He looks at her with an almost total lack of comprehension. These modern values, these new views on things, they're always an adjustment process, like learning how manners were different or what was considered bad language in English. But this is a leap from where he's used to things being on this topic. It was always, always the fault of both people if they were men. That's why he never said anything to SHIELD. They asked if anything bad had happened off the records and this wasn't bad, this was his fault. His mistake. So he'd answered no and kept his shame to himself because that was how the world worked.

This is not how the world works. Dolemeck told him before 'it's not your fault' and it's just as surreal to hear it from someone in power who should know better. Those words are madness to him. But he knows the words 'internment center' all too well and their implications, so he know she's been through her own dark times, her own moments of terror. Whatever they are, they're hers in that horrible way his are his; trauma was an intricate and well-woven web never quite the same between two people.

He bites his lip again. "I don't want SHIELD to know. I don't want it on my files, please - it's too humiliating. If we do 'counseling'," and it's clear from his tone of voice he's not sure what that will entail, "will it go on my record? I can't have people know I - the whole thing is just - please, don't tell anyone."

His voice wavers, and cracks as he begs.