Now that was startling. Not only that Steve would call him out on it, but that he was so wrong. Tony opened and closed his mouth, genuinely speechless, before he burst out laughing. “I don’t like you? Yep. That’s exactly why I baked you a cake and got together your documents and drove over here so I could wake you up at midnight—. I wouldn’t want to know what someone like me would do if I hated you.”

Laughing was good, it was easy, and Tony reached out in an uncharacteristic gesture to put his hand on Steve’s shoulder before he opened the car door and stepped out onto the street.

The little pizza shop was bustling and filled with industry workers just getting off of their shift, and drunks trying to fill their bellies after last call. No one seemed to notice him for the moment, but that would change. Especially when he opened the car door for Steve and waited for him to get our. Like a gentleman.

“You’re an idiot. I’ll say that much. Come on. I’ll buy you a slice.”