Steve makes a noise like, I don't think that's how it works, but I also don't want to argue. Because he doesn't - and he doesn't. B is smart all of the time, and if circumstances make him feel otherwise... well, it's somebody else's loss. Steve knows he's more than lucky to have him. Because a lot of the time, he doesn't feel like he deserves this, either, but he still can't bring himself to do anything but hold on like it's all that matters.

"You help," he says, softly, glancing up at B. "You help a lot." He laughs a little, though not like he finds anything actually funny, when he says, "You shoulda come to this damn meeting, maybe." Even though he doesn't think B would have enjoyed it any more than Steve had.

"I guess now I should try to keep an eye on things better." If he hadn't liked the way things had gone, well - the least he can do is make sure they don't get worse.