[Steve looks taken back. No one has asked that so far. He doesn't even think about it. It's business as usual for him. He looks visibly uncomfortable, but not unwilling to answer. Tony and Pepper are essentially a married couple in his eyes. He has no illusions about the fact that telling one is going to be the same as telling the other. He doesn't mind. Everything he reads about Pepper is positive unless it's blatantly misogynist. He knows she isn't going to judge him for not being on 24/7 as the ideal American hero who never gets sad.] No.

[He works his jaw. They're trying a new thing where they're being honest and upfront. Steve wants to honor that. Maybe, just maybe he wants someone to talk to as well. He is lonely.] I know if we sit on our hands and refuse to engage everyone will die. It's why I'm playing along. I've done this before. Saving some is better than none no matter how awful the death toll is.

[He swallows, looking anywhere in the room but, at them.] It didn't get easier with age.

[Sometimes it's easier to playing at being some old soul when you're still the same twenty-something that left for war.]