All Steve really knows is that yesterday night, Tony hadn't come home. He's still unsure if that's a good way to describe it, since it's not exactly like they're living together, but it sure feels that way. Tony's presence made it that way. Being missing though is enough to make Steve worry, but he also knows that Natasha would tell him if the camera feeds had put Tony in a dangerous place, and she hadn't called. So if Tony hadn't come home last night, it's because he hadn't wanted to.
And honestly, Steve isn't surprised. What happened at the hospital had left part of him feeling bent out of shape. He can't imagine how much worse Tony probably feels, especially since- well. A lot of things.
In the end, that's why Steve gives him space. He doesn't call or text or try to force his way into Tony's life for 24 hours. It helps, obviously, that they're now also attempting to track some kind of brainwasher. It also 'helps' that the last time he saw Tony, all his movements felt like him cringing at the sight of Steve. So yeah, space.
But Steve's learned this particular lesson before. Yes, The investigation is urgent — especially since it now sees like he's running two — but the last time he gave Tony space, it hadn't been the right thing to do. Steve knows now that if he always gives Tony more space, it not only gives the wrong impression, but nothing between them would ever get resolved.
And Steve cares. He cares enough to make sure they talk. To make sure things get resolved.
He does check on Tony once, on 132, even if he doesn't try in any way to make his presence known. Just a quick pass through bot processing, not even into Tony's workspace but just a look through the door. Just to make sure he was alive and healthy and there. Not missing. That's all Steve needed to know, and once he saw Tony working, he left.
But they're bordering on 48 hours now, and two whole days feels like Steve's limit. Which is why, in the end, despite how easily he could have spent the rest of the night with Bucky, he doesn't. He comes here instead, and stands right in front of Tony's new door. ORANGE now. He stares at it for a few seconds, taking a deep breath, thinking through what he knows he wants to say.
Closed to Tony, evening
And honestly, Steve isn't surprised. What happened at the hospital had left part of him feeling bent out of shape. He can't imagine how much worse Tony probably feels, especially since- well. A lot of things.
In the end, that's why Steve gives him space. He doesn't call or text or try to force his way into Tony's life for 24 hours. It helps, obviously, that they're now also attempting to track some kind of brainwasher. It also 'helps' that the last time he saw Tony, all his movements felt like him cringing at the sight of Steve. So yeah, space.
But Steve's learned this particular lesson before. Yes, The investigation is urgent — especially since it now sees like he's running two — but the last time he gave Tony space, it hadn't been the right thing to do. Steve knows now that if he always gives Tony more space, it not only gives the wrong impression, but nothing between them would ever get resolved.
And Steve cares. He cares enough to make sure they talk. To make sure things get resolved.
He does check on Tony once, on 132, even if he doesn't try in any way to make his presence known. Just a quick pass through bot processing, not even into Tony's workspace but just a look through the door. Just to make sure he was alive and healthy and there. Not missing. That's all Steve needed to know, and once he saw Tony working, he left.
But they're bordering on 48 hours now, and two whole days feels like Steve's limit. Which is why, in the end, despite how easily he could have spent the rest of the night with Bucky, he doesn't. He comes here instead, and stands right in front of Tony's new door. ORANGE now. He stares at it for a few seconds, taking a deep breath, thinking through what he knows he wants to say.
And then he knocks.