Fortunately for Gene, Tony doesn't hold them captive for long, since Gene is doing his Cat Reluctantly Tolerating Unsolicited Affection impression.

He isn't above allying with Pepper to get the dumb hat on Gene's head, though.

"Nice. That's a good look for you." He grins. "Nerd."

Tony takes another, more thorough look around the room: banner, streamers, paper lanterns, disco lights... "You guys really went all-out." He is touched and impressed. "I never really thought about birthdays, here, since everybody's timelines are all mixed up, you know? I just got lucky that my dates almost matched up. We're going to have to decide when to celebrate your birthdays."