[ He wants to say yes. He wants to spit back at him that he doesn’t care if he still loves him, because that ship sailed when he left. He wants to tell him to go away. He wants to tell him to stay away, since he’s so fucking good at doing so and no one is left that needs him, anyway.

But, for all his anger and all his hurt that Tony still feels burning in his chest, there’s still a part of him that loves him. He can’t help it. Steve had gotten under his skin years ago, it had been why marrying him had been a no brainer. It had been why Tony had even considered the idea of adopting a child together. It had been why Tony was left so heartbroken after Steve left, because it had been supposed to be forever and like an idiot he had believed it. And, like an even bigger idiot, his heart just wouldn’t let go no matter how much he tried. And god, did he try to let go, but for what?

Apparently the answer is here, with Steve sitting there, telling him he still loves him. His question about whether or not he still loves him disarms him in a way he doesn’t expect, and even if he wants to lie, it’s like he falters altogether.

Finally: ]

Does it matter? Am I supposed to just welcome you back, like nothing happened? Like you didn’t just leave?

We were your family. Us, we were your family. And you left. [ He sounds winded, and his voice cracks a little, but he continues anyway. ]

‘Together,’ right? Isn’t that what you promised? You forgot the clause that mentioned that together was conditional, liar.