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

Very nice! But prepare for incoming feels.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh, thank you." She traces a finger over her cheek, then goes back to the sink to wash the flour off. Also not something that takes long. Pretty soon she's sitting on the couch with the artwork balanced in her lap. She unwraps the package carefully, easing fingers along the seams to lift off the tape; she's not the tearing type.

And then she sees it.

"Oh."

She knows the scene immediately, but she can't look at it long because her eyes are filling with tears faster than she can blink them away. A little fumbling later and she's got a free hand to fish tissues out of her pocket and dry her eyes.

"Thank you. It's lovely, really."

Been preparing ever since i had the idea.

[juststeverogers]

Steve doesn't say much while she takes it in. He knew it was going to be an emotional present. He had to stop working on his own picture of his street several times when the emotions got to be too much.

"..It's not much, I hope that buildings there in your version. Miss Siri helped me find it." Steve drops his gaze, looks at her little tree, and the decor, anything to give her a moment to regain her composure.

"I can't bring it back. But I can capture pieces so they're not lost forever. It's...the best I can do."

[brave_heart_verity]

It's gracious of him to try and give her some privacy. She's trying to stop, but it's hard for a lot of reasons. Talking about, even acknowledging, her feelings isn't really in her wheelhouse.

"No, it's really. I. I love it. Thank you." She would give him a hug, but all this crying is uncomfortable enough for both of them already.

[juststeverogers]

Steve reaches over and pats her gently on the shoulder.

"I'm glad. I knew you'd either love it or hate it....and I wasn't sure which one it would be, if I'm honest." He shifts his feet on the floor, looking down at the deep blue slippers he's wearing.

"I worked on it most of the month, once I got the idea in mind. Must have scrapped half a dozen ideas before I got that one going. That....is my new reason for making art, Verity. To keep things from being gone forever. Merry Christmas."

[brave_heart_verity]

It's a good thing he mentioned the previous versions because otherwise she'd have to wonder how it took a month.

"That's a good reason for it. It's why you did that big picture of Brooklyn?" Because nothing's going to fix the feels in this situation like bringing his into it.

[juststeverogers]

It had to be just right. The others weren't so out they went. Though part of it was also getting back into the feel for charcoal.

"..I did, yeah. My Brooklyn, the way I remember it." He can see it from anywhere in the apartment. Anytime he can't sleep, he just hunkers down into the armchair and stares up at it.

"It's not gone unless I give up on it. So now I have a reminder."

[brave_heart_verity]

She doesn't know how art works. She thinks it just happens somehow. The fact people practice and take classes and grow into their talents hasn't really registered with her.

"It's never really gone because you're here. Thank you for helping me remember my old home."

[juststeverogers]

"I'll give you back as much of it or as little of it as you want me to. One piece at a time." Steve gives her a smile, determined and entirely with sincerity.

"You're welcome. I"m...I'm really glad you like it. Because I didn't have a Plan B."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Thank you. I. I'll think about it." She'll see how she handles having this much before she tries for anything more.

"Why would you worry about having a Plan B? You know how much I like your art."

[juststeverogers]

"Like I said...I wasn't sure if you'd like this one. Or if it would be too much. I got pretty worked up a few times, while I was working on mine. Homesick. Things like that."

Steve sips at his mug of coffee, happy for the warmth the drink brings him.

"I only ended up making two of my gifts this year, and you get to be the other lucky one." He chuckles slightly. "I ended up having more friends than I thought I did, when I sat down to make my lists."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm going to tell you a secret: I get excited that anyone wants to ever give me a gift. I'm not terribly picky about them." All those times she acted excited when a chao brought her a twig or a leaf? Not faked.

"Having more friends than you expect isn't a bad thing," she points out with a smile. "But I know the feeling about running out of time. I don't even want to look at my yarn right now."

[juststeverogers]

"It's a nice feeling, to be thought of, isn't it?" Steve stares down into his mug. "It's weird for me to feel that way too. I'm not terribly used to it, yet."

For all its beauty, home isn't as kind as this place has been.

[brave_heart_verity]

"It is. I have a feeling you're going to have to get used to it." He's too likable to not have piles of friends wherever he goes.

"You okay?" His expressions have not gone unnoticed.

[juststeverogers]

"...Nah. Just, talking about the art and home. Realized it was my first Christmas away from home." And that there's a present wrapped under his tiny fake tree that isn't going to get claimed.

"It just feels more real when there's a milestone to put by it. But I'm lucky to have met so many great folks here."

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity sets the picture aside to slide over to him and wrap an arm around his shoulders. Just friendly-like. "Yeah. It gets harder sometimes. But it'll be easier sometimes too. That isn't a bad thing. It doesn't make us bad people." They can commiserate about first Christmases away from their worlds, and about best friends who change and don't come for the holidays anymore. Or they can decide to ignore all of that and eat too many cookies. Up to him.

[juststeverogers]

Cookies and warm drinks and not-being-alone area all wonderful things. Steve wants to enjoy the holiday to the fullest he can.

He chuckles slightly and pulls something out of his pocket.

"Nana says this is your present. I didn't peek." It's a folded up sheet of paper that has a couple recipes jotted down onto it. Verity's favorite dish, as well as the hand pies she always shovels into Jim's face.

[brave_heart_verity]

There's nothing wrong with that, either.

The change in subject is a little abrupt, but she'll roll with it, taking the paper and reading it over. Her smile grows with each line. "Ah, she's going to spoil and ruin me. Thank you for bringing this--I'm guessing it's a hint I need to visit more often?"

[juststeverogers]

"Sorry--I forgot to give it to you earlier." Steve rubs at the back of his neck for the non sequitor. He sets aside his empty mug. "I stopped by to give her a present yesterday and she gave me that for you."

She'd have given it to Jim but somebody hasn't been around lately. Ah well. Steve's a good guy. He got it to Verity.

"She said to make sure Jim's eating enough. She said the same thing to me, but I told her, this is how I always look." He laughs. "Not for lack of trying, believe me."

[brave_heart_verity]

"You remembered before you left, that's timely enough." She gives his shoulders a gentle squeeze before releasing him. "She would. And I'm trying. But either of you make it very easy sometimes..."

[juststeverogers]

"Hey, I eat as much as I can! There's just not a whole lot of place to put it." Steve gives her a look. "I went hungry enough before. I'm grateful not to have to, now."

"Speaking of food....would you mind awfully if I got some more?" He points to the kitchen.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I thought young men were all supposed to have hollow legs or something," she points out, teasing gently. "Did they forget to give you one?"

Then she grins and gives him a nod. "Sure, have whatever you'd like. Speaking of, is Nana's going to be closed for Christmas? I should send you home with something to tide you over."

[juststeverogers]

"Wouldn't be the first time I got a bunk part." Steve laughs at his own joke and gets up. There are cookies in the kitchen he passed by the first time.

And..another blueberry muffin.

He doesn't have a problem he can stop anytime he wants.

"I think so. I should really look around and take some classes." Steve sighs. "I love eating at Nana's but I should also learn how to cook for myself." Especially if he's going to stick to Samus' food regimen.

[brave_heart_verity]

She makes it all to be eaten. If blueberry muffins are his favorite, she'll make them more often. Nothing wrong with having a favorite, and heavens know, he could use the fuel.

"I could teach you some basic things. Eggs, rice, pasta, how to prepare different kinds of vegetables and meats. Pretty soon you'll be able to impress your friends with home-cooked meals." And there's no need to pay for lessons when she'll teach him for free. "I'm sure Nana will understand wanting to eat in sometimes."

[juststeverogers]

He likes them the best because they're familiar to him. Comfort food, huzzah.

"You would do that?" Steve bites at his lip, but he can't hide the eager look on his face. "I mean, if it wouldn't be any trouble, I'd love t'learn. Plus, you know all about the things Smaus wants us to eat and all."

[brave_heart_verity]

Nothing wrong with comfort food, either.

"Sure. It wouldn't be any trouble." Who could say 'no' to that face? "It'll be fun. Just let me know when you want to get started, and get ready to learn a lot about eggs."