The First Commission (Open, tagging Verity)

[juststeverogers]

Steve has had some time to adjust to his new life in the Nexus. His suit he arrived in is hanging neatly on the front door to his hotel room, which sways when he pulls the door open to welcome his first official guest to his temporary home.

Aside from the art supplies taking up the large workdesk (covered in newspaper, he's careful not to mess up the nice furniture in this place) the room is rather well kept.

"Come on in, I've got it all ready to go."

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

She'd found the note inviting her to call on him when she got back from her morning oh god whyworkout with Samus. It was several hours before she knocked on his door, because, well. She needed time to recover. But she has not come empty-handed. Because, while the hand-written note is adorable, she needs to teach him about texting.

Also, there's food. Because of course there's food.

"Hey, Steve." She steps inside and nudges the door shut behind her with a foot. "Finally recovered from the party?" She's only half teasing because she's pretty sure everyone is still recovering from the party. After a quick glance around she holds out the white bakery-style box she's carrying. "This is for you."

[juststeverogers]

His handwriting isn't atrocious either. Penmanship counted for something in 1941, after all. Besides, waiting gave him time to tidy up the place (not that it really needed it much) and request a second comfy chair so that Verity will have someplace nice to sit that isn't on his bed because that's really improper and weird.

"I've been tired but otherwise I'm alright. That was one crazy party." He seems surprised when she hands him the box, but smiles all the same.

"Thanks Verity! Can...can I open it?"

[brave_heart_verity]

His handwriting's assuredly better than hers. Penmanship gave way to typing when she was in school. It's a wonder she can even read cursive.

"Yes, of course you can open it." She is shaking her head at you, Steve, because you are impossibly cute. The box is full of blueberry muffins with a faintly orange scent. While he's checking those out, she's putting a bag of fresh fruit on the edge of his counter and shrugging off the thick cardigan she's wearing as a coat these days.

"Any time I give you a box, Steve, assume it's for opening."

[juststeverogers]

"Wow these look really good." Steve is going to set the box down because he is on sore need of a napkin. One of those muffins will get split in half and slapped with a small pat of butter. They're still warm when it melts one half gets utterly destroyed to the om nom gods.

"I don't think I've ever had anything this good." He doesn't talk with his mouth full, but man he was tempted.

[brave_heart_verity]

Food is made for eating, so she's certainly not going to complain when he gets right to it. "Glad you like them. But now I'm really going to have to step up my game to keep impressing you." She rubs her chin as if this is a conundrum she just can't see her way out of.

"But seriously, have you been okay? It's starting to get cold and I know that can't be comfortable for you."

[juststeverogers]

It wouldn't be right to not eat while it's fresh. Besides, Steve hasn't eaten today so that's his breakfast and lunch.

"I really appreciate it." But the second half of the muffin gets neglected. He doesn't really have much of an appetite, good as it is. He's been rather cold since the party, and there just hasn't been much incentive to eat. "Oh, it's much more comfortable here than it was back home. You needn't worry about me."

In truth, Steve has been very tired all day, so he's glad he's already finished her painting. He'll get up from the chair and grab Verity's commission .

"Here. For you."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Someone needs to worry about you. That's what friends are for." And these little things aren't adding up to the best picture. He's not hungry, he's moving slowly, he's pale and he looks tired. She's going to spend a moment studying his face when he gets close again before turning her attention to the painting.

"Oh. Oh, Steve, this is perfect! Thank you." For all she doesn't understand it, she does love art. "It looks so soft. And the color is... just what I was picturing." She takes the painting over to a window so she can admire it appropriately. "How did you make it look so soft?"

[juststeverogers]

Yeah he was under every blanket he could find last night, shivering so hard he thought he was going to throw up. The fever doesn't seem to be as bad today though, so he's been relatively normal.

Still, he's a bit clammy in a way the shower this morning couldn't fix. (Not having to put a pot of water on the stove to heat it up before bathing is so nice).

"I wanted to start with something that you can understand." Steve gives her a warm smile. "That's why there is no background, no setting, nothing but what exists. Your favorite flower, in your favorite color. Painted with all the care and consideration you give your friends."

[brave_heart_verity]

She makes a little sound that's half "oh" and half a whine in the back of her throat, because seriously, Steve, you're going to make her cry if you keep talking like that. Look, she's already getting teary, and the painting is being put down very carefully, and then he's getting a hug.

He had to know that was coming.

"Thank you." She's very careful about not hugging him too tight, but that doesn't mean she's not going to notice how hot and clammy he is. Pretty soon the hug is going to turn into that annoying motherly feeling of the forehead move nobody likes.

Better think of a way out of this quick, Steve!

[juststeverogers]

"I'm glad you like it." Steve chuckles when she pulls him into a hug, but it dries up when he realizes he's been outted.

"Yeah, sorry. I just got out of the shower a bit ago. Being able to use hot water as much as I like is a luxury I might have overdone a bit."

It's...well it's not untrue? It's just not the whole truth.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's the truth, but... she's giving him a look. A look that shows quite clearly that she does not believe him.

"Steve, if you're sick, you need to tell me. I know I'm not your mom and I'm not Bucky, but right now, I'm here. And I want to help you."

Don't make her beg, Steve. Neither of them would appreciate that.

[juststeverogers]

Steve doesn't want this. Doesn't want to be someone's burden here, too. She's not his mother, and she's not Bucky and that shouldn't matter but it does.

He doesn't lie to her face though. And he doesn't pull away in a temper tantrum. He sags somewhat, and how did he even slightly hide the circles under his eyes or anything else?

"...Day after the party I got a high fever. Been more or less resting ever since. Today's the first day I've felt remotely human again, but.." But even so much as delivering the note and walking around the hotel room are quickly wearing him down.

[brave_heart_verity]

Burden? Nonsense. Even when he sags and she shifts slightly to support him, he's not a burden.

"Oh, Steve. Why didn't you tell me? You sit down, we need to find you a doctor." She'll help him over to his chair and kneels down in front of him once he's sitting. "Steve. Please don't think I'm doing this because I pity you or think you're weak. You're one of the strongest people I know."

[juststeverogers]

Steve hates always having to be the one being saved. Some day, he'll do the saving. He's sure of it. But it won't be today.

"I didn't really have any way to reach you." He points out quietly. "Wasn't up for walking to your place until today, so..." He gives a bitter laugh that says more than any reassuring lie he could tell her.

"Well, I think I'm pretty weak right now."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Telephone," she points out. "Even better: wireless telephone you take with you in your pocket." Like the one she's pulling out of her purse. It must be for him, the case is the same pretty shade of blue as his eyes. "My number's already in it, so next time, no excuses."

It's not a super fancy phone, but it's smart enough. He won't care if it's five years old and doesn't have all the bells and whistles. It makes calls, texts, has alarms, and can play Angry Birds.

"Everyone's weak sometimes. That's kind of the definition of being sick. But it won't be forever. So, what kind of medicine do you want: magical or scientific?"

[juststeverogers]

"This is a telephone?" Steve looks down at it, then back to Verity. Bites at his lip. He wants to ask if it was expensive. But that's rude, and it's a gift. And a useful one at that. "Thank you." He says instead.

She's going to have to show him how it works, but thankfully it won't be as difficult as showing her racist grandpa how to use one.

"...Science?" He's not sure there's a difference between the two. They're both a level beyond what he understands. Steve shrugs weakly.

[brave_heart_verity]

"It's a telephone, among other things. And it's for me as much as for you. I kind of freak out when I can't contact my friends right now..." She doesn't have to spell out why, does she? "So I'd feel a lot better if you keep it with you, please?"

It's amazing how much she picked up from Loki without realizing it.

"Okay. I'm going to call Samus."

Well, text. "Can you try and finish your muffin? You're going to want to eat now, before she shows up."

Hey Samus, you busy? Steve is sick. Says he has been since the ball.

[onemorebounty]

Since the ball? It's been a week. No wonder I haven't seen him around.

What are his symptoms?

[juststeverogers]

He wants to ask what 'texting' is, but figures that will be shown to him at some point. Instead he'll get up and go get the latter half of his buttered muffin and sit down at the table to eat it.

Steve wishes he didn't have to force it down, because it really is good, but it leaves him feeling queasy and he's really just tired of that. When he's done he'll settle back into the chair across from Verity, pulling a blanket from his bed around him and sinking into it.

Getting more people involved and seeing him like this sounds like a wonderful idea let's all take a gander at Steve and laugh and/or pity him. They're just trying to help. They're just trying to help. Besides? What all has he done since the ball, aside from drag himself from his bed to the bathroom and back wishing he could stop shaking.

[brave_heart_verity]

So far, 'texting' is 'poke at the screen a lot and sometimes it chimes'.

Fever, sweating, he's really pale, he's eating even less than usual...

Verity puts her phone down long enough to help tuck the blanket around Steve, making sure he's as comfortable as he can be for the moment. "Samus needs to know your symptoms so she can bring the right medicine. What should I tell her?"

[onemorebounty]

Also, local conditions. In a room? Is there heat? Running water? Power?

[juststeverogers]

"I got sick once, but I'm pretty sure that was just because I couldn't stop shivering. That was a couple days ago. Fever isn't as bad as it was then. Thought I was on fire and freezing at the same time."

"Right now I just feel...sluggish. Tired. Grumpy--sorry in advance for that one."

[brave_heart_verity]

Vomiting, he thinks from not being able to stop shivering, a couple days ago. He thinks his fever's gone down. It was fire/freezing.

He's in a nice hotel. Heat, bathroom, electricity. (address/directions here)

She makes sympathetic sounds while he answers. She's listening, but her eyes are on her phone so that the message isn't garbled. "Grumpy is assumed, sweetie, we'll get through it. You want her to bring anything else? Or want me to go out for anything while she's here?"

[onemorebounty]

Has he been eating, or should I add "probable malnutrition" to the list?

Give me the address, let him know I'm coming. There are probably going to be a few shots coming with me, and not all of them will be painless hypos.

[juststeverogers]

"...Just wanted to get you your painting. Sorry for all the trouble." He feels like he has to say something, anything, to ease the trouble he feels he's causing.

"Uhm...soup maybe? Something to drink might be nice. The little plastic cup they have in the bathroom is nice and all, but I haven't had it changed or housekeeping in since I got sick..."