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IC Inbox - Entranceway
Obviously I'm not here right now, but leave a message and I'll--listen to it. Eventually.
Obviously I'm not here right now, but leave a message and I'll--listen to it. Eventually.
[ she wants to argue. sharp little rejoinders sit on the back of her tongue, telling him that no operative worth his or her salt would ever stand in a kitchen and consider themselves truly unarmed. everything is a weapon -- down to wooden spoons and one's own fists. but it's not a lecture he needs. nor, she suspects, is it one he wants.
now mightn't be the time to play "her" agency against his team, his organization, his training. although the barest hint of it seems to suggest she's come to embrace at least part of her fate as shield's first director. no matter what happens to it.
instead, he shifts focus onto tonight. peg chews the inside of her cheek for a moment before replying: ]
I haven't said otherwise, have I?
[ not at all. but she knows she's burned through two disappointments on that front. she knows that if he asks, even smugly, then it's because the question is a fair one. ]
now mightn't be the time to play "her" agency against his team, his organization, his training. although the barest hint of it seems to suggest she's come to embrace at least part of her fate as shield's first director. no matter what happens to it.
instead, he shifts focus onto tonight. peg chews the inside of her cheek for a moment before replying: ]
I haven't said otherwise, have I?
[ not at all. but she knows she's burned through two disappointments on that front. she knows that if he asks, even smugly, then it's because the question is a fair one. ]
[Yes, well. The last thing had been thinking like in those moments was an operative. His head had felt like a shipwreck, the victim of too many memories crashing in as angry waves. But the heart of the matter is that in those moments, he’d not been worth his salt in the least; he’d been broken, pulled in during a time of deep and unrelenting despair, when his will to fight at all had been nearly extinguish.
His ire those days reserved only for Gideon; she was the only one who could hear him; the only one to make demands that he attempt to be better.
And Peggy’s right; Rip doesn’t want her lecture anymore than he’d desired those from his AI.
Instead they focus on the present—or the pending future, as the case may be. In truth he means no ill-will with the question, nor even a lack of faith. It’s simply that, on thinking about it, Rip finds himself rather excited for the evening to come. Eager to see it start.
Oh, he’s really stuck in it, isn’t he?]
We’ve got some time yet before you’re due to arrive. [Assuming she doesn’t change things up; Rip absolutely would not put it past Peggy to show up early or late now that he’s typed out the message he has, just to defy his expectations. Except--] Any requests?
[For music, for whiskey, for some sort of baked treat should she elect to be so bold. Normally she trusts the selection of such things to his care, but! He’s feeling generous at the moment—and perhaps a touch eager to make the most of her clearly good mood.]
His ire those days reserved only for Gideon; she was the only one who could hear him; the only one to make demands that he attempt to be better.
And Peggy’s right; Rip doesn’t want her lecture anymore than he’d desired those from his AI.
Instead they focus on the present—or the pending future, as the case may be. In truth he means no ill-will with the question, nor even a lack of faith. It’s simply that, on thinking about it, Rip finds himself rather excited for the evening to come. Eager to see it start.
Oh, he’s really stuck in it, isn’t he?]
We’ve got some time yet before you’re due to arrive. [Assuming she doesn’t change things up; Rip absolutely would not put it past Peggy to show up early or late now that he’s typed out the message he has, just to defy his expectations. Except--] Any requests?
[For music, for whiskey, for some sort of baked treat should she elect to be so bold. Normally she trusts the selection of such things to his care, but! He’s feeling generous at the moment—and perhaps a touch eager to make the most of her clearly good mood.]
[ -- her first assumption, easy and warm, is that he might be about to invite her over a bit earlier than usual. we've got some time, he says. we've. incidental if rolled off the tongue, perhaps, but it grows into something more so long as it's part of a tapped out message.
good god, it's been so very long since she was a part of a proper we.
but her assumptions are knocked off-kilter when he follows up the statement with a question. what, has she got any requests? is he truly giving her carte blanche, to ask for whatever she might want? and, for a moment, she thinks it's a baited hook.
so she goes big: ]
Supper wouldn't go amiss.
[ as requests go, it's rather bolder than a baked treat. she must indeed be riding high on this particular victory. ]
good god, it's been so very long since she was a part of a proper we.
but her assumptions are knocked off-kilter when he follows up the statement with a question. what, has she got any requests? is he truly giving her carte blanche, to ask for whatever she might want? and, for a moment, she thinks it's a baited hook.
so she goes big: ]
Supper wouldn't go amiss.
[ as requests go, it's rather bolder than a baked treat. she must indeed be riding high on this particular victory. ]
In my defense, you were kinda evil before that. But see? No hard feelings. And, for the record, we would not be friends period if you had ever did that to me, on account of you running up your death tally.
But that's not the point. The point is Peggy and Cap and you feelin' like a third wheel and me feelin' like a buddy of mine is probably a completely different person now.
But that's not the point. The point is Peggy and Cap and you feelin' like a third wheel and me feelin' like a buddy of mine is probably a completely different person now.
Oh, I don’t blame you for it. [Rip could hardly be mad, after all, when he was all too aware of the logic Rocket spells out. It’s the sort of understanding that allows for their comradery—or whatever Rocket wishes to label it.
That, and—apparently—the lack of kidnapping and murder. Rip supposes that might likely contribute as well, yes.
But then Rocket stubbornly returns to the point, leaving Rip to frown before tapping out a reply.]
I get the impression I’m rather meant to be supportive here, despite the fact that I've spent the last several hours rather actively avoiding feeling anything beyond a mild buzz. [Lies. He's totally plastered.] But he’s likely not that different from the person you knew.
That, and—apparently—the lack of kidnapping and murder. Rip supposes that might likely contribute as well, yes.
But then Rocket stubbornly returns to the point, leaving Rip to frown before tapping out a reply.]
I get the impression I’m rather meant to be supportive here, despite the fact that I've spent the last several hours rather actively avoiding feeling anything beyond a mild buzz. [Lies. He's totally plastered.] But he’s likely not that different from the person you knew.
[It’s not the answer he’s expecting at any rate. Oh, the fact that it’s food doesn’t come as a surprise at all; Peggy’s got a voracious appetite to say the least, and during the times they’ve dined together, he’s often found her helping herself to his portions right along with hers. Rather, it’s that further step forward now that they’ve become that proper we. A dinner cooked—a real and true meal, one Rip puts together rather than pulls from the closets. Of course, Peggy’s not gone that far in her description, but she needn’t to for Rip to read between these particular lines.]
Supper is something of a vague notion, you realize. [A case of the jitters would be utterly unfounded here; he’s already professed his love to her, after all, heard her belief that she too might feel the same. They’ve shared sandwiches and fried fish, battled on a playing field of nachos with spice as their ammunition. This is only new territory in the most minute of technicalities. Certainly nothing to let loose butterflies within him—and yet here they are, as for a moment Rip swears he cannot recall how to make a single damn recipe that doesn’t involve some sort of sweetened batter.
He could practically make a cake in his sleep—and given how drunk he’d been while learning, it’s entirely possible that he has. Yet a true and proper meal for the two of them to share--
Bloody hell; it’s utterly ridiculous. There’s only one solution then.]
But I suppose I can make do, if you can’t decide on anything more specific.
[Put the onus entirely on Peggy in such a way that she somehow loses some of that victorious air should she leave things entirely in his hands.]
Supper is something of a vague notion, you realize. [A case of the jitters would be utterly unfounded here; he’s already professed his love to her, after all, heard her belief that she too might feel the same. They’ve shared sandwiches and fried fish, battled on a playing field of nachos with spice as their ammunition. This is only new territory in the most minute of technicalities. Certainly nothing to let loose butterflies within him—and yet here they are, as for a moment Rip swears he cannot recall how to make a single damn recipe that doesn’t involve some sort of sweetened batter.
He could practically make a cake in his sleep—and given how drunk he’d been while learning, it’s entirely possible that he has. Yet a true and proper meal for the two of them to share--
Bloody hell; it’s utterly ridiculous. There’s only one solution then.]
But I suppose I can make do, if you can’t decide on anything more specific.
[Put the onus entirely on Peggy in such a way that she somehow loses some of that victorious air should she leave things entirely in his hands.]
Well. As you're so eager for more direction...
[ peggy isn't ordinarily someone who employs dramatic pauses in her text messages. but she makes vicious use of one now -- leaving the first part hang and dangle while she pretends (or maybe doesn't pretend) to weigh all possible meals. ]
It's been a dog's age since I've had a carbonara.
[ not since the liberation of rome, in point of fact. ]
[ peggy isn't ordinarily someone who employs dramatic pauses in her text messages. but she makes vicious use of one now -- leaving the first part hang and dangle while she pretends (or maybe doesn't pretend) to weigh all possible meals. ]
It's been a dog's age since I've had a carbonara.
[ not since the liberation of rome, in point of fact. ]
[There’s a pause meant to torture, to tease those nerves that she might well suspect have already been rankled in him. But the thing about pauses is that they give someone long enough to think, to react, and right as she sends her message about the carbonara, Peggy would equally receive one about her earlier commentary:]
Written as if you might somehow be reticent to give it.
[Direction, when they both damn well know that Peggy would rather take the lead more often than not. She’ll do things her way, thank you very much, damn what anyone else might think of it—and it’s a trait that leaves Rip both charmed and vexed in equal measure.
…Most days.
But! The request has been made. A carbonara, something Rip’s never made, although he’s at least familiar with it. Just as fortunate is that it’s a quick dish, meaning he’s got a bit of time for trial and error.
Not that he’s about to let Peggy in on that.] I think that’s something that can be managed. [Ideally those won’t become his famous last words, and he keeps his phone nearby while he summons up a book of recipes from his closet.
Multitasking also being something he can manage.]
Written as if you might somehow be reticent to give it.
[Direction, when they both damn well know that Peggy would rather take the lead more often than not. She’ll do things her way, thank you very much, damn what anyone else might think of it—and it’s a trait that leaves Rip both charmed and vexed in equal measure.
…Most days.
But! The request has been made. A carbonara, something Rip’s never made, although he’s at least familiar with it. Just as fortunate is that it’s a quick dish, meaning he’s got a bit of time for trial and error.
Not that he’s about to let Peggy in on that.] I think that’s something that can be managed. [Ideally those won’t become his famous last words, and he keeps his phone nearby while he summons up a book of recipes from his closet.
Multitasking also being something he can manage.]
[ oh! she'll show him just how reticent she isn't. ]
Dessert, too.
[ although there's something to be said about the way they both play into each other's hands, again and again. there is no final score between them. rather, they have an ongoing tally of notches made. sharp, but loving. it's been that way since the beginning: a defeat is only a new position from which either of them might launch some fresh brave attempt or countermeasure. ]
Unless that's too overwhelming an expectation. In which case, leave pud to me.
[ careful, careful. there's a catch here. there has to be. because there's no flipping way peggy carter is going to bake anything. ]
Dessert, too.
[ although there's something to be said about the way they both play into each other's hands, again and again. there is no final score between them. rather, they have an ongoing tally of notches made. sharp, but loving. it's been that way since the beginning: a defeat is only a new position from which either of them might launch some fresh brave attempt or countermeasure. ]
Unless that's too overwhelming an expectation. In which case, leave pud to me.
[ careful, careful. there's a catch here. there has to be. because there's no flipping way peggy carter is going to bake anything. ]
Edited 2018-08-02 22:33 (UTC)
Eh, speakin' as a selfish a-hole, you're allowed to wallow if you d'ast well feel like it, so long as you're not drunkenly invading her space and, I dunno, doing all that weird human dude posturing.
[Humans are weird, man. And they call themselves the superior species. Clearly, whoever says that has never met two men twitterpated over the same girl.]
And he may be, but he don't know me, and in case you haven't realized this, I am an acquired taste.
[Humans are weird, man. And they call themselves the superior species. Clearly, whoever says that has never met two men twitterpated over the same girl.]
And he may be, but he don't know me, and in case you haven't realized this, I am an acquired taste.
Rest assured, I’m doing quite the opposite—despite everyone’s opinion that I should act to the contrary.
[Yes, most people have been insisting that he should go talk to Peggy, tell her how he feels. As if she might not know—as if the situation isn’t already difficult enough on all of them.
As if she wouldn’t tear him up and down and likely hit him herself should Rip do something as foolhardy as try to fight Steve Rogers for her.
But some truths do come out. Rocket’s lack of faith, for example, being rooted in himself rather than Steve.]
Do they have the expression about pots and kettles in space? [Just curious. But it’s also unimportant in the grander scheme, and Rip sends his next message in short order.] If there is one thing to remember about the people here, it’s that they will often surprise you in their tastes. No doubt Captain Rogers is the same.
Besides. Acquired is hardly the same as terrible. Alcohol is an acquired taste—and a damn good one when you do get it.
[Yes, most people have been insisting that he should go talk to Peggy, tell her how he feels. As if she might not know—as if the situation isn’t already difficult enough on all of them.
As if she wouldn’t tear him up and down and likely hit him herself should Rip do something as foolhardy as try to fight Steve Rogers for her.
But some truths do come out. Rocket’s lack of faith, for example, being rooted in himself rather than Steve.]
Do they have the expression about pots and kettles in space? [Just curious. But it’s also unimportant in the grander scheme, and Rip sends his next message in short order.] If there is one thing to remember about the people here, it’s that they will often surprise you in their tastes. No doubt Captain Rogers is the same.
Besides. Acquired is hardly the same as terrible. Alcohol is an acquired taste—and a damn good one when you do get it.
[And dessert! Directions seem to have shifted to demand, and while Rip remains confident enough in his ability to bake at least, what she offers up after is a curious consolation. Peggy decidedly doesn’t cook; she’d called making a simple chicken salad far too much effort for him to make, and more than once she’s told him that she’s a disaster in the kitchen. What then would she be planning, with exclusion of the most obvious route—one that Rip takes care to rule out in his next reply.]
Nothing just wished up from the closets. You’ll at least put some effort into it.
[She’s got something in mind, he’s sure. And likely to his downfall, Rip finds himself to eager to know just what it might be.]
Nothing just wished up from the closets. You’ll at least put some effort into it.
[She’s got something in mind, he’s sure. And likely to his downfall, Rip finds himself to eager to know just what it might be.]
The closets will have absolutely nothing to do with it.
[ a bold vow! but she makes it all the same. under the caveat, of course, that all basic ingredients must have been sourced from the closets in one fashion or another. once upon a time. and he's not to know this, being nowhere near her person, but his careful hemming-in of what she's allowed and isn't allowed actually makes her smile.
grin, almost. because he's said nothing that'll impede her particular plan. ]
An effort will be made. You have my word.
[ however, in this instance, an effort is best defined by a judicious visit to the cafe to raid whatever they've got left. even in this, she finds a way to delegate the work to him -- albeit before this conversation ever took place. ]
[ a bold vow! but she makes it all the same. under the caveat, of course, that all basic ingredients must have been sourced from the closets in one fashion or another. once upon a time. and he's not to know this, being nowhere near her person, but his careful hemming-in of what she's allowed and isn't allowed actually makes her smile.
grin, almost. because he's said nothing that'll impede her particular plan. ]
An effort will be made. You have my word.
[ however, in this instance, an effort is best defined by a judicious visit to the cafe to raid whatever they've got left. even in this, she finds a way to delegate the work to him -- albeit before this conversation ever took place. ]
[PEOPLE ARE WEIRD. And also Rocket is the least likely to ever confront his feelings about anything at all, unless he has no choice. Avoid and hopefully it'll go away. That's his motto.
Which is what he's doing with Cap.
So, of course, Rip calls him on it. And, of course, Rocket deflects.]
I can't believe you just compared me to alcohol.
Which is what he's doing with Cap.
So, of course, Rip calls him on it. And, of course, Rocket deflects.]
I can't believe you just compared me to alcohol.
[He’s not got it figured out at all when she makes her promise. All it tells him is that whatever she’s up to, he’s not set a limitation that would stand in her way. Curiouser and curiouser; she’s set the trap, and Rip knows as he types in the next text that he’s stepping right in the middle of it.]
Then I suppose I’ll see you for dinner.
[With carbonara made (and all evidence of failure hidden away), and Rip even dressed up a touch! Not so far as suit and tie, but he’ll be wearing a bit more than his typical t-shirt when she arrives. A nice button down and slacks, decent shoes not dirty from treks outside.
They are having a date, after all. A real date. Just the two of them.]
Then I suppose I’ll see you for dinner.
[With carbonara made (and all evidence of failure hidden away), and Rip even dressed up a touch! Not so far as suit and tie, but he’ll be wearing a bit more than his typical t-shirt when she arrives. A nice button down and slacks, decent shoes not dirty from treks outside.
They are having a date, after all. A real date. Just the two of them.]
[ as usual and as expected, peggy lets herself in.
and she notices his polish from across the main room. the effort has left him still rather informal by her standards, but she isn't upset about it in the least. the shirt, the shoes, all of it must be deciphered in context. all of it must be compared against the baseline. she's glad he didn't try too hard to look too spiff -- surmising that he's likely already invested too much effort into the meal first and foremost.
for her part, she's traded in the skirt-and-blouse combination for a belted dress. a sort of rich teal, but it's nothing he hasn't seen before. this isn't a new dress. the pin in her hair (worn down, in looser curls than usual) isn't new either -- its sisters still live under the false bottom in his desk drawer. peggy hasn't 'stolen' them back yet.
she closes the distance between the door and him. and, without so much as a spark of hesitation, she catches him in a quick kiss hello.
...and then she places a plate on the table with what is roughly the equivalent of about, oh, three and half slices of key lime pie. ]
I'm particularly proud of the candied peel.
[ and, ironic implication aside, not a word of what she says is a lie. ]
and she notices his polish from across the main room. the effort has left him still rather informal by her standards, but she isn't upset about it in the least. the shirt, the shoes, all of it must be deciphered in context. all of it must be compared against the baseline. she's glad he didn't try too hard to look too spiff -- surmising that he's likely already invested too much effort into the meal first and foremost.
for her part, she's traded in the skirt-and-blouse combination for a belted dress. a sort of rich teal, but it's nothing he hasn't seen before. this isn't a new dress. the pin in her hair (worn down, in looser curls than usual) isn't new either -- its sisters still live under the false bottom in his desk drawer. peggy hasn't 'stolen' them back yet.
she closes the distance between the door and him. and, without so much as a spark of hesitation, she catches him in a quick kiss hello.
...and then she places a plate on the table with what is roughly the equivalent of about, oh, three and half slices of key lime pie. ]
I'm particularly proud of the candied peel.
[ and, ironic implication aside, not a word of what she says is a lie. ]
[He’s setting the table when she arrives, silverware placed just show, mentally debating if he dare go so far as to light a candle. He’s near decided that no, it would be too much when she all but dances in, giving him just enough time to get a good look at her—only her—before she claims his lips with a kiss.
A nice way to start their evening, surely—except even her good mood draws with it suspicion. While it would be sweet to assume that she might simply be happy to see him, the metaphorical “gun” remains unfired. Right up until the moment when she sets down the product of her efforts, at any rate.
Rip knows that pie. He knows that candied peel.
(His sugar had seized twice before he’d gotten it to work.)]
I can imagine why you would be. [So she’s figured out he’s the one who bakes for the shop downstairs. Deciding right then to forgo anything resembling decorum, Rip picks up one of the forks he’s just set down to stab off a bite of “Peggy’s” pie, popping it into his mouth as if he somehow didn’t know what it would already taste like.
He’s not just going to let her deliver his pie and eat it too.]
Oh, well. You’ve done a remarkable job, Peggy. Perhaps you’ll have to show me how it’s done; I’d love to watch you make another.
A nice way to start their evening, surely—except even her good mood draws with it suspicion. While it would be sweet to assume that she might simply be happy to see him, the metaphorical “gun” remains unfired. Right up until the moment when she sets down the product of her efforts, at any rate.
Rip knows that pie. He knows that candied peel.
(His sugar had seized twice before he’d gotten it to work.)]
I can imagine why you would be. [So she’s figured out he’s the one who bakes for the shop downstairs. Deciding right then to forgo anything resembling decorum, Rip picks up one of the forks he’s just set down to stab off a bite of “Peggy’s” pie, popping it into his mouth as if he somehow didn’t know what it would already taste like.
He’s not just going to let her deliver his pie and eat it too.]
Oh, well. You’ve done a remarkable job, Peggy. Perhaps you’ll have to show me how it’s done; I’d love to watch you make another.
[ there are hurdles ahead. peggy knows so -- particularly surrounding whatever issues (whatever symptoms!) might linger with fitz and how those might hamstring any progress. but for now, for tonight, she would rather celebrate. celebrate not merely the prospect of revisiting portal work, but also the simple understanding that a colleague (a friend) is back.
back in wonderland, yes, but back all the same. it's a tricky emotional tightrope to walk and she manages it by pouring a semi-malevolent attention onto rip hunter instead. rationalizing, and rightly so, that he can survive whatever she flings his way. the proof is in this very moment -- in how he meets the revelation of his own baking being passed off as hers. ]
Perhaps.
[ she echoes his own word, exposing how noncommittal the threat truly is. perhaps; someday; possibly. for her part, she chooses not to spoil her appetite with a matching bite. instead, peggy pulls out her own chair and takes a seat. as if she somehow knows better than to offer a helping hand in these last few moments before dinner is served. ]
Perhaps not. [ added with a smirk. ] Turns out I am dreadfully shy in the kitchen. I rather doubt I could so much as beat an egg with an audience.
back in wonderland, yes, but back all the same. it's a tricky emotional tightrope to walk and she manages it by pouring a semi-malevolent attention onto rip hunter instead. rationalizing, and rightly so, that he can survive whatever she flings his way. the proof is in this very moment -- in how he meets the revelation of his own baking being passed off as hers. ]
Perhaps.
[ she echoes his own word, exposing how noncommittal the threat truly is. perhaps; someday; possibly. for her part, she chooses not to spoil her appetite with a matching bite. instead, peggy pulls out her own chair and takes a seat. as if she somehow knows better than to offer a helping hand in these last few moments before dinner is served. ]
Perhaps not. [ added with a smirk. ] Turns out I am dreadfully shy in the kitchen. I rather doubt I could so much as beat an egg with an audience.
[In truth Rip can’t find it in himself to be too bitter over her bit of fun. Not when Peggy smiles as she does, and the brightness of her mood radiates throughout the room. It doesn’t mean he’ll simply take the loss, of course. Rather, he pushes in her chair once she’s seated, sets down the fork next to what will be his plate before taking the pie she’s transported back towards the kitchen where it was made. Dinner might not take long, but Rip wants to keep dessert cold all the same—and it gives Peggy those few moments more to play off any possibility of giving a demonstration by citing shyness, of all things.
Rip doesn’t bother to cover up the snort of laughter that follows.]
Shyness. Naturally. [Once the pie is safely stowed, he turns his attention to the stove where a pan has been left to stay warm. Lid off; the smell of fried pancetta and garlic wafts into the air, mixed with the deep rich scent of fresh parmesan.]
But not so much that you can’t explain your method. [In for a penny; Rip begins to plate each of their portions, a hearty share for each of them.] Starting, perhaps, with the number of eggs you cracked for this particular dish.
Rip doesn’t bother to cover up the snort of laughter that follows.]
Shyness. Naturally. [Once the pie is safely stowed, he turns his attention to the stove where a pan has been left to stay warm. Lid off; the smell of fried pancetta and garlic wafts into the air, mixed with the deep rich scent of fresh parmesan.]
But not so much that you can’t explain your method. [In for a penny; Rip begins to plate each of their portions, a hearty share for each of them.] Starting, perhaps, with the number of eggs you cracked for this particular dish.
[Dammit, Rip. Don't give him feelings.]
Keep that up, and you'll make me more of an arrogant shit than I already am.
Keep that up, and you'll make me more of an arrogant shit than I already am.
[ three, two, one -- he laughs. and peggy, left at the table, shakes her head. but it doesn't take long for her to twist around and drape her arms over the back of the chair. to watch him, ostensibly, while he plates up. ]
The recipe is tippy-top secret, I'm afraid. [ ... ] You haven't got the clearance and I won't crumble under questioning.
[ but all this tit-for-tat won't get her very far. rip hunter is certainly capable enough to meet and parry these sorts of deflections. no, if she wants to avoid fessing up to what they both already know is true then she'll have to stop deflecting and start disrupting.
so -- peggy tilts her head and changes the subject. tries to, at any rate. ]
Before you, [ she lobs a grenade into the kitchen, ] the only man who ever cooked for me was Howard Stark's butler. [ a thoughtful pause. ] And my brother. But he was more boy than man at the time. And I'm not convinced that spaghetti and Marmite counts.
[ not when there's a proper carbonara on offer. oof, the smell has her stomach near rumbling. ]
The recipe is tippy-top secret, I'm afraid. [ ... ] You haven't got the clearance and I won't crumble under questioning.
[ but all this tit-for-tat won't get her very far. rip hunter is certainly capable enough to meet and parry these sorts of deflections. no, if she wants to avoid fessing up to what they both already know is true then she'll have to stop deflecting and start disrupting.
so -- peggy tilts her head and changes the subject. tries to, at any rate. ]
Before you, [ she lobs a grenade into the kitchen, ] the only man who ever cooked for me was Howard Stark's butler. [ a thoughtful pause. ] And my brother. But he was more boy than man at the time. And I'm not convinced that spaghetti and Marmite counts.
[ not when there's a proper carbonara on offer. oof, the smell has her stomach near rumbling. ]
Edited 2018-08-15 21:35 (UTC)
[She’s not wrong to assume he’d come up with a retort; already the promise of putting her to task in a kitchen hangs on his lips, a torture made-up to exploit her self-proclaimed weakness. But Peggy’s quick to veer off in the way she wants to go. He doesn’t manage to get the words out before she continues on, bringing up Howard Stark’s butler and her own brother, and a dish that has him looking up with a small frown.]
Spaghetti and marmite? [Yes, out of all the things he might have plucked out from that little conversation, that is the one he goes with.] How is that even meant to work? Certainly I enjoy a bit of the stuff on buttered toast, but pasta—
[Uh oh. The tongs he’s been using to plate are being waived about rather than put to task divvying out their meal. Equally, Rip’s gaze has drifted upwards while he thinks about it, trying to piece together those two disjointed ingredients into one cohesive whole.
Well. At least Peggy can be contented by the fact that her distraction has worked?]
Spaghetti and marmite? [Yes, out of all the things he might have plucked out from that little conversation, that is the one he goes with.] How is that even meant to work? Certainly I enjoy a bit of the stuff on buttered toast, but pasta—
[Uh oh. The tongs he’s been using to plate are being waived about rather than put to task divvying out their meal. Equally, Rip’s gaze has drifted upwards while he thinks about it, trying to piece together those two disjointed ingredients into one cohesive whole.
Well. At least Peggy can be contented by the fact that her distraction has worked?]
[Turnabout is fairplay, Rocket. You brought all this up.]
I don’t know. A touch more of that sort of confidence might do you some good. [The kind that actually believes in himself and that he’s worthwhile, that is.]
It’s not often we are granted the chance to regain friends once lost, Rocket. Talk to him.
I don’t know. A touch more of that sort of confidence might do you some good. [The kind that actually believes in himself and that he’s worthwhile, that is.]
It’s not often we are granted the chance to regain friends once lost, Rocket. Talk to him.
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