compelledtoprotect

He shook his head. Steve would try never to ask for it again, but just once more . . . He shuddered when James said the words again, the first time he'd ever heard them from someone the world wasn't just laughing at him with. He and Peggy hadn't said them in life, though they'd said them often enough on the island, where it didn't count. He'd known he'd never get them from Lucas either, much as his foolish heart had continued to wish. But James . . . James was different. He was someone that was real, not a dream, and someone who he could fight for and keep. He was a man Steve loved not despite all their differences, but because of them. They had something real and painful and glorious and fragile. It was everything he'd ever for hoped for really.

Steve's voice was choked when he managed to speak, glad that the water hitting them both could account for the few tears he couldn't hold back, "No. You wouldn't be you if you did that. I just had to hear it once when I was prepared, so I could remember properly." He was quiet for a few moments, hands tight on James before he managed to relax finally.

"I'm sorry you fought James. If I can help smooth things over, just let me know. But that's all we have to say on it. You're welcome as long as you wanna stay." Steve cleared his throat, pushing all the emotions aside for the time being. If James was staying a while, he could cry while the man slept, "I think I promised I'd wash you from head to toe, right? Close your eyes and I'll start at the top."