farsickness | purpose fuels passion

WHO: Steve Rogers; OTA
WHEN: April 20th-30th
WHAT: Trying to keep busy
WHERE: Around Gazin
WARNINGS: Will update

He's been struggling the last few weeks, trying to figure out a way he can be useful beyond helping all the older folks around town with their routines and lives. Steve wanted a little peace, but it turns out that too much of a little thing can eventually be too much.

On days where he's feeling a bit down, one can find him jogging up and down the dirt roads. Sitting at one of the few watering holes around the area and then at the homestead where he's worked his way to owning a section of land with an old run-down hunter's cabin that needs some work by a lake that he felt his best friend would appreciate.

But on the other days when Steve is feeling good, he's in Gazin, gathering up supplies and food and spending his nights at the Inn after the sun goes down and working is more of a challenge. The weather finally was turning warmer during the days but with being so close to the mountains, the nights were still chilly.

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Bucky knows he and Steve need to talk and when he's at the Inn gathering supplies, it seems as good a time as any to snag him and pull him aside privately. They'd meant to get a place together and rekindle the friendship they'd had when they were younger but everything had been derailed by his sudden decision to give into the idea of being in a relationship. He'd gotten caught up in it and neglected his friendship.

"Hey, you need any help with that?"

It's not the best opener, considering Steve is as strong as he is, but it's better than 'can we talk' which just sounds goddamn ominous.

There might have been a small part of Steve that didn't understand Bucky's avoidance and without knowing exactly where his friend was, he ended up deciding maybe it's what he needed. To figure out who he wants to be, apart from Captain America's best friend.

But he'd be lying to himself if he didn't think he'd play some kind of part in that. It took some time, but he realized that it wasn't going to be that way.

Bucky's voice comes as a surprise and as he pulls his bag over a shoulder, he gives a little smirk and shakes his head. "I got it, but thanks."

Yes, he knew what he meant.

"I'm heading back out, but you want to walk with me? Catch an old friend up on what you been up to?"

"Yeah, I wanna walk with you," Bucky says. At least Steve is picking up what he's laying down and he doesn't have to be explicit about it. They've always had a way of reading one another that he's never had with anyone else and Bucky doesn't think anyone else could come close.

"So the girl went exactly as you called it," he says sheepishly. "So I guess I owe you money for that. Didn't mean for it to happen, kind of stumbled head first into it."

"Yeah?" Steve says, unsurprised. "Figured that's what happened. Don't say I didn't tell you so."

He looks down, heading bobbing before he gives his best friend a sideways glance.

"So, guess that means you've moved into her place, too?"

"I did, which was an asshole move," Bucky says, willing to admit that upfront. "I know I haven't been a good friend. It's just been so long since I've had anything like that - I guess I let it go to my head."

More than go to his head, really.

"But I wanna be a better friend. We have a lot to catch up on."

He isn’t the only one who’s taken to venturing outside of Gazin on bad days. Cassandra is... restless, some days, her injuries from the battle with the hydra are mostly healed, but they still ache, sometimes. Not that she ever lets that stop her. So she takes to the forest, gathering supplies, sometimes, and sometimes she’s... exploring. (Looking for trouble. Although it’s less looking for trouble and more trouble just naturally finding her. ~~Combined with her inability to just walk away if someone needs help.~~)

She’s on foot, this day, having left Melora behind in the stables after taking her out for a brief ride for exercise and making sure she was well fed, treating her trusted mount with apples, carrots, and a couple sugar cubes before she went out for the day.

Still a fair distance outside the town is when she hears it. The sound of a commotion. Of trouble. There’s the sound of someone pleading; Cassandra’s not close enough to hear the words, but she recognizes the tone. The fear. And she’s breaking into a run, silent and lightning quick. (Her mother would be proud, she thinks, of how well she’s put the things she’s taught her to use.)

Bandits. Of course it’s bandits. A sizeable gang of them. Holding up a pair of carts. She’s stepping out of the forest onto the edge of the dirt road without hesitation. All eyes immediately snap towards her, and she can see who looks to be the leader of the bandits sizing her up. And dismissing her. “You don’t want to do this,” she tells them. “It’s a very bad idea.”

“Do you now,” the leader sneers. “I think we do. I think it’s the best idea I’ve had all day.”

“Yes, and probably the only one, I suspect.” She’s a de Rolo. Smart mouths run in the family. The leader of the bandits snarls at the insult, his hand tightening on his sword.

Castiel knew a thing or two about not having a place in the world. Castiel was at his best when he was helping people, usually the Winchester's but not always. Cas walked into one of the watering holes, he can't help but notice the man sitting by himself at a table, Castiel's nurturing nature takes over and he finds himself standing next to Steve's table.

"Excuse me, I hope you don't mind the intrusion, but would you like some company?"

purpose fuels passion

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