Tony held the elevator door for... Catherine? Caitlin? He couldn't remember. Maintaining his trademark grin, he waved to her as she walked out of the elevator. She turned back around and blew him a kiss, mouthing 'call me.' This grin remained on his face until the doors slid shut.
Tony wouldn't call her. Tony never called any of them, but they all certainly thought he would. Nope, just some good old-fashioned wham, bam, thank you ma'am. Occasionally, a sir thrown in there. Tony just didn't advertise those. Pepper. Pepper was a different story.
With Pepper, Tony had actually seen himself settling down. Maybe throw in a kid or two. But Tony hadn't factored in one important thing. While the packaging may have been ideal, the contents were far from it. The stress levels of running Stark Industries, when Tony seemed incapable of doing so, were manageable. Factor in Tony's penchant for doing everything and anything risky in the name of Iron Man? Now you have a very, very steep cliff that Pepper is being violently thrown off of. No, Pepper found it much more conducive to her sanity to remain simply as an assistant and a friend.
Tony didn't blame her for it. He blamed himself, of course. Tony always took unnecessary risks. Always jumping into the heat of battle without hardly any plan of attack. Yes, if he felt it pertinent he may follow an order, but that was a very rare occurrence.
He'd listen to Steve. Tony respected Steve. Well, he respected him in the way Tony Stark would respect a person. He may follow some orders given, but not without throwing in a bit of his own flair if it suited him. He even could go as far as saying he actually liked Steve Rogers. Although he would never really admit to anyone. Not really even himself.
Tony Stark could not like Steve Rogers. Steve Rogers was Captain fucking America. Steve was sunshine and rainbows. As wholesome as apple pie and white bread. As straight as the stripes on the American flag. No way Tony's puzzle piece would fit together with Steve's piece. Steve deserved better. Just like Pepper deserved better.
That didn't mean that Tony couldn't try and be chummy with the good Captain. In fact, he was going to go down and see him right now. Tony knew Steve was awake. He would never admit why he knew, but he knew. Tony rode the elevator down to the Steve's floor, and entered the living area. Puzzled, he looked around finding no sign of Steve. Maybe he went up to the balcony.
Tony turned about to press the button for the elevator when he heard it. A very quiet whimpering sound, like it was being muffled. He walked further into the living space and discovered the sound emanating from Steve's bedroom. Tony's face blanched. No. It couldn't be.
He crept silently up to the slightly a jar door, and peered inside. Tony saw Steve curled up on his side, the covers haphazardly covering his body. He clutched a pillow to his face, appearing to try and stifle himself. Tony's mouth ran dry, and he clenched his fists nervously. Should he go in? Should he try and comfort Steve? Tony began to reach a hand up as if to push the door open, but decided against it. Letting his hand drop limply back to his side.
Tony quietly backed away towards the elevator and went back up to his own room. No, he couldn't do that. Call him selfish, but he couldn't let him get that close. It would be torture for him. Tony had to keep Steve an arms distance away. Tony could never stop at friendship. He would always be wanting more. And even if Steve could give him what he wanted, Tony would never be able to give anything in return. Tony was damaged. All Tony was good for was sending that damage to those around him.