NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: How About Ones Where He's Not Wearing Anything?
Especially now, after Lirael had just survived a mentally and physically exhausting terrorist attack, he felt like he truly needed someone to talk to.
So, Lirael put down the paper bag he was holding, sat on the sofa, and tore into a loaf of bread for dinner. He glanced down at his phone for a moment, sending a message to @StarsandStripes
[ @PointyEars4Life: Good evening, I'm home now. How about you? ]
@PointyEars4Life was the playful username Lirael had chosen for himself.
He just thought it's was quite funny username, so he use it.
On the other end, after receiving the elf's message, the chat window from @StarsandStripes quickly began flashing again.
[ @StarsandStripes: I just got home too. ]
[ @StarsandStripes: I wanted to visit that cake shop you recommended today, but something happened there all of a sudden. ]
The cake shop he was referring to was the one Lirael worked at, just a few blocks away from Avengers Tower. Ever since Lirael learned that @StarsandStripes lived nearby, the elf who is confident in his baking skills, had passed along the address of the shop. He hadn't mentioned that he also worked there, but he hadn't exactly been hiding it either.
Thinking back, Lirael figured that when the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were taking him to give his statement, @StarsandStripes had probably been among the crowd outside the store. Lirael grinned slightly, biting into the croissant he'd just bought from the supermarket as he casually typed his reply.
[ @PointyEars4Life: Yeah, I know. I was there too. ]
[ @PointyEars4Life: The commotion inside the shop was pretty loud, to say the least. ]
[ @StarsandStripes: What? You were there? ]
[ @StarsandStripes: Are you okay? Were you caught up in it? ]
The concern was sweet, and it instantly brightened Lirael's mood. Feeling rather smug, he couldn't resist throwing a little praise toward the good Captain America.
[ @PointyEars4Life: Nah, it was just a small problem. Captain America solved it quickly. ]
[ @PointyEars4Life: Seriously, he's even more amazing than he looks on TV! Can you imagine? He just stood in front of the robber, didn't even need to raise a hand, and the guy fainted from fear! ]
[ @StarsandStripes: ... ]
[ @StarsandStripes: Captain America isn't exactly... Well, did you say hi to him? ]
Lirael noticed something odd in @StarsandStripes tone, like he was holding onto a secret that he assumed the whole world should know, only to realize no one else did. It was a strange sort of frustration woven into every word. But Lirael didn't think too much of it, merely raised an eyebrow as his fingers danced across the screen.
[ @PointyEars4Life: No, the crowd was too big. I couldn't get through. ]
[ @PointyEars4Life: It's such a shame, seeing him in person and not getting an autograph or photo. ]
And no chance to touch those pecs, either.
It only hit him now how much he had missed out on, and with a pout, Lirael sent a crying emoji. But the next message from @StarsandStripes made his eyes light up, filling him with a renewed sense of hope.
[ @StarsandStripes: ...Uh, if you really want, I could send you a few. I've got quite a few of them. ]
[ @PointyEars4Life: Wait, really? That's amazing! Thank you!! ]
[ @PointyEars4Life: Could I ask for the ones where he's in uniform? ]
[ @StarsandStripes: If that's what you want, sure, I've got all kind of photos [smiley face]. ]
[ @PointyEars4Life: Seriously?! How about ones where he's not wearing anything?! ]
[ @StarsandStripes: ... ]
Did he just dig his own grave?
Sitting on the sofa in Avengers Tower, Captain Steve Rogers blinked in utter confusion at his phone screen, completely baffled by what just happened.