There was perhaps no one with more animated a face than Tony Stark and Steve found this second transformation, from acceptance to outright surprise to be almost laughable. The man already had massive eyes. This just made him look like a child’s drawing.

“I feel like this is a trick question,” Tony mumbled, glancing for the first time at him, and Steve made sure not to look away. He’d been doing his best to hide and now he was just tired of it. “I thought you guys took care of the resistance...”

It wasn’t an attempt to back peddle, Steve realized. Tony wasn’t just playing dumb. He was actively protecting something. The way he breathed gave it away, though most people would never guess that by looking at him. His eyes could see more. See deeper.

“Please.” Accent and everything, Steve went for it. “We need your help. James and I.” Aren’t you proud of him, Buck? He didn’t use your nickname.