He squeezes back, smiling. It's still forced, but he's trying. The muscles of his mouth still feel disused; he's starting to get the hang of it, but it's tough. Steve is here, that's all that matters. He can do this job of a protective shadow. He'd do it without ever being asked.

"Not bad, for a guy who just came back from the dead. Could probably do with water, but that can wait." The answer is supposed to be playfully flippant, but probably comes across as too dismissive. Dammit, he's going to be as bad as Steve about this, isn't he? "What about you? You weren't in great shape when I found you."