[ He is such a dork and it's surprising how much she likes that about him. That he can be so serious and so heartfelt one moment, and then joking like this the next... It's nice. Really nice.

She flattens her hand out against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingers. Her eyes fall to that spot so she doesn't have to see his reaction to her next words. ]

I don't know what it says about me that I'd be comfortable with it right now, but it's true. I feel safe with you. [ Her fingers curl under into a fist, still resting above his heart. ] Maybe it has to do with how alone I feel in this place, and how I don't feel that when I'm with you.

[ She takes a quick, deep breath and keeps barrelling forward in her sudden introspective confession. ]

Ever since I joined SHIELD, I've lived with my team. I chose to stay here so I could be around other people; I haven't been on my own since just after Lincoln died. [ Those words come so much more easily than she ever thought they could. ] But the more nightmares I have... the more dangerous that seems.

I feel safe with you... [ Her voice breaks a little. ] But you might not be safe with me.