20226/Surprising a Daisy

Surprising a Daisy
Date of Scene:	11 March 2025
Location:	Daisy's Apartment
Synopsis:	Steve comes by Daisy's to check on news about SHIELD and ends up on pancake duty.
Cast of Characters:	Daisy Johnson, Steve Rogers

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Daisy Johnson has posed:
Daisy Johnson's apartment isn't exactly the most glamorous of places. A cozy spot just off Hell's Kitchen which was what she was able to manage with her SHIELD pay. But at the same time it was ~home~ now. And one she always liked going back to at the end of a long day at SHIELD. A tiring day but still fulfilling. Yet more than that it was also Tuesday. And while some people have Taco Tuesdays (really, no originality) Daisy has what she likes to call Pancake Tuesday.

... Which is pretty much just her indulging her sweet tooth and having a day in which she doesn't care what she eats. Everyone needs one of those!

And so it is that Daisy finds herself home, at the stove and with a frying pan in hand, already the faint waft of the cooked pancake filling her nostrils in anticipation. Oh yes, this is going to be good.

She has assistance of course by way of her cat, Director Furry, who watches with feline curiosity, sitting on the counter and supervising the whole affair while looking for an opportunity to strike. Tuesdays are this cat's favorite day too.

Music is heard on the apartment. A little guilty pleasure by way of Taylor Swift to which Daisy is moving her hips to the rhythm of, "Come on, Director. Lose the frown and dance a little." she teases her cat. Is she imagining Nick Fury on the other end of this interaction? Maybe.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Outside the apartment a scruffy man looks to his left and right, surveying either direction of the hallway. His baseball cap's pulled low and the jacket that he wears is unbuttoned. He wears old Army/Navy surplus attire and could easily be mistaken by part of the homeless population. A light double-tap of a knuckle against the door doesn't net a response after a few moments - on account of the music playing inside the apartment. The seconds grow longer and finally a hand slips into his pocket. He retrieves a key from his pocket and nimbly turns it about within his fingers. The quiet scrape of the key and the satisfying sound of the tumblers being moved into their proper positions results in the door being unlocked.

The door slips quietly open and in slips Steve Rogers. As though he's infiltrating some old HYDRA compound under the cover of darkness. Yet there is no darkness and he's not infiltrating an enemy stronghold. Instead he's slipping into the apartment of a friend and ally, which means that he can't simply kick in doors or disrupt the local ecosystem. Which means he wipes his booted feet on the rug on the opposite side of the door as he enters, then turns himself about to quietly ease the door shut. The knob turned, it prevents the latch from clicking into place as he slowly eases the knob back to its neutral position. Only then are the locks engaged and Steve begins to move forward, deeper into the apartment.

The sound of music means that there's likely someone, likely Daisy, present inside. Which means that he should surely announce himself. Which he does on his approach to the kitchen, likely to ensure that he doesn't intrude too blindly, "Daisy?" He calls out the name, before following it with his own in the event that his voice sounds unfamiliar on account of the music playing in the background as he takes a moment to glance around the corner and into the kitchen, "It's Steve. You around?"

Daisy Johnson has posed:
It's the Director, always observant, that takes note of Steve first. Eyes turn from frying pan to rest on the head surging from the door. It makes it so the cat gets up to it's feet, stretches, then jumps down. And that's right when Daisy hears the rather familiar voice. From behind her. Right as she is going through those sweet dance moves that involve a lot of hip motion.

She freezes at first. Surely she didn't hear it right? Some wishful thinking maybe. But nope, there's someone in her apartment and that someone is Steve Rogers. It also doesn't help that she's actually dressed in a pair of grey, large sweatpants, a midriff top and just a pair of white socks. Head turns. Slowly, large eyes as if a deer under headlights, "Oh, hey Steve."

Awkward pause.

"So, what's up?" She makes it sound real casual which is just more awkward. And then flips the pancake over the pan without looking. It still lands miraculously on the pan at least, "I made pancakes." as if that wasn't obvious.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve's at least had the good decency to avert his eyes as he plants his shoulder against the doorway that turns into the kitchen. His arms have shifted forward and one hand clasps the opposite arm around his wrist. His mouth bows slightly as though recognizing the otherwise awkward situation without directly addressing it. Though as Daisy turns about following the interception of Director Furry, Steve's gaze drifts up from the floor to his side and then toward Daisy. He favors her with a warmth, if bashful, smile and a polite nod of his head, "I'm sorry to just let myself in," he begins as his hand slips from his wrist so that it can gesture toward the door that he'd entered through but a moment ago, "I tried knocking but I don't think it was heard. I used the key," he explains.

"Hello, Daisy," he seems to start anew with a smile that grows just a little larger, though remains relatively small. The question of what exactly is up results in a slight shake of his head and Steve eases himself away from the doorframe so that he may stand under his own power, "I don't mean to intrude," he explains first, but then slips seamlessly into the reason for his presence, "we're getting closer to the last phase of the mission. I figure that I'm due for a check-in and to see if you've heard anything from the SHIELD side of things". He pauses for a moment and his blue eyes move to rest securely on Daisy before he concludes his point, "Anything that might jeopardize the mission or that should be factored into any upcoming plans."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"No no, I just wasn't paying attention..." And instead was paying attention to the deep Taylor Swift song lyrics. Really, Daisy. She waves her free hand as if to make Steve be more at ease which she doesn't really realize may just make it more awkward, "My fault completely." then blows a errand strand of hair out of the way of her face, "Besides, when I gave you the key was for you to make use of it, and I meant that."

The cat approaches, taking a sniff at Steve's boots, then clothings. Judging him clearly by the way he looks up at Steve right after. But at least when he turns to leave the tail swish brushes against the man's pants. That's probably a good sign, right? Who knows where it comes to cats... It disappears into the living room afterwards.

When Steve speaks again Daisy's attention is on him, lips pursed together, "Are you still not wanting me to participate?" that she was actual SHIELD did put a damper on things, but there were many ways she could help. Like she was doing now.

"And handle the frying pan while I go fetch my laptop." She tells him, waiting for it to happen before she pads out to go get her computer, "But first, I will let you know that I have been put in charge in figuring out who stole a certain relic from the Smithsonian." a sly look his way, "Do you have anything to say about that?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve gives a glance down to Director Furry as it gives a little brush of his leg, before venturing onward to find somewhere else to laze about. Or hatch some sort of plot within a plot much like his namesake. Back to Daisy goes Steve's attention nad his smile grows a little wider as he acknowledges the matter of the key, its use, and the purposeful intent behind its gifting, "Thank you, Daisy, really. I appreciate it and when this is all over, I'll repay your kindness and helpfulness."

The question of participation results in a glance first toward the frying pan, which he's soon tasked with overseeing. He moves to assume his new duties, but the talk of missing relics and new assignments, as well as any knowledge that he has of such things results in a small smile sent the way of Daisy, "Something like that would fetch a high price on the black market," he seems to echo the news broadcasts surrounding the disappearance of a certain shield.

Steve's hand move to rest against the countertop as he leans into it, his attention settled onto Daisy as his shoulders roll slightly with a shallow shrug, "I just hope whoever took it makes sure to use it for what it was intended; fighting tyranny, upholding justice, and things like that."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Uh-huh.." Daisy isn't buying that at all but maintaining plausible deniability is a good thing for a SHIELD Agent like her, for she does take her duty seriously. Specially more so where it comes to helping her allies, "It was a good story, and whoever spinned it up I have yet to find them out. I suspect a certain Widow." she knows Natasha has been helping Steve. Not that she is fishing for an answer out of Steve and soon enough she is returning to the kitchen, not having bothered to get any further dressed which means that flat stomach is full showing under the midriff top. Laptop is opened up and she sits down on a chair, one leg crossed under her other thigh and she tapping on a few keys of the keyboard.

"I have been keeping a search for certain keywords on SHIELD communications." Not everyone remembers that she was responsible for much of the re-haul of the cyber security protocols in SHIELD, which means she does have most of the access she wants, "And it's been clear, besides from the usual. There has been no connections being made, or of the possibility you may be alive." a pause and she looks up at Steve again, "But this won't last forever, it's only a matter of time.." she warns him. Which mostly means that Steve will have to move fast in order to keep that element of surprise going.

The hope that they are using the shield for good has Daisy grin, "Hopefully so. Might sway me into not putting them in cuffs." she points out, then she chinjerks towards the pan.

"Flip it."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve's chin remains lowered while he stairs down into the pain. He listens, but doesn't speak. Even the mild attempt at getting an answer out of him regarding the shield and who may have helped weave the whole plot together is met by nothing more than casual silence. He does spare a glance toward Daisy after her return with the laptop and settling in to review it. He clears his throat and at least acknowledges the encroaching close of the potential window for surprise with a solemn nod and a quiet answer that contends with the music playing nearby, "A few more weeks, hopefully. There are two more elements that I need to move into position. After that we're ready to initiate the final phase of the mission and if luck's with us, this will all be over very soon".

The instruction to flip the pancake results in his doing so. He gingerly works the turner beneath the pancake and with a twist of his wrist he dumps it back into the pan, now flipped with its golden brown side presented. The conversation carries on though and Steve's expression remains as serious as one might expect of someone speaking about the topics that he is, "Hopefully there'll be people in cuffs, facing justice, and righting wrongs for the American people. The truth will out, as they say. I'm sure whoever took the shield will face whatever consequences arise from it, so long as that means a greater issue is resolved."

There it is. Surely part of the reason for Steve's otherwise serious - perhaps even grimly resolved - manner is the fact that he understands that what he's doing may result in his being given charges and being made to face the same justice he even now claims must be enforced. An unfortunate side effect of doing what's right, but Steve Rogers doesn't seem prepared to back down from the path. Captain American wouldn't budge from that position, so neither will Steve Rogers.

"How's Buck doing? Everyone else?" he asks, likely in some vague effort to shift the conversation onto lighter topics for the moment.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"A few weeks." That brings a nod of approval out of Daisy, "That should be fine." hopefully so, or at least as long as she might help in keeping this from SHIELD's sphere of influence, "Make it count." she says of the operation that will be happening. One way or another Daisy knows there would only really be once chance for this. But at the same she also implicitly trusts Steve. And that makes her smile his way.

"Justice isn't the same as the law. Or do I need to remind you of the times I was a hacker trying to break into SHIELD in search for truth." She gets up to her feet then, approaching and resting one hand over his muscular back. A offer of support but also warmth, "You are the kind of man that doesn't allow injustice to go unchecked, no matter the consequences." she says, "It means you are a good person."

The shift to a lighter subject has her smile faintly, "I haven't seen Bucky in ages." she admits, "He did not take your disappearance well. You should check on him once this is all done, or before." though she knows that before it might be hard to do, "It's perhaps a good thing that I haven't seen him, he might ..., read it off me that I knew more on what happened to you than what I was letting know."

Then Daisy is reaching to Steve's arm, so as to adjust him, "Your flip game needs a little help, Steve." the gall of this woman accusing Steve of not knowing the proper way of making pancakes. She probably learned it all from Youtube...

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Thanks," he says with a slight smile at the mention of his being a good man. The compliment's received and clearly appreciated, but it's clear that Steve is inclined to downplay it somewhat, "I think most people are good. I think most people will plant their feet and stand up for what's right when the stakes are at their highest. I'm nothing special in that regard," Steve insists.

The mention of Bucky is met by a glance and a knowing nod. Judging by that response, the subject of seeking out Bucky is one that Steve's likely already considered. "Before," he succinctly comments back, "I'd ask for his help, but I think that would complicate matters a lot. Not the mission, but his life. I don't think he needs more scrutiny. He's earned some peace," Steve insists, though this time on a different subject entirely.

He shrugs lightly as though he's prepared to comment further, but stops himself when Daisy takes him by the arm and begins to show him how to flip a pancake. That seems to incite Steve into answering with a wry smile, "You think you can teach me how to cook? I bet next you're going to tell me to move the pan instead of the turner to flip the pancake. I think I saw a video of that a couple of days ago. They called it a life hack, I call it trying to innovate in unnecessary ways."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Trying to steer Steve away from his humbleness is the kind of battle that Daisy knows is a lost cause. So instead of answering all she does is smile up at him. Oh yes, she disagrees, that much can be seen in her eyes. It's just that she does not engage, "Good and humble. Gosh." Ok, fine. She does engage. But it's more a tease than anything else.

The talk of Bucky though? That one is a talk that sobers her expression some, "He is not at peace thinking you dead." she notes, "But .., you are right in what you say." at least in how it would complicate things to what already is a very complicated situation that is Bucky's life.

Still, that heavier subject crumbles at the revelation that Steve watches -videos-. And in this case one about flipping pancakes. That has her laugh out unexpectedly in a rather loose, surprised manner. She fully did not expect that answer out of Steve, "You are being real right now." and that just makes her laugh further, fingers still spread over Steve's arm. And if she wasn't so busy with laughing out she would had realized how she is tenderly squeezing his arm now. And how close she is to him now.

"That's the advanced method. We are not there yet. Small, baby steps, Steve." But the proposal about teaching Steve to cook gets met with a grin, "I could. I am actually a great cook." she is not. She is veritably horrible. But no need to tell Steve -that-.

Steve Rogers has posed:
"I know he's not," Steve answers on the subject of Bucky. While he may not know that fact in truth, it's one that he's confident is true. There's no question in Steve's own mind. "I'm trying to protect him, but at the same time I'm betraying his trust. I don't like it," he admits with eyes downcast toward the pan and the pancake in it. "Reaching out, telling him the truth; it's all been part of the plan. The timing just has to be right and I should have told him earlier, but if there was even slight chance someone became suspicious? Buck would be the first they put under scrutiny to get at me," Steve answers somberly.

He clears his throat and as the laughter begins, Steve's expression turns from grim and faint amusement. His own smile threatens the corners of his mouth, but for the moment it remains contained and bearing its own pleasant softness. "I am being real right now. Knock it all you want, but getting up to speed using internet culture was a little helpful. A lot of wasted time, sure, but a flick of the finger could show you a lot of what people and the world has become". He doesn't seem at all shy to admit that some of his modern learning has come from at least some consumption of modern pop culture through the use of social media. Which apparently included some cooking tutorials that were of questionable usefulness.

The offer of cooking lessons earns another smile, along with a chuckle this time. Steve concedes though and with a couple small, shy nods of his head he seems to accept the offer, "After all of this is done and over with? I'll take you up on the lessons. Most of my mother's recipes were are a little outdated, so..."