"On formal occasions, it was 'Motherfucking Jackass, Stop That Now'," Maria offered, grinning. "Could have used the duct tape trick. I'd have had to write everyone up, but it would have solve several problems." Military units were families, and she knew better than anyone that no one fought like families. "I only learned his actual first name when I wrote home to his parents," she added quietly, fading as he did. And, shit, there were more condolence letters in her future. Command was hard.
Turned pensive and quiet, with that lingering edge of memory, she looked over at him as he started speaking, and resisted the urge to point out that the world probably knew of his affection for Captain America. He had something to say, and she got another rush of squishy feelings, and at least she could name the admiration and soft bemusement that swirled towards him. The mix, however was new, and that she didn't want to name. It was easiest just to do as his neighbor had done and call him a sweet man.
"I joined because I was promised a fight," she said softly. "The loyalty...that came after I stopped resenting orders. Swearing an oath meant something. I had a fight that mattered - fighting for a reason - and it meant something. Hell of a lot better than fighting for no reason. So I started fighting for my country, because I swore an oath, and I haven't stopped yet."