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[deaddrop]

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[deaddrop]

So you and her were only together in this prison dimension?

[hypoxic]

No. But it might've been simpler if I could count on her having the shared experience. at home, she and I weren't on the best of terms.

[deaddrop]

Wait, you were together but not doing great?

[hypoxic]

We were separated. By seventy years, give or take. I'd been in jail before that.

[He clears his throat.]

I'd also tried to murder her before that. It's. A lot to come back from.

[deaddrop]

This is getting more and more complicated by the word.

[hypoxic]

If it's too much, we don't have to.

[He bites the edge of his thumbnail.]

Never sure which type you're going to be.

[deaddrop]

Which type of what?

[hypoxic]

Of you. I've met at least four of you. You don't always seem the type who'll have a conversation with someone like me.

[deaddrop]

[That might be true. Natasha can't speak for those other versions of herself, when they might have been from and what they might have been dealing with. It's not implausible she wouldn't be in a place for it.

Today, she's not them.]

The fact I'm here doesn't answer that question for you?

[hypoxic]

Easy to overstep an invitation. A conversation doesn't necessarily mean you'll start checking on me over your morning coffee.

[deaddrop]

Which is a little beyond what I'm planning today, but I asked if you want to talk.

[Opening the umbrella and shaking it out as they walk outside.]

Sounds complicated. I'm still good if you want to talk about complicated.

[hypoxic]

[He's quiet for a long moment as he follows her. ]

When you were with SHIELD, did you ever get to know Agent Morse?

[deaddrop]

Depends what you mean by get to know. I wouldn't call us close.

[hypoxic]

That's too bad. You and she can be a lot alike.

[It's a compliment, but about someone who legally doesn't exist anymore. He doesn't give details.]

[deaddrop]

What? You're not even going to tell me how you mean?

[hypoxic]

[The corner of his mouth turns up slightly.]

When I was injured at home, she would always keep tabs on me. Make sure I didn't get lost. I tried to do the same when she was on the mend.

[That doesn't exactly answer Natasha's question, but it's the answer he wants to give instead.]

I think it's important for people to stay together when they're pushed past their limits. We keep each other human.

[deaddrop]

[Far be it from Natasha to judge someone for wanting to control the narrative a bit.]

Is that something that happened often where you were before? People being pushed past their limits?

[hypoxic]

It could be, at times. But a bigger problem there was complacency. People would accept things. Stop trying.

[ he shrugs under his umbrella. ]

You built up a lot to keep people from settling.

[deaddrop]

Settling? You mean people getting too comfortable. Something along those lines?

[hypoxic]

Stockholm Syndrome doesn't take long to set in. You don't already see it happening here?

[deaddrop]

Not what I'd describe as Stockholm Syndrome.

[Which isn't the same as saying no, exactly. She's seen what she'd describe as resignation, acceptance. She's seen people who think they belong here.

She might even have been one of them if it weren't for a few details that keep her questioning. That and a suspicious nature.]

I've seen people who seem like they're prepared to settle in for the long haul, though.

[hypoxic]

Functionally, a lateral move. Pain makes people compliant. It's better for the forces at work here if we lose hope.

[deaddrop]

Fairly on brand if you believe we're in hell.

[hypoxic]

Still a rubbish belief to have.

[ So he hopes she doesn't. ]

[deaddrop]

[Jury is still out.]

Because you think we should be trying to get out.