Between the two of them it doesn't take long before the armour loosens and shifts, but he doesn't immediately start pulling it off; instead he reaches up, and his hands hover just above Steve's. They radiate warmth in a way a human's absolutely wouldn't, but it isn't painful.

"There's no need to count yourself out just yet."

Giving comfort came so easily to him, once, even bitterly isolated and drowning in loneliness. Now, well - knowing what to say is one thing, but it comes out rough and awkward.

His head is still pounding.