Once again James smiled. Not much more than a quirk of the lips, but even that wasn't something he did anymore for anyone but Len. Smirked sometimes, yes. Expressions that looked like a smile but could only be described as grim or dark, absolutely. But a genuine smile? Peggy had no idea how rare that was.

And would be horrified if she did realize, probably.

"Thanks for not shooting first and asking questions later," he replied, tone dry but no longer gruff or unsteady. "I'm sorry you're gonna have to do this. I promise you, it is worth it. For me, at least. And it's my choice." He shook his head. "Even if I'd known what was coming, even if I didn't know I'd end up happy with how it fell out... I'd still have chosen to go with Steve, to be there at his back while I could be. Tell him that, when it happens. It won't help much, but even a little is something."