That laugh of his makes Tony's features soften, just a little, but he gives a small nod as if to silently say 'fair enough.' Still, it doesn't change that Tony finds himself hoping for Steve to get that basket anyway and, if he doesn't, let's just say there's already a portion of his brain that is planning and thinking of ways to get the man charcoals. Somehow, he'd find a way. He's Tony Stark, for god's sake; he may not know how to fix the hole in his chest, but charcoals? He'll figure out a solution. The thought is yet another thing that makes a voice in Tony's brain to yell out in alarm, as if trying to warn him that he's slipping too far down this...whatever this is, but it's easy to ignore it all over again when he sees the way that Steve smiles, and...
Nope. Nope, not going there.
Whatever self control he has left, though, seems to just evaporate when Steve speaks. His voice is so quiet and, while the room is filled with noise around them, he doesn't notice any of it. Music, voices, laughter - it's practically nonexistent for Tony, because he's far too in tune with the way that Steve speaks. The way that he mentions something about pulling, and Tony bites his bottom lip as he tries to keep himself from smirking, raising his eyebrow slightly. It's done in a curious gesture, but he would be lying if it's also not flirtatious as well, at least in some way. Because, with the mention of pulling, that is suddenly all that Tony can think about now. With the alcohol amplifying his emotions, all he wants is to do is pull Steve closer - suddenly he just wants to kiss him, and Tony's brain feels too sluggish to think past that.
Especially as he tucks his tie into his vest, even if for a moment he seems fixated on not letting go as he glances down towards Steve's lips. It's brief, but the way his eyes trail down is still there. His attention is pulled again, though, when it's suddenly impossible to miss how warm Steve feels, especially since Tony runs so cold now thanks to the reactor, and yeah, his brain is essentially short circuiting right about now.
But no, he reminds himself. He can't do this. He can't go down this path - not only because he's terrified of getting hurt, but also because Tony also doesn't think that Steve would want this. As it is, some part of him is still bracing for him to pull away, question why Tony's doing this at all. He's expecting this moment to end, even if just the thought manages to make his heart feel like it's already free falling right to his feet.
His fingers linger against Steve's chest for a little longer, before letting his hand drop. Don't do this, he tells himself. Don't do this, this will hurt, this will--
"No problem," he finally responds, his voice still quiet as he braves a small smile.
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Nope. Nope, not going there.
Whatever self control he has left, though, seems to just evaporate when Steve speaks. His voice is so quiet and, while the room is filled with noise around them, he doesn't notice any of it. Music, voices, laughter - it's practically nonexistent for Tony, because he's far too in tune with the way that Steve speaks. The way that he mentions something about pulling, and Tony bites his bottom lip as he tries to keep himself from smirking, raising his eyebrow slightly. It's done in a curious gesture, but he would be lying if it's also not flirtatious as well, at least in some way. Because, with the mention of pulling, that is suddenly all that Tony can think about now. With the alcohol amplifying his emotions, all he wants is to do is pull Steve closer - suddenly he just wants to kiss him, and Tony's brain feels too sluggish to think past that.
Especially as he tucks his tie into his vest, even if for a moment he seems fixated on not letting go as he glances down towards Steve's lips. It's brief, but the way his eyes trail down is still there. His attention is pulled again, though, when it's suddenly impossible to miss how warm Steve feels, especially since Tony runs so cold now thanks to the reactor, and yeah, his brain is essentially short circuiting right about now.
But no, he reminds himself. He can't do this. He can't go down this path - not only because he's terrified of getting hurt, but also because Tony also doesn't think that Steve would want this. As it is, some part of him is still bracing for him to pull away, question why Tony's doing this at all. He's expecting this moment to end, even if just the thought manages to make his heart feel like it's already free falling right to his feet.
His fingers linger against Steve's chest for a little longer, before letting his hand drop. Don't do this, he tells himself. Don't do this, this will hurt, this will--
"No problem," he finally responds, his voice still quiet as he braves a small smile.