[ Tony expects him to leave - not just now, but in general, and he’s convincing himself that it would be better. He’s used to his absence now. He doesn’t need him, he tells himself. It’s better if he goes.

But then he’s leaning in, and Tony’s too surprised at first to react. It’s not until Steve is close and he feels the warmth his body is emitting that he realizes how cold he is despite the heated blankets, and it feels like he’s getting lost in that familiar warmth all over again.

Still, he reminds himself, this isn’t real. Not in the way it matters. Steve could be gone later, or tomorrow, or next week, and no. He can’t do this again.

Tony doesn’t hit him, but he does try to push him away. There’s hardly any strength behind the motion, and it’s hard to tell if it’s because how weak his body is or if it’s because he actually wants this. ]

I can’t do this, Steve. I can’t do this again, I can’t handle this...whatever our relationship turned out to be twice.