[OPEN] apple pie is officially banned from this party, aka Steve Rogers' birthday

[anotheroldsoldier]

who: ANYONE
what: 616 Bucky, Peggy, and 616 Tony throw a birthday party for Steve.
when: July 4th, afternoon into the evening
where: A nice park
warnings: Birthday fun. :v


Steve Rogers, former (and still) Captain America, was born on the Fourth. It was pretty much fated. That said, he deserves a party that has nothing to do with Independence Day, and that's what Bucky, Tony, and Peggy set out to do. They rented a nice little park with some good open, grassy space perfect for a pick-up game of football (American, of course). On one end of the park, in the relative shade of a couple of large trees, they've set up two long tables - one for food, and one to deposit presents for the birthday boy on. The picnic tables already in the park have nice blue tablecloths to eat on. A banner hung between the trees proclaims, "Happy Birthday, Steve!", in blue letters on white.

The decor tries to stay away from Fourth of July colors - there isn't a speck of red, just shades of blue and white, and it's all very put-together and classy looking (thank you, Peggy and Tony). It's the sort of party they thought Steve would want, outdoorsy and casual, just a gathering of friends and whoever else wants to come by to wish the birthday boy a happy one.

Invites
Invitations have mostly been word of mouth and texts sent to people Steve is friends with, nothing too fancy. They just say to drop by and wish Steve a happy birthday, have some food, and spend some time hanging out; Rogers wouldn't want anything fancy anyway. That said, they won't turn anybody away from the barbecue if someone decides to just crash the party, as long the behavior stays respectful.

Food
The food is mostly standard American barbecue fare. Two large grills have been set up near the tables and someone (often Bucky) is usually cooking on them - an array of burgers, hot dogs, steaks, even some ribs and chicken. Side dishes are laid out on the food table, the usual simple things. Here and around the picnic tables are a good place to mingle; there's plenty of food for everyone, and metal tubs full of ice and bottled soft drinks. There isn't much alcohol present at this party, though, just one of the tubs set aside with beers in it.

There's also a massive cake for Steve, with close to a hundred candles dotting its layers - Bucky's idea, payback for the time he couldn't see his own cake for all the candles.

Tossin' the Old Pigskin
They're all (mostly) adults here, so there aren't 'party games' necessarily, but there are a couple of footballs and some frisbees in the grass for anyone who wants to play a game in the lush field. Just be careful if the heavy hitters decide to arrange a game, it could get pretty out of hand.

Comments

[stevegrogers]

[ Eyes eventually fell onto Loki and when he noticed the pictures on the phone, he only shook his head in amusement. Okay, maybe he had looked ridiculous but at least they took care of it. ]

Didn't know you were such a fan, Loki. Pictures of me on your phone. That's bringing us to a whole new status.

[ He won't start a thing at a birthday party of all places. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki twitches, despite himself. His eyes slide away as if to gauge if anyone is listening. ]

Actually, this is Steve's birthday present, if you must know.

[stevegrogers]

[ Interesting. Loki of all people putting together a birthday present had to mean something. Likely, nothing he would enjoy but still yet. If the other Steve bonded with Loki for some unknown reason --

Not making a scene. ]

How thoughtful of you, Loki.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He rolls his eyes. Loki isn't sure why he approached the man. Feelings were . . . confusing and he had a hard time separating them of late. ]

Don't strain yourself, Captain.

[stevegrogers]

Maybe you are turning over a new leaf. Concern for me. Why, Loki, I'll take that as your gift.

[ Just because he decided to be semi-civil didn't mean he wouldn't be sarcastic. More sassy than rudely sarcastic at the moment, at least. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ His eyes narrow sharply as Loki replies curtly. ]

It's not for you.

[stevegrogers]

[ Civil last for a few minutes at least and it had to be some kind of record. ]

The mock concern to go with the mock greeting in the first place.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Mock greeting? Mock concern? Hilarious. ]

You don't like the pictures?

[stevegrogers]

[ Very familiar frustration pooled within him but Steve kept the smile on his face. Even if it appeared a little tighter than it had before. ]

Oh, of course. You caught all my best angles. If the whole scheming for world domination doesn't work out for you, you really should look into being a photographer.

[dothelokimotion]

That was one time. Besides, I've already passed away so world domination does not have the appeal anymore.

[ Well. Kind of. It'll always have some appeal to Loki's fractured mind. ]

Besides, I heard you lot have been doing wonders with the place. Building your own genocidal robots and breaking laws.

[stevegrogers]

[ The look on Loki's face kind of made Steve feel bad, which in turn annoyed him. Why should he feel badly for someone like Loki. Still yet. ]

This place might be a second chance, then. For you and for me.

[ Back to civil, hopefully. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ His fingers tighten over his bottle. Loki is drawing comparisons in his mind, dangerous ones. With a shrug, he sighs, keeping his gaze firmly away. ]

This place is but a bandage. It cannot change our own realities and what has been set in stone.

[stevegrogers]

[ Why did he even care what Loki believed or felt? He really shouldn't have and yet --- ]

Nothing is set in stone and you can change things if you want to. You don't like how things are going? Find a way to make it stop. It's not easy and it takes a lot of time. But anything worth it is a challenge and something you have to fight for.

[dothelokimotion]

[ The Steve was on his lips before he pulls it back abruptly. He can feel the click of his teeth. ]

Those are but words. Be honest, Captain. If I have truly changed, truly — would you even believe what I say?

[stevegrogers]

[ Silently, he considered things back and forth for a few seconds. ]

If you're making a real effort, I'd give you the benefit of a doubt, yeah.

[dothelokimotion]

[ It is very hard not to roll his eyes. ]

And my benefit? I heard it is very easy to turn on your comrades these days.

[stevegrogers]

[ Loki made it very difficult to be nice. ]

Actions really speak volumes, Loki.

[dothelokimotion]

[ That's the idea. ]

Then let us not bandy words then. Neither of us seem to be in the best position for it anyway. Though I like the killer robots idea.

[stevegrogers]

[ Well, good thing Steve is stubborn beyond all reason. ]

The robot wasn't supposed to be a killer and that was taken care of.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Hm. Loki peers at him, his curiosity caught. ]

What were they meant for?

[stevegrogers]

To help people. To have them do the things that are too dangerous for people.

[ He never thought he'd see the day he would defend Tony and his stupid robots. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki barely represses a snort of laughter. That's far too clean-cut for a man like Tony Stark. And he knows how the cogs turn in that mind. The answer presented itself neatly. Stark had gotten a glimpse of the hungry dark, hadn't he? No wonder. ]

No. That is what you would do. And that is what the Avengers are for. This is not what your robots were built to do.

[stevegrogers]

[ honestly, Tony and Steve argued plenty over the robots and what one particular one caused in the aftermath but he didn't like Loki being smug over it. ]

What does it even matter, Loki? Don't you want another chance here? Can't really get a chance if you don't give them out to others too.

[dothelokimotion]

I was not aware I was taking chances from Stark or anyone else. Or that I was damning Stark for his actions.

[ Finding the robots funny is one thing, after all, and hardly damaging simply because Loki deduced what they were for so quickly. Still, the statement rubs him the wrong way. Maybe because the Steve he knew would have combated with better logic instead of treating it like a slap.

Loki could also point out that Tony kept ribbing him on what happened years ago and Loki didn't even budge. But he doesn't want to do that just yet. If people believe the worst, let them. Loki doesn't need chances from men like that. ]

I thought you were a man of action. I saved you from the plant and I was invited here. No one has attacked me for it. If you blanch at words, then perhaps I'll take my chances with the better men around. I can't afford to make Captain America upset on his birthday.

[ With a bow, he leaves. Loki is going to find his Steve. ]