He tries to bury the feelings in food. Because it's there. Doesn't look at Steve, just keeps his head down and lets whatever he has to say wash over him. He sinks a little and a little more. Good? Never have been that good, even less so now. Worth effort? Definitely not. Good for Steve? Well, that's for Steve to figure, so he can't argue that.

Steve says the unspoken, and everything in his mouth turns to ash. It takes every inch of power in him to swallow it down in spite of that.

In one two three out one two three, just remember to keep breathing. He moves in slow motion, it feels like, when he presses his back against the wall behind him to aggravate the sting, breathe deep and steady to press that to his aching ribs. Maybe it's a little too long before he feels like he can speak. But he knows Steve will give him that space and that time because he's a good man and Clint can't find a reason to feel deserving of it.

"I was never going to be offended if you avoided me. I didn't want to be found in the first place, remember."