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

[chiron_survivor]

Steve gets a text back from Adia within the hour.

Hi, Steve! Please don't feel bad, I should have texted you that I was okay. The Nightmare was scary but Ghost was with me and he helped me get through it. I can tell you about it some time if you are interested.

Also, I don't know if I ever mentioned my ex-boyfriend to you. His name is Caspar and we're back together again and I told him about the Nexus. I'd really like for him to meet you and the pokémon sometime, so let me know when you're free. If you're busy and you're okay with it, I'll bring Caspar the next time I check on them.

I saw Bucky a couple times since Halloween so he should know not to be worried. Don't let his complaining fool you!

[rogueinladysclothing]

There is so much desire to not respond to that message. Amelia wants to be seen and known and acknowledged by everyone who knows her even a little these days, but the way Steve phrases his concern touches on too many things she's not willing to look back at yet. She reads the message several times after it arrives and then puts her phone away, decidedly not answering it - for now.

It eats at her, though, not responding to the person she's been closest to in the Nexus for so long. Steve took care of her when she got out of the Nightmare, walked her home that night to make sure she made it that far. She can't ignore him. Not forever, anyway.

Early one morning, a little before sunrise after Amelia's woken herself from another terrible dream, she grabs her phone and reads Steve's message again. It's been almost two weeks since he sent it. It's time to do the right thing and respond.

I'm fine. The headache only lasted a day and my leg is all but healed.

She hits send and then runs her fingers through her hair restlessly. Steve deserves more than that, but what else could she possibly say when she's feeling the way she is? A heavy sigh falls from her lips as she lifts her phone up and tries again.

Do you still drink coffee? I owe you several after everything you did for me.

That's... probably not what he's looking for, but she wants to get out of her room anyway. She doesn't want to be alone with her thoughts for too long.

[boldygoing]

The message sits in Jim's PINpoint for close to a week before he's finally able to deal with it. And even then, it takes him a little while to figure out what the hell to even say, too much of his ordeal so personal that there's no way he'd talk about it. Especially not like this. And "I'm fine" would be so much of a lie that even Jim would call himself on it.

I'm alive.

Well, that's a good start, anyway.

Jim hesitates over whether to say anything more. Several minutes after the first reply comes through, a second follows.

I'm physically okay but I don't know when I'll be up to running.

All right, the first half of that one's not entirely true, but it's close enough, right?

[volurofthehearth]

Rather than a text, Steve's message is returned with a knock on his door. When he opens it he will find Runa standing outside looking like she stepped out of a Disney movie with her fur-lined, mustard coloured long coat keeping her warm and a basket clutched in her gloved hands.

She beams the moment she sees him. "Steve! It's good to see you."

[rekindledtitan]

Ghost here. Blaze and I are safe, Steve. We've been buried in patrols and strike work since Halloween. I'm sorry we haven't seen you. Are you all right? You weren't taken, were you?

Truth be told, the little bot isn't sure how much to say. Either about the current state of himself and his Guardian, or why it's taken him rather longer than usual to respond. Battlefield delays only account for part of it.