[ Tony knows that he can't just expect Steve to work on this without him; this is something that lays more on him than it does the blond and Tony is very painfully aware of the fact. what he wants to know is if Steve is still willing to even try it. at the look, Tony gives him a look that is open and raw, more honesty in the look, and the words that follow, than he has allowed anyone to see in a long time.]

Yeah, I am. I have a lot of work to do, I think, relaying some groundwork before I can get to the elaborate bridges I miss so much, but it's worth it.

[ maybe it was supposed to be a metaphor, maybe not. but it is clear that Tony is aware he has things to do, things to fix before he can get back to anything like what he and Steve used to have.]

I think that it being a bigger step back or not, that the future is worth it. [ Tony turns back to the lanterns, something bright sparking in him that hasn't been there in a while. an ember of a thing, but he clings to it selfishly, swearing to fan it into something brighter. ]

Yeah that-- is a way of putting it. I continued with less than advisable choices, found someone even harder to talk down from an ideal than you oddly enough. [ he is laughing when he says it though because, even when he and Danvers are at each other's throats, Tony still loves her fiercely. much like he did (does) Steve. the next bit is quieter. ] Lost more than I thought actually, think I forgot why I fight so hard for the future. Kind of terrifying.