And Tony shifted a little closer, ducking to just barely brush his mouth against Steve’s shoulder, the barest hint of a kiss. “I can stay,” he agreed softly. If nothing else in his stupid life, he could do that for his soulmate.

It took another second before he finally let go, stepping back. “That’s going to be a long discussion,” he said, trying for a laugh and not quite making it. “We can talk later, okay?”