[ He can’t help it, the kiss makes him cringe. It hurts, all this just hurts and for a moment it feels like he can’t even catch his breath properly. ]

You’re right. It is a lot to ask.

[ His voice is low, quiet as he lets his head sink back into the pillow. He huffs out a breath that’s supposed to be a sort of dry chuckle but it gets stuck in his throat. ]

If I didn’t, don’t you think I would have already kicked you out? [ He hates himself more than he hates Steve for it, but it’s the truth. And right now he doesn’t have the strength to come up with a lie. ]

...but I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you’ll stay, or that this will last.