Tony flirts like breathing and Steve should know better than to read into it, but all his irritation from has been shifting into something else since Tony arrived. This isn’t the place to unpack the way he feels about the oddly possessive display earlier, or the difference between a touch from someone he likes and being handled like a show piece by strangers.

The comment about the kind of person who would be right for him makes his jaw clench. What makes you think I want nice is at the tip of his tongue. Unfortunately, the wide berth they had been given is already shrinking, people drifting closer to get to the bar. A few of the bolder ones seem like they might be gearing up to interrupt.

Well. The whole evening has been sliding towards what his squad used to call the fuck it threshold anyway.

Steve sets his glass down, pitches his voice for Tony’s ears only. “My only desire right now is an exit strategy, so I can make our excuses and you can take me home.”