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[She stares back because uh, wow. He's not just teasing her, is he? Any person with half a mind knows when they're flirting at someone.]

That first time we were dancing, and I asked you about the girls you used to step out with.

I panicked.

[Might as well answer this honestly.]

You asked me about the other girls, but-- I don't remember them. I just answered on instinct, I guess-- I guess you're right, I was flirting. Sorry.

That makes sense. [That was still flirting, though.] But there have been other times.

Did you really not realize it?

I really didn't realise it.

[He's not sure if he should be pleased that parts of himself are coming back, or unnerved that he's flirting with Renart.]

It just seemed natural.

From what you've told me about yourself I bet it must be second nature, no matter what happens to you.

[As in, no matter what horrible brainwashing Nazi experiments he's gone through.]

You think so?

[Despite trying to hide it, there's a trace of hope in his voice.]

Do you believe that no matter what happens to someone, they'll always be them?

Maybe, maybe. I like to think I have parts of my fox self still in me, even though I'm not that same fox anymore. But humans have argued over the problem of identity over time for ages, and I don't think either side has managed to come up with an answer that solves that question.

[That's not the certain sort of answer he was hoping for, and his expression closes off just a bit.]

I guess it's something we all have to figure out for ourselves, huh?

[She feels a little bad she can't just give him some straight, simple answer, but that wouldn't be realistic.]

Sadly. I can recommend some reading material, if you're interested. There should be some titles in the philosophy section of the library.

Sure. I've read a lot about identity anyway, but none of it really-- it's not relevant to me.

[It's all too theoretical and philosophical, not practical advice for someone who's actually had their whole sense of identity stripped away.]

I'm sure I can come up with a few you'll like. Maybe they'll even be helpful, though I can't guarantee anything.

[She isn't a professional, or anything. Just very well-read.]

Anything not philosophical?

[She might be able to help more if he just told her the rest of his story, but he's not ready for that yet.]

I'll have to do some digging, but I think so. You wouldn't be the first human to have this kind of problem, even if the source of it is different.

[She highly doubts there are many nonfiction books about soldiers who were brainwashed into total identity loss and are now recovering. The closest approximation would probably be a medical issue.]

[He's the only one as far as he knows. Even the other Soldiers weren't brainwashed, they were volunteers from HYDRA's ranks.]

Don't ask other people.

[He doesn't think she would, but digging can mean asking around for help, and he'd rather not have his story spread even without names attached.]

What about John?

[She frowns at mentioning him, but continues on.]

Not that I'm planning on it, because I'm certain I'm capable of finding practical books, but on the very slim chance I get stuck.

[He is a doctor, after all. He might know stuff.]

[He hesitates a moment; not because he doesn't trust John, but because John's seen the movies and talked extensively to Bucky about this stuff, and might give away more than he's told to Renart already.]

I guess if you have to.

[He's not a very helpful patient.]

I'm not interested in magical solutions.

Alright. [She nods to both of those. John is a last resort, and magic is out of the question. She can work with that.] I'll do my best.

[And she sips her coffee.]

You know, if I'm not allowed to flirt you aren't either. Now that you know you're doing it.

[She's very good at surprising him, and that makes him smile all of a sudden.]

You might need to tell me when I'm doing it, then.

Now that's hardly fair.

[She huffs, but it's a good natured huff.]

If you do it and don't realize I won't be inclined to stop you.

Pretty sure that, right there, is flirting.

[Or at least bordering on it, insinuating that she likes him flirting. He's still smiling, though.]

[Yeah no it is definitely flirting. She waves a hand.]

No, absolutely not. Being realistic is not flirting.

Is that so? So I could tell you that you were pretty and it wouldn't be flirting?

[If she's going to do it, then he's going to test out if he can actually do it too, since she seems to think he has it down.]

[Oh that isn't fair. If he really wants her to quit then he's making it really, really difficult.]

Absolutely not. It would simply be stating a fact, that's entirely different from flirting.

Okay, noted.

[He glances up at her, smile tilting the right side of his mouth up.]

Then you should know that you're pretty.

[She lifts her coffee to take another sip but holds off on that, unable to keep herself from smiling back at him and giggling. Her tail flicks back and forth as she hums.]

It would be rude of me not to do this, so thank you. You're very handsome yourself.

[And she sips her coffee.]

That is also a fact and not the least bit flirtatious.

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