[ He doesn't know how to reply to that. He knows Shiro will listen, it's just... he doesn't want Shiro to think differently of him, at the same time as he doesn't want Shiro to not think differently of him. The concern that it'll be dismissed, even if Shiro means well in treating it like it isn't a big deal - because it's a big deal to Sam. That makes its way across their connection in a jumbled up mess, but so is the acknowledgement that he will one day soon. He has to.

Sam focuses instead on Shiro's last comment, shaking his head as he cups Shiro's face in his hands, leaning in until they're only a few inches away. ]

I want us to be better at communicating during stuff like this, and I want you to remember that you got someone at your back and you don't have to figure any of this out alone. I want us to support each other, on mission and off. I don't want you to think you gotta be better to be with me, because you don't. All you gotta do is be here.