"I know." Steve finally lifts a hand from Tony's hip only to cup his face and brush his thumb along his cheek. He loves this face. He loves this man. Losing him would take a piece of Steve that he'd never get back. It would always be with Tony. "I know it's going to change us. I'm foolishly hopeful it'll change us for the better. Because I love you. I love you and trust you and believe we can do this together and it won't break us."
It's already changed them. Tony knows the truth about his parents and they both know it was Bucky's hands that killed them. They're not the same as when Steve left to go on this mission. He wasn't the same when he came home with the files.
"Tony, I'm here. I chose you and home. That should tell you a lot." He looks entreating, that endless optimism and hope shining out just waiting for Tony to meet him there. He can't force Tony to do it, of course. Tony can still choose to go alone. Steve really hopes he doesn't because this matters so much to him.
"Losing you isn't a kindness. This is the only home I've had since waking up. I feel most like myself with you. I know it's going to be hard later but damn it, it's hard now." Steve almost growls the words, not angry but... scared. He lets Tony see how scared he is about all of this.
He's done a decent job of keeping it under wraps but maybe that'll get through Tony's head how this matters. "I don't want to be that alone ever again. Not after I know what it's like with you. I'm willing to try and fight and keep going hopeful it's going to be better in the end. And I'll still be with you."
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It's already changed them. Tony knows the truth about his parents and they both know it was Bucky's hands that killed them. They're not the same as when Steve left to go on this mission. He wasn't the same when he came home with the files.
"Tony, I'm here. I chose you and home. That should tell you a lot." He looks entreating, that endless optimism and hope shining out just waiting for Tony to meet him there. He can't force Tony to do it, of course. Tony can still choose to go alone. Steve really hopes he doesn't because this matters so much to him.
"Losing you isn't a kindness. This is the only home I've had since waking up. I feel most like myself with you. I know it's going to be hard later but damn it, it's hard now." Steve almost growls the words, not angry but... scared. He lets Tony see how scared he is about all of this.
He's done a decent job of keeping it under wraps but maybe that'll get through Tony's head how this matters. "I don't want to be that alone ever again. Not after I know what it's like with you. I'm willing to try and fight and keep going hopeful it's going to be better in the end. And I'll still be with you."