[ he manages it before nate's pressing close, before their foreheads touch, and steve closes his eyes at the contact, reaching up to hold onto him. if he grips him tight enough, perhaps that would convince him to stay. to not be alone. but in the end, the way he touches him is gentle and fragile, nebulous like this very moment between them.
if he had the answers, this might have been easier. ]
I'll be fine, [ he promises, tipping his head slightly so their noses touch. steve can already feel the serum at work, how much more clear-headed he's getting by the minute. ] Don't wait too long to find me.
[ because he's going to worry. he already is, but even just this is almost enough to assuage it in the meantime. and rather than let nate go, he tries to pull him in closer with that same mindset that if he hangs on tight enough that he won't be alone when he opens his eyes again. ]
no subject
[ he manages it before nate's pressing close, before their foreheads touch, and steve closes his eyes at the contact, reaching up to hold onto him. if he grips him tight enough, perhaps that would convince him to stay. to not be alone. but in the end, the way he touches him is gentle and fragile, nebulous like this very moment between them.
if he had the answers, this might have been easier. ]
I'll be fine, [ he promises, tipping his head slightly so their noses touch. steve can already feel the serum at work, how much more clear-headed he's getting by the minute. ] Don't wait too long to find me.
[ because he's going to worry. he already is, but even just this is almost enough to assuage it in the meantime. and rather than let nate go, he tries to pull him in closer with that same mindset that if he hangs on tight enough that he won't be alone when he opens his eyes again. ]