[ She chuckles softly at his request, not nearly loud enough to bleed through the helmet, but he might feel it against his back or with the way her fingers press into him for a moment. She could start humming it as they drive, and maybe she does a little, just for the hell of it. There are a number of places they could go in New York City, including well out of it if they were in the mood. But it becomes quite clear halfway through the trip that they're headed towards the beach and, more specifically, one of Steve Rogers' childhood haunts.
It isn't until she pulls the helmet off and runs her fingers gently through her curls that she says: ]
I've never been here. [ She leans over his shoulder to peer at him. ] Did I ever tell you that? I couldn't, after. [ After they lost him. It wouldn't have felt right. ] I imagine you guessed as much at some point.
[ As soon as he gets his helmet off, he takes a deep breath of the familiar salt-scented air and the nostalgia hits him square in the chest. It's bittersweet, to be coming here again after so long and with Peggy. More sweet than bitter. Holding his helmet on his lap, he turns his head a little so their cheeks almost brush, and the smell of her perfume mingles with the brine.
He smiles despite the twist of something else in his chest. It's not sad, exactly, but close to it. ] I might've figured as much.
[ He turns a little more to face her better; there's still a red smudge on the tip of his nose. ]
But I used to think about bringing you here, after the war. I know I never told you that. [ He didn't have the guts, back then. Or maybe he just didn't dare to hope out loud. His smile is a touch self-deprecating. ] Like a proper date.
[ Well, that smile just won't do. She slides off the bike so that he doesn't have to twist all the way round to face her when she does this — which is give him a proper kiss now that he's clear of his helmet, wipe that smile right off and replace it with something better. Happier. They're already people of the past living in the future; there's no need for them to dwell on where they came from any more than history does. At least, not this very moment. (They can never forget.) ]
It still could be a proper date. [ She leans back a little, dark eyes warm and soft, and she reaches up to rub the pad of her thumb over his nose to get the lipstick off. Then his lips, too. ] After all, the war is over and you have brought me here. Sounds like it went all according to plan.
[ She breathes in the salty tang in the air, the breeze still clinging to the coolness of spring and the sun warm on her skin. Perfect. ]
So? [ She bites her lip around a grin. ] Going my way, Captain Rogers?
[ The kiss effectively disperses any black clouds hanging over Steve's head, and when he smiles this time it's free of sadness. (He doesn't say Bucky falling from the train was never part of the plan, nor him crashing the plane into the ice, nor Bucky coming back as a brainwashed assassin nor Howard's death and Peggy's disappearance. The weather's too nice and Peggy's too radiant for dwelling on the past.) He drops his hands from where he'd placed them on her waist when she kissed him, then swings off the bike and locks it up with the helmets.
His heart flutters like a bird in a cage at the sight her biting her lip. It's funny how, after all that happened, she can still make him feel like the luckiest man on earth. ]
Just so happens I am, Agent Carter.
[ He offers her his arm. ]
Let's see how much this place has changed in seventy years.
[ While he locks up the bike and helmets, she unties the scarf at her throat and neatly reties it in her hair, careful to leave her curls intact. This is more than either of them could have dreamed, really, finally being together in a world that isn't so determined to keep them apart and working together on equal footing. The circumstances are never entirely ideal, but given the lives they've led, this is just right. Her laugh is a soft breath, never anything louder than a chuckle in her proper English way, and she takes the offered arm gracefully. ]
Not too much, I hope. [ She teases as they walk, searching the clear blue skyline for that infamous Cyclone. ] Because I fully intend to hear all about your adventures over lunch.
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no subject
It isn't until she pulls the helmet off and runs her fingers gently through her curls that she says: ]
I've never been here. [ She leans over his shoulder to peer at him. ] Did I ever tell you that? I couldn't, after. [ After they lost him. It wouldn't have felt right. ] I imagine you guessed as much at some point.
no subject
He smiles despite the twist of something else in his chest. It's not sad, exactly, but close to it. ] I might've figured as much.
[ He turns a little more to face her better; there's still a red smudge on the tip of his nose. ]
But I used to think about bringing you here, after the war. I know I never told you that. [ He didn't have the guts, back then. Or maybe he just didn't dare to hope out loud. His smile is a touch self-deprecating. ] Like a proper date.
no subject
It still could be a proper date. [ She leans back a little, dark eyes warm and soft, and she reaches up to rub the pad of her thumb over his nose to get the lipstick off. Then his lips, too. ] After all, the war is over and you have brought me here. Sounds like it went all according to plan.
[ She breathes in the salty tang in the air, the breeze still clinging to the coolness of spring and the sun warm on her skin. Perfect. ]
So? [ She bites her lip around a grin. ] Going my way, Captain Rogers?
no subject
His heart flutters like a bird in a cage at the sight her biting her lip. It's funny how, after all that happened, she can still make him feel like the luckiest man on earth. ]
Just so happens I am, Agent Carter.
[ He offers her his arm. ]
Let's see how much this place has changed in seventy years.
no subject
Not too much, I hope. [ She teases as they walk, searching the clear blue skyline for that infamous Cyclone. ] Because I fully intend to hear all about your adventures over lunch.