Time stands still in the heartbeat after the fifth second.
Try, very hard, not to let the feeling in. It can't hurt if you don't let it in.
You knew when you said you'd miss him that this was going to happen. You knew. He can have a life with her that he never could with you, and hell, it's not like you've much of a life left anyway.
Nonetheless, you hold your breath, and don't let the feeling in.
Sam's voice would grate but it's too far away. - What happened? What's wrong? You bring him the hell back.
Your mouth is dry. - It's not, you try, he's not. He won't.
On the seventh second Steve stumbles onto the platform and you know what a punch between the ribs feels like and this hurts more. You're shaking like you've been dropped in cold water. Only you know what that feels like, too, and this hurts more.
- I thought you weren't--
He's a little breathless, too, but he doesn't waver. - Huh, Buck?
- I thought you might've stayed.
- What, he steps down to you, and puts his hand on your shoulder. His voice is so kind. And leave behind my best guy?