[ proud. he tells her he’s proud. and—yes—peggy’s proud, too. she’s worked hard; she’s worked well. but she sees her work as less of an accomplishment and more of an imperative. ]
It needed doing—[ she answers with a lop-sided shrug. the ssr was rotting to its core, it had wasted the last of its integrity, and peggy wanted to build something better. ]
And I haven’t done it alone.
[ she’s quick to acknowledge the others who have put blood and sweat and tears into the organization. ]
[ steve thinks, this is where he wants to help. he doesn't ever want her to think he's saved the world while SHIELD mucked it up, not ever. mostly since he has always seen her as, well, an inspiration. so much of his decisions have been made with her in mind, what would peggy do or more like, what would she tell me to do. his smile softens, just a bit. ]
I just want you to know that.
[ especially given everything he still has to say. ]
no subject
[ he knows about HYDRA, too. He almost asks about Zola but decides to wait, to listen first. ]
How have you been with all of this? Founding SHIELD, being director. You know - I'm really proud of you. I should have told you sooner.
no subject
It needed doing—[ she answers with a lop-sided shrug. the ssr was rotting to its core, it had wasted the last of its integrity, and peggy wanted to build something better. ]
And I haven’t done it alone.
[ she’s quick to acknowledge the others who have put blood and sweat and tears into the organization. ]
no subject
[ steve thinks, this is where he wants to help. he doesn't ever want her to think he's saved the world while SHIELD mucked it up, not ever. mostly since he has always seen her as, well, an inspiration. so much of his decisions have been made with her in mind, what would peggy do or more like, what would she tell me to do. his smile softens, just a bit. ]
I just want you to know that.
[ especially given everything he still has to say. ]
that hasn't changed.
no subject
Alright. [ peggy hedges—all the sweet soft affection of their kiss draining away. only the spy remains. ] So what has changed?