[for Various] Steve Rogers' Birthday

[onlyapassenger]

Memorial Day had passed by with little more than a couple of a beers and a five minute conversation, but Bucky'll be damned if he lets Steve's birthday go the same way. Even during the darkest days of the War, birthdays were always given the special treatment; hell, Toro once blew their cover making sure Bucky had a good one. The gruelling grind of the past couple of months is still fresh in body and mind, but in the simple preparation for the day's get-together, Bucky's found some semblance of peace.

He's not much of a party animal -- he's not even much of a planner -- but things fall into place easily enough. They set up in and around Steve's place, that nice bar of his getting some use for once. There are a couple of goats spinning on a spit outside, courtesy of Thor, and a more traditional grill manned by Bucky himself. Platters of cheeses and fruits and vegetables line a table covered in a red, white and blue tablecloth, and there's more than enough flag-themed birthday cake to go around (strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream make up the familiar stars and stripes, doubling as both food and decoration). Music from Steve's youth plays in the background out of borrowed speakers, and in lieu of streamers, there's a banner that stretches over the front door of his house that reads HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLD MAN.

It's not a lot, but it's something.

[Open to Marvels, significant others/close friends of Marvels, and any assorted friends of Steve. This post will be linked to the main community on July 4th. Slated post here. ST/LT welcome!]

Comments

[thebettermen]

"We hadn't even adopted that name yet, so I'm afraid I don't know," Charles replies, greeting Madelyne with a warm smile as he reaches to briefly touch her elbow. "I did interrupt a party once, though, so perhaps that was in our future. I do like a good drink."

He considers her a moment, and adds, "How are you, love?"

[awomanscornd]

"Guess some things don't change," Madelyne says, ducking her head with a smile that falls just shy of fond. Nostalgic, maybe. "Kinda like me," she adds with a shrug. "Hanging in there, as usual."

[thebettermen]

"I suppose that's all one can hope for, given recent events," Charles replies. "Hopefully we'll all have a chance to breathe easier, in the coming months. But speaking of drinks..." He eyes his own, near empty glass and looks back up at Madelyne. "I'm due for a refill. Care to join me?"

[awomanscornd]

"I... would love to," Madelyne replies after only a moment's hesitation. She's not out to tear the roof off of the place, but if she ever wants to start feeling better about the world and her place in it, she's going to have to start trying to act out and have a bit of fun as a general rule instead of the occasional exception. "Thank you."

[thebettermen]

Charles extends an arm, still offering Madelyne a smile. Whatever the cause for her hesitation, he avoids prying -- at least for the moment.

"Come along, then."