“man,” John said with a half-laugh, “barnes really got john short end of the stick this time, huh?”

you didn’t look up. “what are you talking about?"

he shrugged, grinning like it was just another joke. “valentina’s sending him to Prague for that off-the-books recon shit. solo op, no backup. tonight, I think. hope he’s got his will written.”

The blood drained from your face. "what?" John blinked, caught off guard. “what? I figured you—”

“what mission?” you asked, voice brittle. yelena slowed as she approached, expression softening the second she really looked at you. “shit,” she muttered, shoulders slumping. “he didn’t tell you.”

you inhaled sharply, blinked hard, and turned for the door. “where are you going?” yelena asked, her voice soft now.

”to find him"

you were already sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows braced against your thighs, hands clenched so tight your knuckles were bone-white. you heard the soft rustle of fabric as he stepped inside.

”when were you going to tell me?" you whispered sadly, betrayed

his hands stopped moving. he turned slowly, eyes cautious, like he already knew. “s’just recon,” he said, voice steady in that way he used when he knew you were about to snap. “in and out.”