And you came here. You've proven what you really think and I don't have any regrets.

[dothelokimotion]

I know you don't.

[ But Loki doesn't move his hand away. ]

But what about you? What do you think of this?

[livingsymbol]

It's beautiful.

[And for once Steve does sound genuinely content. He's usually happy and comfortable around Loki, but the environment itself this time seems to warm something in him.]

Getting out here is a nice change. I'm glad you decided to share it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki huffs. It's not quite what he meant, but he's bemused too much to be annoyed. ]

Someone needs to keep an eye on you at times.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve is just responding to the question he thinks is there. He doesn't think to address anything more than the simple feeling of being out in the wilderness with Loki. The deeper layers of that question are lost to him, but he smiles.]

I'm glad I have you to watch me. I guess I'd be lizard food by now without you.

[Maybe not, but the help still counts.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Imperiously. ]

Yes, you would be.

[livingsymbol]

[ Loki's smug response gets a quiet snort from Steve. He wasn't that hurt! ]

Good to know you're available when I need you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki leans to peck Steve on the cheek. ]

Always.

[livingsymbol]

[ The gesture is free of doubt. Something Steve thinks Loki probably doesn't realize says more than he intends to. ]

I count on you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ His lips turn upwards. ]

You're going to make me blush if you keep going. Is that what you want?

[livingsymbol]

I just want you to know. But I bet you wouldn't look bad in red.

[ Yup, he's going to tease. And then Steve stops as they reach a clearing that does indeed reveal a pretty nice waterfall in the distance ahead. ]

Up there.

[dothelokimotion]

You've already seen me in red and your colours.

[ Loki's smile softens into something more genuine. The sound of waterfalls reminds him of Asgard, listening to the constant rush of sound near the Bifrost. ]

Impressive.

[livingsymbol]

And you didn't look too shabby in them.

[ He just leaves that where it is. Trading costumes didn't offend him nearly as much as some might assume it would. And maybe he surprised himself a little by that, too. ]

It's even better from the top. You ready for a climb?

[dothelokimotion]

I look good in everything.

[ For a moment, Loki just lets the sheer sound swallow him up before he shakes himself out of it. ]

. . . Ah. Yes. Let's go.

[livingsymbol]

You sure?

[The hesitation gets Steve to pause. He would keep joking about Loki's attraction to the uniform, but there's something in that silence that catches his attention.]

You can do it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki exhales, jutting his chin out. ]

Of course I can.

[livingsymbol]

[ He hesitates a moment longer, then nods. ]

All right. It's not too bad of a climb.

[ From a super-soldier perspective. Steve does pick the easier, safer route, but there are still points that he is scaling the rock face to get to the top. And because it is Steve, he does leap from ledge to ledge not unlike a mountain goat to speed up the journey. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I'll remind you that I am a God.

[ Loki merely shakes his head in bemusement. He's not one for leaping, but his long legs and strength more than suffices for climbing the path. He doesn't even break a sweat (mostly because he doesn't really sweat) ]

[livingsymbol]

Are you? How could I forget?

[ Steve is amused, charging ahead with the free spirit of a man that does not acknowledge gravity nearly as much as he should. Unlike Loki, he eventually does work up a sweat, and he's panting a little when he finally reaches the top, but he looks pleased by the effort it took to get there. He waits for Loki, offering him a hand up when the god calmly makes his way to the viewing point. ]