He feels like he's seeing a side of Tony he didn't know existed. Which is not that surprising; they've spent a lot of time working together, but Steve knows they're both very guarded. He would be the first to insist he did and does think of Tony as a friend, but there have been some pretty rugged barriers between them, too, among them pride, history, and a few conflicting personality traits.
He's consistently underestimated Tony, or at least mis-estimated him, Steve thinks. Not his intellect or his stubbornness, this time, not his analysis or his physical strength, but maybe his kindness and sensitivity. And his perceptiveness.
In short, Dad Mode is new, and that gentle note in his voice is new, too, and something in Steve cracks and shifts and he feels a sudden, wild desire to just...confess everything, cry and beg for forgiveness or...something. He doesn't even know what, but it hits him hard enough to take his breath away for a long moment.
"I'm too old for this bullshit," he chokes out a moment later, and it's clearly meant to be funny, even if it comes out a little stilted. "But, um. Yes. If you wanna keep trying, I'm with you. I-i hear you."
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He's consistently underestimated Tony, or at least mis-estimated him, Steve thinks. Not his intellect or his stubbornness, this time, not his analysis or his physical strength, but maybe his kindness and sensitivity. And his perceptiveness.
In short, Dad Mode is new, and that gentle note in his voice is new, too, and something in Steve cracks and shifts and he feels a sudden, wild desire to just...confess everything, cry and beg for forgiveness or...something. He doesn't even know what, but it hits him hard enough to take his breath away for a long moment.
"I'm too old for this bullshit," he chokes out a moment later, and it's clearly meant to be funny, even if it comes out a little stilted. "But, um. Yes. If you wanna keep trying, I'm with you. I-i hear you."