( Under normal circumstances, Eddie would never have felt this desperate. But after what they both went through, the thought of Steve leaving his side sends a jolt of terror like ice-cold water through his veins. With his face contorted into panic, he reaches for Steve's shirt to tug on him so that he wouldn't dare get any idea that he should leave. )

No, just...stay with me? h( e asks pathetically. ) I'm still...I mean, I just want to make sure you're still here when I wake up if I doze off and that this wasn't just one big nightmare.

( It would be one hell of a way to find out he really did die. )