[ This is an argument they've had before, one that has never truly been resolved. Steve hates the idea of giving into something that's been imposed on him just as much as Sam does, but he also didn't like the idea of not using these powers he's been giving, of just letting them languish when he could use them to help people. He can't do anything to change their perception of him as some sort of god; his words, no matter how he delivers them, haven't been able to stop their worship.

It's happening, whether he wants it or not. And it's happened to Sam too, because of course Sam is also helping. But his resistance when it comes to using his powers means that now he's coming apart at the seams, and they're at a point where Sam can't just deny that any more. ]

We do.

[ He pulls his hand away, lifting both up to grip Sam by his shoulders instead. When they're actually corporeal, anyway. ]

I know it's not what we wanted, but there's no stopping it now. If you keep resisting, there's gonna be less and less of you left.

[ Is that what Sam wants? Would he rather vanish than accept what they're becoming? Steve understands that sort of stubbornness, he does, but...

He stares into Sam's eyes, his own expression twitching with pain each time that Sam's face phases out of his view.

His voice hitches as he talks, as much as he tries to hold back on letting that choked sound come through. ] I don't know if I can handle that.