[ Honestly, Steve's got many years left in the tank, but this? This scares him. Knowing Tony may slowly die from his body finally giving out, that scares him. Because he knows Tony's always been so alive, so kinetic. He'd shoved a battery into his own chest and decided to roll with it. And something about that made him seem like he might even outlive Steve, because he would keep just coming up with a new patch, a new upgrade.

And hey, he might still, might have something to get him out of it up his sleeve, but somehow this feels more real. That someday, Alice might have to be told that one of her parents didn't make it. And Steve thinks about that and thinks that yeah, maybe it's time to step back from the job a little bit. Cut their hours. Start to mentor the new team instead.

But he couldn't let Tony go back out there anymore, not like this. Retirement had looked nice on them, and Steve had loved every moment of seeing Alice grow up and become a little lady, not missing one second. Yes, he knew what their jobs mean to them, but he also thinks it's time. ]

Okay. We'll finish this. And then I'll get you a big sheet cake from the grocery. And you can get me a commemorative t-shirt.

[ He reaches for Tony's face, caresses his cheek. ]

Soon as we get on that jet. I'm not letting you go until landing.