Steve / Open
They'd done a nice job with the space, making the olive branch the evening was meant to be clear. He could certainly give the Ministry that much. Looking for a familiar face, he first spotted Sharon, Tony, and a handful of others he recognised. But not Peggy. He'd hoped, quietly, that she would attend, though he understood why she might keep her distance. His disappointment had nothing on the shock she'd faced in showing up here. The memory of standing in a room full of happily dancing couples with her wasn't a real one. Was nothing like the room he stood in now. It didn't warrant the flood of hurt and regret that came with it.
When he saw Nat sitting alone, he considered joining her. It wasn't lost on him that he tended to gravitate towards her more than anyone else, lately. And he knew he couldn't rely on her alone. But since showing up here he felt like he'd been thrown one curveball after another, and talking to his friend was about the most normal thing he had.
His plans changed relatively quickly when he caught sight of Bucky crossing the room. It wasn't hard to guess why, and whatever else his friend might have thought of him, he had no intention of being the reason for any sort of planned conversation not to take place. He and Nat could talk later.
He made his way back across the room to get another drink instead, choosing a seat at an empty table.