The smile on Steve's face is enough to make Tony's own smile grow, and he affectionately runs his hand gently along his lower back again. Not necessarily as a turn on anymore, but more to just silently confirm that he's telling him the truth. Not that he wouldn't have loved to be on the couch right now, or the bed undressing each other, but he's not going to make Steve uncomfortable by saying that or letting it sour his mood.

The way that Steve cradles his jawline makes Tony melt a little against him as he kisses him back, though, and he has to remind himself to not push this. That Steve maybe doesn't want to push this farther, and he gets it, but holy shit it's so easy right now for Tony to get lost in that kiss all over again. It's probably a good thing his hand isn't by his waistline anymore, because Steve's jumpsuit wouldn't be safe right about now.

It's in that happy daze that he hears as Steve says that he likes it when he calls him sweetheart, and Tony chuckles softly under his breath. The motion makes the pain flare again - or, rather, more than it has been already considering the irregular breathing patterns while kissing - and Tony reminds himself that it's probably better this isn't going further tonight because of that, too.

And dinner, right. Tony's eating patterns are so off around here that he's not naturally hungry right now, although he'll be fine to eat. It was just way too easy to forget about eating again, this time because he has been so focused on Steve to think of anything else.

"Oh, yeah? What are you going to trade me?" A beat. "I'd offer to help you cook, but I'd probably just ruin it."