OOM: Peggy Carter. London, England, 1944.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

The local pub has an influx of Howling Commandos tonight. Steve doesn't always accompany them--beer tastes better here than it does at home, but that's still not very good--but tonight he has, and is smiling as Jones and Dugan compete in a darts contest that is not getting sloppier no matter how much they drink.

He glances at the door sometimes, just in case every new patron is a familiar face.

Comments

[howdoyoufeel]

Peggy entered the pub in a nice red dress. She was fully aware that many of the pub's patron's eyes were on her but she knew precisely where she was going. As much as she hated that type of treatment, she had learned to hold her own and would continue to do as such. She spied Steve and offered him a smile.

"Seems like everyone here is doing well this evening."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve stands--his ma raised him right--smiling too. "I think that's something I like about London," he says as he pulls out a chair for her. "The bombs may be falling but that doesn't stop the good times.

"Can I get you a drink?"

[howdoyoufeel]

"I think a beer will suffice. No need to make a show of things."

She offers a smile as she takes her seat.

"We always did know how to have a good time even with, or perhaps in spite of, our stuffy demeanor."

She offered a wink and the smile just grew. She always was no nonsense. She drank what the men drank and often put them in their place when necessary.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

He goes to the bar and returns with two full mugs.

"I don't doubt that. My grandparents would disapprove, but I do enjoy the English sense of humor."

[howdoyoufeel]

"I'm pretty sure there are a great many who would disapprove of the things I have done and do in my life. Yet that has never stopped me or lessened my respect for my elders."

She's poking fun a bit. She holds up the mug in a salute as she takes a swig of the beer and pats the foam from her upper lip. Quite the image there but still a modicum of a proper lady.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"They were from County Kerry," Steve replies, smiling still. "It has nothing to do with you being a woman who wears lipstick and everything to do with being English."

[howdoyoufeel]

At that Peggy let out a laugh,

"Of course it does."

She's more surprised that she didn't think of that, but then in the world they live in, it was a reasonable conclusion on her part.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Next time I get R'n'R I may take a trip up that direction. I'd like to see it."

He sips, contemplative.

"Would you like to come with me? Separate rooms and everything, of course. I wouldn't want anyone to think..." He stops, blushing slightly.

[howdoyoufeel]

Peggy laughed a little as Steve got flustered but she was flattered by the invitation.

"I think I'd like that. Quite a bit actually."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Good, great," says Steve and has a drink.

"I mean, you've already seen Brooklyn."

[howdoyoufeel]

"I've heard it's quite beautiful there. Politics aside and everything."

She takes a drink herself and thinks for a moment.

"Just let me know when and I'll be there. Yes, I have seen quite a bit of Brooklyn. Might be nice for a change of pace."

She was always there for Steve no matter what and that wouldn't be changing any time soon. Not if Peggy had anything to say about it.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I've heard that too. First-hand, though. My ma was a little girl when they emigrated, and my grandparents considered themselves Irish to the end.

"It probably won't be for a while. We haven't gotten more than a day's R&R for a long time."

[howdoyoufeel]

"Yes, we've all been pretty busy lately."

She's not upset. In fact, she's quite happy to be a part of this world and to be working out in the field. It was a rare chance and she was always one to seize those bulls by the horns.

"Let's make it a date, then? A promise that when we have the time."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"A promise," Steve agrees.

He looks around them for a moment. No one seems to be listening to them -- still, he leans forward and says in a low voice, "Can I confide something to you?"

[howdoyoufeel]

Peggy breathed out for a moment and then answered simply,

"Of course, Steve. I would think we've been through enough that that would no longer be a question."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles to himself. Quietly, "There's a lot about me that I don't tell anyone but Bucky.

"I'm...actually dating someone."

[howdoyoufeel]

There's a moment where Peggy takes a moment to process this. It wasn't as if she ever saw Steve with any other women. She's quick to push it back inside though and she brightens. They had been through too much together and Steve was probably the only person who although he got flustered, respected her skills in and out of the field.

"Oh now?"

She forces a hesitant smile.

"Who is she?"

She's cautious. More than likely very naive sounding.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"A musician," Steve says. "Greek.

"And a he."

[howdoyoufeel]

Right, Peggy. It take her a moment to process just what she was being told. At first, a wave of sadness. She does have a crush on Steve ever since that car ride just before he became the man he is now. That indomitable spirit was something Peggy knew all too well. Then a wash of confusion and then comes the realization that above all else, the man she cared for /trusts/ her enough to even tell her this. She smiles. It's not forced. Although the moment may seem a bit awkward as she isn't quite sure what to say, she is genuinely happy.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles back, hesitant.

"I know it's not what people expect from me. I know people think a man like me is automatically not to be trusted.

"But it doesn't change anything about me, loving him."

[howdoyoufeel]

"And I'm sure it doesn't change what Dr. Erskine saw in you."

She knew that. Steve was Steve. No question about that.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I hope not," Steve says quietly, but his shoulders relax a little.

"I haven't felt different since I met him. Just...more myself, I suppose. I understand things more than I did before."

[howdoyoufeel]

"Will you be bringing him to County Kerry then if we have our R&R then?"

She does want to meet this man. After all if he caught the eye of Captain Rogers then he must be someone special.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve shakes his head. "Technically he's...not in the country," is how he decides to explain it -- and since Orpheus mentioned this when he lived through the war in his own timelines, Steve adds, "He's involved with the French Resistance. I don't see him that often."

Also true, given the whims of the Milliways door.

"Maybe when the war's over I'll take him there."

[howdoyoufeel]

Peggy frowned for a moment. It can't be easy being apart from someone who understands you so well for so long.

"I'm sure he'd love that."

She smiles again and then takes another drink and thinks for a moment.

"Thank you for confiding in me, Steve. It does mean a lot."