Merry Christmas!

[juststeverogers]

It took an awful lot of work to track down everyone and get their gifts in order, but Steve's going to be running around the Nexus giving out presents to all of his friends. Or inviting them over to his apartment. Whatever works for them!




((Stealing verity's setup--please go to the top level for your character and begin commenting as you like. Feel free to make Steve work to find you, he's got gifts for you all!))

Comments

[juststeverogers]

Oh! Good, he answered.

"Hi, I wanted to know if you were busy? I know with the holidays and all it's kind of hectic. Do you have some time to go get a coffee today at all?"

[fightlikehell]

But of course. His phone is so silent these days, hearing Siri so clearly and plainly repeat the name of the caller, he couldn't ignore it.

"I feel a little strange to say this but... no. I'm not busy. Heh. Coffee would be nice."

That reminds him, he will be needing a personal machine if not a shop to patron frequently. For now mundane, pleasant activities are filling up his days.

[juststeverogers]

"If you like atmosphere more than quality, I know a diner with a really nice lady. The uhm..the coffee's not the best, though." He laughs a bit self consciously.

"Otherwise, you're welcome over again. Just let me know where you'd like to meet."

[fightlikehell]

"It's the company that is what is important. How about I just head your way?" His sensitive taste buds would prefer Steve's own home brew. "I want to see if I can get there in a decent amount of time."

[juststeverogers]

"Are you sure?" He'd be happy to meet Matt partway or...well. He's capable of finding his way on his own, Steve supposes. And if he gets lost, he can always call. He doesn't press the issue. Instead, there's a rummaging as he gets up from probably his small art table.

"I'll put a pot on then. See you soon!"

[fightlikehell]

"Sure, I'm sure." And also already on his way. So there is also that. Hah. Matt is still walking with a cane though at least one night this week he is planning to go out without it. The cover of darkness helps hide him. Old habits. His familiarity with Nexus is improving greatly.

...maybe not 100% but he arrives just edging close to a half an hour from their exchange.

[juststeverogers]

Steve's sitting on the steps outside between the caryatids, hoodie pulled up over his nose to keep warm when Matt arrives.

"It got real cold here real quick, didn't it?" Certain Winter Spirits have turned the Nexus into a winter wonderland. There's several inches of snow about and it's still snowing like it does on tv and in postcards ever so gently.

"Come on. Let's head up and get some coffee. It's warm in my apartment."

[fightlikehell]

The weather is on the frightful side. Nothing that he can't handle. Just as he's starting to get out his phone to let Steve know he's close, the heartbeat and presence followed by the voice lets him know that he's a lot closer than he thought. "You can say that again." Matt's flattered that Steve would wait in this for him.

Again with the weird, observed feeling. What is that?

"The coffee sounds even better than when we started. Is winter always like this here?"

[juststeverogers]

"It's my first winter here, too. You got me." Steve helps brush the snow off of Matt's shoulders and leads him inside and upstairs. There's a smell of pine inside Steve's apartment, but further inspection will find it's a candle rather than a fresh Christmas tree. There's no way Steve could have carried one up to his place, anyway.

The coffee is already done and Steve is quick to shuck his snow covered winter wear and pour them something warm to drink.

"At least this place is well insulated. It's so nice to have a warm home for a change."

[fightlikehell]

Seems like everyone is prepared for it at least. Matt will be. Who knows how long it will last. He shivers and nods his gratitude as the heavier clumps of snow fall from him with Steve's help. The pine smell still brings up the right kind of feeling. "You decorate?" It is a candle. Those are significant for this holiday too, Mr. Rogers. Don't forget that.

Ah, yes. That's another great smell to his nose. "Mine seems to be okay. I think furniture will help too."

[juststeverogers]

"A little. Small stuff that reminded me of home. Someone was tossing a small fake tree, so I brought it up and doctored it as best I could. The candle, and a tin of cookies--I don't know how to bake yet, so they're store bought, sorry." Said tin of cookies is sat down in front of Matt.

"It almost feels like home." He gets a nice warm mug of coffee, too. And then a bag gets set next to him. No explanation or warning. Steve's hunkered on the other end of the couch, smiling into his own mug.

[fightlikehell]

"Hey, it's more than what I do." No fake trees. Usually plenty of candy or cookies. His Christmas and Christmas Eve is divided between church, home and whatever invitations he might have. Some years Josie's bar. Matt reaches for the tin. Ah, there it is. He takes the first one he touches. Whatever it is, paired with coffee it will be perfect.

The rustling makes his head tilt. "What's that?" He takes a sip.

[juststeverogers]

Shortbread cookies, each in their own paper cup divider and made of buttery deliciousness. Steve couldn't help himself. Nor can he now. He reaches over and takes one and there's a snap-crunch as he makes short work of it.

"Well, that's understandable though. UNless they made noise, or it was a fresh tree for the smell...there's not really much point for you right?" Steve sips at his coffee and then grins.

"Merry Christmas Matt. It's your present."

[fightlikehell]

They have a comforting smell. Matt may not know the exact tin but it brings to mind one that lived on the table for a few hours every few weeks. Between Matt and his father they could clean it out fast. He can pace himself now. Honest.

"I get a wreath sometimes for the smell. My business partner put sleigh bells on the door." Things Matt can take in.

He sets down his mug carefully. "For me?" He smiles and reaches for the object with both hands. "Steve, jeez."

[juststeverogers]

Well, this one's half gone already and it's just Steve in this apartment. So, really, Matt can help himself. Even if he's thin as a rail Steve does not need to eat a whole tin of these. His personal trainer would kill him.

"I have a second candle if you'd like to take it home? For the smell, I mean." Steve sets his coffee aside when Matt picks up the gift bag.

Underneath the tissue paper is something soft and heavy. Real redfox fur, and a scarf no less. Well, more a stole,considering he got it from a Tamriel merchant, but a scarf none the less!

"You were talking about the cold, so I thought I"d get you a nice scarf. You're a lawyer so it'll make you look all dignified and the like. Well, more dignified. You already look sharp." Steve picks at the hem of his hoodie.

"I thought you might like the feel of the pelt, too. Merry Christmas."

[fightlikehell]

More than one cookie will disappear this evening. No worries at all. He is just going to try and make it out like he has self control. Who makes these things? There has to be crack in them. Matt is muscled and lean but really can keep eating until the cows come home. It's expensive.

"Oh yeah? If you don't mind. I mean, I'd return it." After the holidays if Steve wanted it.

Digging through the tissue his hand slows at the touch of fur. It's so unexpected his jaw drops. The bag doesn't move or have a heartbeat or any indication of breath so he pulls it free from the wrapping with just the standard care one would give an object. It keeps going, it's long. "Wow."

He's never, ever thought to own something like this. "Thank you, Steve." For the words, for this. "It feels wonderful." Instead of putting it back in the bag he gives it a try over his shoulders and around his neck. Warm. It smells earthy, leathery, well preserved and not dusty.

"Merry Christmas, pal. It's amazing. I'm sorry I didn't bring anything for you." He clears his throat at the knowledge that he didn't plan to know so many kind, wonderful people here.

http://tinyurl.com/pfdbyme Derp I forgot to link it.

[juststeverogers]

Steve waits for him to put it on, and then grins wide enough to fill his whole face.

"It suits you. Like I thought, red is a good color for you." He gives a nod, proud of himself for the moment. "Hm? Nono, it's no trouble. I won't be able to use both of them, they just came together." Steve laughs again and gets to his feet, disappearing off to his kitchen before bringing back a candle and setting it gently in Matt's hands.

"I'm just glad you like it. You're here aren't you? That's present enough. I'm grateful you're here."

Damn, hella snappy!

[fightlikehell]

"This is going to be great outside, I know it." Take that cold weather! And the way it brushes against his face is a delight. He nods his thanks once again. It will have to be carefully tucked away into the bag to be safe from coffee and cookies.

"And it's red?" He almost proclaims his affection for the color. It's a moot point now. Hah. The candle into the bag too. Nice haul.

Being here to spend time is something, but worth the extra thought? Matt will have to come up with something. "You're a great guy, Steve. I hope you got a thing or two for yourself."

[juststeverogers]

"Mhm, red fox fur. I got it from a merchant travelling through. She had an awful lot of good stuff for sale." Steve paid for his Christmas gifts with a painting, hurray barter system!

"I...got something for an older version of myself." Steve laughs then, because he knows it's not what Matt meant at all. "No, I spent my money on my friends' presents."

[fightlikehell]

"Thank you, Steve." Possibly a few more thank-yous left in him.

For his older self? What? Surprise is plain on his face. "Your older what?" Is that normal? The laugh could mean that Steve is pulling his leg. Any old thing can happen here!

[juststeverogers]

"Mhm. He comes form a different world. A world where I was fixed. And did a lot of important stuff, apparently. He's old enough to be my father, now." Steve stares down into his coffee with a smile.

"He's given me a lot of advice, so I wanted to give him something back for Christmas. It's easier to just think of him as an older relative, really. Gives me less headaches."

[fightlikehell]

Fixed? "Fixed implies that you're broken, Steve." Which needless to say, Matt is in the impression that he's not. It's a gentle urging that he'll end with more coffee because there's more to what he's saying.

"I think I'd consider older relative to anything else by far. That is a trip."

[juststeverogers]

"There's an awful lot wrong with me, but...yeah, I don't think I'm broken neither. I like who I am. I just get frustrated sometimes. The other Mes are kinda hard to live up to." Talk about a kick to the self esteem, finding out that ever other Steve Rogers gets to be Captain America, and you're left wheezing up a lung after a flight of stairs.

"Bet he can't get around small spaces like I can though." Take, that, symbol of America. "But yeah, no. I didn't buy anything for myself. Having funds to get other people gifts is kind of a new thing for me. I went a bit overboard."

[fightlikehell]

"What they all have in common though is you. I mean, otherwise they're a bunch of guys with your face. Right?" Sorry Steve. Matt has yet to have made the connection. Maybe it's a blessing. In the mean time, he's in your corner.

Matt smiles. "Never underestimate stealth." And how. "The coffee and the company were it for me but thank you." He'll go for another cookie too. "Do you uh... go to church for Christmas?"

[juststeverogers]

To be fair Steve doesn't know the title the others have either. Just the legacy.

"..Thanks, Matt." It's sincere, too. Having people in his corner is also something he's not quite used to yet. He has much more than one now though!

"I used to. Back home. Raised Catholic, so it's kind of a big deal. I haven't tried to find a church here, though. Guess I was afraid it'd be too different."