Tony Stark (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
runs_on_batteries) wrote2022-02-14 12:37 am
runs_on_batteries) wrote2022-02-14 12:37 am
IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0
[For IC messages/ posts in suggestion box/ 'I don't want to flood the comms stuff'/ etc etc etc.]
[For IC messages/ posts in suggestion box/ 'I don't want to flood the comms stuff'/ etc etc etc.]
Gladio had started to cross his arms over his chest when Tony laughed, his smile widened and he was about to say more when his friend decided to up the ante. His brows rose as he watched the older man scurry up the stairs like he was on fire.
He'd thought he was just being a good friend honestly. But he supposed he could see how his actions would look like something more if he wasn't used to it. Maybe Gladio needed to hold back some... It was just that he'd been out and remembered that Tony had asked about clothes. So he'd grabbed some. He needed a room so he'd set something up. It was all reasonable stuff to him...
Though that parting shot was something of a surprise.
Just for tonight, he'd said. Just this once. Was it just an offhand comment or did he actually...
No. No way. Gladio frowned and after a minute of being lost in thought, he shook his head and pushed away from the counter. There's no way that's what Tony wanted. Why would he? It was just this world, wasn't it? Just Tony feeling lonely. Just that idle flirtation that he'd always dabbled in. Gladio dismissed the thoughts and decided it was time to lay down and just try not to think.
And that would have gone amazingly well if, when he got to the top of the stairs he hadn't had to walk passed the bathroom. And if Tony hadn't forgotten to close the door. And if he hadn't have glanced that way...
Without meaning to, Gladio had stopped walking. His body had just frozen on the spot, his eyes on the shape beyond the crack in the door. It wasn't open much. The figure moved in and out of his line of sight. But what he saw... There was absolutely no doubt that Tony was an amazing looking man. Clothed or not, apparently. He remembered how that body had felt against his own. Warm, solid, soft in all the right places, not nearly as hard as he would have liked him to be.
... Gladio's eyes widened a bit and he made himself reach out and quietly close the door before he hurried his ass to his bedroom. That door was closed behind him before he dropped onto his bed and covered his face with his hands. No. No thoughts like that were bad. So bad. It couldn't happen, right? It was impossible. It was... not the first time thoughts like that had popped into his head. Idle thoughts, nothing he would ever have acted on. Gladio was sure he wasn't alone in that either. He'd wager that almost everyone Tony encountered wondered what it would be like to spend the night with the man. Was he all talk? Or did he have the skills to back up his flirtations? Maybe Gladio had a passing interest to find out, but with Tony engaged to Ignis and his own relationships, he would never have muddied the waters. They had been harmless thoughts. 'Look but don't touch'.
Only now he could touch. But did he dare? Could he...?
Tony had just gotten here. If they did do anything it would make things awkward. Gladio wasn't someone who liked to sleep around. Generally he slept with people he cared about. And he did care about Tony. Gladio just wasn't sure what that actually meant...
He'd thought he was just being a good friend honestly. But he supposed he could see how his actions would look like something more if he wasn't used to it. Maybe Gladio needed to hold back some... It was just that he'd been out and remembered that Tony had asked about clothes. So he'd grabbed some. He needed a room so he'd set something up. It was all reasonable stuff to him...
Though that parting shot was something of a surprise.
Just for tonight, he'd said. Just this once. Was it just an offhand comment or did he actually...
No. No way. Gladio frowned and after a minute of being lost in thought, he shook his head and pushed away from the counter. There's no way that's what Tony wanted. Why would he? It was just this world, wasn't it? Just Tony feeling lonely. Just that idle flirtation that he'd always dabbled in. Gladio dismissed the thoughts and decided it was time to lay down and just try not to think.
And that would have gone amazingly well if, when he got to the top of the stairs he hadn't had to walk passed the bathroom. And if Tony hadn't forgotten to close the door. And if he hadn't have glanced that way...
Without meaning to, Gladio had stopped walking. His body had just frozen on the spot, his eyes on the shape beyond the crack in the door. It wasn't open much. The figure moved in and out of his line of sight. But what he saw... There was absolutely no doubt that Tony was an amazing looking man. Clothed or not, apparently. He remembered how that body had felt against his own. Warm, solid, soft in all the right places, not nearly as hard as he would have liked him to be.
... Gladio's eyes widened a bit and he made himself reach out and quietly close the door before he hurried his ass to his bedroom. That door was closed behind him before he dropped onto his bed and covered his face with his hands. No. No thoughts like that were bad. So bad. It couldn't happen, right? It was impossible. It was... not the first time thoughts like that had popped into his head. Idle thoughts, nothing he would ever have acted on. Gladio was sure he wasn't alone in that either. He'd wager that almost everyone Tony encountered wondered what it would be like to spend the night with the man. Was he all talk? Or did he have the skills to back up his flirtations? Maybe Gladio had a passing interest to find out, but with Tony engaged to Ignis and his own relationships, he would never have muddied the waters. They had been harmless thoughts. 'Look but don't touch'.
Only now he could touch. But did he dare? Could he...?
Tony had just gotten here. If they did do anything it would make things awkward. Gladio wasn't someone who liked to sleep around. Generally he slept with people he cared about. And he did care about Tony. Gladio just wasn't sure what that actually meant...
Tony was unaware anything had happened. If he'd known, he most likely would've given the younger man a better show. He no longer had that ugly scar on his chest thanks to healing he'd gotten on the train, so he had nothing to be self-conscious about.
He used the products Gladio had in the shower, pleased it was something better than the crap he'd been using. If he'd been told he'd get this kind of treatment to go be a porn star for a god, he might have come here willingly.
After drying off and borrowing a few other things without asking, he picked up his clothes and left the bathroom with a towel around his waist. He paused as he saw Gladio's door was closed. He was tempted to stop and actually thank him for the clothes, but he decided what he'd already done was good enough. Besides, he was going to find a way to treat his friend before the end of the week. He didn't know how yet, but he was sure he would figure it out.
Getting fresh underwear on and crawling into bed, he laid there in the silence. It was deafening. He strained to hear Gladio snore, but couldn't. At least not yet. He wished he could return to where he'd slept last night, but he couldn't- wouldn't- no couldn't was right.
He used the products Gladio had in the shower, pleased it was something better than the crap he'd been using. If he'd been told he'd get this kind of treatment to go be a porn star for a god, he might have come here willingly.
After drying off and borrowing a few other things without asking, he picked up his clothes and left the bathroom with a towel around his waist. He paused as he saw Gladio's door was closed. He was tempted to stop and actually thank him for the clothes, but he decided what he'd already done was good enough. Besides, he was going to find a way to treat his friend before the end of the week. He didn't know how yet, but he was sure he would figure it out.
Getting fresh underwear on and crawling into bed, he laid there in the silence. It was deafening. He strained to hear Gladio snore, but couldn't. At least not yet. He wished he could return to where he'd slept last night, but he couldn't- wouldn't- no couldn't was right.
It's not my business to pry into such matters.
[ Have a bit of a teasing smile coming on. ]
I only ask since Gladio had an... interesting encounter with her. [ An amused look comes on his face. ] Ask him how she hurt him. [ Her tail whipped him in the balls she said.
He picks up his fork, pausing a moment. ]
Certainly, what do you wish to know?
[ Have a bit of a teasing smile coming on. ]
I only ask since Gladio had an... interesting encounter with her. [ An amused look comes on his face. ] Ask him how she hurt him. [ Her tail whipped him in the balls she said.
He picks up his fork, pausing a moment. ]
Certainly, what do you wish to know?
[Tony sighed sadly.]
Yes but you miss so much. You miss getting to know people. You miss finding out where they're from, what they think, what they know. If all you do is talk, the only information you get is your own and you already know that. Trust me, I've learned that the hard way.
[And spent many years wishing he'd gotten to know Peter and the others who disappeared better.]
Take us for instance. I know you. I could write a book about you from your favorite childhood pastime to your greatest fears to exactly how to make you wake your neighbors at night. The last time we talked all you wanted was to tell me about Noct. What the hell was up with that? I'm a stranger that one of your brothers has accepted into his house without a blink of an eye. Isn't there anything you'd like to know about me?
Yes but you miss so much. You miss getting to know people. You miss finding out where they're from, what they think, what they know. If all you do is talk, the only information you get is your own and you already know that. Trust me, I've learned that the hard way.
[And spent many years wishing he'd gotten to know Peter and the others who disappeared better.]
Take us for instance. I know you. I could write a book about you from your favorite childhood pastime to your greatest fears to exactly how to make you wake your neighbors at night. The last time we talked all you wanted was to tell me about Noct. What the hell was up with that? I'm a stranger that one of your brothers has accepted into his house without a blink of an eye. Isn't there anything you'd like to know about me?
[ If Tony is looking at Ignis' wrist then the mark that was on him is gone. His sleeve falls back a bit, revealing a bit of skin.
Have a confused sigh. ]
I suppose you have a point, but it's the way how I was raised. I tend to observe more than ask, take you for example. When you first entered the cafe, I knew you were a newcomer right away just from your footfalls alone. My hearing has gotten sharper lately.
[ Ardyn had been so difficult for him to accept, particularity since he's the soul reason for their problems back home. Tony, however, may be new, but he's a friend of Gladio's ]
I'm... a bit lost as to what happened there. [ Have a frustrated sigh at himself over that one. ] It hasn't been a pleasant few months on top of that.
Of course I'm curious about you, but we parted on bad terms before I got a chance to ask. I know you know me and how that came to be and what's in store for you back home. [ Other than that, he doesn't know much. ] What's your world like?
Have a confused sigh. ]
I suppose you have a point, but it's the way how I was raised. I tend to observe more than ask, take you for example. When you first entered the cafe, I knew you were a newcomer right away just from your footfalls alone. My hearing has gotten sharper lately.
[ Ardyn had been so difficult for him to accept, particularity since he's the soul reason for their problems back home. Tony, however, may be new, but he's a friend of Gladio's ]
I'm... a bit lost as to what happened there. [ Have a frustrated sigh at himself over that one. ] It hasn't been a pleasant few months on top of that.
Of course I'm curious about you, but we parted on bad terms before I got a chance to ask. I know you know me and how that came to be and what's in store for you back home. [ Other than that, he doesn't know much. ] What's your world like?
[He breathed a soft laugh. He knew that too- at least the part about how Ignis had been raised. The rest he could imagine now that his eyesight was gone, though that didn't make it unimpressive.
He was about to make a joke about only getting the cookie part of an ice cream sandwich when he noticed something. He reached out and caught Ignis' wrist. It wasn't so firm he couldn't pull away but Tony turned it and then brushed his thumb along the skin at his sleeve.]
We'll get back to that question but.. where did that little rainbow that you had on your wrist go?
He was about to make a joke about only getting the cookie part of an ice cream sandwich when he noticed something. He reached out and caught Ignis' wrist. It wasn't so firm he couldn't pull away but Tony turned it and then brushed his thumb along the skin at his sleeve.]
We'll get back to that question but.. where did that little rainbow that you had on your wrist go?
Pardon?
[ He's a bit confused when Tony grabs his wrist. Give him a moment to think here. ]
Oh.
The bears, [ he murmurs quietly to himself, but loud enough for Tony to hear. ] I wasn't aware of them or what they could do when we first met, I'm aware of them now. If it was a rainbow then that must be the reason why I told you some of the things I did.
[ Have a heavy sigh. ] I suppose I can't escape the truth, for lack of better term, from this world for too long. They had a mistletoe last month that pulled a similar experience, but I got lucky and dodged that one.
My deepest apologies, it sounds like I was effected by this world's strange occurrences and I wasn't aware of it.
[ He's a bit confused when Tony grabs his wrist. Give him a moment to think here. ]
Oh.
The bears, [ he murmurs quietly to himself, but loud enough for Tony to hear. ] I wasn't aware of them or what they could do when we first met, I'm aware of them now. If it was a rainbow then that must be the reason why I told you some of the things I did.
[ Have a heavy sigh. ] I suppose I can't escape the truth, for lack of better term, from this world for too long. They had a mistletoe last month that pulled a similar experience, but I got lucky and dodged that one.
My deepest apologies, it sounds like I was effected by this world's strange occurrences and I wasn't aware of it.
Say what? The-
[Oh wait. Someone- no, Pyra- had mentioned imprints. Could that mark have been the imprint she was talking about?]
You think you had a compulsion to tell me that story? Alright, I've heard worse excuses than that.
Well.. my world sounds a lot bigger than yours and we have different animals. Most of the countries in my world don't have kings, though business tycoons can have almost as much power as one might- and I'm one of those. I'm just your average billionaire, philanthropist, former playboy, superhero.
[Ignis would almost be able to hear the grin on Tony's face.]
[Oh wait. Someone- no, Pyra- had mentioned imprints. Could that mark have been the imprint she was talking about?]
You think you had a compulsion to tell me that story? Alright, I've heard worse excuses than that.
Well.. my world sounds a lot bigger than yours and we have different animals. Most of the countries in my world don't have kings, though business tycoons can have almost as much power as one might- and I'm one of those. I'm just your average billionaire, philanthropist, former playboy, superhero.
[Ignis would almost be able to hear the grin on Tony's face.]
The bears. You don't have a mark on yourself, do you?
It explains a bit about how our last encounter went.
[ Ignis thinks back to how Tony reacted to Rio joining his lap for a moment. ] Seems like both of our worlds have cats, and I'd assume you already know quite the bit of the animals that are on Eos. Alright, what wouldn't I know about that's from your world?
I don't want to overload you with questions, so let's take this apart bit by bit here.
It explains a bit about how our last encounter went.
[ Ignis thinks back to how Tony reacted to Rio joining his lap for a moment. ] Seems like both of our worlds have cats, and I'd assume you already know quite the bit of the animals that are on Eos. Alright, what wouldn't I know about that's from your world?
I don't want to overload you with questions, so let's take this apart bit by bit here.
[Tigers.
The word might as well have been a splash of ice water or a kick in the groin. What was he even doing here? This was a mistake. The loss of the relationship he had felt so fresh in that moment, he could barely breathe.
He took a steadying breath to try and compose himself again.]
There's nothing that important really. Did you try the cake? The one you make is a lot better. You're not the type of cook to leave out an ingredient as a secret are you?
[He knew the answer, but he needed to distance himself from that question. It was stupid. He asked Ignis to ask him questions and then had a bad reaction to the first one asked.]
The word might as well have been a splash of ice water or a kick in the groin. What was he even doing here? This was a mistake. The loss of the relationship he had felt so fresh in that moment, he could barely breathe.
He took a steadying breath to try and compose himself again.]
There's nothing that important really. Did you try the cake? The one you make is a lot better. You're not the type of cook to leave out an ingredient as a secret are you?
[He knew the answer, but he needed to distance himself from that question. It was stupid. He asked Ignis to ask him questions and then had a bad reaction to the first one asked.]
[ Ah? Did he ask the wrong question here? He's confused a bit, but he lets it go for the moment. He won't push Tony into answering that one then if it brought up awful memories. ]
What about the superhero bit?
[ He hadn't forgotten about the cake, but that does remind him to fetch something later, not now. ]
Indeed I did, but something feels a bit off about it. It's the fault of the replicators, after all.
[ Have a soft laugh at the last question. ]
No, I'm not. [ At least that he's aware of. ] The replicators are doing a good job of that though.
What about the superhero bit?
[ He hadn't forgotten about the cake, but that does remind him to fetch something later, not now. ]
Indeed I did, but something feels a bit off about it. It's the fault of the replicators, after all.
[ Have a soft laugh at the last question. ]
No, I'm not. [ At least that he's aware of. ] The replicators are doing a good job of that though.
[Tony sighed and shook his head. None of this was Ignis' fault.]
No, it's.. I had a pet name for you is all. It's nothing.
[He knew it wasn't for Ignis either, but maybe not quite as hard.]
Superhero bit.. I was part of a team of individuals with specialized skills to protect our world.
[He frowned and looked down at the plates with the bad version of Ignis' favorite cake.]
You know what, you're right. This isn't working. Do you know how to read braille yet?
No, it's.. I had a pet name for you is all. It's nothing.
[He knew it wasn't for Ignis either, but maybe not quite as hard.]
Superhero bit.. I was part of a team of individuals with specialized skills to protect our world.
[He frowned and looked down at the plates with the bad version of Ignis' favorite cake.]
You know what, you're right. This isn't working. Do you know how to read braille yet?
[ Oh. It's neither of their faults really, Ignis hadn't known that bit. ]
I see.
You ran into Regis, he gave me a few things on my birthday. A moment.
[ Ignis gets up from his spot and works his way into his room. He grabs the Braille books from atop the dresser then makes his way back out to the table where he'd been sitting. ]
I've been studying it a bit since.
I see.
You ran into Regis, he gave me a few things on my birthday. A moment.
[ Ignis gets up from his spot and works his way into his room. He grabs the Braille books from atop the dresser then makes his way back out to the table where he'd been sitting. ]
I've been studying it a bit since.
[It was turning out to be very hard and awkward to get to know each other like this. It was like how he used to interview people when they arrived on the train. Gladio was right too. They needed this to happen more naturally.
He wasn't sure where Ignis was going with his question, but when he saw the book he understood.]
Ah, okay. So you're working on learning it. Hmm.. , well I was thinking.. we should get the group together and play some cards and maybe if this rain ever stops grill out. I've been working on ideas on how to make playing cards out of scrap metal but I could make the cards have braille numbers on them. Why don't I help you learn this?
He wasn't sure where Ignis was going with his question, but when he saw the book he understood.]
Ah, okay. So you're working on learning it. Hmm.. , well I was thinking.. we should get the group together and play some cards and maybe if this rain ever stops grill out. I've been working on ideas on how to make playing cards out of scrap metal but I could make the cards have braille numbers on them. Why don't I help you learn this?
[ Alright, there are a few things that he's going to pick apart here that Tony just said. He flips the book open as he nudges the plate of cake away from him, setting the book down between them. ]
You'll be waiting on the rain to stop for a while, I'm afraid. These things usually last for a few weeks.
[ Ignis pauses a moment, considering. ]
If you'd like, I can extend the offer to the other two... and Pyra, if you don't mind. I've taken her into the family.
[ Ignis doesn't say things like that lightly, but he lets her call him Iggy. ]
What card games are you thinking of?
Certainly, I've only just started studying the basics.
You'll be waiting on the rain to stop for a while, I'm afraid. These things usually last for a few weeks.
[ Ignis pauses a moment, considering. ]
If you'd like, I can extend the offer to the other two... and Pyra, if you don't mind. I've taken her into the family.
[ Ignis doesn't say things like that lightly, but he lets her call him Iggy. ]
What card games are you thinking of?
Certainly, I've only just started studying the basics.
Straight?
[Ugh. He just got here! He wanted to see the sun! He already figured out he could only go so high up and that didn't quite reach the clouds. It wasn't much fun flying in a downpour of chocolate. There were other houses though.. maybe they could borrow one and use the open space somehow.]
Of course, them too, Noct and the Pup. What about Reggie? And I was thinking poker but there are lots of card games out there. It doesn't have to be a card game if there are other games we could play.
[He got comfortable and took another bite of the cake. It wasn't as good, but that didn't mean it was bad. Hmm, how best to teach braille?]
[Ugh. He just got here! He wanted to see the sun! He already figured out he could only go so high up and that didn't quite reach the clouds. It wasn't much fun flying in a downpour of chocolate. There were other houses though.. maybe they could borrow one and use the open space somehow.]
Of course, them too, Noct and the Pup. What about Reggie? And I was thinking poker but there are lots of card games out there. It doesn't have to be a card game if there are other games we could play.
[He got comfortable and took another bite of the cake. It wasn't as good, but that didn't mean it was bad. Hmm, how best to teach braille?]
Hello, Tony Stark. I hope you're well.
I apologize for my earlier behaviour. You caught me by surprise, but that is no excuse for inadequately controlling my emotions.
Should you engage with me again in the future I assure you I will do better.
From,
Era
I apologize for my earlier behaviour. You caught me by surprise, but that is no excuse for inadequately controlling my emotions.
Should you engage with me again in the future I assure you I will do better.
From,
Era
[He wasn't, but he wasn't going to admit it. In addition to that, Gladio is assisting him in writing this and his friend is subtly tweaking it so it sounds more polite.]
Good to hear from you again Era,
Everyone has their own emotional minefields. I didn't mean to step so carelessly through yours. Would you be willing to explain to me what happened? I can offer you drinks and fresh chips as our replicator keeps giving us potatoes with everything we request. Or if you prefer, I'd be happy to come by and get the hot chocolate I had to delay on. Also, I'm very handy at repairing walls should you need it.
Sincerely,
Tony
Good to hear from you again Era,
Everyone has their own emotional minefields. I didn't mean to step so carelessly through yours. Would you be willing to explain to me what happened? I can offer you drinks and fresh chips as our replicator keeps giving us potatoes with everything we request. Or if you prefer, I'd be happy to come by and get the hot chocolate I had to delay on. Also, I'm very handy at repairing walls should you need it.
Sincerely,
Tony
How did you get that from what I said? Maybe I'm just bummed out by the mountain of potatoes.
[She's totally right and it has nothing to do with the potatoes, but still.]
[She's totally right and it has nothing to do with the potatoes, but still.]
[He facepalmed and groaned.]
They don't have enough butter and sour cream? I don't know.
[He laughed at his own answer.]
I'll be back on my feet in a couple days.
They don't have enough butter and sour cream? I don't know.
[He laughed at his own answer.]
I'll be back on my feet in a couple days.
Okay it's either I have to leave my shoes at the door or I get my damn sour cream with my potatoes. You can't have both, that's just greedy, Era.
[Crap. He hadn't meant to let that slip.]
Nothing serious. Going jogging in chocolate is slippery and a bad life choice.
[Crap. He hadn't meant to let that slip.]
Nothing serious. Going jogging in chocolate is slippery and a bad life choice.
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