Long overdue. He had no idea. She'd cried a few times in the lab, during the early days when she'd still had hope that her friends would come to save her, but after a few weeks she'd just been... numb. It was easier that way; it gave the more malicious guards and scientists less material to use against her in their taunting and daily harassment. All of them had truly hated mutants and felt righteous in their actions, and she still heard those cruel words and laughter echoing in her dreams. But now, here with Steve, there was someone who would hold her while she cried, who would remind her that she was safe and loved and would be protected, and that relief was exhausting in its strength.

It was good that he wasn't going to stop doing those little things for her, because she did need them. If his goal was to make her happy, then he'd only be able to really do so by helping her get past the trauma of her recent past. In time, he'd be able to accomplish that without even trying, but with a little effort, they'd get there sooner and with fewer emotional scars.

And then he surprised her with those beautiful words in that lovely Irish brogue, the sound of which simply took her breath away. Had that been how his mother spoke? It must have been beautiful to hear everyday. The lilt of the words warmed her inside, chasing away those lingering shadows, and she lifted her head to look at him for a moment before pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was full of pleading and need. She needed to lose herself in his touch, to be reminded of life and love and the possibility of true happiness.