His grin just widens a little at that arched eyebrow. Sam likes to think that he does have the kind of intelligence that makes him being able to walk away from a challenge. Sometimes. But mostly, nah, that's one place he and Steve are a little too similar, and he's kind of looking forward to seeing what Steve does with it.

And then Steve says that.

Sam's eyes widen a little in surprise. He hadn't actually expected Steve to get all direct like that, though in retrospect, he probably should have. He swallows a little, just the smallest bit off balance. It's a hell of a lot easier to be charming and flirty when he doesn't have a stake in anything, or when he can convince himself it's just silly banter. He loses his game a little when he's got Steve looking at him like this, open and honest. Maybe because it forces him to admit that it does mean something, at least to Sam.

But he doesn't look away, or try to take it back to light and teasing. Instead he angles himself a little closer, smiling at Steve soft and sincere. "Wish I'd known that earlier, I've been trying to figure out the best way to get you comfortable and relaxing a little since I first met you. Gonna have to try to rope you into coming around here more often."