[ The most surprising thing about this situation is that someone decided to talk to America. This is New York City, not Charleston, people don't just come up to you and start talking, let alone accusing you of stealing penguins. Rude. But that's the North for you.

Both the penguin and America turn their attention to the hooded fellow. One would think he'd still be able to recognize Steve, given the fact that America's obsessed over him since the fucking forties. Not a detail of his handsome face has gone unscrutinized. Since the days of black and white, he's spent far too much time than is healthy staring at those perfect cheek bones and strong jaw. It's been more than half a decade and America still can't figure out if he wants to be him or be on him.

Preferably both.

And yet America just blinks. Not a trace of guilt or smugness is on his face, just mild confusion. It's like the guy had just asked him why he's walking his dog. ]

It ain't stealin' if I take him back. Me and Pippin go way back! He just needs a guy's day out every once in a while 'cause his boyfriend broke up with him to be with this newer female penguin and it bums him out. I'd introduce him to my whale, Moby, but he's all the way in Virginia and long distance relationships can get tough.