(don't they all feel that way, though? Sometimes Howard feels that way. They're not even close to winning yet. The bombs keep dropping and hope with it. It's soulcrushing, but Barnes at least is a point of light in the darkness for him. When they lose men, or cities are lost, he always goes to him. Crawls into his bed and clutches him, because there's no one else who can comfort him the way he can, nor anyone he would trust to see that he was scared. Even Steve never saw that on him.

Howard squeezes his knee again.) Then we should walk.

(Because walking is good. WAlking is what he does when he can't sleep and James is on the front so he's worrying. Walking late into the night and to morning. Waiting for news of the man he loved.

He bounced up, and laughed.) Yeah, And I'm sure it'll be better when he's sober and doesn't get confused.

Come on now, Barnes. no lolligagging.