( She's here, at least, by whatever miracle this place offered. Now he has to keep it that way.
He's not so lost in himself he misses Sam's prevarication, either. Tony squints at him again, but doesn't push, and then it's his turn to look away, because Sam's gone and answered the very questions he's been desperately afraid to ask. If he lingers on it, that day comes rushing back: the stricken look in Rhodey's eyes, Peter's dirty, tear-streaked face, and Pepper's calm, quiet resolve. There were other faces in his peripheral, but he only saw them, kept seeing them every time he fell asleep, with Morgan right beside her mother, reaching for him as he can't reach for her.
His face splits into a trembling smile, and for a split second he feels everything in him well up once more. But he can't put that on Sam, and so forces himself into steady calm again. )
Yeah? ( his good hand finds Sam's again, closing his calloused palm over his knuckles. )
no subject
He's not so lost in himself he misses Sam's prevarication, either. Tony squints at him again, but doesn't push, and then it's his turn to look away, because Sam's gone and answered the very questions he's been desperately afraid to ask. If he lingers on it, that day comes rushing back: the stricken look in Rhodey's eyes, Peter's dirty, tear-streaked face, and Pepper's calm, quiet resolve. There were other faces in his peripheral, but he only saw them, kept seeing them every time he fell asleep, with Morgan right beside her mother, reaching for him as he can't reach for her.
His face splits into a trembling smile, and for a split second he feels everything in him well up once more. But he can't put that on Sam, and so forces himself into steady calm again. )
Yeah? ( his good hand finds Sam's again, closing his calloused palm over his knuckles. )
Thank you.