Steve wasn't sure how he'd find Tony when he arrived. When he walked into the lab, it took him a moment to realize who one of the men were. His mind flashed to the file he'd read on all his old colleagues. Then his mind flashed to something more clear. A dazzling smile, quick quit and a fearless nature to push Science further. Everything and anything to make the world better.
"Howard," he said quietly. The older man, so much older than Steve remembered, sized him up with a glance. He circled him slowly, as if trying to flash to his own memories. Steve stayed in place. His gaze scanning the room, taking in the other man who was haunting Tony as well as Tony himself. One looked entirely too amused by the events. Tony looked ready to drop.
"Perfect. Just like the day you stepped out of the machine."
"A few differences," he murmured to Howard before turning his attention to what Tony was saying. "You should sleep. We'll be fine." What they were was mostly quiet. Steve was keeping watch to be sure Tony actually got sleep, and the other two took turns fading in and out. The way Tony was thrashing on the bed, he was certain it was because they were visiting him there.
When Tony awakened, he had leaned forward, regarding the man in concern. He didn't want to talk about it though, and Steve understood that. Sometimes there was nothing to say. "We'll be fine. Don't go too far."
"You're babysitting him now?" Howard seemed to find this embarrassing. The other man, Obie was what Howard had called him, found it hilarious.
"Someone has to don't they? Where's Pep at?"
"You should lay off," Steve kept his tone quiet, but it was firm. It was also directed at Howard. He didn't know about this Obie guy, but he'd expected better from Howard. Quickly, he descended down to where Tony's kitchen was and took stock of his supplies. He managed to put together ingredients for what could pass for breakfast. Waffles, some bacon for the hangover, and black coffee.
"He won't eat it. He's a stubborn petulant child," Howard scoffed.
Obie asked an entire different question, "So, where are you two kids registered? Do they still register in an apocalypse?"
The confusion on Steve's face made Obie chuckle, but earned a tsk of disapproval from Howard. "Do not talk to him that way. Steve is a good man, a much better man than you, and you will not talk to him that way."
"Maybe you should show the same respect to your son. That leg is or a girl at the prison who lost it on a raid. The weapons are to help humanity survive. Things you," he paused, not aware of when Tony had rejoined them, "both should be proud of. He does good work in horrible circumstances and he doesn't need either of you hyper criticizing his attempts to help the world."