"You're probably right about that," he agreed with a chuckle of his own. Governments meant well, but they were never able to pull it off. Maybe it was because they were too big, too biased and divided, and too easily bought, but Steve honestly didn't care about the why. He cared that it happened, and people suffered because of it. "The Avengers, that's what we call ourselves now. We're trying to get it right this time." Hopefully they would.
"No wonder Howard wanted to found SHIELD. If the SSR was so willing to believe him a traitor, I could see him wanting to build something better," Steve mused, turning the ideas over in his mind. He'd purposely avoided more than the bare facts when it came to Peggy's past, since she was still alive to tell him. Personal details, recollection of events, it all mattered to him that it came from her, if she could provide it.
"There might've been a few wrinkles, but I wouldn't say 'old hag'. You're still quite a beauty," he promised. The Alzheimer's devastated him, but she didn't need to know about that. "You're still giving me advice, too. Wouldn't have made it as far as I have if it weren't for you." Steve gave her hand a slight squeeze before pulling away to take another sip of his tea.
"You'll like them, I'm sure, and I could always use your expertise too, Pegs." She'd been just as much a Howling Commando as any of them, as far as he was concerned. "The General Store's nice. Keeps me busy, and it's a little old timey, if that makes sense. It's something that we had way back when, even if the prices are a lot higher." He shook his head at that. Steve would never forget how shocked he was to discover how much a gallon of milk cost now. "You'll be a good detective. Plays to your strengths. You've always got an extra set of hands, if you need them. I'm good at following orders," he added with a grin. "Occasionally, that is."
It felt so natural talking with Peggy again, after all the time that had gone by. They'd make the most out of this, and whether or not he remembered, Steve didn't care. There would always be a part of him that would know, and that was enough.
[ooc: i think you can wrap it up? or we can end it here]