As Steve was starting to close the door to the bedroom-turned-artist's studio, Peggy asked mischievously, "Steve, are you stepping out on me?"
His hand spasmed on the wood of the door, even as his heart felt like it was being squeezed in his chest; but Steve smiled and teased back, "Don't be ridiculous. You know you'll always be my girl." He gently latched the door (glad to see he hadn't damaged the wood), and took a seat at his desk.
"Captain Rogers, you are too charming by half. And I'm far too old for you."
"Well, if we're going by date of birth..." This was not the conversation he wanted to be having. He felt ugly even thinking it, but he didn't really want to be talking to Peggy at all. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk to her - but every time he did, he was reminded of the gulf between them that time had rendered.
Peggy, thankfully, saved him from having to try and steer the conversation around. "Yes, speaking of dates of birth. Happy belated birthday! I meant to call you yesterday to give my well wishes, but any sort of upset in routine throws everything around here into chaos. There was a barbecue, and then fireworks, and by the time I remembered, it was much too late to disturb you."
Steve couldn't stop his mind from flashing over the events of last night, and was immensely glad she hadn't called. Because even if he hadn't answered, it would have put a complete damper on the rest of the evening. At least his nightmare had waited until afterward to bring the mood down, and even then it was only temporarily.
"Thank you, very much Peggy. I appreciate the thought." He hesitated only slightly before continuing, "And of course, I always love hearing your voice."
"You flatterer. You are a dangerous man, Steve Rogers. Doubly so because I know you'll deny having any powers of charm."
"I don't!" he protested automatically, which in turn made Peggy laugh. Even as he reflexively smiled at hearing it, Steve bent his head and covered his face with his free hand.
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His hand spasmed on the wood of the door, even as his heart felt like it was being squeezed in his chest; but Steve smiled and teased back, "Don't be ridiculous. You know you'll always be my girl." He gently latched the door (glad to see he hadn't damaged the wood), and took a seat at his desk.
"Captain Rogers, you are too charming by half. And I'm far too old for you."
"Well, if we're going by date of birth..." This was not the conversation he wanted to be having. He felt ugly even thinking it, but he didn't really want to be talking to Peggy at all. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk to her - but every time he did, he was reminded of the gulf between them that time had rendered.
Peggy, thankfully, saved him from having to try and steer the conversation around. "Yes, speaking of dates of birth. Happy belated birthday! I meant to call you yesterday to give my well wishes, but any sort of upset in routine throws everything around here into chaos. There was a barbecue, and then fireworks, and by the time I remembered, it was much too late to disturb you."
Steve couldn't stop his mind from flashing over the events of last night, and was immensely glad she hadn't called. Because even if he hadn't answered, it would have put a complete damper on the rest of the evening. At least his nightmare had waited until afterward to bring the mood down, and even then it was only temporarily.
"Thank you, very much Peggy. I appreciate the thought." He hesitated only slightly before continuing, "And of course, I always love hearing your voice."
"You flatterer. You are a dangerous man, Steve Rogers. Doubly so because I know you'll deny having any powers of charm."
"I don't!" he protested automatically, which in turn made Peggy laugh. Even as he reflexively smiled at hearing it, Steve bent his head and covered his face with his free hand.