It's fine, as far as he's concerned. Dancing around the subject is nothing new for him, and he's done it dozens of times in just as many different circumstances. Steve doesn't know even a fifth of all the things Bucky had to do, and he's more than content keeping it that way. But the fact that he's face-to-face with one of those things right now? Well. It's going to make for a tense week.

He doesn't remember all of it, but he remembers enough of his time as the Soldier that the young, serious-faced Widow he was tasked with training has been burned into his mind. How could he forget? But for now, it's best not to discuss it. The fact that they were both used, and Natasha when she had been so young, makes him sick to his stomach.

He listens carefully at her explanation, nodding. That's fine; improvisation is nothing new, not with the kids of missions they usually run. He's worked with a lot less. "We'll make it work," he says with confidence; maybe that's kind of an annoying trait of his, because it might come across as a little overconfident-- or fake. Sometimes he has been given pointed stares by people who are aware of just how tense the situation is going to be.

"I'm fine," he says, tapping the side of his head for emphasis, a wry grin on his face. "Shuri's given me the all-clear." The girl may be young, but she's a genius, and he owes her more than he'll ever be able to articulate. And more importantly, she's not someone he underestimates-- it's the same with Natasha. "You ready?"

The words are casual enough, but he's watching her carefully as he talks. The second meaning left unsaid, Are you really okay with this?