[ So Stephen and Tony are similar that way. Can't handle the loss of control, can't handle not knowing. The difference is that Stephen has the emotional steadiness required for a man of medicine and Tony is...well, Tony. His tendency to act on hair-trigger emotions is one of his most destructive and well-known character flaws, among many.

So yes, this is difficult for both of them. ]

Just trust you? [ Tony snorts, and his tone is unkind. ] Sorry Doc, I'm fresh outta the stuff. Don't suppose you heard what happened between me and the frontman of the artists formerly known as The Avengers? [ Speaking of acting on emotional hair-triggers... ] Pretty sure I mentioned it during our little pow-wow at your place, right before we blasted off to parts unknown. If I didn't have trust issues before...

[ Tony trails off into a sigh, rubbing at his temples, clearly exhausted. Though he wants to press further, he also knows a lost cause when he sees one. And he's so, so tired. When he speaks again, it's with an edge of sadness. ]

Right. Well, clearly I'll mess things up if I'm in the know, so...forget it. As long as everyone's back, and--and safe. I can...suck it up.