Yelena’s draped across the worn armchair like a cat who owns the building. You’re curled up on one side of the couch with a throw blanket over your knees. Across from you, at the dining table, John Walker is… reading. You didn’t even know he owned a book.

He’s hunched over something, jotting down the occasional line with mechanical neatness. The quiet scribble of pen on paper is the only real sound.

Yelena suddenly sits up, pointing a single, accusing finger at John.

“You wear glasses.”

John doesn’t look up. “What?”

“You’re wearing glasses.”

You blink. She’s right. You hadn’t noticed, not really. They’re matte black, low-profile, definitely not the kind of glasses meant to stand out. But now that you’re paying attention, they’re unmistakable. Square lenses. Sits just a little low on his nose.

You stifle a laugh. It’s not even funny, but something about how serious he looks while reading like he’s decoding a secret op file just tickles you.

Yelena smirks, clearly delighted. “Oh, I love this.”

John finally glances up, adjusting the bridge with one finger like this is all very normal. “They’re reading glasses. Relax.”

John’s jaw clenches like he’s resisting the urge to argue further. He looks directly at you, probably hoping for backup. Bad idea.

Because now that you’re really looking, they suit him. A little too well. The glasses add something softer. Or maybe just unexpected. You can’t help yourself.

“You look like a very intense college professor.”

John squints at you, unimpressed. “A what?”

“Keep your secrets, Professor America. I’m going to bed,” Yelena says. She gives you a subtle wink before disappearing down the hall, leaving you and John alone in the low light.

A beat of silence. You glance at him again. You gesture toward the abandoned book. “What were you reading?”

He hesitates for a second, just long enough to be suspicious.

“It’s history,” he mutters.

John clears his throat and shifts like he’s going to stand, but then he just doesn’t. He stays there.

“Well. You want to learn about the First Gulf War?” He asked. And you couldn’t tell if he was being or joking.