Steve glanced from Natasha to Tony, jaw set. He still didn't know all of them that well, but he was starting to get fond of Romanoff, she might give off an air of being untouchable and mysterious, but she was kind underneath. He knew what that look meant, even if Tony didn't.

"Peggy, and she is still alive. I visited her last week at the Pine Crest Care Home."

Steve's voice was steady, not at all betraying how difficult it had been to come face to face with her once more. She had been just as beautiful as ever, her beauty had always shone through her eyes from her sharp intellect. But it had been awkward and painful, with an air of things undone and unsaid.

"And Bucky was my best friend, my brother, my-- he was the person I was closest to, he's pretty much the reason I went into Project Rebirth."

There was more to it than that, but Steve stopped there. Longing feelings, perverse feelings, should never be said out loud. He learned that a long time ago.

Loki's lips curved upwards, reading the subtext between the lines. "A favoured partner for bedsport."

Steve flushed, mouth gaping.