Maybe he's not really doing Clint any favors, drawing attention to the fact that he is still a person, that he is still him just changed. Maybe he should stop not just creating space for there to be more, but almost demanding it.

But he can't just let Clint disappear entirely. Not into a global mission, not inside himself. Not when he's right there and in reach.

Steve has never wanted to touch anybody as badly as he wants to touch Clint just then. The position they're in stops him from doing it - can't do it easily so that means there's a gap to check himself - but God he wants to.

He puts the pencil down but doesn't close the book, just stays half pivoted so he can keep seeing Clint. Keeps a bit of a smile, but one that does actually reach his eyes. "So am I."