It's surprising, even now, even after everything, how easy it is to just be with Steve. Becoming someone else - that image of Tony Stark that the world is used to seeing - has always been as easy as breathing. It has always just been easier (and safer) to use that shell, that armor to keep the world at arm's length, because it's normal. He used to use it as a defense mechanism against the shit his father did, because it was easier to pretend to be an image of the son that he wanted to have even if he always failed anyway, and then it just became the norm. He was charismatic, charming. Witty. He was a performer through and through, but Tony has used that as a second skin to the point that sometimes even he himself doesn't know where one ends and the real him begins.
Of course, the real him resurfaces on certain occasions. Like when he's actually comfortable around someone he trusts, or when he's in his element at work. Like when it's easy to breathe, knowing that he doesn't have to perform because there are no expectations.
And with Steve, it's easy to be. Despite all his old attempts to keep his guard up, to not let him in, Steve has gotten under his skin enough to make him feel comfortable enough to just be, and it's why it's easy to be himself. To be a version of Tony Stark that Steve is not used to, and his smile widens when Steve teases him. "That just means that you're doing a really good job at it."
It's not quite a tease, because it's the truth. It's what makes the edges of his words soften, his expression warm as he looks up at Steve while his hand rests on his hip.
His offer to let him stay here with him doesn't quite surprise him, which is why he doesn't really react in shock or anything similar to it, but he manages to keep himself from frowning when he offers to sleep on the couch. "If you don't mind me staying, then...yeah, I'll stay." Maybe he shouldn't, maybe it's too soon, but... "You don't have to stay on the couch, though." A beat. "I promise I'll behave, if that's what you're worried about."
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Of course, the real him resurfaces on certain occasions. Like when he's actually comfortable around someone he trusts, or when he's in his element at work. Like when it's easy to breathe, knowing that he doesn't have to perform because there are no expectations.
And with Steve, it's easy to be. Despite all his old attempts to keep his guard up, to not let him in, Steve has gotten under his skin enough to make him feel comfortable enough to just be, and it's why it's easy to be himself. To be a version of Tony Stark that Steve is not used to, and his smile widens when Steve teases him. "That just means that you're doing a really good job at it."
It's not quite a tease, because it's the truth. It's what makes the edges of his words soften, his expression warm as he looks up at Steve while his hand rests on his hip.
His offer to let him stay here with him doesn't quite surprise him, which is why he doesn't really react in shock or anything similar to it, but he manages to keep himself from frowning when he offers to sleep on the couch. "If you don't mind me staying, then...yeah, I'll stay." Maybe he shouldn't, maybe it's too soon, but... "You don't have to stay on the couch, though." A beat. "I promise I'll behave, if that's what you're worried about."