"I can't believe- after all this time they've never asked." Then again, he thinks about it a little. "I wanted to. But I didn't want to pry. I know how it feels to get asked a lot of questions you don't really want to answer."
But it's different with them, isn't it. Everyone fears him too- except Natasha. She doesn't fear him, in the same way he doesn't fear her. He's still pretty damn sure she can kick his ass, though.
"I think.... I think maybe he helped me too. Or- helped Steve helped me. Back when Pierce had me under his control." WHich he doesn't like to talk about either. But it's there, a part of his past. "I don't know what happened after that, but I pulled Steve out of the water, and... I knew it was all wrong."
He smiles a little when she leans into him, lifting his hand to brush through her hair. It feels natural. "Yeah. Maybe for once it can be, right? We're allowed to hope for things, Natalia."
Yeah it's been good!
But it's different with them, isn't it. Everyone fears him too- except Natasha. She doesn't fear him, in the same way he doesn't fear her. He's still pretty damn sure she can kick his ass, though.
"I think.... I think maybe he helped me too. Or- helped Steve helped me. Back when Pierce had me under his control." WHich he doesn't like to talk about either. But it's there, a part of his past. "I don't know what happened after that, but I pulled Steve out of the water, and... I knew it was all wrong."
He smiles a little when she leans into him, lifting his hand to brush through her hair. It feels natural. "Yeah. Maybe for once it can be, right? We're allowed to hope for things, Natalia."