Howard's expression softens slightly. He's not without sympathy, after all; it's obvious there's a deep wound lying just beneath the mask Tony likes to parade around in. He can guess whose fault that is.

"Look, I might give you a hard time now and then, but it's only because you're more than capable of handling this on your own. I'm not pulling your leg when I say that you've got it in the bag. What good would I be if I spent all my time hovering over your shoulder, huh?"