[... The last time he saw her like this, it was after the week with Tony Stark.

At her cold neutrality, he flinches. That cold neutrality, aimed at him. This time, he realizes, the comfort, peace, and certainty were not a love built up and stolen by the Malnosso in a week. They were the result her own faith in him, and he had nobody to blame for their painful, traumatic destruction but himself.

It was all he could do not to weep. He could not. He had no right. Not after...

... he had just wanted to protect her.

His voice comes out carefully neutral and distant as well.]

"... It was... a decision made partially motivated by a... concern of my own, and so it was not made with a clear understanding of the consequences it might have. I can offer no sufficient apology."

[He will not shed tears.]

"... Perhaps it would be best if I left you in peace for the time being. If you have need of me for any reason-"

[His voice wavers for just a moment, almost imperceptibly. He controls it. He has no right.]

"- let me know, and I will help you if I can."

[He will not weep.

He turns and begins walking off, forgetting entirely about the sticker lying on the ground in his wake.]