So... This one's shorter because I wasn't sure how to work in my idea all the way for this chapter. A bit iffy, but the next one should be much longer. (I haven't actually checked if it is, so no promises!) For posterity's sake- It's December 15th!
Read on!
"By the way… how do you guys feel about the zoo?"
Steve blinked at Tony's question, "What?"
"Adrian told me that he and Mark haven't been to Central Park Zoo before. It might be a good activity for us all to get more… comfortable? With each other."
Despite being suspicious of Tony's answer, Steve nodded, "I suppose that would be alright."
"It'll be fun! I heard they got some new animals after repairing from the Chitauri attack. May want to find a way to go more… incognito. I doubt you lot want to be swarmed by adoring fans," Adrian giggled.
After checking with the others in the tower, everyone agreed to go and headed out, incognito gear and everything.
Adrian smiled as he walked past the lions and tigers and bears, a bizarre memory of a scarecrow and tinman floating in the back of his mind.
"Which should we see first? The birds or reptiles?"
"How about the birds? I want to see some parrots!" Adrian answered.
"Alright."
The group walked to a cacophonous area and started inspecting various exotic birds.
"Are those doves?" Steve asked a man holding a pair of birds that did actually look like speckled doves.
"Yes. Turtle Doves to be precise. They're not quite the zoo's, but I can only keep them if I bring them to be checked out by the zookeepers four times a month. I'm just glad I got here before it was illegal for me to bring them with me from my home in Europe. I like to sell their shedded feathers as charms for people. Would you like to buy some?"
"No thanks!" Everyone chimed, except Adrian. He was looking at the feathers thoughtfully.
"Adrian?"
"Y'know Steve, these feathers are quite pretty and the Turtle Doves do represent love and faithfulness… They're even immortalized in some of Shakespeare's work. I would love to get some, but I only brought money to pay to get in not to buy anything."
As Adrian walked away Steve stared after him before looking at the feather trinkets the man was holding out thoughtfully, "Can I buy four?"
After getting the feathers Steve thought about what he was going to do with them, 'Can't just give two to him… That'd be like me telling him I love him when we haven't even dated. Maybe I can make something with two for him and two for me? Then I'll give him the two feathers… Wait. What am I thinking?! I- I can't be thinking like this. There's no way I can be with him… I shouldn't even be attracted to him!'
The conflict in his mind distracted him as he caught up to the rest of the group. He was only knocked out of it when he bumped into the very subject of his racing thoughts.
"Steve! Jeez. What's got you so distracted you're running into people?"
"Uh…" 'YOU!', "Nothing."
Despite not believing him, Adrian merely nodded, "Ok. Did you want-"
"We should head back to the tower quickly," Natasha interrupted, "Someone's recognized us."
Adrian looked where Natasha indicated and spotted a person making their way through a crowd of people towards them. Excitement was clear in his face.
"Yeah… Let's. I hate to act like we hate people who like us, but I don't quite feel in the mood to have to work through a large crowd."
'What should I do? I want him, but shouldn't. I can't help but be near him, but have to keep my distance. I should NOT be desiring another man! It's wrong!' Steve broke the pencil he was sketching with as the thoughts became too much. He looked at the result of his work. It was again that tantalizing face, but with hard edges and scribbles through it- his confusion and frustration clearly being expressed.
'What if it's not?' Steve sat up at the tiny voice that came from the back of his mind. Could it be true? What if him being attracted to Adrian isn't wrong? How would he know?
Steve blinked as Tony stepped into the room, proudly carrying a slim object in his hands.
"Well Capsicle, I figured I better give you a connection to the internet. Should help you catch up faster with modern times."
"Alright… Thanks." Steve frowned down at the object when Tony gave it to him, not sure what to do with it.
Awesome! Another one up so "quickly." Tell me what you peoples think and if you get what I'm doing so far. (It should be obvious, but if you haven't yet... Well, I don't know what to say.) Rock on my fellow gals and guys!