"catching stars" - 1x1.

[lavender moon]

She moved swiftly alongside Rodgers. She was much, much, much shorter than he was which gave her a disadvantage when it came to keep up. However, her legs were extremely strong and she ran very regularly, so it didn’t make as much of a difference as it would’ve usually made for anyone else. Then again, he was a super solider with enhanced stamina, and she was, quite simply put, not. In other words, he was still going strong when she began to sweat and her breathing became heavier. Luka and Henry we’re keeping pace with them as they ran and Luka was also still going strong as he was basically the dog version of Steve while Henry seemed to be doing just as well as Charity. She was extremely thankful when Steve finally stopped a cave with trees branches hanging over the entrance. In fact, if the branches were moved in just the right way, along with the vines, the cave could be completely hidden. Now all they needed to do was the get to it, and fast. She could hear the distant sounds of agents yelling and she figured that the one Steve had struck was probably telling the others which direction to run in. This worried her and she decided that they were going too slow. So she did what any reasonable person would do. She leapt straight up into the tree and ran along the branches as if she were a squirrel. She was just faster in the trees as she had been sent on many, many, missions in the forests and had to escape using trees as her main source of protection. So, to her, this wasn’t strange not unusual. The female slid down the branch closest to the cave mouth and slipped in before Steve and the rest of the group. There was a hole in the far back of the cave, allowing light to filter in. There was also a small spring that dropped into a pool of bright blue water in the back of the cave. She smiled at the sight. This, this was nice. She sat down, heaving as she tried to breathe and leaning against the wall. “You have way too much energy for someone who is a century old.” She coughed as Luka made his way into the cave.

[ethium]

rogers watched as the girl scampered up the tree like a squirrel, his jaw agape. "well," he said grinning as she commented on his stamina. "I didn't know you could go all squirrel on me, that takes some serious skill." he smiled as the last of their small group entered the cave, He then yanked down the branches hiding the entrance from sight. "that should keep us hidden for now, since that fella i went all super punch on must have blabbed to his partners." he grumbled reminded once again of the SHIELD agent. now what? they were hidden, but also without food... there was water right outside but what if they decided to actually investigate the house? Rogers's shield was hidden under his bed in his room. if they found it there's no way they were getting the house back. "well this is frustrating. I'd like to go to the market without a disaster happening while im gone, just once. is that too much to ask.." he muttered into space, kicking the wall as he spoke before dropping to a crouch and leaning against the wall. The cool stone pressed against his back and fingertips. "I hope were not here long.." he trailed off as his thoughts settled on prince dutifully waiting with the grocery's. He likely wouldn't move from his guarding post unless it was essential to his survival. Once again steve sighed and ran a hand over his face with a groan.

[lavender moon]

She cocked an eyebrow at his question. “I think you’d be disappointed to hear the answer to that.” She sighed, laying her head back and closing her eyes, relaxing her tense muscles but staying very much alert as Luka went to the pool in the back of the cave to lap up some water. “And I’m not a squirrel. When I was in Camp they usually sent me out into forests because, what better place for people to hide out in?” She asked sarcastically and rhetorically. “Anyways, I had to learn how to climb and move quickly on the branches. It's really not that hard. You learn quickly after your first fall. Unfortunately, I killed a lot of people doing that.” She said, wincing before adding, “a lot of good people.” She paused for a moment as if she were done talking before finally picking back up. “When I was escaping I basically lived in trees. You can move quickly in them without anyone thinking too much on it. They assume it's a bird or, in the mountains at least, a panther or puma. Not to mention you can sleep in them.” She said, never opening her eyes as she spoke. “I agree there.” She told him. That’s when there was a relatively loud splash, that was only loud to those in the cave, as Luka leapt into the water and soaked everyone else in water. “Luka!!” Charity whispered shouted at him. The dog realized something was wrong so he crawled onto the floor before shaking his pelt and sending more water everywhere. She was drenched in water as she was the closest to him. Her hair dripped water onto the ground as she shook her hair slightly. She even laughed. It was small, and barely noticeable, but she did. It seemed that, since meeting Steve, there had been a lot of firsts. It was almost like he was showing her how to live like human being. Not a tool or a weapon. He was slowly breaking away at her walls even though she was trying to keep him out. It certainly wasn't that she disliked him. No, it was just that she couldn't make him bleed if she was alone, and she didn't want to hurt him. In fact, she was terrified of hurting anyone else. More specifically, she was scared that her past would catch up to her and drag her back under. She sighed and hardened again with that thought and leaned back again.

[ethium]

he listened to her patiently, tasting each word of her thorough explanation. He closed his eyes after a while, almost falling asleep once she finished. Until he was sprayed lightly with water, which earned a startled jump and laughter from the captain. "he's certainly more enthusiastic about the water than henry is," steve commented glancing at the hound dog who winced as the water hit him and attempted to shrink into the far wall itself. "hey boy it's okay," he cooed coaxing the canine from the corner who immediately slunk into steve's lap licking his face before settling down, laying his head against rogers's thigh. Steve then looked up at charity who was soaked from head to toe and couldn't help but chuckle once again, though they were on the run it really didn't feel like it. With small moments like these highlighting his stressful adventure, he felt almost at ease in the presence of the girl and her German shepherd companion. She was slowly opening up, granted it was slower than rogers would have liked but the art of patience had always tested his limits. He then froze to the spot as the heavy thud of boots and the snapping of branches caught his attention. The entire cave went silent in a heartbeat and rogers pressed his hand to the cold stone wall ready to leap to action. Henry's head shot up and his ears pricked his attention on the hopefully hidden from view cave entrance. Rogers only sent one glance at charity to know she was ready to fight if need be. Voices could be heard faintly in the distance, and if they could hear the soldiers it meant that they could hear charity or rogers. Steve didn't dare speak, didn't dare move for fear he'd make noise and give away their location. After what seemed like an eternity of henry staring at the bushes with a ferocity of a thousand suns, he finally quieted down and laid his head back on rogers's thigh. It appeared that the danger had passed, at least so much that henry didn't feel the need to keep his alert on high. He put a finger to his lips as he glanced at charity. He wanted to be certain they had passed before he spoke once more. Granted if they hadn't had heard the splash of Luka plunging into the cold cave water, then they likely wouldn't be capable of hearing their muffled voices. Especially if they had passed already.

[lavender moon]

A small smile graced her lips as he pointed that out. Henry seemed to hate the water as he rushed to push himself up against the wall. She sighed slightly. Poor doggo. She took pity on the dog as he hid in the corner and wondered if something had happened with him and water of if he naturally disliked it. Either way, it was clear he only like drinking water, not wearing it. Her smile faded for a bit but stayed with her eyes as Steve coaxed the dog over. He made his way over to Steve and kicked his face. It was adorable to watch his and the dog’s relationship. It was clear that the dog trusted Steve a ton. She then remembered the other coon. What was his name? Percy? No. Definitely not that. It did start with a ‘p’ though... oh! Right. Prince. She remembered Prince and wondered where the other coin had gone off to. Both dogs had seemed extremely loyal and protective and inseparable. So where was the other furry companion? She was about to ask when there was a rustling just outside. Her eyes narrowed and becoming ruthless and hunteress in a matter of seconds. All it took was one little thing and she switched from human to dangerous killing machine. The storm suddenly erupted in her eyes. Her right became the colors of a flickering flame, the color literally flickering different warm tons was her left eye became an attic ocean with deep, cool tones of blue, grey, and even silver. Fire danced on her finger tips as she looked towards the door. She didn’t even mean to do it. She wasn’t trying to summon miniature icicles from her finger tips or flames. It something that happened when she fel the need to attack or defend herself. Personally, she didn’t see the flames and ice dancing on the tips of her hands and on her palms. Anyone else would’ve, though. Luka stood from his resting place, a silent snarl pulling his lip up the reveal his long canines. The wolf like dog was clearly ready to defend himself and the others around him. She grabbed her staff and moved further back into the cave as she looked eyes with Steve. His eyes were silently asking, “are you ready?” She nodded and looked back towards the enterance. Not a sound. Not one sound. And that’s when Luka let out a low, deep bark of warning to those outside. Now, that bark was super helpful if they were facing someone and needed to be intimidating, but right now they needed to be quite. She dove down to his level and held his muzzle shut, watching the cave enterance and listening closely. Had they heard?

[ethium]

steve held his breath as luka barked, he waited for the bushes to be torn away, for them both to be apprehended. though he heard boot steps and shouting, the bushes never did get torn away. He let his breath out and looked at charity, whose eyes were wild and her heart on edge. "it's okay." he whispered. "i just want to be careful until we're certain.." he trailed off as his gaze once again settled on the branches. what if they had decided to just wait on them to show themselves? what if they found samuel or prince.. many thoughts crossed through his head, not all of them pleasant of what he'd do to them if they so much as laid a finger on prince. He exhaled and henry pressed closer to steve, he likely missed his best pal. The two were siblings and hardly left one another's sight. However they had done so without a thought when the farm house was in danger. They really were good dogs. He felt nearly choked up as he thought about how loyal prince and henry were to him, even after he had been away for far longer than his original intentions. "I think we can whisper, quietly of course but they've gone a ways away now or henry would be off his handle." he said hushed as he glanced down at henry who placed a gentle lick on his outstretched hand that now stroked the coon dog's back. He watched charity for a few moments, hoping she'd calm down enough so that he didn't have to worry about her icing him, intentionally or unintentionally. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, he just didn't trust her abilities or her control over them.

[lavender moon]

She almost blasted at Steve when she heard him speak. It was obvious that she had been ready to attack. She hadn’t though, which was a good thing or else Steve would’ve been history. Instead she redirected her aim and froze the small pool. She huffed, looking at her palms as she tried to take in steady breaths. She had to control it. She could control. Not, no, she would control it. She breathed deeply and watched her hands, focusing, but the flames still flickered and danced and icicles still sparked from finger to finger. She became more frustrated and slid to the ground once more, running her hands through her hair. She was unaffected by her powers but anyone else would’ve felt the scorching heat or searing cold of her powers. She closed her eyes and filled her lungs, holding in the air for a few moments. Her eyelids flickered before opening. She looked up at Steve and nodded. Yes, whispering would most likely be fine. She thought, dragging herself to her feet and suddenly feeling a surge of frustration and anger. “Why did I have to be born? I can’t stand having powers. There useless. I can’t control them and they were only given to me as a way to destroy and cause harm.” She huffed, now throwing a fire ball into the pool, causing boiling water to splash up gently, but it didn’t hit anyone, which was an extremely good thing. She felt the need to rant and vent and scream and curse Camp and all of the overseers and her mother and everyone else whom had made her life a literal hell for everyone she encountered. She was simply a burden to the world. Everywhere she turned death and destruction followed as she was tired of seeing flower wilt to dust by the touch of her hand. She didn’t deserve to be safe with rodgers. She didn’t deserve Rodgers at all. He was so ridiculous kind and pure of heart. “I’m sorry...” she said, though it was emotionless again. She was building that wall around herself once more, keeping him out but most importantly keeping her in as her eyes slowly began to return to that brewing storm.

[ethium]

he listened to her put herself down and grit his teeth, every word she spoke made his insides curl. finally when she said she was sorry, in her emotionless, wall building voice he stood. Fists clenched he strode towards her and gripped her shoulders turning her to him. He then embraced her in a soul crushing bear hug. one of protection, of worry, of a promise. "stop worrying. you can't control it. so what if someone gets accidentally hurt. You will control it. you will." he promised. he would help her. he would even if it killed him in the end he would bring peace into the life her past had destroyed. He felt henry at his side as he jumped up and licked at her icy hand delicately, still cautious but more trusting than anything. It brought a small smile to his face as he pulled away from the hug with a soft grin. "I will help you control it. if it's the last thing i do." he promised and in that moment he felt his chest flutter, and knew that this promise would run deeper than their discussion in the cave. It would run forever, until she finally was capable of controlling her abilities. He sent a glance around the cavern with an exhale, quietly listening towards the entrance once again, worried the soldiers might have heard their small outburst.

[lavender moon]

She backed up in fear as he suddenly advanced on her and, for the first time, she looked absolutely terrified of him. She flinched as he grabbed her shoulder, frozen and unsure of what to do. No one had ever really done anything like this before. In combat they usually threw a punch to start but this strange feeling didn’t make her scared of physical pain. He didn’t seem to be ready to punch her... and that’s when it happened. He did this strange thing we’re he pulled her tightly to him, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to her chest. It was certainly strange but she knew she had seen this action before... on a movie or out in public. Right, hugging. It was called hugging. She had no idea what to do, and for a moment that was alright. She just leaned her head against his chest, letting him hold her and support her. It felt strange and forgein but nice. She felt safe and secure. She would’ve been happy to stay there forever. All of the anger and frustration that had just be surging through her simply ceased to exist. It was amazing. Even Luka had been ready to defend Charity but was now simply sitting and watching with a cocked head. She closed her eyes and listened to him, hearing each word carefully and taking it in as if it were the last thing she’d ever hear. She felt something licking her hand and she thought it was Luka but when she went to stroke the fur of the creature she realized it was much too thin to be Luka’s and that it would have to be Henry’s. She calmed herself as much as possible, which wasn’t hard, as she pelt the dog, careful not to freeze him. She looked up at him as he pulled away. The way was damaged again. He was almost there. She was almost next to him now. All she had to do was take a leap of faith and willingly fall. She knew she would be caught by Rodgers when she did but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not yet anyways. She looked up at his grin and gave him a weak smile back. When he made that promise, she almost collapsed. She knew he was being honest and that he intended to keep his word and that meant so much to her. He was truly caring for her and she had never had anyone do anything like he had before. She took in a short breath and let out a small “thank you.” Her eyes then travelled away. She couldn’t meet eyes with him. She had gone through a lifetime of slavery and torture, how did she possibly get this lucky in a matter of a few days? “We should probably start thinking about camping out for the night.” She told him, thinking back to the problem at hand.

[ethium]

"of course." he spoke after she thanked him turning his Caribbean eyes to her though she wouldn't meet his own he could tell those walls she had built were crumbling. It only furthered his confidence that she would be capable of changing. "yeah- yes of course.-" he was caught off guard by the sudden change of the subject and, quite flustered turned to find henry tail wagging and tongue lolling. "well boy, what do you say we go and try to collect fire wood?" he grinned as henry turned a circle excitement bouncing through the canine. There was also anticipation as rogers peeked out of their hiding place, he was honestly hoping to run into some soldiers on their outing. Though he wouldn't go out and pursue them on purpose. He wasn't going to start a conflict just because he wanted a nice round or two to get his energy out. He exited the hiding place with a new purpose creeping low his eyes and ears alert. Henry sneaking along his side, before slowly getting out ahead of rogers dodging in between the thick oak tree trunks. Rogers collected sticks and other kindling with henry as the look out. Whenever a soldier or squad team would come near, rogers and henry would duck out of sight until henry gave the okay that they had passed. There was full trust between canine and captain as they crept through the undergrowth together. Synchronized with one another steve paused to gather some more kindling then glanced at the dog who was clearly ready to continue on. "i think we have enough." murmured the captain as he glanced down at the steadily growing heavy pile of sticks, leaves and other things that would light easily.