Rogue vaguely registered when Steve began telling another story, but the words drifted in and out of her mind, incoherent images shifting as she picked up bits and pieces of the narrative. The harsh imagery was at odds with the soothing voice telling the story, and she stayed hovering in that not-quite-asleep state through the tale.

WHen he finished, she smiled slightly and shifted against his shoulder again, her eyes closed and her body leaning heavily against his. "What a story," she murmured, a trace of amusement in her voice before sighed deeply. "Don't leave." Barely a whisper, it was hard to say if she meant right at that moment or ever at all. Neither was what she wanted, of course, but she was in no position to explain, or even pry her eyes open to look at Steve.