he who hesitates is toast

Steve isn't wearing body armor, and Steve doesn't have a metal arm, and Steve touches her now with only the intent to soothe and comfort, but she still stiffens for a moment before she relaxes and puts her arms around him in return. She can't break, not yet, but for a moment she presses her face into his chest, allowing a few shaky breaths with which to steady herself.

"He tried to kill you," she whispers back. "He didn't recognize your name, or mine, or Nat's... he – "

Her throat locks up, and she swallows, hard. "Somehow, he's part of all this. He's their weapon."