Maybe there's a little of that on both their parts. Maybe that's some of what Steve's feeling now, the pull toward the wounded parts of Tony, to the signs of vulnerability, the holes in his armor. He's less interested in seeing and analyzing than soothing and healing, though. Which is like him: he has a deep-seated drive to help and to give.
It's not altruism, though. At least, Steve doesn't feel like it is. Maybe it's an outlet for emotions he's repressed for too long. Maybe 'let me be good to you' is as much a plea for forgiveness as an offer of affection. Tony's interpretation isn't wrong, either, though. Let me love you. I want to love you.
He already does, obviously, with or without permission or common sense. He's just not ready to admit it, and it's probably safer for them both that way, for now.
Something in his eyes flickers when Tony turns, bright blue piercing and hungry as his gaze sweeps his face. Then, lashes half-lowering, he goes back to massaging his scalp, sweeping down to the back of his neck, and leans in. He kisses his temple, nuzzles against his cheek, working his way down to his throat. They're soft kisses, featherlight touches against his skin meant to give pleasure, though not necessarily to arouse.
"You've been on my mind," he murmurs. "I don't know how to explain. But I missed you. I wanted you to be happy. Wanted to tell you I didn't mean to hurt you..."
There are things he can't take back, things he can't apologize for, things he wouldn't do differently if he had them to do over again. That doesn't mean he's not sorry they happened, though. And it doesn't mean he doesn't bitterly regret some of his actions.
"Even before all that I just...really wanted to see you happy," he adds quietly, as if remembering.
That probably explains why he seemed so excited about the idea of Pepper potentially being pregnant when they talked about the Accords that last time. "I guess I should've told you that."
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It's not altruism, though. At least, Steve doesn't feel like it is. Maybe it's an outlet for emotions he's repressed for too long. Maybe 'let me be good to you' is as much a plea for forgiveness as an offer of affection. Tony's interpretation isn't wrong, either, though. Let me love you. I want to love you.
He already does, obviously, with or without permission or common sense. He's just not ready to admit it, and it's probably safer for them both that way, for now.
Something in his eyes flickers when Tony turns, bright blue piercing and hungry as his gaze sweeps his face. Then, lashes half-lowering, he goes back to massaging his scalp, sweeping down to the back of his neck, and leans in. He kisses his temple, nuzzles against his cheek, working his way down to his throat. They're soft kisses, featherlight touches against his skin meant to give pleasure, though not necessarily to arouse.
"You've been on my mind," he murmurs. "I don't know how to explain. But I missed you. I wanted you to be happy. Wanted to tell you I didn't mean to hurt you..."
There are things he can't take back, things he can't apologize for, things he wouldn't do differently if he had them to do over again. That doesn't mean he's not sorry they happened, though. And it doesn't mean he doesn't bitterly regret some of his actions.
"Even before all that I just...really wanted to see you happy," he adds quietly, as if remembering.
That probably explains why he seemed so excited about the idea of Pepper potentially being pregnant when they talked about the Accords that last time. "I guess I should've told you that."