Yeah, Robbie said so. So I guess maybe it doesn't matter which of us got onto the team when, if the Avengers were a mess.

[He doesn't know what to think of that. If there's no big leagues to make it into, what is he even supposed to be aiming for? Especially if he's not even the only Nova or the only Earth Nova?]

[He squirms uncomfortably, and then realizes he's kind of being a jerk. This is just a kid, one that's even younger than he'd been when he'd gotten his powers.]

[Really, he's maybe been more of a jerk in general than he should've been. With his future self feeling the need to leave "open in case of jerkiness" notes, maybe he was onto something. He tries to stop looking at this as if Sam is trying to be his new and improved (and bitty) replacement.]

Sooo...if you're not my sidekick...

Is it a situation where I teach you stuff or something? I saw you mentioned in my letters to myself but it was mostly along the lines of what to say if I hurt your feelings somehow.

And a really dire warning not to call you short.

[Something he doesn't follow most of the time, but he figures his past self needs to avoid Sam's tiny rage.]