The cold feeling isn't going away quickly. He's shaking a little under Jim's hands, only for the suddenness of his fear and the realization of how dire a path this might be. But he draws in an easier breath for the reassurance- the exasperated reassurance, for how many times has Jim made clear he's not going anywhere?

"Then- you need to promise that you'll tell me what you need. That you won't just take on every burden and pay the price after." He can't feel it, when he cups Jim's face in his hands, but his touch is no less urgent for being clumsy.

"I just don't want to keep causing you pain."