( nate listens as steve explains what's so different about him — what he had been picking up on but hadn't pried into his thoughts to see for himself and when he's told just what it is that makes him so different, he feels a pang of sympathy throughout him for steve. they called me a super soldier, like that's all i was resonates with nate in a way that hurts. to have been called a weapon himself — like that's all he was good or meant for... to think that steve had felt that sort of similar burden or wrongdoing of others towards him with thinking that way... it has nate relive the very things that he feels regarding that, even if the circumstances are a little different.

gentle, he reaches out and lets the tips of his fingers touch at steve's shoulder then, splaying them over until his hand slowly brushes over his shoulder blade and down the curve of his back. )

I didn't see a super soldier when I met you here. I saw someone with a strong heart who wanted to help people.

( he knows that song and dance himself because, like steve, he also wants to protect and help people. even if he's more reactive than proactive about it.

bowing his head, he presses a faint ghost-touch of a kiss to the other man's shoulder, letting the tips of his fingers run over his back in various shapes and patterns. )

I still see that even now.