All that derision in his voice makes her laugh, which she knows was the intent behind it to begin with. Steve's not the guy to look at anyone in any level of the military and say they aren't good enough simply because they aren't the best, like him. He could. He could pass judgement everywhere, tell people to suck it up, try harder, and he does, when it's needed, when it's necessary, but he's not the kind of guy who'd tell the men and women working their asses off that they need to be better.
It's something she loves about him. The way he appreciates people, all of them, for everything and anything they can do. Like they still manage to surprise him with their heroics and strengths and intelligence. If he holds himself apart from the rest, it's not for thinking he isn't in good enough company.
After all, he keeps finding her again, doesn't he? He respects the job, the uniform. People just trying to protect everyone else, or to make the world a better place. Optimism he doesn't always allow himself, but she sees it shine, now and again. More often, these days, with his team, their work. He's lighter now than she remembers seeing all that often. Smiles easier -- or, no. Not easier, but without the glaze of charm and disinterest that colored it so often before.
Maybe not today, but he's seemed pretty happy here, and that, in her opinion, is never a bad thing. Whatever he's doing is working, and he's doing good stuff, even if it's not the same as before.
Which just makes it all the more important that he not slide back today, into dark thoughts and old memories. There's a time and a place for that, but it's not in the brilliant island sunshine, when she's smiling at him, buckling the seatbelt across her hips and chest.
"Well, get her in gear, Commander, and let's get out of here."
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branchandroot
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Date: 2013-01-23 03:39 pm (UTC)It's something she loves about him. The way he appreciates people, all of them, for everything and anything they can do. Like they still manage to surprise him with their heroics and strengths and intelligence. If he holds himself apart from the rest, it's not for thinking he isn't in good enough company.
After all, he keeps finding her again, doesn't he? He respects the job, the uniform. People just trying to protect everyone else, or to make the world a better place. Optimism he doesn't always allow himself, but she sees it shine, now and again. More often, these days, with his team, their work. He's lighter now than she remembers seeing all that often. Smiles easier -- or, no. Not easier, but without the glaze of charm and disinterest that colored it so often before.
Maybe not today, but he's seemed pretty happy here, and that, in her opinion, is never a bad thing. Whatever he's doing is working, and he's doing good stuff, even if it's not the same as before.
Which just makes it all the more important that he not slide back today, into dark thoughts and old memories. There's a time and a place for that, but it's not in the brilliant island sunshine, when she's smiling at him, buckling the seatbelt across her hips and chest.
"Well, get her in gear, Commander, and let's get out of here."