Time lines. Steve was abruptly ashamed of himself for not considering time as well as dimensional-travel as potential vortex options. It was crazy and probably impossible where he was from, but in the new universe there were new rules.
He pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand.
"I'm sorry about the reaction. I really am glad to meet you. I just -- you are too big for catch." Aha. And there was a smile; because clearly, if you had a child, playing catch was some kind of bonding must-do. So what did you do with an adult son?
...uh, well. Dinner and a place to stay were a start.