While Steve knew, intellectually, that she was a mutant who had to hide her powers, he'd never seen them, or known any other mutants, so he didn't consider the fact that she'd understand just how frustrating it was to hide his full abilities. He wasn't really one to complain, anyway - well, most of the time, and not real seriously. He understood how life just dealt you a crummy hand, and you had to make do. But he also believed in doing everything you could to make things better. He just hadn't figured out how to do that, in his current situation, yet.

He loved it when she gave him small glimpses of her life before. He never really expected her to tell him about the harder parts, toward the end, but listening to the small stories and snippets she casually gave him, helped give him a more complete picture of who she'd been, what had helped shape her into who she was now.

"I'm not sure I really have a style," he replied, "but I'm a pretty fast learner." He'd picked up the shield and almost instinctively known exactly how to use it, and the first time he'd thrown it, it had come right back to his hand. Howard had been gobsmacked, which Steve still counted as a large personal victory. Not many people could render a genius completely speechless.

Steve rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "Don't take this the wrong way, but, uh... I've never fought with a woman, before. Sparred. I've never sparred with anyone before, actually. I kinda just jumped in the deep end." Story of his life, honestly.