[Tony feels behind him for the chair next to the bed, sitting down a little heavier than is necessary. His legs aren't going to hold him much longer, and he's not going to waste his strength standing up to argue with Steve.

(Steve might have taken the brunt of the energy from the gauntlet, but Tony's not without his own injuries - and that doesn't count the bangs and bruises already incurred in the fight. Tony's just an old hand at faking being better off than he actually is.)]

There is no way to get out. [His lips twist into a parody of a smile.] One thing happens, you think you're done, and then there's the next and the next, always something bigger and badder. I think- I don't think I'll be able to go back into retirement.

[Which is unrelated to giving Steve a hard time for saving him, but the thing about Tony's anger is that it blazes up hot and cools down just as quickly. Doesn't mean he can't hold a grudge, but it does mean that there are times when he's just not angry enough to bash his head against the brick wall that is Steve Rogers.

(Sometimes, he is.)

He sighs; his shoulders slump, and suddenly he looks old and tired.] What I meant was that you're a good person. I...I'm a lot of things, but nobody's ever accused me of that. Which I guess probably explains why you saved me - you being a good person, not me being an asshole. Not that you can't be an asshole sometimes, but- [Tony grimaces and shakes his head.] Not the point.