(no subject)

[outstandingbalance]

Who: Natasha Romanoff + you (+ maybe some Bucky Barnes)
Broadcast: Video
Action: Mostly no, but we could work something out.
When: Now

[The video feed start, focusing tightly on Natasha's face, the only visible backdrop a rather generic portion of cabin wall.]

So checking the date, seems like it's been a while. Nice to see everyone's back in the air. Hopefully in one piece. I see a few people have left.

Anyone want to fill me in on the important details? Or should we let sleeping dogs—

[The sound of a door cuts her off the, and Natasha looks up. Whoever she sees, her expression softens. She smiles slightly, lifting her chin slightly and turning her head to catch a kiss from some loser tall enough that only the lower half of his face makes it in the frame. The stubble on his chin and the shape of his mouth might be enough to identify him though.]

A lot of catching up to d—

[Suddenly the feed cuts out.]

Comments

private video »

[mucked]

Super soldiers.

[ she huffs the words, like the gentlest complaint. implying, perhaps, that the two women might share a strangely uncommon problem. it's the closest she's ever come to being kind about it.

-- but the last few weeks have done a lot to put things in perspective. ]

Nuisances, aren't they?

[ nuisances of the best order. ]

[outstandingbalance]

That they are. But... in his defense, it's been a while. And I fell asleep at an awkward time.

[Natasha's words are... maybe not as gentle, but something like it. She can't entirely hide her relief, even if she might have denied it.]

Think I'm not the only one who had that problem either, though.

[mucked]

I'm afraid our definition of 'a while' might be a little skewed at this rate.

[ -- dark jokes, yes, but it seems like the best tenor to hit. ]

But I'm glad for the two of you. That wait is a difficult one.

[outstandingbalance]

Can't blame me for not quite having as long a perspective.

[Natasha isn't one to be frightened off by a dark joke. She's seen worse. She's made worse.]

More difficult for him than me this time around. Seems like all his friends were unconscious.

[mucked]

Indeed. [ there's a little bit of stiffness, maybe. but that's only because peggy's left feeling all too aware that she and natasha are flirting with the edge of girl talk. it's a new development, and she's shaky with it. ] The timing was all a bit suspect.

I know the fleet could have used some of its heavier hitters.

[outstandingbalance]

Not sure I'd characterize myself as a heavy hitter.

[Amusement colors Natasha's tone. It's clear the comment doesn't come from having a low opinion of herself.]

On the other hand, I hear Kara was out of commission. Red sun and all. So there might be something to your theory.

[mucked]

I wish I could call it mere coincidence. But I can't, not in good faith.

[ a huff, a sigh, this is a dreary topic isn't it? so instead she shifts back to what's awkward but at least less life-threatening. ]

You know, if Steve pulled a stunt like that while I was recording? I'd find a way to leave a bruise.

[ -- less life-threatening. ]

[outstandingbalance]

[The life threatening part of the conversation might be easier. ]

I don't doubt you would. Somehow, I can't bring myself to discourage him though.

[And maybe she likes it herself. Likes that he's come so far and grown so much that he's comfortable letting people see him care. Not just her, or close friends, but anyone.

Not quite the same as Steve.]

Give them an inch, hm?

[mucked]

...And they'll run a marathon.

[ her smile is slow and earnest. ]

But they're damned useful on the chillier planets.

[ all that supersoldier metabolism running hot. ]

[outstandingbalance]

There's a joke in there about stamina that I'll be kind enough to ignore.

[But not kind enough to let slip past entirely unremarked on. Some things are too good to pass up.]

You know, I haven't had the pleasure yet. The last few planets have been either comfortable or exploding. Or both.

Maybe for Christmas?

[mucked]

-- You know, I don't think that quite counts as ignoring it.

[outstandingbalance]

I did ignore it. I just didn't ignore that I ignored it.

[mucked]

...Splitting hairs, don't you think?

[outstandingbalance]

I'm only so strong.

[mucked]

Unlike the pair of them.

[outstandingbalance]

They're only so strong too. I can think of a weakness or two.

[mucked]

So can I. [ breathe, peggy, it's okay to chat casually with another human being. ] Perhaps we'll have to swap notes. One day.

[outstandingbalance]

[Oddly, comparing that kind of note doesn't bother Natasha much. She's not particularly shy or uncomfortable with sex.

It's the feelings that might go with it that she's not so good with.]

Well, whenever you want. I'll buy the drinks.

[mucked]

I'd suggest sooner rather than later. But -- I suppose you may be occupied.

[outstandingbalance]

Oh, I imagine I'll be able to get away eventually.

[Said as though Natasha wasn't just as interested in catching up on lost time with Barnes as he was.]

I'm sure we could get make a visit to Jarvis's bistro, something like that.

[mucked]

Lord knows I could do with getting off the ship. [ ... ] Steve has hauled out the Christmas decorations. It's probably best if I'm not around when he starts stringing them up.

[ so, in the spirit! ]

Supper, then? Tonight.

[outstandingbalance]

Sounds like a plan. You can use me as an excuse for why you're not stringing popcorn.

[Amused by the image of Steve decorating for Christmas more than anything else.]

I'm sure I'll be starving.

[mucked]

[ her laughter is like gunfire. sharp and punctuated -- it comes in clusters and then stops all of a sudden. one of those rare earnest laughs from agent carter. ]

That is bound to put the fear of God into him. [ peg smiles. ] Save us a booth in the back.

[outstandingbalance]

Deal. I'll get you something to drink, if you're running late.

[mucked]

Bourbon. Neat.

[ which is as good of a farewell as any. although it's important to note that peggy doesn't run late. rather difficult to when the pair of them never actually set an exact time outside of some vague idea of supper. but she does stride into the bistro a little bit after natasha does, presumably because untangling herself from steve's decorating mania was a little trickier than first imagined.

she sinks into a seat across from natasha -- a firm nod for a hello. ]