[After so long in the cold brutal environment of HYDRA, all of this could be overwhelming but wonderful. There were things that he remembered liking because Steve had re-introduced him to it, and it was easier to accept that he had once had a life with his mate before he had lost an arm, went to war, and became nothing more than a killer for political reasons rather than his usual natural ones. It was different, but now life with Steve was good. Now if only HYDRA and SHIELD would leave them alone permanently.

He was drying rapidly, the water absorbing into his scales as they began to soften with the water and be retracted into his skin. He leaned up and nuzzled Steve's face with his nose, nipping at the side of his friend's jaw before their lips met, and his arms tightened in response, protective.]

There is something... maybe someone... inside of me that isn't me. [He peered at Steve to judge his mate's reaction.] There were... experiments at HYDRA. There was a 'she' once, but she... died.