[ At the time, Steve had been lost, feeling a little bit adrift. He'd lost pretty much everything, including his sense of self, his sense of belonging anywhere, as he'd been displaced in time. And so, when Tony had accused him of those things, yes, he'd taken it personally. When he'd expected Tony to have welcomed him like his father had, yes, he'd maybe held it against him a little bit.
It's not an excuse for what Steve had said to Tony. And likewise, Tony's feelings of meeting Steve, a ghost for whom he'd competed with for his father's love, is also not an excuse for things he'd said, either. But he supposes like he understands and forgives Tony for having said them a long time ago, he has to accept that Tony does, too.
He cups Tony's cheek and gently plays with his beard. ]
Well if that's true, then stop telling me I'm biased whenever I say nice things about you.
[ Got him there. And he knows it'll take more than his words to get Tony to believe it. Tony has to want to believe that he's good, that he's just as good a man as Steve is. He can only do his part, but he can't bring Tony to that conclusion.
A small smile tugs on his lips when Tony gives him a salute. He might've thought it sarcastic once upon a time, but now with a ring on Tony's bent finger - a ring that Steve had helped to design and to forge himself, he knows the intent is only filled with love.
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It's not an excuse for what Steve had said to Tony. And likewise, Tony's feelings of meeting Steve, a ghost for whom he'd competed with for his father's love, is also not an excuse for things he'd said, either. But he supposes like he understands and forgives Tony for having said them a long time ago, he has to accept that Tony does, too.
He cups Tony's cheek and gently plays with his beard. ]
Well if that's true, then stop telling me I'm biased whenever I say nice things about you.
[ Got him there. And he knows it'll take more than his words to get Tony to believe it. Tony has to want to believe that he's good, that he's just as good a man as Steve is. He can only do his part, but he can't bring Tony to that conclusion.
A small smile tugs on his lips when Tony gives him a salute. He might've thought it sarcastic once upon a time, but now with a ring on Tony's bent finger - a ring that Steve had helped to design and to forge himself, he knows the intent is only filled with love.
He peers down at Tony in his lap and then asks: ]
Are you cold?