Our appointment.

[Because it is not a date. They are not dating. Did Tony miss the part where Rip called them acquaintances twice?]

She's aware of how I address her, Mr. Stark. [And while she may indeed be screening him, sharp commentary isn't going to satisfy Rip just now—not from the way he frowns as he continues.]

No, but you do know her room number, so let's stop dancing around it, shall we? For some reason you've decided you don't care for me, which is fine as you're hardly the first. But given how she's spoken of you, I'm at least hoping you give a damn about her.

[Oh look. Tony isn't the only one who can act pissy about things.]

Enough to where you're willing to check and ensure she's--[here]--alright.

She's fine.

[ oh my god this is worse than steve. he actually misses steve now. ]

anything else? because I already listened to the audio version of Jane Eyre, I don't need this whole Mr. Rochester speech. I'm in the middle of something.

[So it would seem that Peggy's phone does work after all. What anger had been there fades from Rip's voice and his expression alike, though he doesn't exactly look happy either.

Even if he is on some level relieved.]

And that's all she said?

[That she's fine. Nothing else; no reason why, no explanation.

Just. She's fine, which leaves Rip nothing but his own speculations regarding what might have changed between them. Even after the other events, she'd still shown up.

Every time.]

I suppose there isn't. […] Thank you for checking.

She didn't say anything. I checked her room, she's fine.

[ and how did he do it without getting up? well. the iron man suit flies through the window. ]

That's what you wanted to know. I'm not having this conversation with her. She's my aunt, not my uh.

[ what was the word he used? oh yes. ]

acquaintance.

[ h u f f ]

--How did you check her room?

[Considering they haven't ended this conversation and Tony seemingly hasn't moved. Congratulations Mr. Stark on raising entirely new concerns about monitoring.

Because oddly enough, Rip rather easily believes him.]

Family business, I'm afraid. top secret, confidential.

[ what. if that guy can be an acquaintance than tony stark can pretend to keep a secret. ]

need to know only.

And clearly, I don't need to know.

[He's not happy with it to be sure—but assuming that Rip does have opportunity to speak to Peggy again, she might well deign to tell him. Or to give Tony Stark a piece of her mind, should she not care for his methods.

Who is Rip to say how it might play out?]

As you'd have it. So long as she is fine.

[It would have to be good enough.]

No, you really don't.

[ if tony stark introduces the suit to this person now, it would only bee in the shape of an iron punch to the nose. ]

But if I see her, I'll be sure to tell her a self-righteous asshole was looking for her.