Just going to throw this out there:

[serumandbravery]

I'm going to need more than one cup of coffee if you're expecting to put me anywhere near Tony Stark.

Comments

[incrediblebanner]

You get used to him.

[serumandbravery]

This is one of those times I wish alcohol still had an effect on me.

[incrediblebanner]

If you can't beat him, join him?

[serumandbravery]

You know me and Tony have had our differences in the past. Still do, actually.

[incrediblebanner]

I know the feeling.

[She may get along with him better than most, but.]

[serumandbravery]

Don't we all?

[ Steve still thinks Tony is an obnoxious prick at times. Granted, he's gotten used to the man, but Steve was as stubborn as Tony sometimes. Now was no different. ]

[incrediblebanner]

How are you, Steve?

[serumandbravery]

I'm all right. Been filing paperwork for S.H.I.E.L.D. all day. How are you, Bryce?

[incrediblebanner]

[Wry:] As well as could be expected.

[What with the whole emotionally unstable rage monster thing.]

[serumandbravery]

You're holding up pretty well... considering.

[ Bryce was one of those people Steve had always looked up to. Mainly because he was so fascinated by the work she did, even if he didn't understand half of it, he just enjoyed seeing someone as passionate as Bryce doing their jobs. ]

[incrediblebanner]

Thanks.

[Whereas she just wishes she could have met one of her childhood heroes under life circumstances that didn't include turning into a monster.]

[serumandbravery]

Would you like to grab a coffee sometime, perhaps?

[ The Captain liked spending time with Bryce. Mostly because he felt like he could be himself around the other-- Steve had his own problems to deal with, and whilst his monster isn't as visually present as Bryce's, he still considers himself to be one. All because of that once incident involving HYDRA... ]

[incrediblebanner]

- Sure.

[Most people still don't voluntarily spend time with Bryce (at least, not that she's allowed herself to notice), so if she sounds a touch surprised. Well.

Not that surprise should be mistaken for reluctance.]

[serumandbravery]

Good, good. It's on me. Do you want me to pick you up later?

[ Steve wasn't most people. Just because a mass of people believed one thing, doesn't mean it's the right thing to believe. At least, that's what Steve lived by, to think for himself, make his own conclusions. The super soldier wasn't a big fan of popular opinions. ]

[incrediblebanner]

[ - Is this a date? It's starting to sound like a date, and that gives her pause.] Sounds good.

[serumandbravery]

[ Steve wouldn't know what a date was even if you dangled it in front of him like a carrot. ]

Good. I'll see you in a bit-- I won't be late.

[incrediblebanner]

All right.

[Good thing Bryce is just going to treat it in a perpetual state of "is it/isn't it/no, Bryce, Captain America could not have asked you on a date" confusion.]

[serumandbravery]

[ Steve made sure to put on a nice dress shirt that he didn't wear to work, just because he wanted to at least look presentable in Bryce's company. It didn't take him long to get ready, and soon he was knocking on Bryce's door, waiting for an answer. ]

[incrediblebanner]

[Because this is absolutely not a date, even if the wording sounded a lot like a date (people like her don't get asked on dates by Captain America), she just switches out lab clothes for a nicer pair of jeans and shirt.

She knows when he's there, because she requested that JARVIS inform her when he entered the building, at which point she allows herself a moment of nervousness, followed by several moments of calm breathing, before he arrives.]

Thanks for risking an encounter with Tony before you're fully caffeinated to come get me.

[Not that there was much chance of that, anyway. Bryce's set of apartments are just a touch isolated.]

[serumandbravery]

[ Steve came into the building with a smile on his lips, the same smile that always sat on them. Most of the time said smile was just for the cameras, faked and perfected after much time spent practicing. Not now. Now he had a genuine smile perched perkily on his rose-tinted lips. ]

It's no big deal, don't mention it. You ready to go?

[ He extends one of his hands, because that's the courteous thing to do, and waits for Bryce's response. ]

[itase]

For the energy requirement?

Just, you know. Going by general speculation.

[serumandbravery]

Pretty much. Don't tell him I said anything, though, or he'll be on my ass for weeks.

[itase]

Can I quote you on that?

[serumandbravery]

... I'd rather you didn't, actually.

[itase]

Darn. So much for old timers missing the humor. I coulda been a millionaire.

[serumandbravery]

Yeah... Sorry, kid. I prefer my private life the way it is. Private.

[itase]

So you have one. A private life, I mean.

Please. Go on.

[serumandbravery]

I'm not sure if I want to, actually...

[itase]

I can get you a drink first.