[He could recall a little of how STRIKE operated as he was snuck into the Triskelion for his final mission before his death. The team had been very familiar with each other, but there had been a structure of command and everyone knew their place in the group. There was no questioning orders, but also, there hadn't been much in the way of warmth between them either. They were perhaps too geared up with Insight coming so close, and thus there hadn't been time to show any kind of protectiveness for each other. Or, as Rumlow said, HYDRA was not a place for protectiveness between men and women on the front line like that.]

I'm more important because I'm extremely valuable. [An attempt at some kind of teasing.] You're my commander, and you are my order. We do make a good team.

[He watched Rumlow's reaction carefully, gauging where it fell into truth. It wasn't that his commander had ever lied to him before, but this was a subject in which they had clearly been moving towards. His blue eyes fixed on Rumlow's gaze, and he slowly nodded his head, folding his hands together in his lap.]

I am, but I don't want you to put in more effort than you do now. [He dropped his eyes away and then shifted further back on the bed.] I'm... broken, I suppose. I don't react like you do physically. I don't want to disappoint you.