it's dangerous to go alone take this...

                     SHE  FALTERS .     harsher  nature  with  other  was  really  only  natural  between  the  two  of  them ,     seemingly  coming  as  instinct  for  nadiya  to  resort  to  constructive  criticism  when  confronting  other .     she’d  never  thought  of  her  assessments  as  being  too  overly  blunt ,     &     other  seemed  to  take  to  them  well  enough ,      &     so  outburst  comes  as  something  like  a  surprise .     looking  back ,    she  supposes  it’s  foolish  that  it  does ,      but  nadiya  was  never  good  with  things  like  subtlety  or  empathy  or  knowing  when  she’s  being  too  much ,     too  rude ,     too  overbearing .     

                  ❛    I  WASN’T  TRYING  TO     —      ❜      stops  herself .      something  tells  nadiya  that  excuses    &     explanations  aren’t  going  to  remedy  this .     instead  she  stops ,     half  turns  to  meet  other  as  throat  clears .      ❛     i  don’t  expect  anything  from  you .     i  was  merely  observing .      we  all  have  ways  we  can  improve ,      you  know .      be  better .     well ,     most  of  us .     some  of  us     ?     a  good  quarter  of  this  team ,     anyways .      you    —    you  get  my  point .     ❜       explanations .      excuses .      it’s  true ,     she  knows .     still ,     nadiya  can’t  shake  feelings  of  guilt .      ❛      &    i  don’t  think  you’re  a  slacker ,     for  the  record .     i  think  you’re  not  applying  yourself .     you  can  be  better ,      make  this  team  better  if  you  just    …   tried .     —     oh .      hm     !     maybe  i  do  think  you’re  a  slacker     !      ❜     for  some  reason  she  doesn’t  think  she’s  making  this  situation  any  better . 

It always feels like he has to pass some test around Nadiya. It didn’t at first, and he... well he’s dealt with coaches his whole life, but it was always something new. How he ate, what he wore, how his work space looked... it was always something.

What ever emotion sat like a burning coal in the pit of his stomach cooled rapidly and he blinked back tears of frustration. “I... I think I’m pretty damn good at what I do, Nadiya.” he states then, looking up at her and somehow managing to keep calm. His hands shook and it was like falling face first into the water on live television again.

        ❛   REALLY  ?  BECAUSE  i  distinctly  remember  witnessing  your,  ah,  attempt  on  the  teleivison           i  had  wondered  what  had  happened  to  you.   ❜

“Well yeah... but I failed--”

"Listen! I get it!" Remy is a rambunctious person usually, but this? This is him yelling. He takes a moment to breath before putting his face into his hands.

"You think I'm a slacker. I get it. We can't all be like... a slightlt cooler Tony Stark, okay?" he questions. "I'm sure you have your own problems too, but get off my back... I'm doing my best, Nadiya." Remy's voice grows especially quiet now, and his usual happy go-lucky attitude fades around the rough edges.