runs_on_batteries | IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

Tony gave Gladio a very sour look and tossed the door. "Look, I get it. You four are on some big adventure that is terrible, horrible, everything sucks about it. Your rude, they're babies, boo hoo, people die. I get it. And I told him I get it. I said I heard this. Well, stop there for a second. Thank you for giving him the impression that 'train' Ignis was a horrible person who had no loyalty whatsoever and was nothing like the 'real' Ignis. You seem to have forgotten to mention to that dipshit that we had a daughter together- a daughter you and all your idiot friends loved! But she's in good company since I wasn't mentioned either. I'm glad I made such a huge impression on you."

With a growl of frustration, he aimed his hand at the door and straight up blasted it. He took a deep breath. "That's callous. You know I don't really mean that. It is important people you love got hurt and some people died. I'm not.. that's not my point. I don't understand why it was so important that he had to give me all the details I may have missed about your saga. It came out who I was to 'train' Ignis and all he asked was if I was dead or not in my world then off he went talking about your fucktard king again."

Oh no, Gladio who had been almost amused before, was slowly feeling very cold. He's started to slowly sit up. Anger simmered under the surface as he listened to Tony rage on. Slowly he began to tap on his ankle. Counting. Doing his best not to get up and punch the other man. His door was already a wreck he didn't need to demolish the rest of his damn house. But he was getting seriously pissed off. Even after the 'apology', Gladio was not feeling too forgiving.

But he took a slow, deep breath before he uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, arms draped across his knees. His gaze was steady but there was no hiding the fact that he wasn't happy.

"Lets start at the top, huh? Don't ever try and diminish the things that happened in my world, Stark. I'd never dream of doing that to you. Our worlds are different, you know that. But the pains the damn same. So you quit that now." A sigh. "As for Ignis... You see him through rose coloured glasses. My experience was he kept us at arms length. He pushed me and Prompto away at every turn. Noct less so. But me? Yeah. I never said he wasn't loyal. That man was loyal to a fault, but he was changed. His family wasn't us anymore. Maybe I didn't tell him about you, but I told others. I didn't tell this world's Iggy because I didn't know how he'd react to 'hey, you were engaged and had a teen daughter as well'. Don't know about you but that shit can be confusing if you've not lived through it." Like himself. Learning of the things he'd done. Being judged for those things. Sometimes it was better not to know. And no, he hadn't thought it was important for Ignis to know since it had no bearing on him. It wouldn't change anything.

He held up a hand as he conceded the point, nodding at Gladio's angry words. He deserved that and he knew it had been wrong to say as he was saying it. Sometimes his mouth just ran away with him.

"I won't. You're right, I was wrong." Yes, he really did just say that freely. However, he folded his arms over his metal chest. "That's what makes things so complicated. I hadn't told anyone this but.." He looked out at remains of the door, basically just for something neutral to glare at. "I was about to break up with him and then he vanished. I hadn't stopped loving him.. it just.. There was something wrong with how he kept you three at arms length and I couldn't do anything about it. We argued about how he wouldn't get involved with the train and others all the time. The only ones he wanted anything to do with were Madoka and I."

He decided before he did something else stupid, he should get out of his suit. So he let it fall away. "But.. he wanted me to know the story so bad. I don't understand it. He'd figured out who I was to- yes, a different version of him- but.. I'm nothing to this man. He doesn't know anything about me and doesn't want to apparently. It makes sense but.. at least you're still someone to Prompto and Noct. I'm the guy who yelled at him at the cat cafe and didn't care about his 'how I got blind and I love my prince' story. Shit, he really talks about Noct a lot doesn't he? Did he always do that?"

He'd take it. It was as close to an apology as he was ever likely to get. And for Tony Stark to admit he was wrong, it was a big deal. So Gladio nodded and let that slide. For now.

Though Tony's next words were something of a bombshell. Except... not completely. They had broken up once before and Gladio had stupidly tried to get involved. He'd thought things had gotten better but clearly they hadn't. And that made him feel bad. Maybe he shouldn't have tried to get involved like he had...?

"He was very... single-minded. Highly focused on certain things. And those things were you and Madoka. And Noct and his duty. Everything else fell to the wayside unless he needed us for something." Him. Him for something. He couldn't remember Ignis ever going to Prompto for anything and that had pissed the Shield off to no end.

"I can't speak for the Ignis here though. I guess he's got that hyper-focus too and needed to say something no matter what. But why that..." Gladio leaned back some, frowning. It was bad enough that when he'd showed up everyone seemed to know his name, they at least didn't seem to know the details of his world. He was shocked that Ignis would spill about that though... "Yeah, your Ignis talked about Noct a lot. He said some messed up things, Tony. Or did you forget how pissed off you where when you first met me?"

He came inside and sat down, finally calm enough to do so. He nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. He made it sound like he was a slave to this tyrant who didn't let him have a childhood or even consider another life. I thought the three of you were used him like your donkey and maid, not your brother."

He looked down at his hands and sighed. "But Gladio.. this Ignis said something fucked up too." He met his friend's gaze now. "It's something that was mentioned a few times back on the train but I didn't fully piece things together till now. Did he tell you about the version of you that hurts him by trying to send him away? They've got that all wrong and so do you."

"And you've spoken to Regis now. Does he seem like a tyrant to you?" Spend five minutes with the man and that answer would be as clear as day, Gladio thought. And he hoped that now Tony saw the truth for what it was. Maybe they had been forced into the lives they had, by circumstances or by lineage, but he knew none of them would change it for the world.

Slowly Gladio sat back. He didn't sigh this time, but he came close. "Yeah. They all told me." Of course they had. Just as Prom and Noct had back on the train. He'd already known. But they'd been quicker to forgive him there. Here...

"What've we gotten wrong, Stark?" He asked quietly, curious. What was he getting at?

"No, he doesn't. I just wish we could've.. I wish it would've gone differently." It was his mistake for approaching Ignis. "I know there was something wrong with him, but I would've given anything to help make it better for him. I sure hope Prompto can with this one."

Tony sat forward, wanting to somehow get the next thing he had to saw through that very thick skull of his dear friend. "You were right." Did he hear that? Did that compute? "You were right to want a blind person who couldn't fight to be somewhere safe instead of on a battlefield where he would've gotten hurt and possibly killed. He could've gotten someone else killed. It's not your fault he went blind and it sucks that he did. It sucks you had to be the one to say it. But someone had to and thank god at least one of his friends had the balls to do it. He had the audacity to tell me he questioned whether you had his back or the others. Do you see how messed up that is?"

Gladio's smile was slow, damn near gentle and infinitely sad as he listened to Tony. And when he was done, he shrugged. A single shoulder rose and then fell.

"I know I was right." Of course he did. He'd probably have said it again, he'd probably say the same thing now if the shit hit the fan and this world descended into chaos. "I know what he thinks. But he forgets my duty. Mine is to protect. And yeah, maybe that's Noct on paper, but I like to think it means I get to protect the people I love. My family. My friends."

"If I'd had time to train him I'd have been happy havin him at my side, blind or not. But... yeah. I think Iggy probably should have hung back. I can't imagine I'd have been able to fight fully if I had to worry about Noct losin his shit and Ignis gettin hurt because he can't see a monster sneaking up behind him." But why that put into question his loyalty, Gladio didn't know. To him it showed the most love he could. If he hadn't cared it wouldn't have mattered if he got hurt or not...

"The thing I regret. The thing I apologise for... is my temper. That's the thing that gets me. I could have just talked to them but I didn't." Emotions were high on all sides, from what he understood. He hadn't been immune to that. "If I get to choose, I'd do that differently. But I'd still want them to be safe... No matter what."

Tony watched Gladio's face confused and as he spoke, his expression shifted from confused to sad. He was relieved that the young man at least understood this much, but it hurt too to hear it didn't matter.

"You're in your twenties and you're in over your head. You were raised to be a fighter, not a diplomat. You might have mouthed off but your friends should've forgiven you and it's wrong that they hold it against you. You now and you then are not bad men. You're a good, loyal brother that they are lucky to have. And I let Ignis have the last say and I will let you have the last say some other time- like about the fact I fucked up your door and owe you money- but you can't here. I'm right and you just have to trust me."

Gladio raised a brow, sadness becoming mild amusement. "Did I ever come across as someone who needed the last word? I know when I'm right and I know when I'm wrong. And I know who I can trust."

A low huff of a laugh and he leaned on the arm of the chair again, his head falling onto his hand. "I told you you're right, Stark. What more do you want from me?"

A little bit of a smile curled the end of his lips but his eyes remained serious. "I need you to believe it. I know how important those boys are to you and if they've questioned your reliability even for a second, it must be killing you. They're wrong, not you. And now.. I'll get off your case."

He sighed and sat back. "I really didn't mean to break your door. Is there somewhere I can get some sheet metal until I can get a replacement? Also if we're done with you're issue can we get back to mine?"

"Right again. It does. It hurts. But all I can do is way for them to realise on their own." He could try and talk to them again, and again and again, he could lose his temper and rage until they realise how serious he was. But that would defeat the purpose. No, all he could really do was wait and hope for the best. He could show them, little-by-little that he could still be trusted. That whatever memories they had of him were wrong.

Or he'd just keep his hurt with him.

"There's workshops... And hey, you're the one who started this. I was happy being angry and telling you what a dick you were. But sure, tell me more about why you were angry enough to bust down the door of the only house I've ever owned." Gladio... very much sounded like he was trying not to laugh, but he was serious. He would have happily NOT had a conversation about himself if he could help it. He only had because Tony had brought it up in the first place.

"Well I told Ignis that and I told him he owed you an apology." He'd tell Prompto and Noct too if and when he saw them. Even the big, muscular men have hearts and need some TLC.

Tony huffed at him for putting it that way. "I didn't permanently ruin it! Anyway, so what do I do about Ignis? Do I leave him alone or try to talk to him again or what? This is weird enough relationship crap, even I'm clueless about what to do next."

"Give it a day. See how you feel. Call him if you really wanna apologise. But don't be shocked if you get more of the same. Ignis is... he's a good guy, Tony. He's had a lot on his plate here playing caretaker to Noct and Prompto." Gladio idly scratched at his cheek before he sat himself up again properly. "You wanna be his friend, right? That means accepting him, faults and all. If you yelled at him, you probably owe him an apology as much as he owes you one."

"... But give it a day to cool down." And get his house fixed.

He sighed. "It was a lot easier making friends when I was famous, had more money than god, and was a world renowned superhero." Now he had to do it like a regular, poor, ugly person did. This was so not fair. "This was easier when he left and I knew I would never see him again. I could grieve and only remember the good parts." He looked over at Gladio, trying to keep some of the emotion off his face. "There were some really good parts."

"Should we put a bucket outside to collect some of this chocolate?"

"Then just remember the good times." He didn't actually want Tony to hate Ignis. Gladio had never hated him. It had just made him so sad to know his friend was right there with him but always out of reach. He remembered all the slights. All the time Ignis had treated him like he hadn't existed. It had hurt. But he'd never hated him.

"There's some pans in the kitchen if you wanna give it a try." He sighed and pushed himself up to his feet. "Just clean up any mess you make."

Gladio was far too good of a person to want that. Tony didn't know what it was, but something had been wrong with Ignis. He supposed after this, they shouldn't really talk about him again. There was no point. He might push a little more on Gladio forgiving himself for upsetting his whiny, fickle friends but that topic had run it's course too.

The only thing that was left hanging was what the hell happened last night and did Gladio need to talk about it. Tony rubbed his face, sensing more than seeing his friend moving away. He'd meant that to be more of a joke with the bucket.

He lifted his head and watched Gladio. He meant to watch him as in see where he went and get a feel for his mood. Instead, he found himself appreciating how his jean hugged him and remembering what it felt to have one of those arms around him. He forced himself to look away. "Have you had anything to eat? I could make us something."

Gladio wasn't really paying attention to the eyes on him. His own gaze was on the hole where his door had been. Would the natives be able to fix it? He'd been told they were pretty handy...

"Huh? Uh... No. Haven't really eaten. The replicator is acting up again. Was just gonna wait till later and head to Affurgato's for dinner." Gladio glanced back at Tony and grinned. "If you think you can cook somethin go ahead. I won't stop you."

It was the most helpful thing he could think of to do. So at that answer, he pulled himself up and went into the kitchen to wash up. It was strange being in a new kitchen. The items that had been purchased or created weren't on the counters nor the drawings from his kids on the refrigerator. There was no elven crafted, annoyingly beautiful tart left out for all to share. He'd always felt lucky when he'd happened through the kitchen after one of those treats had yet to be devoured by the teenagers.

Instead, it was ordinary, modern, basic appliances and utensils. It was so normal, it made him uneasy. The fact there wasn't ten other people in the kitchen trying to make a meal was also new. At least that one, he welcomed. Others might have found the ingredient list limiting, but they didn't know what truly deprived was. Those fries last night had been heavenly. Basic cheese, basic meat, basic noodles, tomatoes and spices all added up to spaghetti to him.

Just as he put the pot on the stove to boil, he came back into the room. A towel was slung over his shoulder and he wiped his hands off on it. "Hey, are you also allergic to vegetables or can I actually give you an adult meal?"

When Tony went into the kitchen, Gladio jogged upstairs and finished what was doing. The mattress was dragged in. The legs of the beds tied together and then, because he was nice, he made the bed for Tony.

Once that was done he headed back down to consider what to do with the door. He supposed he could hang a blanket up there. He wondered if maybe he could wedge the dining table up against it. It was rectangular, it was just a ball ache to get it in there and have to move it again if they wanted to leave.

He was still stood there considering when Tony exited the kitchen. "Yeah, no vegetables are fine for me." Gladio half turned and grinned over his shoulder. "I'll pretty much eat anything. But ginger. Really hate that stuff now..."

"Still with the ginger? Haven't you ever heard of letting something go?" Tony teased with a grin. He actually couldn't care less if Gladio ever ate ginger again, but it was amusing to joke with him about it. He looked toward the wall and sighed at the hole. "Peter's web shooters would've been really handy about now."

As much as those had been a pain in the ass, temporarily closing something off was very helpful. "I can have Mark 85 stand there and guard the door holding and umbrella?"

"I tried. Can't stomach the stuff now." He'd had ginger and molasses cookies when he'd first showed up. They'd been fine but the ginger taste had ruined from from being great and had left him feeling a little unwell. "I blame you, just so you know."

"Don't worry about it." Gladio grinned and turned fully so he could go and so what he'd planned. He picked up the dining table and carried it over to the door. Turning it length-wise he managed to get it as wedged up against the frame as he could, which he hoped would keep most of the chocolate out. He hoped the cold too. "Should do it. For now."

Tony chuckled. "I'll take the hit," he relented, playfully accepting the blame. "I've been accused of much worse things. Just remind me if I ever fix you a stir fry and I'll leave the ginger out." Maybe. He might try to sneak it in just to test that theory but it might be a while since he didn't see any of those flavors on this replicator.

He went back to get the ingredients in a second pot for the meat sauce. He washed the knife and cutting board before going back to the replicator to get items for a salad. "I hope you like fries. We keep getting potatoes with every item I ask this silly thing to make. We're up to four of them," he called from the kitchen. Good thing potatoes kept relatively well.

He stepped back out with a purple potato in hand. He laughed when he saw what Gladio had done. "A bit caveman, but it'll work. Lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber.. anything else you want in your salad?"

"It'll keep the weather out and that's what matters." Gladio turned when Tony left the kitchen again and gave the potato a strange look, but he'd been asked a question and now he needed to think. "That sounds good. More greens would work, if you can get em. Spinach and kale go great in salad."

At least in his. He liked a more robust salad, but since Tony was actually making a meal and this sounded like a side dish, he wouldn't complain. Then he grinned. "And I like fries. So keep those potatoes. We can do something with them tomorrow."

Tony nodded. Gladio and he were going to get along just fine as roommates. He'd been leery about putting too much stuff in the salad, but hearing Gladio really was good with them, he went back and added both spinach, kale, and then some chopped up broccoli. He put together a honey mustard vinaigrette too, though he would've preferred more spices in it.

"Just don't mash these or they'll turn gray," he warned about the purple potatoes. He assumed they were like the ones from his world, though you never really knew. He went back to work and before too long, the food was ready. It was far from the best dish he'd ever made, but with the ingredients available he thought it sure beat a lot of the options he'd had on the train.

He fixed up two plates and made it look as nice as he could before calling Gladio over. It wasn't a candlelight dinner or anything, but an effort had been made.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject