Chapter Text
Prologue
“Hey Uncle, it’s Angie.”
“Ah my girl, how are you?”
His deep voice, though velvety, was only slightly less terrifying than it had been when she was a little kid. Whether it was the glint in his eye, or the fact that she had accidentally seen him handle some pretty unsavoury characters with some equally unsavoury methods, was anyone’s guess.
“I’m great Unc, how are things with you?”
She had to tread carefully when asking for favours.
“Things are well, mio tesoro. Your aunt is planning to make her famous ravioli for dinner tomorrow. I trust we will see you there?”
“Of course, you know ma wouldn’t let anyone miss Sunday lunches.”
There was a strained smile playing across her lips. She didn’t know for whose benefit.
There was an awkward stretch of silence as she worked up the courage to ask for a favour and he waited for her to state the true purpose of the call.
Angie cleared her throat.
“So I was a’wonderin’, you know that stuff you used to find out who was tryna double cross you last time you had a gut feeling?”
“Yes.”
“Could I maybe, I mean it’s okay if you haven’t got any or somethin’, but have you maybe got any of that stuff left?”
There was a pause as he considered her request.
“Are you in trouble my girl?”
“Oh no, no. Nothing like that. You see… It’s my, uh, my friend. She thinks this guy is cheatin’ on her and she’s having a rough time so I thought I’d try to help her out.”
She held her breath and hoped she was a better liar on the phone than in person.
“I see. You’re a good friend.”
“A’course Unc, but it’s what anyone would do.”
She silently released the breath she’d been holding and grinned. One day she’d win an Oscar for sure.
“Not everyone is as good as mio piccolo angelo Angela.”
Angie let Uncle Dante hear her fake laugh down the phone.
“I’ll have a bottle for you by tomorrow. Perhaps after lunch when your ma is looking the other way.”
“Sure thing Unc, thanks for helpin’ me out.”
“No worries, mio tesoro. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya then.”
Angie hung up the hall phone about four seconds before Peggy waltzed around the corner looking a lot less beat up than usual. She was even smiling broadly as she caught Angie’s eye.
“Hey Pegs. Good day?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Pretty good week overall as it happens.”
“Well that’s a turn up for the books! Though I’m glad to hear it. Hey, fancy celebrating with a bottle of schnapps at mine tomorrow?”
“That sounds wonderful Angie.”
“Great, I’ll see ya around 7pm?”
“Perfect.”
There was a beat where they each went to their respective doors, before Peggy paused. Jarvis’ words played through her mind. It wouldn’t hurt to let someone just a little bit closer...
“Angie.”
“Yeah, English?”
Peggy hesitated. Whether to protect Angie from getting too close and let herself suffer, or let the innocent be enveloped in her own crazy world....
“Sweet dreams.”
“It’s seven o’clock grandma!”
Peggy outright laughed.
“Fine, I take it back.”
She stuck her tougne out at Angie, who couldn’t help smiling back. Peggy would be ashamed to say she got lost in that beaming smile for a moment, but honestly it was so damn close to a perfect, dazzling moment that she couldn't bring herself to care. Though she very nearly blushed at being caught, as Angie raised an eyebrow cheekily. She averted her gaze for a moment and was drawn to the sight of her apartment through the slightly open door. It suddenly felt very dark and big and empty in there. And Angie was standing right there all beaming smile and warmth and bubbly-ness. In the split second it took for all of this to happen, Peggy did something she very rarely did. Peggy Carter changed her mind. Maybe for just one evening...
“So would you say that’s still early enough to play some cards? If you’re not otherwise engaged of course.”
Angie pretended to consider the offer for a moment, meandering slowly over to Peggy and stopping just in front of her with an innocent look playing across her features, one that was quickly ruined by a truly smug smirk.
“I think I could spare some time to whoop your ass at Blackjack.”
Peggy grinned in return and pushed her door all the way open, gesturing for Angie to go through first.
“Oh, it’s on.”
A/N Mio tesoro: My treasure (an Italian term of endearment)
Mio piccolo angelo Angela: My little angel Angela