The desk was cool under his cheek, and when his ear pressed against the steel, he could hear the soft vibrations of all the equipment around him. He could hear his own heartbeat and the breath trapped between his lips and the metal surface, and under all that, the constant patient hum of Jarvis. The lights were dimming without command from him, in a silent little flourish of courtesy, and he lifted his hand to give a little wave by way of thanks without knowing if Jarvis understood what he meant by it.