The soldier forced himself to look away from Steve when the topic of him being a target was breached, and he clenched his jaw to remind himself to keep silent. But Steve's reassurance apparently wasn't enough for the engineer. He was used to being talked about while in the room and saying nothing, so he didn't bother to argue, though he was tempted.

He didn't flinch or blink at the snapping, but it did get his attention. Stark only wanted him to look at him and say it? Would that really get him to believe the soldier? It was worth a try, he guessed.

"I'm not..."

He paused, not daring to break eye contact as he wondered if the statement was true. For so long, he was HYDRA, and that was all he knew. In some ways he thought he must still be what HYDRA wanted, though he had no intention of doing as they asked.

He didn't know what he was, but he did know what he was doing.

"I'm not following HYDRA."