"Rhodey isn't holding as much of a grudge as you might think he is," Tony said, and sounded generally sure about it. "He understands the concept of doing what you think is right, even at a high personal cost. He's mostly -- you know. Protective." Which Tony thought to be nice and sort of cute, but wholly unnecessary.
He rubbed the palm of his free hand over his jawline, noted a little absently that it might be time for a better shave. "Look," he started, paused to find his words better. "I'm not just going to give it away. You're Cap, even if you don't want to be right now. That's fine. You're not going to be replaced in the interim. The Avengers will just do without until you feel like you want to come back. If you feel like you want to come back." Hell, even Tony didn't completely consider himself on the current active roster, not exactly. Still, like Steve, he'd come running if it was needed.
"Anyway. I -- you know. I wasn't talking about the Avengers, or Captain America. I'm talking about you and me."