( IC INBOX )

[mucked]

PEGGY CARTER | MCU | DRIFT FLEET ( action ) or ( text ) or ( video )

Comments

>> action

[speedboat]

You going steady with this cat or something? Cool your jets, Carter. I'm already on my way.

[ he shudders as he finds himself on the ss starstruck, looking around like that was particularly uncalled for. but then he spots her and all that's forgotten. howard beelines right for her and wraps his arm around her shoulder, hugging her sideways with an affectionate little squeeze. this his buddy right here ♥ ]

>> action

[mucked]

[ steady! my word. she doesn't give him the satisfaction of a reply.

but later, he's arrived. and much of the malice melts away. peggy had been replacing labels over a few key switches on the ship's communications panel. she heard his arrival, but didn't raise her head. not until he'd already dropped an arm around her.

-- another man might have soon been in risk of losing that arm! but peggy merely pats the back of his hand before shrugging out of his grip. not because she doesn't want the hug, but because it's awkwardly one-sided so long as she's sitting where she is. she rises to her feet. ]

I can't believe I'm about to say this, [ she huffs. ] But I am some glad to see you.

[speedboat]

[ he's not surprised or offended. mostly just happy to be around her given all the drama. ]

Well, yeah, I'm great. Glad you're finally coming around. [ a beat. ] Now, where's that whiskey? [ no use mincing words. ]

[mucked]

My room. [ she answers with a quirk of her brow. it won't be the first time she's invited howard stark to her personal quarters; she doubts it'll be the last. ] Bit cramped, but it'll do. Best not to bother with the kitchen. Too -- public.

[ too risky that tony might just barge in before everything is properly primed. ]

[speedboat]

I'm guessing I don't have to sneak up there this time. [ he'll easily follow, eager to have his own secluded moment with peggy. ] I flew a spacecraft.

[ he's happy about this much. ]

[mucked]

-- Did you, now? [ mild sting. and only for effect and play, because she can only imagine that for a future-fascinated man like howard stark, piloting a space craft must have indeed been a thrill. his boyish delight is nearly endearing. ]

Was it everything you hoped it would be?

[ she gestures into her quarters once they arrive. it's a small room -- made smaller, still, by her one indulgence: a brushed metal desk that looks horridly utilitarian, but which doubles as an alright vanity table. there is a mirror propped against the wall. lotions and potions and cosmetics stand like miniature armies on the desk's terrain. someone's been shopping at the station.

peggy follows him in, and bee-lines for her locker. ]

[speedboat]

[ he cants his head, accepting her blow. as he so often does. then he follows her in and he has to whistle low. of course peggy would have a spot carved out for herself like this, even here. ]

You really know how to live, Carter. [ he sits down on her bed so he isn't awkwardly hanging around in her way, but he's unconsciously folding in on himself, making himself smaller as he takes every inch of the small space in. ]

[mucked]

I've had time enough to settle. [ her voice is iron. she knows how it sounds -- like giving in, and giving up. but it's not so simple as all that. ] And more than enough credits to look after myself.

[ from inside the locker, she produces a bottle of something amber-coloured. and two glasses. ]

[speedboat]

I'm not surprised in the least. [ he offers her a fond smile, though it falls apart a little behind his eyes. ]

[mucked]

You'll get there. [ she pours him a glass and holds it out on offer. ] Won't take you long -- an enterprising man such as yourself.

[speedboat]

[ there's gratitude in his eyes, for the drink and for the words. he takes it and downs half the glass before speaking again, eyes lidding a little from the sensation. ] Oh yeah, this is hitting the spot.

[mucked]

[ peggy nearly smiles. ]

It does the job. As does nearly all else found within the fleet. We're well looked after, in one sense or another.

[speedboat]

[ he nods slowly, wondering what peggy really means by that. it can't be easy for her, being filmed all the time. ] Except when they freeze our accounts -- is that about the size of it?

[mucked]

Precisely. Yet they still feed us. Clothe us, albeit badly. Let us talk freely with one another -- if not confidentially. Hooks and strings with every gift, my friend.

[speedboat]

[ howard nods again, a little stiltedly this time. downs the rest of his potion. ] You know I never have a problem speaking freely, Carter. [ esp not with her ]

[mucked]

And so perhaps you ought to develop one. Quickly.

[ they can't say just anything with so many ears possibly listening it. ]

[speedboat]

...I can't make any promises. [ but he can try. he shakes his glass sadly. empty :( ]

[mucked]

This isn't some tabloid hack listening in, Howard. This is some malevolent organization. We can't let them know too much.

[ at this point, she just passes him the bottle. ]

[speedboat]

[ oh thank god. he takes the bottle, topping his glass up to nearly overflowing and sipping off the rim. ] Is this something I need a cheat sheet for?

[mucked]

Let's hope it doesn't come to that. [ ... ] Discretion, Howard. That's all I ask.

[speedboat]

Discretion. [ he repeats it like it's the first time he's heard the word. ] Whatever you say, Peg.

[ to anyone else it might be dismissive. to peggy it means he'll defer to her until he gathers enough intel for himself. ]