s head up, not even looking at tony as he does.

tony capitulates, stepping over and taking steve＊s hand in his. ※sorry for pulling the plug,§ he says. ※but i honestly could not sit through another moment of that.§

※neither could i,§ steve says, and then, ※clint called you didn＊t he?§

※yep,§ tony says. he＊s about to make a snarkyment about it, but he sees steve＊s shoulders tighten fractionally, his mouth open as he exhales, chin trembling. ※hey, hey,§ tony says, concerned. he steps forwards and steve reaches blindly for him with both hands, catching his hips and pressing his forehead to tony＊s stomach. tony slides his hands onto his shoulders, feeling his own throat go tight. ※what the hell did he do to you?”

※dragged me through the multiverse,§ steve says, voice muffled. his fingers tighten slightly on tony＊s hips. ※painfully.§

※and you let him, you idiot,§ tony says.

※don＊t, it＊s bad enough admitting clint was right,§ steve replies.

”i'm seriously considering nominating bird-brain to be in charge,” he says frankly. ”i've got a lot to thank him for.”

”he'd never,” steve breathes out heavily. ”but yeah. we both do.”

there's a moment of silence, the only sounds their measured breathing. steve's thumbs move against the waistband of tony's jeans, and tony can feel it acutely even through the denim. he's not sure what to say, but luckily for him it's steve who breaks the silence.

※i＊m glad you＊re here.§

※careful what you say, cap,§ tony says lightly, feeling hope burning traitorously in his chest. ※that＊s open to all sorts of interpretation.§

and steve, the bastard, pushes tony back by his hips and looks up at him, blue eyes open and piercing. ※what you said about realisation,§ he says, and there＊s so much honesty in his gaze that it makes tony＊s head spin. ※i want to be with you. i want you back here in the goddamn tower. i want you telling me when i fuck up, and i want you to let me tell you when you＊re doing the same.§

and tony has never felt sopletely winded in his life. his hands smooth over steve＊s shoulders as he tries to find words, as he tries to find thoughts. steve is still looking at him with those damn blue eyes and he can＊t look away.

※okay,§ he manages. ※so, you know friends can do that for each other-§

※no,§ steve says, sounding strained. he dips his head again, presses his forehead to tony＊s abdomen again. ※no, i can＊t-§ he looks up again, awkward and beautiful. ※i wouldn＊t say i＊m queer, i never have, i just-§

※the ends of these sentences better be good,§ tony says blankly, and steve huffs, irritated.

※you, tony. it＊s always about you. god, why are we even talking about this?§

※becausemunication is the key to a healthy, functioning relationship?§ tony suggests and it's a joke until it isn't, and it isn't when steve＊s head snaps up, eyes finding tony's and pinning them in place with nothing more than his own bright gaze.

※yeah?§ steve says, and he looks more vulnerable than tony has ever seen. he wants to be the person to fix that, right now. he breathes in, lets his shoulder relax as he exhales. he can scarcely believe it, that steve seems to have actually realised that he wants him. it＊s terrifying and humbling and amazing all at once, and steve is still looking at him openly, waiting for a response.

waiting for tony to decide if they＊re going to do this or not.

※yeah,§ he says softly, and steve＊s eyes flutter close, relief and joy and something else flickering over his face. tony laughs shortly because he put that expression there, and he traces his hand down the side of steve＊s tired face. ※but i agree with the why are we talking sentiment. you need to be resting, and i need to be finding a creative way to ruin reed richards＊ life.

※stay,§ steve says, and then, ※please.§