mucked | entranceway

He's a better man than he believes himself to be.

[ and, if pressed, peggy might suggest that tony and the other resource in question have that in common.

and actually... ] You know, it's not as though you don't make the list. [ ... ] Of people.

[ her people. the people she might actually confess to needing. ]

I wouldn't blame you if I didn't.

[ even when she's much younger, she's the one who he still goes to and yet, tony knows he's been unfair to her more than once. ]

But I'm glad. I didn't get to help you much, growing up. If I can, I'll do it. You know you mean the world to me, always have.

-- Tony.

[ she wags the spoon at him. ]

You're just about the only person I can talk to about Steve, you realize, and actually say the things I mean to say. It's not right to go and slander him to everyone else. And it's not as though... [ it's not as though she can comfortable discuss the man with rip hunter any longer. ]

You understand what it's like. What he's like. How he can be the best of us and still piss you off in spite of it. Maybe even because of it.

He doesn't piss me off.

[ and oddly enough, there isn't a word of lie there. ]

He used to, he used to be that friend I had that was way too uptight and righteous and yes, back then he pissed me off.

Oh, please. That man is as dear to me as anyone could be and he still pisses me off to no end.

[ tony might be speaking the truth -- but peggy, mild cynic that she is, doesn't quite believe him. maybe she still needs to vilify steve just a little. ]

At least your dad didn't make you sleep on his sheets for five years straight.

[ grumble ]

Take a moment, Tony, to think about your complaint. [ a beat. ] And then think about a few months ago when you tried to replace my sheets.

[ HONESTLY, like father like son. ]

I am deeply wounded by you, just so you know. I feel very exposed right now, talking about my feelings and you draw these comparisons. I hated Captain America, you think Iron Man is cute.

[ look at the amount of drama ]

There's a difference.

Oi.

[ she goes as far as rapping her spoon against the back of his knuckles. mmhm. ]

I never used the word cute.

Sweet, funny, charismatic -

[ he counts and wiggles his eyebrows at her ]

Downright adorable. I heard you say all of that, you absolutely did, you just don't remember.

[ TONY, you're a menace. ]

Even if -- even if -- I ever deigned to say any of that? It doesn't justify replacing my bed linens with something fit for a five year old.

[ really! ]

I have been trying to have company over a little more often. But you make unlocking my door a lot like Russian roulette.

Oh come on, haven't I suffered enough in this life that I have to sit here and discuss your company with you. You realize you're just giving me reasons to keep doing that, right?

[ Head in hands ]

[ she looks confused -- for just a moment -- before going slack-jawed at the realization that tony had taken her implication down a rather unintended path. ]

I'm talking about friends! For Heaven's sake. Not -- company.

[ "company." italicized and with bunny rabbit ears. a wink and a nudge. ]

I have made some, you know. Friends.

[ Oh, hell, he is laughing. ]

You know, a true friend won't judge you if you happen to be a little in love with your Iron Man memorabilia. That's not the weirdest thing about you, they'll understand.

What on earth would be weirder?

[ weirder and accurate, at least. ]

Uh, let's see.

[ he's going to count ]

You have a nephew more than twice your age, you're a seemingly respectable woman who eats like a broke college student and what will they say when you tell them you're guarded by a drone?

-- Guarded by a drone?

[ oh tony don't you dare. ]

He'll obey your commands and everything, it'll be brilliant. He'll even leave you alone if you ask it of him which, you're welcome, none of the others have this function installed in him.

[ ahem ]

Wanna hear what I named it?

Tony, you can't.

[ and she leaves it at that. one hand raised; a shake of her head. its name doesn't matter -- she flat out refuses to acknowledge this 'gift' as a good idea. ]

You need something you can carry that's not shaped like a gun, aunt Peggy. I'm just saying.

[ makes sense ]

It's called a knife. And I keep one strapped next to my pistol, thank you very much.

[ not to mention she has her own fists. headstrong, maybe, but she doesn't like the thought of depending on a drone to feel secure. ]

All I'm saying is that one day, I would love it if you could come down and just take a look at it. Seriously, I've designed things for everyone I ever worked with. I should at least get to make something for the one person I actually like.

[ look at this serious puppy face ]

Don't deny my affections. You know you don't want them in their traditional form.

Well. I've already got a futuristic gun and a singing toaster. [ what more could a girl want? ] Do you think you could settle on a design that's a bit less overbearing than a nanny-drone?

[ she values her independence, tony! ]

Not to mention more stealthy.

I made it extremely stealthy - I'm telling you, you should see it. It can do all sorts of fun things. Besides, you don't visit me anymore, you should drop by.

[ he takes the ice cream ]

See the new toys.

[ a shrewd look. she gives up the ice cream without much of a fight. she's only just now starting to properly unravel tony's behaviour today... ]

Steve arriving won't change anything, you realize. I'll still visit just as often.

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