Steve Rogers is on your left. (notmyfuture) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-08-25 12:15:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, melanie stryder, steve rogers (captain america) |
Who: Melanie and Steve.
Where: A hiking trail.
What: Friends enjoying the outdoors.
When: August 4.
Warnings/Rating: None / Low.
Status: Complete.
Melanie was looking forward to spending the day with Steve. He was a nice man and becoming a good friend, it was a complete bonus that he happened to enjoy hiking and exercise as much as she did. He had also been influential in helping her decide on her career route too though he had denied it when she had said so.
She stood waiting for him at the agreed meeting point, her backpack on her back and a smile on her face. It was a beautiful day for a hike.
It was good to have people who enjoyed this sort of thing in his friendship circle, Steve figured. A lot of his friends were active and all, but he couldn’t really ever get them to go on runs or hikes without a bit of effort, so Melanie was definitely great in his books.
He grinned as he walked over to her, own backpack strapped on and ready to go. “The weather today’s amazing, don’t you think? This is gonna be great.”
“It really is” Melanie agreed as he approached, “We’re going to have a brilliant hike” she smiled happily. Despite being a friendly sort Melanie wasn’t much of a social butterfly so having friends like Steve was good for her. “So how have you been Steve?” she asked as they set off.
“Pretty good, thanks,” he said, following her. “Been having some of those weird dreams, though. Everyone has them, but I’ll never get used to them, I think. Especially when there’s a lot of people connected to them, you know?” Steve shrugged, still smiling anyway. “How are you?”
“Oh I know what you mean. I’m lucky I haven’t had to put up with many of them so far but they are odd. Especially when they involve people you know” she agreed, “I’m okay thanks, getting settled into my schedule of classes, it’s fun actually. I’m starting to recognise people who might become regulars”
“Gosh, right?” He laughed. “Seeing people you know is the strangest. I actually have dreams about my friend’s dad, and I’ve never met the man.” Steve looked amused. “But I’m glad to hear that. It’s good to know everything’s working out for you.”
“That is strange. It can feel just as odd when someone is missing too. I don’t have a sister in the dreams but I do here. It makes everything feel a little off” Melanie replied, she kept reminding herself they were just dreams but it was hard when so many people put stock in them. “It is thanks. How about you? Everything good work wise?”
“Everything’s great. My client list has really just exploded in the last little bit. Actually, I think I’m gonna have to start turning people down soon or put them on a waiting list.” Steve looked sort of amused at the thought. He never expected a personal business endeavour of his to take off so much. “And I might have to leave the clinic. Otherwise there’s not much time left for me at the end of the day, and, you know, I love doing what I do there but. You know.”
“That’s amazing Steve, well done” Melanie told him with a bright smile, it was great that he was so popular. “It’s a shame about the clinic but I’m sure they’ll understand. I mean you need time for yourself. It’s really important”
“Tell me about it.” Steve laughed. “I’m thinking with the extra time I’m gonna take up art classes again? I used to want to go to art school pretty bad, but it got put on the backburner. Might be a good new hobby to get back into.”
“That sounds really cool” Melanie said, “And great if you can get back into something you were so passionate about”
“Yeah. But I feel like I’m just blabbing on about me. Sorry, I’m not usually like that. What’s new? What’s been going on?” Steve caught up a bit to walk alongside her, glancing over.
"Oh no, really its good. You're far more interesting than I am" Melanie told him, "I'm afraid beyond working and visiting my sister I'm very boring. I was thinking about holding a housewarming but most of the people I knew were on my university course and most of them have gotten jobs and moved away" she admitted, "my sister is far more the social butterfly"
“You could make it an open invite, maybe? A good chance to make some friends with the people on the net. It seems to work pretty well.” He gave her a bit of a smile. “Not that I’m saying you need friends. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I did think about that” Melanie nodded, “I guess it couldn’t hurt. Everybody seems pretty nice” she laughed lightly, “Oh no I probably do” she assured him, “You aren’t wrong”
“I bet you have loads of friends,” Steve argued, laughing. “You’re too nice to not have any.”
“I have a few” Melanie replied, “But I was so focused on passing my course that they were mostly university friends”
“Yeah, I understand that. I heard somewhere that the friends you make in university are the friends that you have for the rest of your life.” He made a bit of a face. “I dunno who said that, but I don’t really talk much to anyone I met in school. Most of my friends I made other places.”
Melanie laughed softly, “I think people come up with all kinds of sayings to make themselves feel better about their current situations” she commented, “But I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get settled into my job and place”
“Yeah. It’s hard to think about having a social life when you’re so focused on all the other stuff.” Steve took a large step over a log in the way of the path. “I don’t even know how I ended up being friends with some of these people. I mean, they’re great, but they’re sort of on a whole different level than I am.”
“It definitely is” she agreed before looking over at him with an interested look, “Different level? What do you mean?”
Steve just shrugged a bit. He felt silly, really, talking about it, and he was thankful for the exercise because it masked the blush that came to his cheeks.
“Well, they’re really smart. I mean like, really smart. These total science genius types, which is definitely not me. And they’re a bit older than me. But they’re great people. Really incredible guys.”
“You’re very smart Steve” Melanie told him, “And they must think so too. You have a reputation already for being incredible yourself”
“Not their sort of smart. I’m all right with it, though.” He couldn’t help but duck his head to hide the pleased smile anyway. “What about you? What are your friends like?”
"Pretty smart too I guess. All pretty sporty or active" she replied, "I tend to prefer hiking and things like that to nightclubs or raving" she grinned.
“I hear ya.” Steve wasn’t one to party. He was just awkward when it came to that sort of thing. The sports thing was definitely his comfort zone.
After a bit of hiking, he glanced around, then looked at Melanie.
“This seems like a good place to relax and have a bite to eat, don’t you think? Great scenery.”
Melanie nodded, “I think that’s a great idea” she said swinging her bag off her back, “It really is beautiful”
“Yeah, Orange County has lots of great places. The weather’s just so great for everything.” Steve sets his own backpack on the ground and takes a long drink of water before digging around for the food he brought.
“I know” Melanie nodded, “Ever since I moved here I’ve discovered new places to see and things to do. Kind of great for a hiking geek like me” she grinned sitting on a rock to look at the view as she hunted for her own lunch.
“And me.” Steve grinned, then laughed, sitting back to enjoy a good lunch and good company.