driftfleet | (no subject)

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(no subject)

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do they ever.

[ she nods. ]

Oh, I don't know, it's lovely -- I can't say I ever had a friend quite like that, before here. [ but that's not strictly true, so: ] Because I suppose older brothers don't really count.

[Natasha's friendships... well.]

I didn't before SHIELD. Honestly, even after. Not entirely sure you can have that kind of thing as an adult if you didn't start as a kid. You can make friends, but you don't have anyone who knew you back then.

Now, I must disagree. [ she thinks about howard, chiefly. and max soon after. these are two relationships that strike her as close to what she once had with michael as she might ever expect. ]

Romanticizing childhood friendships is just -- nostalgia. [ she eyes natasha for a moment, recognizing (perhaps) that there's no nostalgia there. not for that. ] Or worse -- seeing greener pastures where there never were any.

I'm not romanticizing them. [Just from the outside, looking in...] And I'd never look down on my friendships with Steve or Clint.

Just...

[Steve's words come back to her, from years ago, though the context is different.]

Shared life experience.

Yes. Well. I imagine you'll find very few whose life experiences overlap with your own. [ and the ones who do? peggy doesn't feel a whit of guilt when she thinks she hopes they never turn up here. although, that said... ]

Except I imagine Barnes comes awfully close. In some respects.

In some respects. And I think that helps sometimes. Maybe not always.

...As long as it washes out as more one than the other, I suppose.

Believe me, I'm not complaining. About any of it.

Oh, I believe you. [ no question of that. ] If you had complaints -- [ or more doubts than certainties ] -- then I imagine you wouldn't have risked broadcasting from his quarters, for one.

In my defense, I didn't think he'd be back quite so quickly. Usually his rounds take longer.

[Natasha smiles as she says it, though. It's true that if she was really concerned with hiding, she wouldn't have made the broadcast.]

He was early. And apparently not feeling particularly discreet himself.

[Which is something for Barnes as well.]

[ it's endearing, really. although: ]

Whenever anything like this happens -- any other couple dares display their affection over the network whether it be accidental or an announcement or what have you -- I'm stuck fielding Steve's puppy dog eyes for the next few weeks.

Now that one, I won't let you blame on me. That's between you an Steve.

[Natasha can't take responsibility for that man's puppy dog eyes.]

I respectfully disagree. [ she taps the table. ] Should I go home and find myself greeted by an interrogation on why he can't go interrupting my broadcasts, I'll know precisely who to blame.

[ but it won't be natasha, exactly. ]

Is that so? I'd respectfully say that if Steve interrupted your broadcast, he deserves what he gets.

[But both Peggy and Steve ought to know what they signed up for in this relationship by now.]

He most certainly would. [ deserve every last ounce of it. ] And all because it's monkey-see and monkey-do with Rogers and Barnes.

For what it's worth, I don't think Steve saw.

[And Natasha doubts it will happen again, though if it does... she's not inclined to discourage Barnes' impulse.]

If he did, I'll hear about it soon enough.

[ although perhaps not in so many words. the reveal will be slow and devastating and sly. the man had developed a talent for it, really -- and would likely turn around and blame peggy for setting an example. ]

Although it's also entirely possible he's too distracted by his baubles and his garland.

You don't approve? It doesn't seem so bad as a change of pace.

No, I approve. [ a heartbeat passes, and she clarifies: ] But if I approve too much and too loudly, the whole ship will wind up coated in tinsel. A bit of disapproval encourages moderation.

I can see how you might need that. Still... It's nice to see him having fun with something.

And I must say I agree wholeheartedly. So long as that fun isn't accompanied by glitter getting everywhere. The Starstruck's walls are shiny enough as is.

I doubt you're going to escape litter entirely. Maybe... light glitter.

[ such a long suffering sigh. ]

So long as he keeps it out of the bedroom and off the bridge, I'll live. Likely.

Not interested in some lights around the bed? Might set the mood.

[Lightly, teasing. Why wouldn't she?]

I'm of the mind that the mood can get set without help from strings of fairy lights and twinkling -- LEDs, is it? [ she raises her emptied glass, as though hoping some member of staff might come and top her up. ]

But Steve. [ she smiles. ] Steve is partial to candles.

[ there. that's it. there's no mistaking the playfulness there. ]