[Again, he just didn't have the heart to complain about language.Steve knew how disorienting on all levels news like that was and Peter was hardly old enough to be equipped to deal with it, no matter what he'd already been through. He wasn't really equipped to deal with it! Steve just sat there, content to wait until Peter could process everything, at least in the short term. It would take the kid a long time to work through everything, but he'd be there if Peter needed him.

When the kid finally spoke, Steve leaned in and patted Peter's knee, which seemed the safest place to touch at the moment. He didn't want the boy feeling completely adrift, and a physical connection would help with that, wouldn't it? It helped him . . .]


Hey, it's a lot to take in. We've got time. And most of us have been here a while. Months at least, according to the way this place keeps time. Clint is new though. He just got here. But the rest of us, we've been here a while.