Checking in (set after Halloween event)

[juststeverogers]

In the aftermath of the Nightmare incident in the Nexus, Steve knew the most important thing in the immediate was making sure people were okay. Hell, he'd spent most of his time tending to Amelia's wounds such that by the time he was finished most of the cafe had cleared out. He's glad the rogue got the care she needed but he hasn't seen her since.

In fact, he's not seen most of them since. He waited a bit to see if he'd spot familiar faces in the Nexus, but with things quiet he takes matters into his own hands and sends out a message to several of his friends.

Hey, it's Steve.

I know you were involved in the mess during the Halloween party and I really want to make sure you're alright. I'm sorry I haven't reached out sooner. I wanted to make sure you got the time and care you needed after everything that happened. The coordinates to my apartment are listed at the end of this message.

Please let me know you're okay.

Comments

[juststeverogers]

"Is that what you think this is? Pity? I think you're doing plenty of that on your own. You always do this. You freak out and internalize everything until it bubbles over and you can't stand it anymore and end up barricading yourself in your room convinced anything and everything is out to get you."

Steve looks down at his food and sighs. Pushes it aside. He's not really in the mood to eat all of a sudden.

"You have to learn how to cope, Amelia. I can't stand seeing you do this to yourself."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia positively bristles at the accusation. She slams her hands down on the table and glares even harder at Steve as she pushes herself to her feet. "That was completely different! I'd been cursed - I had no control over my emotions!" It doesn't make it better, but it's an excuse she needs right now. That was enough trouble to unwind and work through without it being dragged back into the light.

She can see the disappointment in his face. It stings. More than being forgotten by this man, the rogue hates that she's disappointed her friend. Again.

"What else am I supposed to do?" she demands, her voice lowered but no less angry. Her hands are shaking and there are tears in her eyes, but she's managing to breathe through them - for now, at least. "I don't have anyone but myself. I have to do this on my own. There's no one else anymore." Her gaze drops to her hands and she shakes her head. "And they wouldn't come even if I called. They never would."

[juststeverogers]

"No one but yourself huh."

Steve shakes his head then and gets up from his seat. It's a dig under his skin that pushes at his temper. He knows what she means. Of course he does. But she's always doing this and damn if it doesn't piss Steve Rogers off. He doesn't help her for recognition or praise or anydamn thing like that. He does it because she's his friend.

Apparently, he's the only one who thinks so when the chips are on the table.

What's worse is that there's nothing he can say that won't push her into fighting, or much more likely, running away. The apartment door opens and Steve Rogers walks out.

He won't fight Amelia. But he might have to take a walk to cool off in order to not do it.

[rogueinladysclothing]

...how did it end up that Steve was the one leaving after all of this?

For a full minute after he leaves, all Amelia can do is stare at the chair he'd been sitting in. She shakes as the anger and fear and self-loathing wash over her, and all she can think is how stupid she is, how she deserves this.

And how much she doesn't want it.

Angry, at herself, at this whole situation, at making her closest friend so upset as to walk out on her, she grabs the chair she'd been sitting on and raises it high into the air. She screams in frustration and rage, but she can't break it like she wants to. This isn't her place. These aren't her things. Steve deserves better than her anger and violence, because he gives a damn, even if she can't accept his compassion right now. She sighs, slowly sets the chair down, and frowns at Sarah.

"Sorry. I hope he comes back soon."

It's been long enough now that Amelia can walk out without immediately running into Steve when she makes it down to the street. She needs to not see him right now, because she owes him an apology she doesn't have the words for. He deserves for her to mean it, and that isn't going to happen when she's this worked up.

Hopefully he'll want to hear it when she's ready.