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cap_ironman2009-05-05 03:59 am
sdblaine.livejournal.com) wrote in cap_ironman2009-05-05 03:59 am
Entry tags:
Fic: A Study of Change (1/?)
Title: A Study of Change
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: MJ/Peter, Aunt May/Jarvis, and eventually Steve/Tony
Verse: 616 before shit hits the fan?
Beta: Nope
Summery: Steve gets the idea to do a large drawing of all the current Avengers and people that might as well be. Then things get weird.
Notes: Brainchild of the 15 Minute Sketch drabble and peoples comments~
"If Jarvis catches you drinking from the carton again you can wave those brownies he was talking about goodbye."
"Stuff it bug eyes."
"Whatever you say dog breath." Logan grows at Peter before trudging out of the kitchen, scratching his chest and looking considerably at the big screen TV, then the stairs. TV or exercise, morning TV and a cigar or-
"Morning Tiger."
"MJ."
"Stick a bagel in there for me as well and I'll snag the TV before everyone some else claims it, kay?"
"Sure thing."
Gym. Definitely the gym.
---
Still wearing the same worn-out PJ bottoms and no shirt Logan makes his way to the Stark Towers (is that what it's called?) exercise room and starts lifting weights after warming up. Considers turning on one of the TVs down there for a few seconds, but that'll just bring on what has become a habitual craving for a cigar and he's working out for fucks sake. That and if anyone catches him smoking down here they'll be hell to pay later.
Twenty minutes later Captain America ambles in from his usual morning run.
"Morning Logan."
"Cap."
They both continue their routines only having to trade off on one piece of equipment, and though Logan'll never admit it it's more then a bit nice to be able to work out in the same room with someone without it turning into a testosterone induced pissing contest. There's just something about Steve Rogers that commands respect and at moments like this Logan quietly acknowledges that he's probably the happiest he's ever been here fighting the good fight alongside the rest of the Avengers.
They both finish up around the same time and head towards the showers, Cap trying to hit Wolverine in the face with a dry towel as he usually does, and Logan mock snarling in response.
"Missed again. Must be my age showing."
"You and me both, Cap." Logan gets a soft snort in response as they head into the combined changing and showering room. Logan drops his pants and kicks them in front of his locker before slinging the towel from around his neck over a stall divider. Turning the water on full blast, as hot as he can comfortably stand, Wolverine just stands there and runs both hands through his hair. God that feels good.
Clothing rustles behind him and a minute later the shower to his left turns on. All you can hear then is the sheeting sound of water on bodies and tiled floors as both men wash side by side.
"Can I ask you a favor Logan??"
"Sure."
"Would you mind modeling for me at some point?" Logan damned near gives himself a concussion whipping his head around to gap blankly at the divider separating him and Cap. "Just a few quick studies, wont take more then fifteen minutes tops." Logan's mouth opens and closes in what he imagines is a close approximation of what a fish looks like out of water before he can scramble his brain together enough to reply.
"Uh, right now? As in a you drawing me naked, because-"
"No, no! Nothing like that. Just a few studies." Wolverine can swear he smells Steve blushing beet red next to him.
"Can't say I'm to keen on it. Any reason in particular your asking?"
"Well, I did a few quick drawings of Jan and we started talking about how other then publicity and crime fighting photo's there aren't really any pictures of us. Personal family type deals, you know?"
"True."
"And we though, well I think anyway, that it'd be nice for there to be a few of just us, the Avengers, by one of us. But instead of taking pictures, since I'm not to keen on digital photography and all that nonsense, I thought I'd do some drawing and then maybe a painting of the current Avengers and the close family that lives here."
"You could always ask Tony to-"
"He'd just hire someone to come in or say Peter could do it, when I'm sure Pete would rather be doing anything but."
"Hmm." Logan finished up and turns off the water, grabbing the towel he'd brought with him and rubbing his face and hair before digging through his locker for he shorts and wife beater he could have sworn he'd left there the day before last. If Pete has swiped his clothing again and stuck to the ceiling fan in the main room he was going to-
"So is that a no?"
Logan turns to look at Steve's broad back as the other man finishes rinsing his hair and still can't believe this dude was a skinny weakling fifty (sixty) years ago. I mean, yeah right, he's built like a brick house and Logan's only even known him as the guy in charge, Captain America. Plus, a few black and white pictures on file that might as well have been photoshopped in this day and age? Not all that convincing in their line of work.
Wolverine turns around and sticks his arm into the locker next to his, snagging some random jogging pants before answering.
"More of a, 'I'll thinking about it'... that's leaning towards, no thanks."
Rogers steps out of the shower with a towel around his waste as Logan ties the string on his borrowed pants, still working at drying his hair.
"Would it help if I offered to buy you some cigars?"
Logan does a double take before turning away to throw his towel and dirty clothing into the chute that feeds directly to the laundry room, hiding a grin.
"Don't know Cap. Can't say I'm into all that artsy lying around stuff."
"... Two boxes of Cuban cigars."
Wolverine spins around on the balls of his feet and offers Steve his hand and a smile.
"You sir, have yourself a model."
---
Steve does the sketches right there in the gym, one to save Logan from the merciless teasing he'd receive otherwise from Parker, and two because he figures this is where Wolverine will be most comfortable. Nothing fancy, just some oddly appropriate roughs of the man sitting facing him on some looseleaf with a black ballpoint Stark Industries pen.
Twenty minutes later they're done and heading upstairs, Logan to change into jeans and his usual wife beater plaid shirt combo, and Steve to grab some supplies and to see if there's anyone else around for him to ask to sit for a drawing.
Both men enter the living room side by side before Logan salutes Cap and continues down the hallway where all the Avengers, other then Tony, having living quarters. MJ and Peter are snuggling on the couch watching saturday morning cartoons, school papers spread in front of them, but pretty well forgotten at this point. The two are laughing at the antics of some cat named Sylvester and a bird called Tweety when Steve takes a seat. The the pair finally notice him though during the commercial break.
"Oh, morning Cap. Have a nice run?" MJ is in her favorite casual cut off blue jeans and a black t-shirt with some obscure Chemistry joke on the front. Pete's wearing sweatpants and a ratty grey t-shirt.
"It's great out, sunny but not to hot. You and Peter should get out and soak it up before that storm system I read about this morning in the paper gets here."
"Ugh, I wish! First I need to get all these tests and end of semester projects marked. We're supposed to have all the grades in by Wednesday but mostly I just hate making the kids agonize over stuff that counts for such a large part of their final grade. Want to get it all back to them as soon as possible, ya know?"
"Which is why I've been recruited." MJ pokes Peter in the side before hugging his arm to her chest.
"And I can see how productive you're both being." All three of them share a laugh before MJ grabs her mug and makes a face when she finds it empty. Poking Peter again she points to both their cups, then towards the kitchen. With a grin and an affectionate kiss to the nose Parker gets up and heads toward the kitchen, a cup in each hand before turning his head and addressing Steve.
"It looks like we could use some more fuel. You want anything Cap?"
"A cup of coffee'd be great."
"Just sugar, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"No prob."
Steve and MJ go back to watching the screen as the sounds of Jarvis coming in and putting a fresh pot of coffee on for Peter echo back at them from the lofts high ceiling.
Taking a deep breathe and turning to look at MJ Steve fumbles for a bit before speaking up. "Mary-Jane, would you be willing to sit for a few drawings after you and Peter get all this paperwork out of the way?"
MJ turns at first startled and shocked, then softly pleased.
"Of course, Steve. I'd love to! I've always wanted to see you work on something after we learned you were a freelance artist on the side. But things are usually so busy around here and... I'd hate to seem as though I was prying."
"If I'd known-"
"No, it's not a big deal. It's just with the way the Avengers run. Usually having everything hit the fan one after another, I just- like to give everyone as much space as possible when things are actually calm. Breathing room."
"Makes sense." Steve smiles at MJ and she grins back, then winks as Peter walks over gingerly holding three steaming mugs. Handing one to Steve, and then MJ before sitting and cradling his in both hands.
"I miss anything?"
"Oh, Steve just asked me to model for a drawing." Peter raises an eyebrow and gestures with a hand for them to explain as he sips his coffee and settles back on the couch, an arm behind MJ's head.
"Well, there aren't really any personal pictures of any of us, other then glossy type stuff, and I wanted to try doing a few drawings of the Avengers and family member that live here with us."
"Doesn't that sound great! That mean's you'll have to sit for one to, Tiger." Pete swallows his next sip wrong, coughing and trying to talk at the same time.
"Well, I'm not really sure-"
"Oh come on Pete! If you can take a billion pictures of yourself to pay your bills, you can sit for Steve."
"I was wearing my mask the whole time MJ and-"
"I could always draw you two together." The semi-arguing couple looks at Steve blankly before turning to glare into each others eyes. MJ wins the battle of wills and answers for both of them in the end. "What sounds perfect."
Peter makes a few faces before settling down and wrapping an arm around MJ's waste, her head resting on his shoulder. They really are a cute couple Steve muses while taking a sip from his now cooled coffee.
"I'd even be willing to help you grade these puppies so maybe you two can spent some time outside today."
"As long as you know what you're getting into Cap."
"Can't be worse then the piles of stuff Fury loads me with."
Peter just rolls his eyes. "Hey, it's your Saturday."
---
After two hours of slogging through labs, a third of the take home tests, and a book report on acid rain Steve has a new found respect for all the behind the scenes work that goes into being a teacher. When they're finally done, stiff and sore from sitting for so long and Peter's lugged the mountain of papers back to his and MJ's room room, all three decide to go for a walk and grab a bite to eat. Steve suggests a dinner he's been to a few times and after walking 3 blocks they reach it. Stepping through the tinted double doors the mouth watering smell of breakfast and lunch specials spills over them along with numerous voices and the sounds of eating. Utensils, glasses, and a smattering of chatter and laughter. The place is packed.
"Table for three?" The harried looking woman at the register licks her lips and smiles nervously at the trio standing in front of her before focusing with wide eyes on the handsome blonde one. Steve gives her a smile, that she returns, and he notices in a kind sort of way that she's pretty. Petite, with short brown hair and freckles across the bridge of her nose. And since he doesn't recognize her, obviously new.
"We just had a booth open up. If you'd follow me?"
"Sure things ma'am." MJ takes the seat closest to the wall and Pete slips in next to her. Steve smiles and nods as the waitress hands them their menus. She blushes.
"Um, what'll you three have to drink?"
"Water will be fine."
"Orange juice for both of us."
"Coffee?" All three of them groan and the brunette gives them a questioning look.
"No thanks. I think we've reached our quota for the next week at the very least." The waitresses lips turn up nervously and she stuffs her pad into the pocket of her apron.
"I'll be right back with your drinks, and you can order whenever you're ready."
"Thanks."
The waitress kind of moons over Steve for a bit before getting a hold of herself and turning to walk towards the back counter to fill their order. Her ears and neck are flushed.
"Way to go Cap!" MJ smacks Peter on the hand with her menu.
"Pete, shh. What if she hears you?"
"Aww, I'm just getting them in while I can MJ. Don't get many changes with old Steve-o here."
"Don't worry. I'll give as good as I get."
"I was afraid you'd say that." Skimming through the menu in front of them each makes there choices in not time at all. Looking over the soup specials Steve's stomach grumbles and MJ giggles. They're all hungry though so things go quiet as they all read the choices. Eventually though Pete is trying to convince MJ to share a plate of fries with him and the brown haired waitress shows up again to place plastic cups and straws on each of their place mats.
"Ready to order?" Steve gestures for MJ to start.
"I'll have the Deluxe Waffle Special with the whipped cream, chocolate, and strawberries please."
"Bacon or sausage?"
"No thanks."
"And you sir?"
"The Bacon Lovers Burger with a size order of nachos. Do you have guacamole?"
"Yup. You want it on the side?"
"That'd be great."
"Sure thing. And, um... what'll you have?"
"The roast beef sandwich with fries and a bowl of the onion leek soup sounds good."
"Would you like the salad with that?"
"Sure."
"Alright! Well, since you're hitting the tail end of the Saturday lunch rush, your food should be out in fifteen minutes tops. Just wave if you need anything else."
"Sure thing."
When the waitresses back was turned again Pete makes kissy faces at Cap while MJ tries to stifle her laughter, grabbing his ear and mock scolding him. Steve laughs at the couples antics and if he feels a little prick of envy he shoves it aside in light of one this being one of the few days off he hasn't spent working or alone in a long time. Maybe they can make this Dinner trip a usual weekend thing. Something to look forward to for a change.
---
Stuffed full of Dinner food but still antsy the trio ends up at a park twenty minutes later, MJ and Pete sitting with their backs to the stone edge of a large fountain while Steve sketches them, since he always keeps a small sketch pad and pencil in this jacket. At first both of them are nervous and don't seem to know where to look or what to do, but keeping up a steady steam of conversation seems to lull them into forgetting Steve is drawing them and he fills page after page.
---
It's getting dark by the time they all make it back to the Tower and Jarvis is getting dinner ready with help from Aunt May. Steve offers to help and is putting together a glaze under sharp eyes when MJ and Peter beg off cooking duty by agreeing to come back and set the table in twenty minutes after they've showered and changed. They run off together hand in hand and all three of the people left in the kitchen smile and don't comment when the two show up soggy... and twenty-five minutes later then promised.
Logan pops up as soon as the roast comes out of the oven.
Eventually everyone settles down to eat in the fancy dinning room off the kitchen and it comes out that Jan wont be back for a few days and Tony'll be out late since he's doing his CEO thing, wining and dinning some fancy executives on what should be his day off.
They have peach cobbler for desert, Logan and Peter fighting over the last piece before Jarvis cuts in and ends it by saying it's for Master Tony.
Steve even stays behind to helps Logan wash the dishes he grudgedly offers to do when May talks about a movie that starts in half an hour and Jarvis seems interested. Wolverine refuses to wear the white apron Steve offers him to keep his clothing dry though.
When they're done Logan skulks off to his room, then out the door to the main elevator to do whatever he does on a free Saturday night while MJ and Peter say goodnight to May and Jarvis during a break in what ends up being Charlie Chaplin marathon and go to bed. Steve isn't far behind.
Closing his bedroom door Rogers immediately looks for his shield on it's stand over his bed before moving towards the draftsman table in the opposite corner of the room facing a wall of windows. Admiring the night cityscape he sits down collecting pieces of paper and a few sketch pads, and starts going through the drawings he's done in the last few days. Minutes or hours later he gets out some bristol board and starts a sketch of Jan, loosing himself to the familiar motions.
It's past two in the morning when Steve next looks at his watch and rubs his face getting graphite everywhere and heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face, shedding t-shirt and pants along the way.
With a sigh he climbs into bed in just blue briefs and an undershirt, switching off the lights and closing the shutters with the remote he always keeps next to his bed. As an after thought he toes off his socks one at a time before turning over and falling asleep.
---
It's hours past when he usually gets up Steve thinks before he opens his eyes. Sometime around ten am-ish. Rolling to the left he reads his alarm clock. Okay, maybe more like ten forty five. Oops.
Steve gets up and stretches his arms over his head. Grabbing his clothing from the night before and stuffing them in the laundry chute he then lays out pants and a red t-shirt to put on after he gets out of the shower. Taking his time Steve is still out the door shaved, awake, and hungry in less then half an hour.
Heading towards the main room Steve's startled to find the TV off and everything quiet. In the kitchen there are two notes on fancy Stark letterhead stuck to the refrigerator with magnets. MJ, Peter, and Aunt May are off visiting friends till sometime Tuesday night and Jarvis has gone shopping. Luke, Jessica, and the baby have been gone for the last two weeks and wont be back till the beginning of next week which leaves. Logan... is either asleep or hasn't come home yet. And Tony?
An Armoni tie and cuff links are sitting on the counter next to the fridge so yes, he's home, though god only knows when he'll get up.
Pouring himself a glass or orange juice, picking up the paper Jarvis never fails to leave at his place at the table and sticking a bagel in the toaster, Steve decides to just take it easy for a change.
More Notes: Actual Steve and Tony interaction in the next part, I promise.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: MJ/Peter, Aunt May/Jarvis, and eventually Steve/Tony
Verse: 616 before shit hits the fan?
Beta: Nope
Summery: Steve gets the idea to do a large drawing of all the current Avengers and people that might as well be. Then things get weird.
Notes: Brainchild of the 15 Minute Sketch drabble and peoples comments~
"If Jarvis catches you drinking from the carton again you can wave those brownies he was talking about goodbye."
"Stuff it bug eyes."
"Whatever you say dog breath." Logan grows at Peter before trudging out of the kitchen, scratching his chest and looking considerably at the big screen TV, then the stairs. TV or exercise, morning TV and a cigar or-
"Morning Tiger."
"MJ."
"Stick a bagel in there for me as well and I'll snag the TV before everyone some else claims it, kay?"
"Sure thing."
Gym. Definitely the gym.
---
Still wearing the same worn-out PJ bottoms and no shirt Logan makes his way to the Stark Towers (is that what it's called?) exercise room and starts lifting weights after warming up. Considers turning on one of the TVs down there for a few seconds, but that'll just bring on what has become a habitual craving for a cigar and he's working out for fucks sake. That and if anyone catches him smoking down here they'll be hell to pay later.
Twenty minutes later Captain America ambles in from his usual morning run.
"Morning Logan."
"Cap."
They both continue their routines only having to trade off on one piece of equipment, and though Logan'll never admit it it's more then a bit nice to be able to work out in the same room with someone without it turning into a testosterone induced pissing contest. There's just something about Steve Rogers that commands respect and at moments like this Logan quietly acknowledges that he's probably the happiest he's ever been here fighting the good fight alongside the rest of the Avengers.
They both finish up around the same time and head towards the showers, Cap trying to hit Wolverine in the face with a dry towel as he usually does, and Logan mock snarling in response.
"Missed again. Must be my age showing."
"You and me both, Cap." Logan gets a soft snort in response as they head into the combined changing and showering room. Logan drops his pants and kicks them in front of his locker before slinging the towel from around his neck over a stall divider. Turning the water on full blast, as hot as he can comfortably stand, Wolverine just stands there and runs both hands through his hair. God that feels good.
Clothing rustles behind him and a minute later the shower to his left turns on. All you can hear then is the sheeting sound of water on bodies and tiled floors as both men wash side by side.
"Can I ask you a favor Logan??"
"Sure."
"Would you mind modeling for me at some point?" Logan damned near gives himself a concussion whipping his head around to gap blankly at the divider separating him and Cap. "Just a few quick studies, wont take more then fifteen minutes tops." Logan's mouth opens and closes in what he imagines is a close approximation of what a fish looks like out of water before he can scramble his brain together enough to reply.
"Uh, right now? As in a you drawing me naked, because-"
"No, no! Nothing like that. Just a few studies." Wolverine can swear he smells Steve blushing beet red next to him.
"Can't say I'm to keen on it. Any reason in particular your asking?"
"Well, I did a few quick drawings of Jan and we started talking about how other then publicity and crime fighting photo's there aren't really any pictures of us. Personal family type deals, you know?"
"True."
"And we though, well I think anyway, that it'd be nice for there to be a few of just us, the Avengers, by one of us. But instead of taking pictures, since I'm not to keen on digital photography and all that nonsense, I thought I'd do some drawing and then maybe a painting of the current Avengers and the close family that lives here."
"You could always ask Tony to-"
"He'd just hire someone to come in or say Peter could do it, when I'm sure Pete would rather be doing anything but."
"Hmm." Logan finished up and turns off the water, grabbing the towel he'd brought with him and rubbing his face and hair before digging through his locker for he shorts and wife beater he could have sworn he'd left there the day before last. If Pete has swiped his clothing again and stuck to the ceiling fan in the main room he was going to-
"So is that a no?"
Logan turns to look at Steve's broad back as the other man finishes rinsing his hair and still can't believe this dude was a skinny weakling fifty (sixty) years ago. I mean, yeah right, he's built like a brick house and Logan's only even known him as the guy in charge, Captain America. Plus, a few black and white pictures on file that might as well have been photoshopped in this day and age? Not all that convincing in their line of work.
Wolverine turns around and sticks his arm into the locker next to his, snagging some random jogging pants before answering.
"More of a, 'I'll thinking about it'... that's leaning towards, no thanks."
Rogers steps out of the shower with a towel around his waste as Logan ties the string on his borrowed pants, still working at drying his hair.
"Would it help if I offered to buy you some cigars?"
Logan does a double take before turning away to throw his towel and dirty clothing into the chute that feeds directly to the laundry room, hiding a grin.
"Don't know Cap. Can't say I'm into all that artsy lying around stuff."
"... Two boxes of Cuban cigars."
Wolverine spins around on the balls of his feet and offers Steve his hand and a smile.
"You sir, have yourself a model."
---
Steve does the sketches right there in the gym, one to save Logan from the merciless teasing he'd receive otherwise from Parker, and two because he figures this is where Wolverine will be most comfortable. Nothing fancy, just some oddly appropriate roughs of the man sitting facing him on some looseleaf with a black ballpoint Stark Industries pen.
Twenty minutes later they're done and heading upstairs, Logan to change into jeans and his usual wife beater plaid shirt combo, and Steve to grab some supplies and to see if there's anyone else around for him to ask to sit for a drawing.
Both men enter the living room side by side before Logan salutes Cap and continues down the hallway where all the Avengers, other then Tony, having living quarters. MJ and Peter are snuggling on the couch watching saturday morning cartoons, school papers spread in front of them, but pretty well forgotten at this point. The two are laughing at the antics of some cat named Sylvester and a bird called Tweety when Steve takes a seat. The the pair finally notice him though during the commercial break.
"Oh, morning Cap. Have a nice run?" MJ is in her favorite casual cut off blue jeans and a black t-shirt with some obscure Chemistry joke on the front. Pete's wearing sweatpants and a ratty grey t-shirt.
"It's great out, sunny but not to hot. You and Peter should get out and soak it up before that storm system I read about this morning in the paper gets here."
"Ugh, I wish! First I need to get all these tests and end of semester projects marked. We're supposed to have all the grades in by Wednesday but mostly I just hate making the kids agonize over stuff that counts for such a large part of their final grade. Want to get it all back to them as soon as possible, ya know?"
"Which is why I've been recruited." MJ pokes Peter in the side before hugging his arm to her chest.
"And I can see how productive you're both being." All three of them share a laugh before MJ grabs her mug and makes a face when she finds it empty. Poking Peter again she points to both their cups, then towards the kitchen. With a grin and an affectionate kiss to the nose Parker gets up and heads toward the kitchen, a cup in each hand before turning his head and addressing Steve.
"It looks like we could use some more fuel. You want anything Cap?"
"A cup of coffee'd be great."
"Just sugar, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"No prob."
Steve and MJ go back to watching the screen as the sounds of Jarvis coming in and putting a fresh pot of coffee on for Peter echo back at them from the lofts high ceiling.
Taking a deep breathe and turning to look at MJ Steve fumbles for a bit before speaking up. "Mary-Jane, would you be willing to sit for a few drawings after you and Peter get all this paperwork out of the way?"
MJ turns at first startled and shocked, then softly pleased.
"Of course, Steve. I'd love to! I've always wanted to see you work on something after we learned you were a freelance artist on the side. But things are usually so busy around here and... I'd hate to seem as though I was prying."
"If I'd known-"
"No, it's not a big deal. It's just with the way the Avengers run. Usually having everything hit the fan one after another, I just- like to give everyone as much space as possible when things are actually calm. Breathing room."
"Makes sense." Steve smiles at MJ and she grins back, then winks as Peter walks over gingerly holding three steaming mugs. Handing one to Steve, and then MJ before sitting and cradling his in both hands.
"I miss anything?"
"Oh, Steve just asked me to model for a drawing." Peter raises an eyebrow and gestures with a hand for them to explain as he sips his coffee and settles back on the couch, an arm behind MJ's head.
"Well, there aren't really any personal pictures of any of us, other then glossy type stuff, and I wanted to try doing a few drawings of the Avengers and family member that live here with us."
"Doesn't that sound great! That mean's you'll have to sit for one to, Tiger." Pete swallows his next sip wrong, coughing and trying to talk at the same time.
"Well, I'm not really sure-"
"Oh come on Pete! If you can take a billion pictures of yourself to pay your bills, you can sit for Steve."
"I was wearing my mask the whole time MJ and-"
"I could always draw you two together." The semi-arguing couple looks at Steve blankly before turning to glare into each others eyes. MJ wins the battle of wills and answers for both of them in the end. "What sounds perfect."
Peter makes a few faces before settling down and wrapping an arm around MJ's waste, her head resting on his shoulder. They really are a cute couple Steve muses while taking a sip from his now cooled coffee.
"I'd even be willing to help you grade these puppies so maybe you two can spent some time outside today."
"As long as you know what you're getting into Cap."
"Can't be worse then the piles of stuff Fury loads me with."
Peter just rolls his eyes. "Hey, it's your Saturday."
---
After two hours of slogging through labs, a third of the take home tests, and a book report on acid rain Steve has a new found respect for all the behind the scenes work that goes into being a teacher. When they're finally done, stiff and sore from sitting for so long and Peter's lugged the mountain of papers back to his and MJ's room room, all three decide to go for a walk and grab a bite to eat. Steve suggests a dinner he's been to a few times and after walking 3 blocks they reach it. Stepping through the tinted double doors the mouth watering smell of breakfast and lunch specials spills over them along with numerous voices and the sounds of eating. Utensils, glasses, and a smattering of chatter and laughter. The place is packed.
"Table for three?" The harried looking woman at the register licks her lips and smiles nervously at the trio standing in front of her before focusing with wide eyes on the handsome blonde one. Steve gives her a smile, that she returns, and he notices in a kind sort of way that she's pretty. Petite, with short brown hair and freckles across the bridge of her nose. And since he doesn't recognize her, obviously new.
"We just had a booth open up. If you'd follow me?"
"Sure things ma'am." MJ takes the seat closest to the wall and Pete slips in next to her. Steve smiles and nods as the waitress hands them their menus. She blushes.
"Um, what'll you three have to drink?"
"Water will be fine."
"Orange juice for both of us."
"Coffee?" All three of them groan and the brunette gives them a questioning look.
"No thanks. I think we've reached our quota for the next week at the very least." The waitresses lips turn up nervously and she stuffs her pad into the pocket of her apron.
"I'll be right back with your drinks, and you can order whenever you're ready."
"Thanks."
The waitress kind of moons over Steve for a bit before getting a hold of herself and turning to walk towards the back counter to fill their order. Her ears and neck are flushed.
"Way to go Cap!" MJ smacks Peter on the hand with her menu.
"Pete, shh. What if she hears you?"
"Aww, I'm just getting them in while I can MJ. Don't get many changes with old Steve-o here."
"Don't worry. I'll give as good as I get."
"I was afraid you'd say that." Skimming through the menu in front of them each makes there choices in not time at all. Looking over the soup specials Steve's stomach grumbles and MJ giggles. They're all hungry though so things go quiet as they all read the choices. Eventually though Pete is trying to convince MJ to share a plate of fries with him and the brown haired waitress shows up again to place plastic cups and straws on each of their place mats.
"Ready to order?" Steve gestures for MJ to start.
"I'll have the Deluxe Waffle Special with the whipped cream, chocolate, and strawberries please."
"Bacon or sausage?"
"No thanks."
"And you sir?"
"The Bacon Lovers Burger with a size order of nachos. Do you have guacamole?"
"Yup. You want it on the side?"
"That'd be great."
"Sure thing. And, um... what'll you have?"
"The roast beef sandwich with fries and a bowl of the onion leek soup sounds good."
"Would you like the salad with that?"
"Sure."
"Alright! Well, since you're hitting the tail end of the Saturday lunch rush, your food should be out in fifteen minutes tops. Just wave if you need anything else."
"Sure thing."
When the waitresses back was turned again Pete makes kissy faces at Cap while MJ tries to stifle her laughter, grabbing his ear and mock scolding him. Steve laughs at the couples antics and if he feels a little prick of envy he shoves it aside in light of one this being one of the few days off he hasn't spent working or alone in a long time. Maybe they can make this Dinner trip a usual weekend thing. Something to look forward to for a change.
---
Stuffed full of Dinner food but still antsy the trio ends up at a park twenty minutes later, MJ and Pete sitting with their backs to the stone edge of a large fountain while Steve sketches them, since he always keeps a small sketch pad and pencil in this jacket. At first both of them are nervous and don't seem to know where to look or what to do, but keeping up a steady steam of conversation seems to lull them into forgetting Steve is drawing them and he fills page after page.
---
It's getting dark by the time they all make it back to the Tower and Jarvis is getting dinner ready with help from Aunt May. Steve offers to help and is putting together a glaze under sharp eyes when MJ and Peter beg off cooking duty by agreeing to come back and set the table in twenty minutes after they've showered and changed. They run off together hand in hand and all three of the people left in the kitchen smile and don't comment when the two show up soggy... and twenty-five minutes later then promised.
Logan pops up as soon as the roast comes out of the oven.
Eventually everyone settles down to eat in the fancy dinning room off the kitchen and it comes out that Jan wont be back for a few days and Tony'll be out late since he's doing his CEO thing, wining and dinning some fancy executives on what should be his day off.
They have peach cobbler for desert, Logan and Peter fighting over the last piece before Jarvis cuts in and ends it by saying it's for Master Tony.
Steve even stays behind to helps Logan wash the dishes he grudgedly offers to do when May talks about a movie that starts in half an hour and Jarvis seems interested. Wolverine refuses to wear the white apron Steve offers him to keep his clothing dry though.
When they're done Logan skulks off to his room, then out the door to the main elevator to do whatever he does on a free Saturday night while MJ and Peter say goodnight to May and Jarvis during a break in what ends up being Charlie Chaplin marathon and go to bed. Steve isn't far behind.
Closing his bedroom door Rogers immediately looks for his shield on it's stand over his bed before moving towards the draftsman table in the opposite corner of the room facing a wall of windows. Admiring the night cityscape he sits down collecting pieces of paper and a few sketch pads, and starts going through the drawings he's done in the last few days. Minutes or hours later he gets out some bristol board and starts a sketch of Jan, loosing himself to the familiar motions.
It's past two in the morning when Steve next looks at his watch and rubs his face getting graphite everywhere and heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face, shedding t-shirt and pants along the way.
With a sigh he climbs into bed in just blue briefs and an undershirt, switching off the lights and closing the shutters with the remote he always keeps next to his bed. As an after thought he toes off his socks one at a time before turning over and falling asleep.
---
It's hours past when he usually gets up Steve thinks before he opens his eyes. Sometime around ten am-ish. Rolling to the left he reads his alarm clock. Okay, maybe more like ten forty five. Oops.
Steve gets up and stretches his arms over his head. Grabbing his clothing from the night before and stuffing them in the laundry chute he then lays out pants and a red t-shirt to put on after he gets out of the shower. Taking his time Steve is still out the door shaved, awake, and hungry in less then half an hour.
Heading towards the main room Steve's startled to find the TV off and everything quiet. In the kitchen there are two notes on fancy Stark letterhead stuck to the refrigerator with magnets. MJ, Peter, and Aunt May are off visiting friends till sometime Tuesday night and Jarvis has gone shopping. Luke, Jessica, and the baby have been gone for the last two weeks and wont be back till the beginning of next week which leaves. Logan... is either asleep or hasn't come home yet. And Tony?
An Armoni tie and cuff links are sitting on the counter next to the fridge so yes, he's home, though god only knows when he'll get up.
Pouring himself a glass or orange juice, picking up the paper Jarvis never fails to leave at his place at the table and sticking a bagel in the toaster, Steve decides to just take it easy for a change.
More Notes: Actual Steve and Tony interaction in the next part, I promise.
Re: No, no, that's fine
So again, thanks, and don't feel as though you have to run out the door! I know exactly where you're coming from.
I'm just cranky enough these days to not let it slide on the slim chance that someone reading this isn't posting for these kinds of reasons.
Re: No, no, that's fine
No, most people tend to be forgiving about stuff like that. Especially since you've warned that you haven't had a beta. It's fine.
Re: No, no, that's fine
Re: No, no, that's fine
And I'll be the first to admit to have massive attacks of the suddenly shy when it comes to these kinds of things. >_>;
Re: No, no, that's fine
My english isn't perfect, but I can give it a try.
Besides I have a lot of spare time in this moments, I'm Mexican, wich basically means that I'm locked in my house for a week or so due to the Swine Influenza thing...And I have nothing to do.
So, if you need a Beta I will be happy to help.
Re: No, no, that's fine
Boo on your being stuck at home though, ugh. Lot's of time to read...? :/
Re: No, no, that's fine
Well, you know, I'm rereading some stuff...