Work Text:
July 4, 1958
The fireworks exploded with a bang above the neighborhood, and from inside, Daniel flinched. Peggy rounded the corner from the kitchen and sat down next to him on the couch, gently nudging a mug of warm tea into his hands and then snuggling in close, laying her head on his shoulder. Daniel sighed and leaned his head on hers, enjoying one of the rare moments they got to spend cuddling like this, only for another firework to explode, causing him to jerk away as his brain conjured up images of the frozen Ardennes and tanks and trees exploding around him.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured to Peggy, but she only placed a gentle hand on his cheek and tipped his face so he was looking right at her.
“Daniel, we talked about this. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for.”
“But I feel like I’m ruining the holiday. I should be out there with the kids, enjoying the show, and you shouldn’t have to be cooped up inside with me. It’s been almost fifteen years, I don’t know why I’m still so bothered. Clearly you aren’t.”
“Daniel. Every person is different, you know that, and your response is only natural. Besides, I might not be bothered by fireworks, but other things still bring back memories for me as well, you must know that. The crackle of a radio, for instance, or a car backfiring in the street. Healing takes time, darling, and it can’t be rushed.”
Peggy’s gaze turned even fonder. “And you most certainly are not ruining my holiday at all. How often do we get a quiet evening just the two of us without the kids or work interrupting us?”
Daniel leaned over and kissed her gently. “I love you, you know that?”
“I love you too.”