Steve's inclination in a fight is to play for high stakes. It's served him well in a number of ways, not the least of which is how it leads his opponents to think he's more arrogant than he is. It's bound to catch up with him sooner or later (one might say it already did, with Thanos, but Steve is inclined to believe they were simply hopelessly outgunned in that instance), but if it doesn't catch up with him today, they'll be all right.
He's listening to Tony's reaction, though, just uncertain of himself enough to want the feedback, both spoken and unspoken. It says a lot that Tony didn't even start by giving him a you've-lost-your-mind glare. Of course, Stark plays high stakes, too.
"Might not be able to use our appearance to get there," he says, nodding back.
"Barton didn't tell me about it. He didn't want to talk, and I don't blame him. But he was debriefed, and Romanoff and I had a personal interest. We helped with cleanup. Where's the map, I can show you--"
He rifles through papers, jaw setting slightly as he lets the idea really sink in. It involves allowing a lot of deaths they could prevent. He doesn't much like that aspect, but it was his own suggestion. Playing God, picking and choosing who lives and who doesn't, makes it worse. And yet: "We better try and make sure Coulson lives. They're gonna need him."
Because after this, SHIELD is going to have to ferret Hydra out of itself, preferably without massive casualties. Steve can't help with that this time, although he has no doubt his other self will want to.
no subject
He's listening to Tony's reaction, though, just uncertain of himself enough to want the feedback, both spoken and unspoken. It says a lot that Tony didn't even start by giving him a you've-lost-your-mind glare. Of course, Stark plays high stakes, too.
"Might not be able to use our appearance to get there," he says, nodding back.
"Barton didn't tell me about it. He didn't want to talk, and I don't blame him. But he was debriefed, and Romanoff and I had a personal interest. We helped with cleanup. Where's the map, I can show you--"
He rifles through papers, jaw setting slightly as he lets the idea really sink in. It involves allowing a lot of deaths they could prevent. He doesn't much like that aspect, but it was his own suggestion. Playing God, picking and choosing who lives and who doesn't, makes it worse. And yet: "We better try and make sure Coulson lives. They're gonna need him."
Because after this, SHIELD is going to have to ferret Hydra out of itself, preferably without massive casualties. Steve can't help with that this time, although he has no doubt his other self will want to.