In Steve's estimation, it was pretty much impossible to know Peter and not love the boy. It was all he could do not to squeeze him and ruffle his hair. He grinned happily, particularly those times where he blushed talking about his girl. Peter looked like Steve felt about Bucky. Steve might have been known to blush and gush about his man himself, namely to Natasha the other day. He recognized the look of love on another guy, for sure.
It sounded like Peter was doing okay, surrounded by loving friends and head over heels for that sweet girl, bless her heart too. The knowledge went a long way to making Steve's earlier worry for the boy fizz out to normal concern for his general well-being. And he didn't mention any side effects from coming back to life, which calmed other fears. But it wasn't without awkwardness.
"I didn't mean... I'm sorry. That came out wrong. No one's fighting. Listen, I love Tony like a brother. And I know he cares about me too. Or else he wouldn't be so hurt. It's just that, well, something happened in the past. Something that is neither of our faults, but it affects our friendship deeply."
His expression turned a little sad. Contrite, even. "I guess what I meant to say is that you were Tony's friend first. He's become a father figure to you, and that is as it should be. I don't ever want you to feel like you have to..." He paused and shook his head, clearly at a loss for words. "Family always comes first. We all need to be true to that, no matter what," he finished, resigned.
Steve took a long sip of his coffee and leaned forward, resting both forearms on the tabletop. "Sorry, didn't mean to become a downer there," he added with a guilty little smile. "You're a good man, Peter."