[ There's a look of honest confusion on Steve's face when Tony snaps, a moment of hurt in his eyes because he thought he was trying, and maybe he doesn't know what the hell to talk about, but any words between them are progress, right?
Apparently not.
He drops his head to his hands, presses them into his eyes, because Tony knows exactly how to make people want to snap right back at him, and he'll be damned if he lets this turn into another fight, another wall between them. A deep breath, another, and Steve looks up at Tony. ]
It's not pity, Stark. The only one feeling sorry for you is you.
[ Of course I care, he wants to say, but the words stick in his throat, dig in their claws, and he can't make them come out. ]
Talking to you is like - it's like walking through a goddamn minefield. I bring up the couch, for crying out loud, and it reminds you of Pepper. So I don't know what to say, because I don't want to step in the wrong place and set off a mine. I want both of us to make it out of here whole. I want- I just want to be able to talk to you.
no subject
Apparently not.
He drops his head to his hands, presses them into his eyes, because Tony knows exactly how to make people want to snap right back at him, and he'll be damned if he lets this turn into another fight, another wall between them. A deep breath, another, and Steve looks up at Tony. ]
It's not pity, Stark. The only one feeling sorry for you is you.
[ Of course I care, he wants to say, but the words stick in his throat, dig in their claws, and he can't make them come out. ]
Talking to you is like - it's like walking through a goddamn minefield. I bring up the couch, for crying out loud, and it reminds you of Pepper. So I don't know what to say, because I don't want to step in the wrong place and set off a mine. I want both of us to make it out of here whole. I want- I just want to be able to talk to you.