driftfleet | ( open ) may-mingling for those struck by stars

[ oh? ]

What sold you?

[ -- unfair, perhaps, to ask. especially with a look in her eye that suggests it's not innocently asked. but peg turns to see herself in the mirror leaning above her desk -- twisting at the waist to gain another angle, another look, another view. ]

-- I like the color.

[ among various other things that he feels should be a discussion at the moment if things are to remain practical as they are and not escalate farther. he's still looking at her, out of the corner of his eye, shrugging a bit, appearing casual. ]

It suits you.

Of course it does. [ she's under no impressions to the contrary. peggy wouldn't have bought the dress in the first place had it not suited her -- that isn't how her wardrobe works. ] But alright. I'll go with this one.

[ when, almost too delighted: ] Now we know what you'll need to match.

Need to what?

[ he, apparently under the ( false ) impression that the chores of the day are over, had already eased himself for a bit of a rest, one arm resting behind his head and over the head. ]

I doubt they'll really care about that.

[ entirely unconcerned, it would seem. ]

You are my date, aren't you?

[ she raises her arms -- attempting (futilely, perhaps) to undo the zipper on her own now that the decision has been made. best save the dress for the weekend. ]

So you can't go in denims.

Why not?

[ a groan. he knew there was a catch, there's always a catch when the mood is this merry. ]

Oh come on, Peggy, no one would care what I'd be wearing. Judging by how they dress around here, it'd probably be considered as too formal -

[ and, mid-rant, he shifts and reaches over to help her. ]

So -- [ dear dear steve rogers, it's time you learned not to paint yourself into tidy little corners outlined in red lipstick ] -- you're saying you shouldn't err on the side of formal. The dress is too much. I should pick something else.

[ she leans into his help, head turning just enough to catch sight of him over her shoulder. ]

I never said that.

[ oh no. there won't be any way out of this one. he eases down the zipper, looks up at her with a bit of a long-suffering sigh. ]

You'd wear this one again. I won't be wearing anything too formal ever again. It'd be a waste. What I have will see us through it.

[ but even as he argues his point, he's already accepting the fact that it's not going to work. ]

[ her shoulders shimmy as the dress loosens. ]

A tie. At the very least, you'll need a tie. [ ... ] You did promise me I could make up a dress code for my first mate. I wasn't so drunk that I don't remember it.

[ every inch of him would like nothing more than tug her into bed and be done with this entire discussion but that is definitely a long shot. it seems that she is very set on this notion. ]

You know, I don't even have a tie.

[ he eyes her for a moment, as if listening to some inaudible conversation and then, the chips fall into place - ]

--- Everything costs a fortune out there. It'll be three times as much as it'd be anywhere else.

[ she hears what you're saying, steve. but: ]

I think you know we'll both be coming into some credits. Sooner rather than later.

[ it's almost calculated, really. the way she considers their ratings, their drama, even their argument. although none of it had been manufactured, peggy won't shy away from making use of the spoils. ]

-- alright.

[ when he caves, it's an affectionate, gentle notion. ]

If it means that much, I'll go and get a tie.

[ he really won't deny her anything. Especially not today. ]

[ but then -- leaning against his chest long before prying herself out of the dress -- she decides to make certain. ]

It's not really such a detestable thing to you, is it? [ she knows she can plough him over, at times. but steve's always been one to stand his ground when it needs standing. but just to be certain: ] Only it might be nice to see you dressed to the nines. Something new to look at it.

[ seeing as she already ogles his work out regimen. ]

Not at all.

[ he moves an arm around her waist. keeping her where she is for a moment or two longer, he kisses her cheek. ]

Once I stopped going to church, I never really had a reason for anything formal.

[ and he doesn't want to remember the last time he was at church. Not with her so warm and vibrant. ]

Guess things are changing.

A good dress -- or, in your case, suit -- in the wardrobe is just as necessary as a gun beneath the pillow. Frankly. [ be prepared.

she doesn't want to talk too loudly or too obviously about what might happen at the party, but: ] Speaking of guns, I should check to make sure you can't see the thigh holster too readily under this one.

[ he has a weakness for the thing but he tries to remain helpful in these preparations. ]

Should I zip it back up?

[ it'll need a bit of tugging upwards now, too, loose as it is. ]

[ -- despite context and closeness, there is now a distinctly professional edge to the proceedings. peggy sighs, reaching back to give his arm a light squeeze. ]

May as well. Don't want any surprises on the day. [ ... ] But I promise -- straight after, we'll go make the most of this one.

Stand still - I don't want it to catch the fabric.

[ there's something charming about this. He had undressed her, yes but this - pulling the fabric upwards, securing the zipper into place, this is all new. ]

Alright, let's see it.

[ wordless, she pats a hand against his chest before crossing to the room's far side. for her birthday, max had done her a solid and gifted a lovely leather holster which could (she realized) be strapped comfortably to the thigh. and that's exactly what she does just now -- lifting her foot up against the edge of their bed and easing the velvet up her leg until she can buckle it in place.

then, with a satisfying push, she holsters a very small and stealthy pistol in place. standing back (and letting the dress fall into place) she gives steve a testy little twirl. ]

I imagine the bump's visible, isn't it?

It's a bit too high.

[ it seems that when it comes to this sort of missions and although he divorced himself from the title, he can still be captain america, making sure his team was ready for whatever it is they were facing. ]

Lower it a bit, it might do the trick.

I could wear it below the knee, [ she admits. ] But I don't much care for the lack of stability. It might stay put better if I...

[ she trails off, bending at the waist so she can adjust the holster as it is -- edging it further down her thigh, but still above the knee. ]

Better?

[ it was. ]

Turn.

[ he takes a moment before nodding. ]

Can't see a thing. Is it comfortable like this?

[ -- she's half-way through her turn before she realizes he'd just as good as given her an order. and peggy, without thinking, had complied. it's a rare enough occurrence that a slight colour enters her cheeks. she barrels through it. hands on her hips, she looks prepared to go to work. not dance. ]

It's not ideal. [ hesitation. ] But it's not the worst holster I've ever had to wear under a skirt. I think it'll do for this weekend.

Are you sure?

[ peggy can take care of herself just fine, he's very much aware of that. Still, he will always be a bit worried, it would seem. ]

Not too late to go for the second one, if it'll make it easier.

The second one's considerably tighter. [ ... ] Unless you don't remember.

[ he'd had a lot to drink, after all. ]

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