Karen has always been so closed off, a hazard of keeping so many dark secrets. Part of her has always hated feeling so alone, wanting to reach out and grab companionship by the lapels and pull it to her. Still, life in Hell’s Kitchen is anything but easy and it’s much easier to accept being alone as the status quo of the world at large. Here with Bucky she feels anything but alone.

No, I—I don’t think I’ve ever felt as pretty as I do right now looking at myself through your eyes. She smiles sincerely. I can feel so many corners of your mind.

Brushing her hand back from his cheek, she allows her fingers to get tangled up in his hair. She runs her fingers through it, somehow not pulling or hurting, and finally just resting her hand at the back of his head.