[Tony takes it all in with a blank expression. There it is, the apology he wanted, face to face instead of a piece of paper. Steve seeming genuinely regretful. Does it make it better? Does it change anything?
No.
After another moment or so, Tony reaches up to carefully scrub one gauntleted hand over his face.]
I know.
[It's quiet. God, he knows that it wasn't Barnes' fault. But knowing that and having the image of Barnes' hands wrapped around his mother's throat burned into his mind are two very different things.
The anger was so much easier. But he likes to think he can at least keep from making the same mistake twice.]
You want to know what happened? We were played. Every step of the way. And it worked.
sorry, steve
No.
After another moment or so, Tony reaches up to carefully scrub one gauntleted hand over his face.]
I know.
[It's quiet. God, he knows that it wasn't Barnes' fault. But knowing that and having the image of Barnes' hands wrapped around his mother's throat burned into his mind are two very different things.
The anger was so much easier. But he likes to think he can at least keep from making the same mistake twice.]
You want to know what happened? We were played. Every step of the way. And it worked.