Preserum/De-serumed Open Post

[shieldborne]

Drop me a line, drop me a prompt, ask me to drop you a prompt.

I could do this all day.

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[shieldborne]

Mondays through Thursdays, Steve goes to work, laboring part-time at a printing press. He does some typesetting, a little design, and a lot of sweeping up and fetching coffee; more or less, he's a glorified go-for, but it pays well for part-time, and he can handle the physical demands.

On Fridays, he spends time with Bucky. Boys' night out, occasionally getting dragged on double-dates he didn't ask for (they're very pretty girls, and usually nice, but they have no interest in him and he can't entirely blame them), sometimes a movie or a drink.

Sundays, he goes to put flowers on his mother's grave.

But Saturdays he has a lot of free time, especially during the day, and he finds himself wandering a little more often than not. Sketching in parks, reading at the library, sometimes eating coffee and donuts outside the deli near his apartment. Saturdays are all for him, and unless he gets into a fight, they're pretty quiet.

[truthfulasso]

It wasn't often that Diana took a break. But on a day like today, bright and cheerful, she found herself unable to focus on work, especially if it kept her cooped up in her office all day. She had plenty of work, but there was plenty she could accomplish elsewhere.

Which was what had her heading to the park, a pair of journals in her grasp. As warm as it was, she was unsurprised to find her usual spot, partly shaded under a large, gnarled tree was already occupied by a young man with a sketchbook. But there was enough space, so she thought nothing of sitting alongside him, offering a small nod in greeting before she was slipping her pen out of her purse, setting the journals open in her lap.

A few minutes passed as she was reading passages from one journal, obviously not English, if Steve caught a glance, and writing what appeared to be translations in the second.

"What are you drawing?" Asked in a quieter tone, as if she didn't want to startle him if he hadn't noticed her presence. But even then there was curiosity in the accented voice, pen stilling on paper as she glanced towards him.

[shieldborne]

When she approaches, he looks up out of curiosity, and then gives a slow blink and gulp of mild intimidation. (Big men threatening to punch him? No big deal. Attractive women? A little scary.) He moves as if to stand up--sort of like he would if he were sitting at a table and a lady entered the room, but he doesn't make it there before she settles near him, so he decides to give up. After that, a nod and a shy smile seem like enough of a formal greeting, and he goes back to his work peacefully.

He's not oblivious to her presence just because he's drawing, though, and he does glance over once, just long enough to see what she's writing. He can't make much sense of it, of course. That's all right.

When she speaks to him, his ears turn pink, but he manages to look over and meet her eyes. "Nothin' too exciting. Some botanical illustration for a magazine."

Okay, so the drawing is just a tidy, crosshatched ink sketch of camelias with a chickadee beside them, but it's exciting to him because he doesn't get many paying illustration jobs. He tilts the paper to show her obligingly.

[truthfulasso]

While she doesn't outwardly show it, she does notice the pink ears. But surely the slight curve to her lips as she was leaning slightly to study the sketch was from her enjoying the drawing.

And honestly she did like it. Taking a moment to study the way he drew before nodding.

"It is no easy task to get hired for this, and I can see why they wanted you." A finger held to trace one of the lines of the bird, though she was mindful not to actually touch the page. "You're very good."

[shieldborne]

One of the few types of compliments Steve can actually take is commentary on his drawing. He's worked hard at it, and he certainly needs people to think he's good if he's ever going to make a living with it. So, the blush lingers, but fails to intensify, and he smiles.

"Yeah? I went to school for it. Thank you." He fans the page a little to help the ink finish drying. "I wish I could do it in watercolors, but that's not feasible in a black and white publication."

[truthfulasso]

It was one thing she could say about the outside world- the art that came of it was as varied as the people that populated it. And it seemed that every time she looked, someone was coming up with a new way to express themselves.

"I can see how that would be an issue, yes. It is a shame though, I think it would be lovely with color." She tilted her head slightly, trying to imagine what it might look like if Steve could go at it with those watercolors.

[shieldborne]

"Hmm. I could do something similar in color later," he says thoughtfully. "Chickadees aren't all the brightly colored anyway, but maybe a goldfinch instead."

The ink seems to be dry on the page now, but since she's still looking, and they're having an actual conversation that doesn't feel forced, he bites his lip briefly and offers to let her look through the book. "It's mostly nature drawings in this sketchbook, if you want to look."

[truthfulasso]

"Sometimes it is not about being brightly colored so much as it is about the subtleties of the colors that are there."

At his offer to look further, she nodded with a small smile, sliding the journals carefully off of her lap, capping the pen to set with them.

"I would like that."

[shieldborne]

He gives a soft, self-deprecating laugh and nods. "Sure, but subtlety takes more time to paint."

He tucks his pen back in its case and hands her the sketchbook. "Are you an artist? You sound like you know what you're talking about. I mean..."

Did that come out wrong? He's not sure. "I mean about, um, color theory."

Not that he doubts she knows what she's talking about with other subjects to, but--he decides to quit talking before he self-implodes.

[truthfulasso]

"This is true. And nature rarely holds still for anything." She accepts the sketchbook, setting it in her lap to start turning pages, taking her time to admire the different sketches.

At his question, she shakes her head with a low chuckle, amusement in her gaze as she glanced towards him.

"Me? I'm afraid that's a talent I don't have. My talents lie more in finding where it hides, and admiring it when I do find it." Something about Steve;s earnest awkwardness was... endearing. He might feel embarrassed, but it was sweet in it's own way.

[shieldborne]

One of the problems Steve has when interacting with women is how when they look at him, he interprets their gazes as expectant more often than not. That may be him projecting rather than anything they're actually doing, but it throws him off regardless, because what exactly is he supposed to be doing? Tell 'em they're pretty, Bucky advises. Tell 'em they smell like roses. That kinda thing. Promise 'em a good time. You're making things too complicated.

Maybe so. He feels like he's at a disadvantage to start with, and that doesn't help. But right now, this woman doesn't look expectant so much as accepting. He's still sure he's going to embarrass himself somehow, but it makes him feel a little less awkward.

"Yeah...it moves slow sometimes, but it's never still," he says thoughtfully, thinking of how buds open versus birds in flight. He's out of touch with nature as a whole, deep in the city as he is, but there are trees and animals even here.

Running his fingers through his hair sheepishly, he smiles. "Well...um. Thank you. For saying so. I'm Steve Rogers, by the way. Can I ask...what's your name?"

He offers her a handshake.

[truthfulasso]

Luckily for Steve, Diana wasn't expecting him to do anything or say anything specific. No, she'd started this conversation on a whim, and the only thing she really wanted from it was that, and Steve was doing just fine. And he'd continue to do fine, he didn't strike her as the sort to be rude or cruel after all.

"Diana Prince." She accepted the hand offered, giving a firm shake to it. Nothing crushing, this wasn't like when she had to prove herself to men skeptical of her capabilities. But she was definitely not delicate, and it showed. "It is a pleasure, Steve."

"You know... I think I have something you might like to see, assuming you have some time for a short break?"

[shieldborne]

He tries to match the pressure of her side of the handshake, without trying to compete. There's no need for that, for either of them. His hands are small, a little callused from work and drawing, but with long, sensitive fingers.

"Diana. That's pretty," he says thoughtfully, not to follow Bucky's advice, just out of artless impulse.

And then he blinks, surprised to be invited anywhere. Surprised, and slightly flustered. "Um...something...like what? I mean...I don't have a tight schedule today. I guess I can..."

What just happened here? He thinks it's a good thing, at least, and smiles at her, both sheepish and pleased.

[truthfulasso]

She certainly doesn't mind the calluses. And Steve would be able to notice that she had some of her own, though from what it was hard to say just from looking at her.

"Wonderful. My shop is not far from here." Unless he asked to wait, Diana was perfectly content with packing up to move then. No sense wasting time when a decision was made, at least to her. "If you like, I can put some coffee on for us."

[shieldborne]

Oh, her shop. That clarifies things a little. He was ready to follow her pretty much anywhere, if he's honest with himself, but that's a bit reassuring. He gathers his things carefully, conscientious, capping his ink-bottle tightly, wiping his pen and putting everything a leather shoulder-bag he has with him.

"I haven't had any coffee yet today. I could do that." He grins, a little excited by being invited for coffee by a pretty lady. Really, he's not supposed to drink much coffee thanks to his heart arrhythmia, but he seems to be able to get away with a cup a day without any ill effects. "Thank you!"

[truthfulasso]

She waited patiently for Steve to gather his own things, offering a faint smile at his clear pleasure at the invitation.

"It is not often I entertain aside from customers, but you are quite welcome." Once he was ready, she gestured with her free hand towards the entrance to the park with a smile before starting towards it.

"This way. It's just a few blocks down."

[shieldborne]

A few blocks. Good, he can handle a few blocks, even with flat feet. He shoulders his bag and follows, trying to match his pace to hers. It's a minor challenge, because she's tall and her legs are longer than his (not that he's looking!! that would be rude). Still, he's a decent walker. You have to be in Brooklyn.

"Um, so, can I ask where you're from? You don't sound like a New Yorker, but I guess you've been around a few years at least to have your own shop."

[truthfulasso]

Luckily for him, Diana wasn't intending on leaving him behind or making him hustle after her. Instead she just smoothly kept her pace to something that wouldn't be too quick. This was a casual thing after all, there was no rush.

"I am from Zakynthos, an island just off the coast of Greece." The lie was one she'd grown used to. Not that she liked lying still, but she'd figured there would be less fuss in the long run if she didn't go out advertising her Amazonian heritage to everyone. Being underestimated did have it's advantages when it came to staying under the radar after all. And while she may not be from that island she'd been there before, knew enough about it to answer most questions people thought of when discussing childhoods and home towns.

"You on the other hand," She gave him a small smile as she spoke. "Do sound like a native New Yorker."

[shieldborne]

He's never heard of Zakynthos, but he sees no reason to question her. He's intrigued, in fact, and gives her another little smile. He seems less flustered now, as if beginning to accept he's being given a chance to make friends, here. "Yeah? Sounds exotic. I've never been much further than Atlantic City."

Nodding, he glances at the ground briefly, a little sheepish. "Born in Wyckoff Heights Hospital. Lived here all my life. It can be kind of a tough neighborhood, but it's home."

[truthfulasso]

"This city is... different from where I am from, as you can probably imagine. And tough or no, I find I do like this place. The people here are spirited and determined." It wasn't much longer before he was being led to one shop in particular, a small thing that... looked as if it had been there for some time now. In the window, there was carefully painted script, Prince Arts and Antiquities followed by the hours.

Diana wasted no time in unlocking the door, a bell inside chiming lightly as she pulled the door open, gesturing with a faint smile.

"After you my friend." The lighting inside was softer, diffused to protect the longevity of the things displayed, something that seemed almost hodgepodge until another glance showed rhyme and reason to where things were set. Arranged so the space while cozy wasn't cluttered, so that there was room to move around. Diana followed him in, only pausing to shut the door, turning the deadbolt to make sure no one else came wandering in before she was crossing the room. "There is a table just past the armoire where you can set your bag. Feel free to look around while I get the kettle on."

[shieldborne]

"Spirited, huh? That's a nice way of putting it." Steve grins. He actually does appreciate the assessment, but it seems like a kindly way of acknowledging the general raucous stubbornness of New Yorkers in general. "Next time my pal Bucky calls me a little punk, I'll tell him I'm just spirited and determined."

He will, too. A very nice and pretty lady told him so, so there, Buck.

He steps inside and looks around, liking the low lighting and the subtle cool of the place. It's tidier than a lot of antique places he's seen, but then most of the antique stores he's been to were glorified junk shops. This is nice.

"Thank you, ma'am," he says, and sets his bag down gently as directed. "Can I help with anything?"

[truthfulasso]

Diana can't help the soft laugh at that response. Something about Steve... she could tell that he was just as stubborn as anyone else in the city. Something in his gaze, in the way he carried himself, no matter his size. She could appreciate that in a person. And he seemed so far to be interesting in general, someone she rather thinks she'll grow to like.

"You see? You have proven my point just by being yourself."

Even if he didn't know a thing about antiques, it wasn't hard to tell that the wares here weren't the typical barely-antique or outright copies. Above the shorter items along the walls were neatly hung art, a wide variety of paintings and sketches. Not the most pricey of them, those she kept tucked away elsewhere, only to bring out to specific buyers, but Steve would likely recognize some of the pieces.

"If you would, there should be mugs and plates on the shelf to your right, and two over there is a red tin that could do with being brought to the table." A smile as she peered back at him, a brow lifting. "And Steve, just 'Diana' is fine."

[shieldborne]

Steve was gifted with the same amount of stubbornness in his body as the average person--or maybe slightly more--but in his small form it's somehow condensed. He drives his friends nuts that way. He is the bird-boned asthmatic who Will Not Be Moved.

"Happy to help," he smirks, and gets distracted by a small sketch in a familiar style. "Is that one by Emily Mary Osborne? Geez...that's amazing."

He has a hard time tearing his eyes away to follow her instructions, but he nods absently and fetches the items as she asks. "Just Diana? If you say so. Diana."

[truthfulasso]

Diana would not be surprised to hear his friends were concerned with how stubborn he was. He didn't look the healthiest, and as light as he seemed to be, any trouble he got into could cause some serious harm. But at the same time, she could definitely appreciate that refusal to back down, even more so when he was not acting from a position of strength. It definitely... took courage.

She peered around to see which piece he was looking at, chuckling softly.

"It is. I have several studies like that she had done in preparation for painting." Diana nodded in appreciation, and with a small smile, pointed towards another wall and the framed watercolor hanging there. "Have you seen Edward Hopper's work? I normally do not buy current works without a specific buyer, but something about this one encouraged me to be a little impulsive, just this once."

[shieldborne]

Wait till she sees him pick a fight with someone twice his size. He's not just stubborn, he's reckless. Regardless, he manages to get along somehow, without major injury. Probably because even the worst bullies he runs into tend to feel it's not sporting to keep hitting him once he's down.

He sets things out and then goes back to look at the art on the walls as if drawn by a magnet. Peering at the details up close, with a little smile on his face. "Hopper? Yeah! I've seen some of his work on exhibit, but it's been a few years. Is that what you wanted to show me?"

He's a lot less awkward now, eager in the face of art, perhaps.

[truthfulasso]

Diana can't fault him for that. She's just the same sort of reckless, even if that same feeling was somewhat tempered a bit. When her temper wasn't running hot that was, then all bets were off. She'd definitely understand the reckless sort of way he viewed conflicts.

"Not specifically, though I am glad that you like it." She smiled as she said this, unable to help but be a bit charmed at the open pleasure he had as he studied the painting. It was nice to see that he was relaxing, even if it was just while distracted. As he was looking, Diana pulled a small album down to set on the table before she focused on getting the coffee poured, and opening up the tin, which turned out to be full of cookies. "Come, get your coffee and I can show you what I did bring you to see."

[shieldborne]

Partly he's a little ball of rage, and partly he's just so desperate to be seen and noticed as someone worthy. He's not even sure what he's looking to be worthy of. Regard, or respect, or maybe just the space he takes up. And then again, maybe like Peter Pan he figures to die will be an awfully big adventure.

He tears his attention away again when she pours the coffee and comes back to her side. "Sure! Thank you. Smells good."

And cookies. He's not going to take one without being invited, but he could totally eat some cookies. He gives her a sheepish smile and offers to pull her chair back for her belatedly.

[truthfulasso]

A familiar want, to prove oneself. Diana could certainly understand any of those reasons, respect them as a driving force for all she herself didn't seem to need him to prove anything. Steve was Steve, and that seemed good enough for her.

She smiled when he pulled her chair out, settling easily before gesturing to the other chair. "Come. Sit and help me eat some of these."

Permission of a sort as she slid the tin of cookies a few inches in Steve's direction before busying herself with her coffee. A little cream, some sugar (maybe a little more sugar too, though she won't make a big fuss about it) before she sipped and deemed it good.

[shieldborne]

He's done his gentlemanly duty and takes the other chair gamely at her instruction. "You're awfully kind. Thanks again. Is, um, is this where you live? Like, over the shop? Must be nice to be so close to the park."

He has to take a bus and walk a few blocks to get here, but it's worth it for the trees and the oasis of relative peace. Even more so if he gets to run into people like her.

He puts cream in his coffee, but no sugar, and takes a couple cookies happily, dipping one in his cup.

[truthfulasso]

"Indeed it is, I've an apartment above." Once Steve had taken cookies, Diana took a couple of her own, giving them both a moment to enjoy the coffee and cookies.

And if she smiled at Steve dunking his in his coffee it was hidden by taking another drink of her own.

"It was a stroke of luck that this space was for sale when I was looking, especially with how near the park it is." Granted it had been a different time, but she remembered how much back and forth had been involved in the purchase.

"I take it you go there often?"

[shieldborne]

"I bet. No one would ever be in a hurry to let go of a spot like this." He nibbles his coffee-soaked cookie politely, careful not to drop wet crumbs anywhere except his cup. He certainly looks like he doesn't get quite enough to eat, but that has more to do with his unreliable appetite than resources at his disposal. Still, he seems to be enjoying the cookies as a treat.

"Every couple weeks," he answers, nodding mildly. "Depending on work and weather and whatnot. It's a good place to draw birds and plants. Sometimes people, if they don't mind."

Or don't notice him sketching them. He's not above surreptitious gesture sketches.

[truthfulasso]

"Most definitely. I don't see myself letting it go for a good long while, if ever." This was admitted with a smile before she was taking a moment to eat a cookie of her own. She certainly notices how small he is, but then there were those sort, who could eat everything and never seem to put on weight no matter how they might try.

"So what I gather from this is I can expect to see more of you." Slightly teasing to be sure, but at the same time she did like the idea of more chances to speak with him. "And you'll be able to show me all the things you've drawn since I last saw you."

[shieldborne]

He's eyeing the album she's gotten out now, as well, a little shy and waiting for a more explicit invitation to look at it, but intrigued. "This is really good, by the way," he says after a second, meaning the cookie. "Thanks again."

He almost drops another 'ma'am' but manages to restrain himself. And then he blushes, because her tone is teasing, but somehow he doesn't think she's making fun of him. Like, she might even want to see him again? Once again, he has to wonder what he did to get so fortunate today.

"Umnn...do you want to? I mean, yeah. Absolutely. I would really like that." He has to assume she's interested in his art and his friendship rather than flirting, but that's still huge. He looks into his cup to hide a dumb little smile.

[truthfulasso]

"You are quite welcome." Her smile warmed a bit further as he continued, gaze warming a bit at the smile she noticed him trying to hide behind his own cup. He was... sweet. Genuine in a way that she did like.

"I think I would also enjoy that. It's not often I come across such an interesting man on my days off." She'd gotten more comfortable with the idea of flirting over the years, almost an extension of banter in some ways. She knew she'd like to make friends with Steve, and while she wouldn't rush into anything, she could certainly see herself letting the flirting turn to something a bit more genuine if things continued to go so well.

And don't think she didn't notice that peeking at the album Steve. After she'd taken another sip of her coffee, she reached a hand to slide the album towards him a couple inches in invitation.

"Feel free to look; I was in Turkey last summer for work and had a chance to take some pictures in the countryside. One of my contacts was gracious enough to loan me her color camera for the task even." Arranged in neat rows were a variety of pictures, some of focused subjects; a cat sitting on a bench in a hookah lounge between a pair of customers, sitting like she was queen of the castle with half-slitted eyes. A bird with a beak almost as long as it was and bright blue plumage sitting on a flat rock. More general landscapes, forests and beaches, with a focus it seemed on the rockier terrain, the coasts with high cliffs and twisting rock formations. "With your focus, I thought you would enjoy them as I do."

[shieldborne]

Diana hasn't seen him in his saltier moods yet, but he's usually not too unbearable. Bucky still hangs around with him, anyway, and while Bucky may be abnormally loyal, her hardly has the patience of a saint. More the opposite.

Steve blinks at her and gives a little smirk. "I don't think anyone's ever called me interesting before, but I'll take it. Do you meet interesting people on days you're not off work, then?"

Oh, if only he knew.

Anyway, he's eager to see the album, especially when he hears what she's got in it. "Oh, wow...I've never seen color photography outside a gallery before. Is it kodachrome?"

He flips through with quiet awe, grinning at the scene with the cat, especially. He does a great deal of drawing still-lifes and nature, but he also has an eye for more human and humanlike interactions.

[truthfulasso]

As if she wouldn't find his salty moods to be part of his charm in some way.

"You Steve are quite interesting, I assure you." She couldn't help but chuckle a bit, hiding her smile by taking a sip of coffee. "And yes. I do meet some... singular individuals in my line of work. Those who keep antiques tend to be rather... eclectic as a general rule." That was putting it nicely anyways. Some tended towards the nicer side of eclectic while others... well, she definitely didn't feel bad about fighting them in that case.

"I believe so, yes. She said it was one of their new types of film, and I have to say the color does come out rather nicely." And there was plenty in the album. Nature, animals, some buildings with architecture that had caught her eye. Also children. After being raised on an island where there weren't any, Diana was absolutely fascinated by them. Which showed in the photos she'd gotten, a younger girl with her mother and grandmother, a pair of siblings playing outside a cafe, a veritable hoard of them splashing in the surf on one of the beaches. "I am fairly certain the camera was worth more than my shop. I was a bit worried when she handed it to me that I would accidentally break it."

[shieldborne]

Aw, shucks. His ears are pink again, but he's run out of the will to contradict her, just feeling pleased instead. "That so? Artists tend to be a little nutty too, sometimes. I feel like I'm pretty middle-of-the-road."

He pauses to linger over a picture of a mother with her child, and something in his face softens. He misses his mom quite a bit.

"Unh? Oh, geez, that much? I had no idea cameras could get that expensive."

[truthfulasso]

"As if everyone wasn't at least a little 'nutty' somehow." Yes good accept the compliments Steve, Diana is getting especially amused with how little it seems to take to make him blush.

And she notices that shift in expression, not commenting on it but able to relate to that emotion without a shadow of a doubt.

"She did not say a word about it until she had set it in my hands either." Said in a conspiratorial sort of tone, brows lifting because Steve, can you believe such a thing? "I almost dropped it on the spot."

[shieldborne]

"Sounds like someone was trying to get you into trouble," he tells her with a grin. "Or maybe it wasn't as fragile as you were afraid of? Anyway, the photos are definitely worth it."

He turns through the last couple pages happily and sighs. "Maybe I'll get to travel some day. You think? I've never been outside the state."

And mostly only outside the city for short field trips and occasional apple-picking with the church he used to go to, when he was young.

[truthfulasso]

"She is absolutely the sort to try and get me into trouble." Not like she would comment, but to be fair everything was fragile in her hands. Not that her friend had known that when she'd teased her, and Steve certainly didn't.

At his comment, Diana simply tilts her head a bit. "I don't see why you cannot."

And it was true. Sure, he might have health issues, but since when had that ever stopped a person doing what they dreamed of? It was the type of resilience that she admired from humanity, that stubborn optimism.

"Where would you like to go? Anywhere in particular, or is it more travel for the sake of travelling?"

[shieldborne]

"Some day, maybe. If I can make a go of it as an illustrator." He smiles at her. Health issues might keep him from trying too hard to cross the ocean recreationally (a boat, especially, would not agree with his constitution well), but mostly it's finances holding him back.

He and Bucky get along amazingly well, considering how shaky the economy still is, the fact that they're just starting out, and the way Steve is barely able to hold down his part-time job. Art might pay better some day, and that would help.

"A little of both," he tells her. "I'd like to see Rome, I guess. Barcelona. Maybe Paris. Got any recommendations?"

She seems pretty sophisticated. He has a guess she does plenty of traveling, herself.