Clint swallows and lets that offer sit in his mind. They've already passed the trust exercise as far as violence goes. It's this, the tenderness, that is really tripping them up. Or just him, maybe. He would absolutely trust Steve to do that. Does he need it?

Deep breath in, enough to press the ribs out, and deep breath back out. Another pat. Just seems casual and figuratively safe that way. "Let's settle in like this for a bit first, okay? Put a pin in it."