[ Steve wishes it weren't the case, but he's all too aware of how there are at least two cameras filming this personal moment between them, broadcasting Peggy's justifiable breakdown to every high-ranked operative in SHIELD. This should be something they're allowed to do in private, and as much as Steve strives to forget that anyone else is watching this, it's hard to chase that thought from his mind.
Peggy. Peggy is all that matters right now, and damn all the rest.
His grip on her remains tight as a vice as she sobs against him, as if holding her closely enough will somehow make her safe, or undo all of the horrible things that she went through. As if his touch could heal. Maybe, over time, a combination of his touch and his words could mend some of those wounds.
Her tears are warm as they dampen his shirt, and she is alive, and she is real, and if Steve has anything to say about it then they will never be separated again. Bucky had been the first one to go into the ice. Then, Steve. Then, Peggy. Somehow two of them have surfaced again, and that must mean something; it must mean that this was meant to be in its own, broken sort of way. ]
Why are you apologizing? [ His words come out soft, barely audible. He doesn't want anyone else to hear. He moves his hand from stroking her hair to grip her chin, turning her tear-filled eyes up toward his. ] You did get away. You fought your way out. You did... you did better than any of us would have done.
[ Steve wants to move them somewhere else, maybe even back to his apartment, but he also doesn't want to overwhelm her -- and everything outside this building is going to be overwhelming. They'll do it at her pace.
He smiles at her, the lines around his mouth pulled tight. ] I wouldn't let them stop looking for you. [ It's not like the simple act of being reunited somehow makes everything better, but it does make the world seem a little brighter. Hopefully Peggy will come to feel that way too. ]
no subject
Peggy. Peggy is all that matters right now, and damn all the rest.
His grip on her remains tight as a vice as she sobs against him, as if holding her closely enough will somehow make her safe, or undo all of the horrible things that she went through. As if his touch could heal. Maybe, over time, a combination of his touch and his words could mend some of those wounds.
Her tears are warm as they dampen his shirt, and she is alive, and she is real, and if Steve has anything to say about it then they will never be separated again. Bucky had been the first one to go into the ice. Then, Steve. Then, Peggy. Somehow two of them have surfaced again, and that must mean something; it must mean that this was meant to be in its own, broken sort of way. ]
Why are you apologizing? [ His words come out soft, barely audible. He doesn't want anyone else to hear. He moves his hand from stroking her hair to grip her chin, turning her tear-filled eyes up toward his. ] You did get away. You fought your way out. You did... you did better than any of us would have done.
[ Steve wants to move them somewhere else, maybe even back to his apartment, but he also doesn't want to overwhelm her -- and everything outside this building is going to be overwhelming. They'll do it at her pace.
He smiles at her, the lines around his mouth pulled tight. ] I wouldn't let them stop looking for you. [ It's not like the simple act of being reunited somehow makes everything better, but it does make the world seem a little brighter. Hopefully Peggy will come to feel that way too. ]