Devil of My Word

Chapter Six: The Container

This was not how you wanted your morning to go.

"What made you think you'd get away with it?" You interrogated, staring down at your culprit.

"If you come clean now, I'll go easy on you. So, tell me. Did you eat... the chocolate cake?"

Peggy shook her head, her pigtail braids clipped neatly against her head. "No, Mama."

You stood up and slowly turned at the sound of suppressed laughter being covered by coughing, glaring at Steve.

"I'm sorry. It's just cake, Y/N." He snickered.

"Cake is not the point, Steve. This is about honesty and personal responsibility." You sighed.

"Fine. I got this." He patted your shoulder gently, to which you grabbed your coffee and held it easily in your fingers.

"Hey, munchkin. Do you remember when we had that talk and we said that lying is a really bad thing? Well, some of your birthday cake is missing. Now, I didn't eat it, and we know Mama didn't eat it, so... is there something you want to tell us?"

Peggy sighed, looking at Steve regretfully. "I ate it."

"Mm-hmm." He hummed in victory, turning to see you shaking your head.

"But Natasha said it was okay."

"Oh, really?" Steve questioned.

"She said, if you really want to do something, you should. And I really wanted to eat some chocolate cake." Peggy emphasised.

Steve faltered slightly. "Huh. That's... interesting. Why don't you go grab your stuff?"

You put your coffee down, a sixth sense in the back of your mind spiking as Steve turned to you once Peggy was gone. "I am so glad to hear that advice from Natasha, of all people, is on the personal responsibility lesson plan."

"Steve, it's not what you think."

He scoffed. "You know what, Y/N? Your private life is none of my business, but when it comes to Peggy - keep Natasha out of it." He spat her name like it was poison on his tongue.

You thanked whoever was up there that your phone rang. "Valeria. Yeah, yeah. I'll hold." You covered the bottom of your phone with your hand. "Okay, I get it Steve, but just don't forget tomorrow night's Taco Tuesday, okay?"

His eyes widened. "I can't do it."

"Why?" You hissed.

"I'm working a stakeout in Van Nuys." He shrugged.

You shook your head at him. "We agreed on planned family time so that Peggy can maintain some normalcy during the separation."

"I know, but... this is important. I don't have a choice, Y/N. This is work."

You rolled your eyes. "Yeah, I've never heard that one before." You got quiet at the sound of the officer's voice back on the line. "Yeah. Long Beach? Okay, I got it. Thanks."

You hung up, looking at Steve with disappointment. "You know, when she asks where you are tomorrow, I'll be sure to tell her that something important came up."

"Y/N, don't be like that..." He tried to grab your wrist but you were already out the door, almost slamming his fingers in the frame.

You would have been glad to hear his high-pitched whine of pain.

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The physical crime scene was minimal but the location was packed with cops confiscating illegal contraband from containers, checking the books to make sure everything was accounted for whilst you hovered over the dead body with a forensic.