"'Find my center,' right," I cut in quickly, nodding, like what he's saying is perfectly reasonable. It's not, by the way. It's insane. Whatever he's said to the contrary, I suddenly don't buy that this isn't a little bit of good ol' revenge for getting him to pull those stitches last month. I mean, jeez, he's basically just asking for my permission to let him hit me!

"Right," I say again. "I'll just find my center long enough for you to punch me in the face, that's great incentive, Cap," I add, and in spite of my protests, I try to balance myself as best I can, adopting a defensive stance that'd be a lot better were I still on both feet. "Boy, I sure am glad I'm an Avenger."