[ Tony would never have to feel if the shoe's on the other foot, because surely he'd have a readout from FRIDAY somewhere, telling him that Steve wasn't doing so hot, even before Steve knew it himself. And Steve isn't mad about that because he's not the vindictive type, he never needs for Tony to feel how he felt when Tony first told him. He'd felt in that moment, like a fraud of a husband for not having known, like he was going to lose his constant, that he'd wished on a monkey's paw for strength and health and it had left him bereft of his loved ones yet again.
He pushes all that aside for now - though he won't lie to Tony - but it's really not helpful to dwell on these feelings. He lets them loose like paper boats, and he'll deal with them when the current brings them back. He focuses instead on undressing Tony, who yes, has had many physical changes over the years, but is no less a sight to behold to Steve. The only thing that keeps him at bay is that Tony's body is much more delicate like this, and for the longest time that scar tissue looked so gnarly and Steve didn't want to make it worse or introduce an infection or anything.
That makes Steve very careful around Tony, which he knows must unnerve him, but Tony would also run his body into the ground if Steve wasn't around to make sure he didn't, so he can hardly feel guilty for wanting to preserve Tony's health over wanting intimacy, though he knows they both have never lost that desire for each other. ]
You know I never pass up a chance to get you naked.
[ He leaves a kiss on Tony's cheek. ]
Or to spoil you.
[ But Steve does get himself out of his shirt, and moves himself to allow Tony to help him with his jeans. Just his touch leaves Steve aroused, though with Alice having been about, he's more than used to just ignoring his body's responses. But he'd definitely never stopped finding Tony attractive, in any sense.
When he'd first come back from space, he had been skin and bones. He could hardly hold up his own weight, his muscles were so atrophied. And at the time, Steve was afraid that his lungs might give out. But he'd made sure to let Tony know that Steve still desired him, and Steve makes a concerted effort never to let Tony believe otherwise, not for a moment.
Eventually, Steve slips into the tub, turning so he can rest in Tony's arms, draping his flesh one around his front, covering over his heart with it. ]
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He pushes all that aside for now - though he won't lie to Tony - but it's really not helpful to dwell on these feelings. He lets them loose like paper boats, and he'll deal with them when the current brings them back. He focuses instead on undressing Tony, who yes, has had many physical changes over the years, but is no less a sight to behold to Steve. The only thing that keeps him at bay is that Tony's body is much more delicate like this, and for the longest time that scar tissue looked so gnarly and Steve didn't want to make it worse or introduce an infection or anything.
That makes Steve very careful around Tony, which he knows must unnerve him, but Tony would also run his body into the ground if Steve wasn't around to make sure he didn't, so he can hardly feel guilty for wanting to preserve Tony's health over wanting intimacy, though he knows they both have never lost that desire for each other. ]
You know I never pass up a chance to get you naked.
[ He leaves a kiss on Tony's cheek. ]
Or to spoil you.
[ But Steve does get himself out of his shirt, and moves himself to allow Tony to help him with his jeans. Just his touch leaves Steve aroused, though with Alice having been about, he's more than used to just ignoring his body's responses. But he'd definitely never stopped finding Tony attractive, in any sense.
When he'd first come back from space, he had been skin and bones. He could hardly hold up his own weight, his muscles were so atrophied. And at the time, Steve was afraid that his lungs might give out. But he'd made sure to let Tony know that Steve still desired him, and Steve makes a concerted effort never to let Tony believe otherwise, not for a moment.
Eventually, Steve slips into the tub, turning so he can rest in Tony's arms, draping his flesh one around his front, covering over his heart with it. ]
Soak with me a bit, Tony. I want you to relax.