Tony wanted Steve to be a part of that -- of what Tony was going to have some day, even if it wasn't normal or wasn't a piece that fit like most normally did. Steve deserved a family too, and somehow, miraculously, Tony ended up having one. He'd share. Because Steve had been part of his family for a long time now anyway. Even if they'd taken breaks, gotten into arguments. It was water under the bridge now.
"Because you're here," he said, firm. "I wouldn't be half as good at it without you, not right now." Maybe never, although he'd heard a lot of good about Morgan. Pepper's doing, no doubt. Still, he leaned in, pressed his nose to the curve of Steve's jawline.
"I -- it sucks. It does. That it was hard. And that you didn't feel like you had anyone. That's. I don't know Steve. Do you think we can change things? Or that we'll even have the opportunity to try?" All of that -- it felt like something to be avoided in the future.