billionaires | #inbox

Steve has no idea what he's talking about as evident by his silence. He focuses on what needs to be said. It's hard. He can't look Tony in the eye as he says it which is unnatural for Steve. In the past, he always spoke his mind without a shred of doubt. This is truly awful. It hurts. He knows not as much as it will hurt Tony though. He can't bear to see it even with their differences. "There's no proof, but an evil AI claimed that your father caught wind of some of this, maybe all of it, and HYDRA had him killed."

He turns his head to take in Tony's reaction with a weary sigh. "I was kind of hoping to find something to confirm or deny it before bringing it up to you." He can't wait any longer if Tony is involved. There's too strong a chance that they'll stumble across something on the hunt. He can't blindside him even if that might be easier in the short term.

He stares at him for a moment, working his jaw for long after Steve is finished speaking like he didn't absorb all of what he said. Though he did - oh did he - but he's still processing it all, will probably be for the next millennia.

"I don't really see how that'll help us find your buddy, but mmkay." It sounds cold, but even Steve should be able to recognize it for the defense mechanism it is.

Steve doesn't argue with him. He just meets his gaze with an eerie amount of calmness. This has been his nightmare for a while. He's comfortably numb at this point. "I also have a Russian file on him. It's not for the faint of heart, but maybe you'll get more out of it than me if you're ready to give it a read." God knows Steve isn't rushing him.

Tony goes uncharacteristically quiet, staring down at his lap and holding his glasses in a vice grip. It's starting to fall into place why Steve has been running around behind his back, the picture on the inside isn't any better but somehow it feels... good, to be allowed into the fold. Even if the results will definitely be horrifying, the more he turns over the words in his head.

"I've got it," he says suddenly, switching his shades to his opposite hand before tucking them into the pocket of his shirt. He reaches out for Steve's arm and just barely brushes calloused hands against his wrist from how far they're sitting apart - easily a metaphor for their relationship (or lack thereof) up until now. "We're gonna get to the bottom of this, okay?"

It's actually hard for Steve to digest what's happening. He's let Tony in on this partly because he didn't think Tony would drop it otherwise, but the rest? Well it's been selfish. He's overwhelmed and tired. He needs new eyes on this.

So why is Tony trying to make him feel better about all this? Steve is openly confused, brows knit together as he tries to work out why Tony is being such a good sport about all this even after he brought Howard up. "You're still in?"

It's not really trying to make Steve feel better as just backing him up to do the right thing, but if it gets him there too as a bonus he can live with it.

"When was I out?" he asks, which could sound biting in the wrong tone, but his is soft now. This brief interaction has worn him ragged and he pulls back his hand to rub at the pressure building between his eyes. "Look, do I wish you had told me about this sooner instead of running off when the world needs us most? Uh, yeah. But I get it. I wasn't always a team player either, hold your shock til the encore, please."

Yeah he still has a knack for exhausting people. Steve nods to himself, satisfied, or at least he thinks. That whole comfortably numb thing doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. Steve is certain of one thing at least. "Thank you. I know you've never seen me at my best and this isn't going to bring that out-" He smiles wryly. Clearly withholding vital information isn't a point in his favor.

"But, thank you."

That earns a scowl and a longer silence than he usually ever employs, especially around Steve. When he gathers enough intensity, he fixes his gaze back the other man's way and shakes his head. "Don't thank me, and it feels weird to be the one saying this to someone else, but: pity party's over, Cap. The coat check awaits us."

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