In an effort to be reasonable and understanding and not upset the party further, Tony did concede it was difficult not to drink and operate heavy machinery when the heavy machinery was physically attached and controlled by neural pulse. This did not stop Tony from wanting to snatch that drink out of Nick's hand and start catching up, because where he was was clearly a smooth place to be. This did not stop Tony from swinging an arm around his Nick's neck, squeezing him too tightly to be a comradely embrace. This did not stop Tony from grinding his teeth through his frozen smile.
"I am not your friend right now," he explained calmly and slowly, turned away from the rest of the guests, holding a hand against his heart in his sincerity. "You are not my friend, I am not your friend. You are not my friend until I've had my revenge, and you will let me have my revenge. And it would be really healthy for this relationship if you would, just once, hold off on the sudden and immediate crisis for, like, fifteen more minutes next time. I honestly do not give a fuck if the world is ending. Not a fuck. I've done you a lot of favours. Do me one." By the end, Tony's voice lilted momentarily into a desperate whine, and he finished with a clearing of his throat and a slap to Nick's shoulder.