Steve honestly appreciates that she's taking it slow - that's better than just gulping it down, anyway. But the hole is nowhere near your throat, Ellie. And he is pretty good at stitches, if he does say so himself. You'll be fine.

"Yeah," Steve murmurs, agreeing, "they do like to go after the small kids. I never understood, but I guess that's the difference between us and them." Making people smaller than him feel weaker doesn't make him feel better about anything.

"Besides, being small can be a major advantage in the right circumstances, at least." You're faster, more maneuverable. (When you're not asthmatic, at least.) And sometimes people not noticing you can really be to your advantage.