[He could push back on that. Could point out how, if he hadn't given up so easily, Hydra would have never gotten their claws in him. That they wouldn't have been able to weaponize him if he'd fought a little harder. But he already knows how well that conversation would go. Knows, despite his lack of history with Sam, that the other man would fight him to the end on that. And he doesn't need that kind of an argument right now. Not when he also knows that he's just as incapable of changing Sam's mind as Sam would be in changing his.

So instead, he just lets out a soft huff of air, his attention back on his surroundings once again. Flicking briefly towards the all too familiar shield in the corner. An answer to a question of why Sam just called them partners. And a reminder of what drew the two of them together in the first place.]

We had sex. Pretty sure that makes us something.

[And not just because of their actions. The only reason the three of them had ended up in that cave was because they'd been having their lunch together. Was because they had chosen to spend that time with one another. If that isn't the basis of a friendship, he doesn't know what is.]

Even without that, you're still the man who gave up everything to help the guy who tried to kill you. Think that counts for something.