It didn't matter about the awkwardness of the position or how his knees and back were uncomfortable. He paid so little attention to it that only when Steve actually shifted to get a little more comfortable did he allow himself to move and that was to almost crawl into the the other man's lap. He held off, standing over Steve and holding his friend in the same relentless grip. If he could, he might even stay in this exact bent and cramped position for the entire flight back to the States.

"I can't... lose you," he repeated, his voice dropping deeper with rough emotion. "I looked and I looked for you, but there was no sign. I didn't give up; I didn't stop looking for the entire time that you were missing." His stomach took that moment to growl loudly as if to add its input to the mistreatment it had suffered in the ordeal. His blue eyes peered at Steve, swallowing hard and nodding a little. "B-but... you don't need me like I need you. There's everyone else and you... you wouldn't just leave them behind for me, would you?"