Clint watches Steve silently peel off to his room and Tony heads to his. He stands there and just throws up his hands, "what the hell." he says quietly. Then he snatches his phone and clicks on his contacts.

She answers, "aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

"How am I supposed to sleep when everyone around me is being an idiot? It's not fair. I'm supposed to be the idiot here."

Laura laughs, a soft little sound that brings him immediate peace. "Tell me what happened."

He finds a staircase and sits on the top step, leaning against the railing. "I don't even know."

"Then tell me something else."

"Would you be mad if I started smoking again?"

There's a long silence and then her voice is even, "as in you accidentally smoked or you plan on starting again?"

"Either. Or both. Or neither. I don't know."

"Why would you want to start again?"

"Because I'm an idiot, didn't I just say?"

She chuckles and her voice is soft, "that stressed, huh?"

He sighs, staring at the cement wall across from him, "yeah…"

"What?"

Dottie raises an eyebrow but says nothing.

She gets annoyed and glares at her roommate as they pack up to head to the theater. "Spill it. Just say what you want to say."

"I just… I get it now."

Her blood starts pumping, "get what?"

"Why you got into the Russian Ballet?" Dottie yawns, brushing back her hair, "I mean, don't get me wrong, you're good. But I would get wherever I wanted too if I was friends with the richest family on earth."

The blonde leaves the hotel room, leaving Natasha furious.

And incredibly self-conscious.

—-

Steve is eating breakfast with the kids in their giant room when Sam walks in from his room. Steve stands, "Sam." The smile on his face at seeing his dad is immediate, he hasn't seen him in so long.

Sam, who he'd missed until now, looks at him with wide eyes and disbelief, "Steve? Is that you?"

"Yeah," he whispers out, "it's me."

"You're huge!"

"Uh, thanks?"

Sam wraps him in a hug and he feels strange noticing how small Sam seems to him now. "How have you been? Howard and Tony-"

"Just a few setbacks." Steve cuts in, "how's the house? How's Sarah and the kids?"

Sam grins, "they're great, growing up fast too."

"That's good." Steve grins, they both look around at all the kids chattering, playing, and eating around them. "Looks like the family has grown some since we left."

Sam nods, "it's been great. Every bed is filled, and we have all the kids in great after school programs. They're getting scholarships to colleges. Daniel's going to graduate this year and everything just seems to be happening so fast."

That makes emotion stick in his throat. Bringing back Clint's words about not having a permanent place anymore. It's true. There's nowhere with a bed with his name on it. Sure a bunch of people would let him stay with them. But there's nowhere that's his. Everyone is moving on.

But he takes a deep breath and nods, smiling at Sam's words, "that's great." He left too. He had to remember that. He left. This is the consequence of that.

"How long do you think you'll serve?"

Steve glances at Sam who is watching him, "what?"

"How long do you think you'll serve?"

"Oh…" Steve tries to think of a reasonable answer. "I don't know…" he glances at the kids, "I just think I'll know when I'm done."

Sam nods and shrugs, "the sooner the better."

Steve tries to lighten the mood, "why, you miss me?"

Sam looks at him and tilts his head, "of course I do. Since the second you left. So do the kids. Especially—" he cuts off but his eyes trail to the sleepy kid walking into the room, rubbing at his scruffy hair.

Peter.

"I know." Steve answers softly. "I miss him too."

A soft hand squeezed his shoulder, "hey, no shame in doing what you feel the need to do. Just come home when you're done doing it. Okay?"

His voice is a bit hoarse when he responds, "okay."

—

"What are you pissed off about?"

Tony rubs at his eyes. Dry from drinking added to the headache he has. His dad is right, he is pissed off.

"Nothin'"

"Anthony—" his mom calls, "you're in a beautiful city and with all your friends and family and Pepper is flying in today, right? How could you be upset?"

Tony drags his eyes over to his mother who looks genuinely confused.

"I just—" how does he explain that he's mad at Steve for just being Steve? Because Steve expects everyone to think and act like Steve?

Well, maybe that's not the truth exactly. But still. Tony's annoyed about it.

"It's hard to explain, mom." He admits, "but I just need to eat and I'll feel better."

He can feel his dad staring at him, knowing he's hungover and trying his very best to not ask why.

"Clint called and said they're eating in the kids room if you want to join."

Tony sighs and grabs his phone, "okay, I'll head there. See you guys at the show."

They nod and wave and he heads out, walking towards the kids room. He stands outside the door and can hear them inside, chattering and talking and just generally enjoying having everyone together.

"You know doors are meant to be knocked on."

He turns to see Peggy staring at him as she walks closer, hair in a bouncy ponytail and comfortable clothes on.

"Ah," he replies sarcastically, "is that so? I didn't know."

"Yes, well," she smirks, "we can't all be geniuses now, can we?"

"Ha-ha" he mocks softly. "You coming for breakfast?"

"Indeed. I'm starved. You?"

"Thinkin' about it."

"So what happened?"

Tony eyes her, "huh?"

"Between you and Steve. Clint mentioned an arctic wind had blown between you but he didn't know what."

"It's nothing."

"Oh?" She leans against the wall, right next to the doorframe, "is that why when I asked Steve about it he said that it's just him being an idiot again?"

Tony feels the sharp way she's watching his expression. "Again?"

"Yes." She answers slowly, and Tony suddenly realizes he's treading on thin ice. As if he got to class only to realize there was a test he didn't study for. "He's become quite adamant that he's a nuisance to everyone around him."

Tony frowns, "who told him he was a nuisance?"

"He's very adept to people's changes in behavior and their expressions."

"So no one."

"You didn't?"

"Okay." Tony grits out, "just me."

"I have to take an elective class," she says, shifting gears in a way that Tony doesn't understand. "I decided to take childhood psychology because I thought it would be interesting and also helpful to me in my future profession." She turns, now leaning her entire back against the wall staring at the opposite side of the hallway, "and I think nothing else of my choice."

She goes quiet. He shifts his weight, knowing there's more, "but?"

"But the second quarter starts and we're talking about childhood trauma and if unresolved, how it will appear in adults." He can't seem to respond, just watches as she studies the wallpaper and then slowly turns her head to catch his gaze. "Do you know that children raised in abusive and or neglectful households will grow up to be very very aware of the emotions happening around them? It's a literal self defense mechanism. Shifts in behavior or emotions could mean anger or abuse is about to take place. The knowledge helps protect the child to not be caught off guard. But it also heightens their stress level, meaning that any shift in said emotions of those around them, can cause said child to worry that that person is now displeased or upset with them." His throat is dry, "and they're unusually most sensitive to those they care most about." She releases his gaze and turns back to the hallway, "and in adults it can manifest similarly. Always worried someone is upset or annoyed at them. Always worrying that someone will decide to abandon them at a moment's notice."

"But Sam—"

"Is an excellent father. And has done a wonderful job to help all of them." Peggy's nodding slowly. "But the trauma experienced is never erased."

"I'm not going to abandon him."

"I'm sure consciously he knows that."

Tony rolls his eyes, "he's not the only one with issues."

Peggy nods, "I'm well aware. All I'm saying is he would move heaven and earth to help you."

"Because he'd be afraid I'd ditch him if he didn't?"

"Perhaps partly subconsciously. But mostly because that's just who Steve is. He grew up helping every one of those kids around him. That's how he sees himself as useful."

His eyes widen, "and you think that's his underlying reason for joining up? He doesn't see himself as worthy of someone's affections unless he's helping people?!"

"Do you remember the scar conversation? At the beach house?"

Tony does. Steve worried that the marks— the evidence that he'd helped the kids— disappearing meant that it might not have happened.

"He—"

"I think it's all very hidden." She cuts in. "I don't even think he admits it to himself. Or even realizes it consciously. He owes every one his time, his protection, and now especially his body."

"I'm not just going to bow to his moral compass because he had a tough childhood."

She looks at him, raising an eyebrow, "his moral compass about what?"

Oh right. No one else knows but him, Steve, and Bucky.

"I have to do what I have to do." He responds, not answering her question, "and Steve is not in charge of my actions. And we're allowed to think differently."

"I'm afraid I don't know the context. But when it comes to matters of morality I find myself standing with Steve automatically. I trust his judgment and his perception of the world around him. So I don't know what you argued about, but I'm assuming he expects a lot from you—"

"He expects me to think and act like him."

"Does he?"

"Might as well have said that."

"Children who grew up with a demanding parent often hear more commands or implications in conversations than are ever spoken or intended."

He glares at her but she doesn't flinch or look away. "Stop psychoanalyzing me, Carter."

"I've heard about your relationship with your father, before—" she stops, looking at him meaningfully before shrugging and falling silent.

"Before Steve. Go ahead. Say it."

"You already did."

"You're saying I owe my dad's better behavior to Steve?"

She shakes her head, "I don't know. Do you? Or do you owe your better behavior to Steve?"

Tony's mouth gapes, disbelief filling him with annoyance at the accusation. But his brain fills in all the little details. All the ways Steve had changed him. And his dad. And Clint. And Natasha. And maybe not so much Bucky, but they were so similar it made sense. Tony wonders what his life would have been like if he hadn't decided to care about Steve and have Steve care about him.

What a different life he would be living. Probably alienated from his dad, probably mad at the world and wasting his time and money. Maybe. Who knows. He can't know because Steve did enter his life. Tony did decide to care.

"And you?" He decides to snap back, changing the focus from himself, "how has Steve changed you?"

She huffs out a laugh that's soft and full of emotion. "How could I not be changed?" She looks up at him, "did you ever read the letter he wrote me?"

"Letter?"

"When he d—ied." She trips over that word but gets it out, "he wrote all of us letters. Did you ever read mine?"

He slowly shakes his head.

"Hmm." She responds, eyeing the carpet and tapping her fingernails along the wall she's leaning against. "To know you're holding the last words of someone who loved you. Who wanted to spend every life experience with you and had that option stripped away... It changes you. To be loved is to be changed." Her smile is soft and he's surprised by how she directs it at him. "I've learned not to take anytime I have with him fro granted. I've learned that kindness and compassion can overcome almost any obstacle. I've learned that standing up for what I believe in is one of the most important things a person can do." She tilts her head, "You've changed too, Anthony. Even from when I met you first and you were skeptical of me. Protective of Steve in a way I didn't understand yet. But you've changed for the better."

Something childish in him wants to shout, 'I have not'. And possibly stick his tongue out for good measure, but she's saying it so genuinely.

"Steve's changed because of you too." Tony's eyes widen, not expecting that. She nods as if affirming her statement, "he's always been courageous on his own. I can tell. But he's now more confident. Willing to face challenges he never could have before because he knows he has support. He told me that when you went the crazy extra mile to bug his clothes and his hearing aid—" she raises an eyebrow, "that he said he never felt more loved, at least not since his mother." Tony's throat is going dry. "You went out of your way. Spent time and money and insane effort to try to help him." She smiles at him, such gratitude one her features, "that he told me that's the minute he decided you were his family. That you were his brother in all but blood. You cared for him and decided he was worth saving." She rests a hand on his shoulder, "I never thanked you for that. Thank you. Without you and your father I would be in a much darker world. So truly, thank you. And whatever is going on between you… I know it's nothing you two can't figure out."

Then she's knocking on the door and Wanda is dragging her inside and Peter is tugging on his hand but he's speechless.

—

Bucky watches as Natasha seems intensely focused, spinning, kicking, leaping, flying on that stage. She's a force to be reckoned with and he's in awe the whole time.

Yelena sits next to him on his right and Wanda on his left and he keeps hearing them gasp in delight and he has to agree. Even the way the light glints off her red hair makes a spectacle and he's so damn proud of the way she dances. The two hour ballet seems to be over in minutes and suddenly they're standing and clapping. He hears Sam shout "bravo!" Which makes him want to be embarrassed, but he can't be. It was too perfect. So he echoes the sound, catching her gaze from the stage as he does so, "Bravo!"

—-

Natasha smiles as best as she can as she bows, seeing her whole family clap and cheer for her. But the rock in her stomach won't leave her be. Had Howard paid for her to get in? Had he used his connections? Had she earned her place or been given it?

She'd made sure to dance perfectly, executing every moment of the choreography like her life depended on it.

Because it felt like it did.

I earned this place. I earned it. No one gave it to me.

— is the repeating stance in her mind.

But the nerves in her stomach say differently.

—

They're all hugging and applauding and congratulating Natasha at the end. Steve watches her as she accepts it and smiles and hugs them back but there's a tightness to her eyes and they keep flicking to Howard. He wonders about that.

She's given time to change and take off her stage makeup, but soon they're heading towards the restaurant. Howard had picked one they could walk too and that had planets of kid friendly options. He smiles as Peggy points out a few places she's been and her opinion of them. He does not smile at the way men ogle her, Natasha, and Pepper as they walk along the streets.

They're walking through the door when he feels his phone buzz. He steps to the side, glancing at the screen.

Castle

He slides to answer and steps further away. "Hello?"

"Tell me why there's a million dollar bounty on your head."

Steve feels the world go silent, blood rushing. His adrenaline spiking, "a what ?"

"The Ten Rings just put out a one million dollar bounty on your head. Two million if they bring you in alive."

There's no words he can formulate in his mind to respond. His eyes go searching as if someone might appear right now and take him out. But Castle is still talking.

"—it's just a grainy 3 second video clip from poor surveillance footage. They don't have your name or anything, but I recognized you right away. So I wanted you to know." He still can't think of a single thing to say. "Steve?"

Castle using his first name is almost worse news. His voice is a rasp, "yeah?"

"What happened on that mission?"

"I pissed off Raza."

There. That's at least true.

Castle has a long enough silence where Peggy comes over and looks at him curiously, wondering what's happening. He tries to manage a smile but he must not make it convincing because she's frowning and searching his face.

"Raza." Castle finally repeats, "Leader of the Ten Rings, known terrorist, violent and bloodthirsty, has personally overseen the destruction of at least three dozen villages, Raza?" Steve makes a noise of assent and Castle lets out a long breath that is riddled with disbelief. "Well, shit." Then a pause. "Is that who you got the intel from?"

"It's a long story."

And Castle says something that almost makes him laugh, "oh right, the dance is tonight. Okay. We will talk about this when I see you tomorrow night. I'm sending Johnny and Morita your way. I know you have Barnes and Barton, but it'd like extra eyes escorting you back to where we're meeting up. Okay?"

"Okay." Not like he could say no.

Then the man hangs up and Steve looks down at Peggy who tilts her head, "who was that?"

"Just my team leader."

"Everything okay?"

He forces a laugh and a nod, "yeah. Everything is fine."

—

Bucky gets a text from Castle.

Eyes up. Stay Sharp.

He looks over to see Clint looking at his phone too. Clint looks up at him, as if wondering the same thing and they share a look. They both look to Steve who is sitting between Peggy and Peter and very astutely not looking at them. Bucky narrows his eyes.

? — Is all he texts back.

A quick — Rogers — is all he gets in response.

And Bucky understands. Something is up and Steve is in the middle of it. Like always. He knows it has to do with the shit mission that just happened. Clint looks more confused because he hasn't even received the full story. But why warn them now? Why tell them to stay sharp right now?

Something's up.

—-

"What is it?" Clint turns to see Natasha studying him from across the table.

He smiles and shoves his phone in his pocket. "I could ask you the same thing."

She frowns and he laughs.

Everyone seems to be having a good time and Clint smiles at the huge family all together for the first time in months. So much has changed it's hard to believe. He desperately wishes Laura was here. But he'll see her soon, and he's happy about that. He'll get to see Melissa then too, which he's looking forward to.

His senses prickle and his hand is reaching out to catch something before his brain can fully process it. A bread roll lands in his palm and he narrows his eyes at Pietro who is looking at the ceiling innocently. Clint tosses it softly back and it bounces off the kids light blonde hair and the group laughs.

—

Steve feels a phone buzz and he furrows his brow, worried that it was Castle again and something else was happening. But when he feels his pocket, it stays still. But the buzz happens again and he glances to see Peggy's phone sitting in her chair which she had vacated to go to the bathroom. It buzzes again, lighting up and his sharp eyes make out words.

Words he wishes he could unread.

Three messages are displayed, having been sent one right after the other

Hey Carter, miss seeing you in class in those tight pencil skirts.

When do you want to plan our next date?

You should wear that little black dress again. :)

Steve's eyes read the name.

Jack

Just Jack.

A familiar title. No last name.

It's funny how the fact that potentially Peggy is unhappy and exploring another relationship brings him more dread than the fact that there's a terrorist killer who wants him dead.

Except he just can't fathom that. She wouldn't. He knows her. He loves her. She wouldn't do that to him… unless he's not doing a good enough job at being her boyfriend.

The thought sinks like a weight to the pit of his stomach. He was gone all the time… he wasn't there for her. He'd willing enlisted and just left.

The logical strategic part of his brain wars with that. It tries to scream the evidence that she does indeed love him and this is some strange misunderstanding and he should just ask . She's made it very clear she loves him. Even at his sickest, ugliest, scrawniest. On his literal deathbed. She punched Hodge for him. She loves him. And he loves her.

But the part of him that suffered under Mrs. Schmidt, the part of him that heard for years and years how worthless, hopeless, and unlovable he was, squirms. Feels off balance. Feels like he's suddenly on a tightrope. The part of him that heard her say he was always going to be abandoned goes into a slight panic. He's deathly aware of how he could never measure up to deserving Peggy. How utterly magnificent, fiery, beautiful and intelligent she is and how unremarkable he's always been.

And he's called her to tell how annoying he is to everyone else. He's admitted to her all his failings.

The emotions are strong. Overwhelming. He hasn't felt this out of control of them since the forest with Clint.

He knows he just needs to ask. But just then her phone lights up again and a fourth message pops through.

He expects it to be from Jack.

But it's not.

Daniel

His throat goes dry and he can't help but read the message.

Just got out of class. Want to meet at the usual spot? Coffee on me!

"I'll be right back." He whispers out to Peter, and then he's going, striding out the front doors of the restaurant and into the cold London air.

—

"What's wrong?" Tony looks up to see what his dad is pointing at. Steve's retreating back, out the front doors and disappearing.

"I don't know." Tony shrugs.

"You know I'm here if—"

"I know." Tony cuts in. "I know. It's going to be fine. I just need time and then I'll get my head out of my ass."

He can sense his moms frown and he sighs, "sorry."

She doesn't respond but she does touch his cheek before turning back to Clint and asking him another question about Laura.

He looks up to a laugh and Bucky is standing, "guys, guess who is coming!"

"Who?" A few people chorus.

"Monty!" Bucky grins, "he's almost here!"

People chatter excitedly. The kids had met him all the way back last year after the Emil incident.

"How nice." His dad says, "assuming he's home for the holidays?"

"Mm-hmm." Bucky responds, texting something, "I thought he might be so I texted him."

"Someone warn Steve he'll have another gawker." Clint jests and the rest of the group laughs softly.

"Gawker about what?" Peggy asks, coming back from the bathroom with Wanda in tow.

"Monty is coming to meet us." Bucky says.

Peggy smiles, "how lovely." Then she looks around, "where's Steve?"

"Said he'd be right back." Peter pipes up, "went outside." Peggy nods and sits even though her eyes flick outside.

Tony catches a glance between Bucky and Clint. "What?" He asks, "why the look?"

And maybe he expects to be kept in the dark but Clint leans over, "something big went down on the last mission and our team leader, Castle, is telling us to be on alert. Maybe he got another call."

Tony eyes Bucky, "what happened on that mission?"

"Nothing good." He admits, "Steve didn't tell me everything, but I get the feeling he pissed off some bad people when he collected that intel and he—" Bucky curls his fist and then releases it, wrinkling his nose, "he made some tough decisions."

Tony can feel his dad listening but the man stays quiet.

—-

Clint watches as Steve walks back into the restaurant, Monty in tow, and they all say hello and greet him. He and Bucky start up a conversation about how things have been.

The conversation lasts for a long while but eventually half the kids are practically asleep and the decision to head back to the hotel is made.

"You coming to stay with us tonight?" He asks Natasha.

"Of course." She grins, "wouldn't miss it."

—-

Natasha makes her way quietly through the thickly carpeted hallway. She arrives at the door and knocks softly, hoping their usual late night tendencies are the same.

Tony answers, looking tired but clearly awake and working on something, tablet in his hand.

"Nat?"

"Is your dad awake?"

Understanding dawns on his face and he nods, "yeah, hold up, let me get him."

He beckons her inside and she follows, standing quietly in the kitchen area while Tony disappears into a doorway.

Howard exits, a pen behind his ear and a phone at his ear.

"Stane, yeah, I'm going to call you back. Just keep me updated, okay?"

He hangs up and looks at Tony in confusion before looking back at her. "Natasha? Is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure." She answers softly, "I guess it depends on your answer."

"My answer to…?"

Tony is quietly off to the side, and she feels so raw, vulnerable, fragile like his answer could shatter her.

"Did I get into the Russian Ballet on my own merits?"

Howard blinks, seeming caught off guard, "what?"

"Did you have anything to do with me getting into the Russian Ballet?!" Her voice is a bit hysterical and she tries to take a deep breath to calm down.

Howard's face shifts, and his hand lifts, "Natasha—"

She gasps, hands coming up to her mouth as her belief shatters. She takes a step back and can't decide what she wants. To run? To turn back time? Was it better to have not known?

She turns, reaching for the door when a hand grasps her wrists. "Now, hold on—"

"Let go!" She snaps, tears of frustration and embarrassment rising, "you had no right! You had no right!"

"Natasha, you need to understand—"

"I can do it myself!" She practically yelps, "I could have done it myself!"

"You did!" Howard exclaims, gently trying to get her to turn to face him, "you did."

"You just said—"

"Natasha." All three of them stop, Maria's voice cutting through the situation. "Howard, let her go." His hand drops hers immediately, but he doesn't step back, looking like he might snatch her again if she tried to run. "Howard, explain."

Natasha eyes the man who now looks 10x more tired than he had a minute ago. "The only thing I did, was alert a scout that they should come watch a performance. You were already doing recitals and auditions and performances for future programs. But I have connections. And so yes, I used them. But I didn't say who. I knew you wouldn't want that." He frowns, "Just like Steve, I've watched you fight for everything by yourself. I've watched you try to earn everything in your life, for you and Yelena. I didn't give any more special treatment than that. Just told them to be there. Didn't say who. Didn't even say to look for a girl." He looks at her imploringly, "you earned your spot because they saw your talent." She's torn, and he must see that, because his face gets stern. "Should Tony have left Steve alone?"

The direction confuses her, "what?"

"You're here, accusing me of helping. Mad that I intervened in your life." He points to Tony, "should Tony, and for that matter all of you, not have intervened in Steve's life?"

"That's different."

"Why?"

"Because one is about safety, his well being. Mine isn't."

"Why are people so against getting help." Howard grits out. "I don't see a difference. I could make something better for someone I love like my own daughter!" The words strike her core because he says them so genuinely, "so of course I will do that! But I also tried to do it in a way where you wouldn't be mad!" He huffs, putting his hands on his hips, "okay?"

"You didn't tell them to look at me?"

"No."

"So I earned it myself?"

He rolls his eyes, "yes, that's what I've been trying to say."

Relief floods through her and she feels a small sheepish grin cross her face. "Okay." She whispers out, "thank you."

Howard grins. "Anytime, Nat."

Maria walks over, holds her cheek and then hugs her, "never doubt your worth simply because you received help." Maria eyes her with a raised eyebrow, "I've watched you dance so many times. You more than earned your place."

Her eyes close and she clears her throat, "thank you."

—

Tony waves goodbye as Natasha exits.

His dad is walking back towards his room when Tony starts a sentence, "dad—" he cuts off. Unsure how to ask.

But his dad is patient, turning and waiting.

"Do you think Steve owes us…? For anything at all?"

His dad tilts his head, "why would he owe us anything?"

"Because we…" Tony suddenly feels awkward, but he keeps going, "for saving his life… for paying the brothers or.. just everything."

There's a bit of disbelief on his dad's face, but he just shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head. "You think I would have done all that if I didn't think Steve deserved it?"

Tony stays quiet. Not sure how to respond.

His dad rubs at his face, musing his mustache, "is this why Steve was asking me how much everything costs so he could start paying me back?"

Tony grimaces, "we had just had an argument."

"Tony…" his dad says with a sigh. "I'm not sure you quite understand the bigger picture."

"Which is?"

"We're Starks," he sighs, "we've got the smarts, and the money, and the resources."

Tony frowns, "okay…?"

"But…" his dad shrugs, "if we don't have a guiding light?" He shakes his head, "things get ugly. Greed. Power. Or even worse, indifference can take over. Sure we donate to charity and we buy bricks and beams for baby hospitals." He grins, it's an old joke, "but we're too smart for our own good. We see all the cracks in the human facade. We're skeptical, harsh, and unforgiving. We have such high standards for ourselves and for those around us that almost no one lives up to it and we become jaded... We can be callous and never blink an eye about it."

Tony watches his dad in stunned silence while he yawns and then smiles, "but when you met Steve. And that led to us meeting a whole bunch of people with genuinely good and kind hearts?" His dad grins wryly, "I saw how much I'd been screwing up, not only as a person with money and power, but as a dad." He reaches out, poking Tony in the chest lightly. "Steve doesn't owe us jack shit. Steve saved our relationship. Steve saved those kids in that house probably a thousand times before we got there. He gave Natasha the courage to stand up to her adoptive mom. He unwittingly gave Clint the courage to stop smoking which probably helped elongate his life. And that's all before we even did anything. You hadn't paid the brothers yet." His dad turns to him and raises an eyebrow. "Steve saved those girls from drowning, and he stayed alive long enough to put those bastard brothers that would have probably eventually tormented Clint into prison. And now he's literally putting his life on the line to make the world a safer place." His dad shakes his head, "that kid, just like Natasha, has earned everything he's got."

Then his dad waits, wondering if he'll have something else to say. But he doesn't. So without a word, his dad hugs him, kisses him on the top of his head, and then ruffles his hair. "Night, kiddo."

Then he's gone and for the second time in that very long day, Tony is left speechless.