（ ＶＩＤＥＯ ）

[uprightness]

Who: peggy carter, steve rogers and all of you guys

Broadcast:  amazingly, yes

Action: on the starstruck, if you're so inclined
When: current.

[ New Year’s Eve has come and gone without anything exploding or going awfully wrong and so today is just safe enough for something else. Steve Rogers doesn’t address the network for no reason, after all. Only today he keeps looking back and eventually, calls: ]

Are you really going to stay there throughout the whole thing?

[ There’s a flicker to Steve’s left: dark curls and a flash of a silk blouse as Peggy leans into view. ] Perhaps. After all, of the two of us, you’re the one with experience in addressing the public.

[ But! Fine! Here she is, framed beside him onscreen, and refraining from making any more jokes about the old USO show. ]

Very funny.

[ but he is smiling, small but amused. For all of his experience, he seems as if he’s been practicing his lines for this one broadcast. ]

I know some of you will say this is long overdue, but after months of asking, mostly on her part, I’ve said yes and we’ve decided to get married.

[ -- and that’s when Peggy slaps the back of her hand against Steve’s shoulder, hissing something (something for him alone) about twisting the truth and tarnishing her well-earned cred. ]

I mean, after a careful observation of mutual interests, we’ve decided to get married. What this is really about is a simple matter of proving me right. I’d like you all to tell her three weeks is a perfectly reasonable duration for a honeymoon.

[ She reaches for the device, tugging its focus onto herself. ] -- For God’s sake, don’t encourage him. We’ve only just got engaged; it’s far far too early to start discussing the rest. [ Aside, to Steve: ] I warned you when I agreed to this ridiculous message. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

[ But she’s laughing. ]

It's not getting too ahead of ourselves. Call it careful consideration of facts.

[ he'll reach out and close the device for the sake of this banter. ]

Comments

[mucked]

[ -- her chin drops. and peggy's smile is clear and earnest and real. ]

I suppose these things simply take time. [ certainly, rushing into it -- no matter how self-evident it must have been -- was never quite an option. ]

[outstandingbalance]

They do. And no need to rush—then or now. As long as you feel like you're making good use of the time you have.

[And waiting might have been the best use of that time.]

[mucked]

I admit I'm still not fond of a captain and first mate 'married team' -- but I imagine there are worse sins one can commit.

[outstandingbalance]

If there's anyone who keep that from impacting their judgment, I trust it's the two of you.

[A beat.]

Maybe just you.

[mucked]

Work is work and play is play.

[ -- that is, despite all the games and torment? there are some firm lines in the sand. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Well, I'm not sure about that. Sometimes mixing the two isn't all bad.

[mucked]

I'm aiming to retain at least an ounce of professionalism.

[outstandingbalance]

Peggy. I mean this with only respect: it might be physically impossible for you to lose your professionalism.

I don't think you need to worry about that.

[mucked]

-- It's been known to happen. [ she admits. ] But I'll admit it's easier to practice self-restraint here in the fleet than back home.

[ fewer assholes in need of an attitude adjustment. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Seems like back home might have different challenges to your professional demeanor.

By and large.

[mucked]

Most of those challenges weren't quite as good-looking, no.

[ most. the cheek on her. ]

Although many of them looked a damn sight better with a black eye.

[outstandingbalance]

That's a very different kind of temptation, though. I'm not entirely convinced you can't give someone a black eye in a very professional way.

And enjoy it.

[mucked]

I suppose that's a fair enough assessment. Violent planets aside, there's not a lot of that around here. [ a hum. ] I suppose I found it strange, once upon a time. That the crew here on the Starstruck was so obliging.

Now I'm simply grateful.

[outstandingbalance]

You're lucky to have them. Or, I'd say that, but you've done a lot to create the crew you have.

[mucked]

Good of you say it. But the truth is that I haven't had to do all that much. They're good eggs. Even the rotten ones.

[ a crinkle in her expression. ]

Max, however, has come a considerable distance.

[ and she will happily take some of that credit. ]

[outstandingbalance]

To be fair, you've recruited at least a couple of them. Even if you did need a security offer.

[Amused.]

I have to wonder what Max was like when he got here. I'm fairly sure he still thinks of me as that sneaky red head.

[mucked]

The man was half-feral to begin with -- and that was after arriving here not straight from his own tragedy of a world but with another stop in between.

[ she pauses, as though reminiscing. ]

I don't think I got more than five words out of him the entire first month.

[outstandingbalance]

Well, by that standard he's practically a social butterfly now.

[mucked]

He lets me use his name. That's miles and miles of progress right there.

[outstandingbalance]

I'd like to say we've all come a long way.

[mucked]

...I think that's a fair assumption to make. God, I know I have.

[ care to volunteer your distance, romanoff? ]

[outstandingbalance]

[If Natasha doesn't exactly volunteer, it's because it feels obvious. Surprisingly less painfully so than she might have expected, but obvious enough to sidestep.

Being opaque is a habit that's not easy to break?]

I suppose it shouldn't be surprising. I've been here for a year and a half all on my own. You and Steve, longer.

[To say nothing of Barnes.]

[mucked]

Certainly, if a couple years past someone told me I would end up engaged and announcing it? [ a huff of breath. ] I'd laugh them off their ship.

[outstandingbalance]

A lot can happen in a couple of years. I suppose I should have seen some of this coming.

[mucked]

Certain planets and surveillance aside, it's a rather civilian life. It makes a difference.