He blushes. It's embarrassing, yes, but there's another part of him that chaffs under the question. What does it even mean to be popular with the ladies? Sure, there are plenty of women who have flirted with him, especially after the movies and the serials. When Captain America became a household name. But what does that matter?

It's talking to them that raises problems. And there's really only one woman he's ever been afraid of saying the wrong thing around.

"No one thought you could do it." He recognizes that smile. How many times has he worn it himself? His voice is calm and wry. "Until you showed them they were wrong."