“Bad idea to let him see you before the hellicarrier,” Tony says, wrapped up in these sweet moments of mixed business and pleasure. This is the second time they had discussed strategy without much cloth between them and he has to admit, it puts a new dynamic on their working relationship. He shouldn’t love it the way he does, but he’s been mixing business with pleasure since Pepper and he hooked up. She’s been integral to Stark Industries even before than and Steve is almost like an upgrade to her. He knows that isn’t fair so he dashes the thought from his mind, but it’s true.

Tony hadn’t been able to give up being Iron Man. There had been absolutely no retirement despite what he’d told her. Multiple times. Steve is never going to want him to give that up, he knows. They can be and have been partners in everything.

Honestly, that he waited this long for these moments is insane. And that’s another reason to off the other Stark. He’d want to push his younger self into bed with Rogers and that won’t work to save Bucky’s life.

He can be a cruel man. Tony is sure that even Steve can see that through the rosey tint of his glasses.

“But then again... why don’t you let him take you to get some pizza. He knows a great place.” There really is no distraction like Steve Rogers. And why not give him a taste of what perfection might be without the sadness...? You know. Before Tony makes sure he never comes back through that vortex.