[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

[livingsymbol]

[Steve waits politely and actually looks pleased when Tony takes the plate and at least seems to consider eating. He has to fuss, even if he barely knows this man, he feels like he needs to reach out to him. It's only fair, considering the effort he is putting in for the other two. This Tony looks like he needs it.]

You mean showing everyone your fancy tech? Yeah, I guess I wouldn't know much about that. But crowds aren't my thing, unless you want me to direct them.

[He smirks a little.]

Or stop them. But being center stage has never been something I could pull off like you probably can. I think I'm doing pretty good here at laying low. You didn't say anything until I came over.

[Yes, he might be trying to convince Tony he's sneaky.]

[buildsomething]

[Something about that startles an amused snort out of him, and Tony takes a pause from considering the cake to give Steve a look that's almost downright mischievous.]

So I'm guessing you never did the USO shows, then?

[They're just going to put the issue of a 6'2" blonde linebacker managing to sneak anywhere to the side. Tony can only manage so many so many sarcastic comments at once.]

[livingsymbol]

[The laughter, even if he's just laughing at something Steve said, makes the blond smile. He doesn't know how to deal with all of these Tonys, but at least this one conversation hit a good note.]

They made news reels about us. Bucky- [Steve's expression is a mix of emotions: humor; sadness; nostalgia; an awkward pause as he recalls things that are so far back and yet so close to him.]

He used to complain about the way they made things look. There were some printed comics, too. Pretty exaggerated, but you know how those can be.

[Steve lets the other comment drop, but apparently thinks he's stealthy enough by standing next to Tony and pretending to look natural.]

[buildsomething]

Yeah, we've got a few of those too. Mostly about you. My you. [He's just going to ignore the little pause and the probably reason behind it. Bucky's an uncomfortable enough topic for Tony himself that he's not going to push it, even if he was tempted.

Instead he sticks with the urge to troll that he can't quite shake. Maybe it's just because this Steve feels kind of weirdly familiar, at least for the moments he and his Cap weren't arguing.]

But if you talk to your double, you should definitely as him about the Star Spangled Man. Really. He loves talking about it.

[Somehow he even manages to say it with a straight face.]

[livingsymbol]

Oh, yeah? I'm sure.

[ Steve's dry response and the amusement in his eyes indicate that he doesn't really believe Tony's assurance that the other Steve would enjoy talking about his past career in performance. Although he's clearly planning on trying it anyway. He did get a kick out of making Bucky groan back in the day as well. There's no shame from his end. ]

What about you? What would you call the highlight of his career? Since we're comparing notes, I might as well get insight from a man who'd know.

[buildsomething]

[The sound Tony makes is practically a snicker. He's well aware Steve isn't buying, but the fact that he's playing along is kind of delightful. It's not that he doesn't think his Steve has a sense of humor, he just hasn't...seen much of it lately.]

Oh, it's hard to quantify that. He did a couple of movies too, I think.

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve assumes that this warm reaction is a sign that the other Tony and Steve have a good relationship. He hasn't seen enough of them yet to believe otherwise. Sure, this Tony is a little awkward, but he's not so obviously uncomfortable with him that Steve makes the connection. He thinks it is just typical Tony nerves at work. The man he knows gets stressed all too often. Being able to joke with him gives Steve hope that maybe they are making progress. ]

I guess we're both lying low when you describe it like that. It's too much fame for one lifetime. I doubt anyone nowadays would want to see those old shows anyway. I'd be surprised if that many people remember they exist.

[buildsomething]

Yeah, well, a living legend suddenly turns up actually living and you'd be amazed what people suddenly remember.

[It's only a little bitter. He's mostly worked out the issues between Steve and Howard. Those particular issues, at least. The others...he's working on.

But that's not something he wants to drop on this Steve, so he flashes a grin instead.]

Anyway, nostalgia's a thing. You could be the ultimate hipster. You knew everything before it was cool.

[livingsymbol]

Yeah? [ Steve is both amused and charmed by that answer. He knows that to Tony it is probably just a teasing, off-handed remark, but being remembered actually means something to him. He respects Tony Stark as a whole and appreciates the small acknowledgment in that joke. He misses the pain behind it, patting Tony's shoulder with an oblivious affection. ]

Tony, I don't know if I know about things now, never mind what I knew before I got here. That's your area. I'm just here to keep you company.

[buildsomething]

[Tony looks genuinely startled by the sudden contact, though he doesn't move away from it. If anything, the obvious camaraderie is making him more uncertain than he was when he got there, if decidedly less tense about it.

Not that he's not going to try to continue covering with bad sarcasm anyway. He does have a reputation to uphold.]

You spend a lot of time ordering people around for someone who claims not to know anything.

[Well. Probably. This is still Captain America, after all.]

[livingsymbol]

You should listen to me.

[ There's no pause at all in Steve's response. Just the dry smirk that covers a warm, amused rumble in his voice. He doesn't back down or try to argue against Tony's accusation. Steve is used to being the man in front and giving orders, it's true. ]

I may not be a genius, but I get by. Still, it does help to let others lead now and then, I suppose. Maybe I'll leave this one up to you. What if I order you to have a good time?

[buildsomething]

I think you'll find I have issues with authority. [His tone is dry, mostly because it's true. And probably why he and his Steve clashed so hard in the beginning. Well. One of the reasons.

Is Tony contrary enough to go against it just for the sake of making a point? Enough to arch an amused eyebrow in Steve's direction, at least.] But you're welcome to try.

[livingsymbol]

Yeah? [ Steve holds out a hand. ] Steve Rogers. Don't think we've met.

[ Yes, he is being a smug brat. Might as well give this Tony the full experience. It's his birthday, after all. ]

You should have a good time. Enjoy the cake. If I see you aren't having enough fun, I might have to take action.

[buildsomething]

[That earns the most deadpan look Tony is capable of, but he reaches to take the offered hand anyway.]

A pleasure, Captain. [It's almost barely not accompanied by an eyeroll, if only because Tony is feeling too amused for it.]

I'm sure you have better things to worry about.

[livingsymbol]

It's just Steve.

[ He's not about to get formal now. He smirks, taking the hand Tony offers and holding him with it, looking smug. ]

Can't really think of anything at the moment. You like chocolate?