[Eddie nods very seriously, almost successful at keeping his face straight.]

Mm hm. This one was at sea level, which is definitely- that's another-

[It's so bad a joke that Eddie doesn't even commit to finishing it. He just kinda waggles his eyebrows at Steve instead.]

Well sure, yeah.

[The question is more serious than Eddie was expecting, and it catches him by surprise. Instead of pointing out the sudden turn, he just does his best to answer honestly, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling.]

But what's the point of- anything. If you aren't real with people. [If you don't open your heart to them, even those times you wind up embarrassed, or hurt.] I don't know how the hell you're meant to connect with anything or anyone if you just paint over yourself.

[It would hypocritical to say all that and not try to meet Steve halfway, even if it's terrifying.]

Hey, uh, are we still talking about new year resolutions?