runs_on_batteries | IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

Gladio just held him, standing there in the middle of the room, and he let Tony speak.

And he listened.

Because the words where coming from somewhere deep. Somewhere that begged for an ear. That needed to be heard. They were words not wrapped in nostalgia and a perverse fondness but pain. An ache that ran far deeper than Gladio could ever have imagined.

And when Tony turned to look up at him, Gladio met his gaze. "We all make mistakes. We're not supposed to make up for them, Tony. We're supposed to learn from them." As he spoke, he gently, with great care and tenderness, he pulled Tony with him to the couch and drew him down onto it with him. He sat with his back to the arm, one leg pressed against the back of the couch and pulled Tony to sit between his legs. Gladio kept his arms around him, kept him held close to his chest. "You're a good man. You've suffered so much... But you are a good man, Tony."

Tony shook his head sadly. "I was born into the most wealthy, scientifically brilliant families in the world. We owned the market on weapons and war supplies. Howard Stark, my father, had built an empire from his inventions and what he'd done during some important wars. He was cold, manipulative, and he often said one of his happiest moments of my childhood was when he could send me away to boarding school an ocean away. I grew up not caring about anything but having fun and partying and basically being a total ass. You think I'm bad now.." He laughed, remembering his stupid youth.

"I took over the family business when my parents were murdered. I was in my early twenties and didn't have anything better to do. Plus, I got to go to parties, be treated like a god, and show off these massively powerful weapons. I never stopped to think what those weapons were doing to people. I didn't care. That was until I was captured right after a demonstration where all the military guards I had were killed and I got a chest full of shrapnel. I woke up days later in a cave with a magnetic ring in my chest keeping me alive." He showed Gladio his ring. "I based all my future designs off that magnet so I wouldn't forget Yinsen, this genius doctor who crafted it."

He rubbed his face and sighed. "This group of terrorists had captured both of us and were demanding I remake the weapon I'd just demonstrated as our most powerful but from scraps and blueprints only. I heard their sick plans and I heard Yinsen tell me the story of how these wicked people had tortured his village and all of it was thanks to the weapons my family created. Fortunately, they didn't know what the weapon was supposed to look like, so I made a suit of armor to get myself out of there instead. When I managed to escape, I knew there was no going back to that ignorant, selfish, douchebag I used to be. I risked losing everything, including Pepper, but there was nothing other than building another weapon to go back and destroy all those weapons my family earned their fortune on."

He looked at the door. "Era is just like those terrorists. They hate peace and want violence and fear. I don't understand that kind of twisted, sick mind who wants suffering. I don't know if it's ignorance or something broken in her. If it's ignorance then she's who I used to be when all I cared about was myself. If it's something else then.. I just don't get it."

Gladio was, again, quiet. He listened and he took it all in without judgment.

Around halfway through he'd started to stroke his fingers through Tony's hair. Gentle. Soothing. Just a little touch to show that he was there, that he was present and that the words weren't changing how he felt about the man.

Because yes, that first part made Tony seem like a huge asshole. His dad sounded like a bigger asshole. But when you had that kind of a role model to look up to, when you were shown so little love... and you had money to burn, why wouldn't you go off the rails? Sometimes Gladio wondered if Noct would have been like that, had he not had himself and Ignis, and later Prompto, to temper him. Though he also knew there where other circumstances there that had caused Noct to be the way he was, at least Gladio knew Regis had loved him. It didn't sound like the same was true for Tony.

It made him wonder if anyone had loved him. Before Pepper of course. It would explain so much... How old had he been when she had come into his life? When he'd developed feelings for her? Gladio didn't ask, he didn't want to interrupt anything.

He waited.

But instead of being given a chance to question, he was posed one of his own, and he sighed softly and stopped stroking Tony's hair in favour of holding him instead.

"I think... I understand her. A little." Because to understand her a lot would make him a damn psychopath. "If what she said was true, if she's really that young, then all she's known is fighting." He paused, hesitated. He didn't want to make this about himself, but he needed an example Tony would understand. "You remember how I was when I first joined the Voidtrecker? I was depressed for those first few months. Being still. Being inactive. It drove me insane. It made me doubt myself. Made me doubt everything I am, everything I'd been brought up to me." But looking back he could recognise that it had been the depression talking, filling his mind with doubts.

"It took me a while to sort myself out. To learn the only thing stopping me from doing anything was me. I hate being idle, Tony. I need to be doing somethin. I'm trained to fight, to protect and defend. But I'm more than that, I know that now. I just don't think Era's learned that lesson yet. I'm not sure she's realised that she's supposed to make her own path. Or that she can find meaning in others. That she's not alone." So, while he didn't agree with her methods. Gladio understood the thought behind it.

"Doesn't mean I agree with what she longs for, just so you know. That world she came from can burn." Because it sounded like hell. A hell in the truest sense of the word.

He'd wanted to feel something. He was chasing the high whether it was booze, drugs, sexual conquests, cars.. anything to forget his father didn't care about him no matter how brilliant he was or how hard he worked in school. It had left a hole in his heart that had remained hungry for approval for the majority of his life. It wasn't the most tragic of stories, but it was his.

Gladio had always been a good friend since they'd worked things out sitting on the path of grass in the greenhouse. They'd stood toe to toe a number of times since then on varying issues and had been forced to apologize and reconnect later. Even with that, Tony never thought he'd end up sitting like this with him, in his arms and having his hair stroked and soothed. He could honestly say he loved the man. In what way seemed unimportant or a game other people played. It was simple and it was true. He loved Gladio Amicitia and he knew the man loved him.

Since he loved that damn petunia, he listened as the other man helped him see what he was missing. It didn't take too long before he started to get it better. He even felt like a fool because.. of course, that's what she meant. She wasn't really saying she wanted to go be a terrorist or see people suffering. She was like Steve when he was an idiot and couldn't think for himself, so he returned to the army. That he could understand... even if he didn't like how it was said or what it had implied.

"It was the garden wasn't it?" He asked, moving so he could look at Gladio better. "That was the start of you slowly finding something else you could do other than be a Shield. It was helping Madoka make all those flower boxes." He smiled, but the taste was bittersweet. "I hated being idle too, that's why I always had projects to do. I just could never understand how people had all this free time. There were so many things to fix or create. Someone always wanted a lesson on something or I wanted to know something and needed a lesson."

He gave a weak gesture toward the door. "I'll clean all that up and touch up the paint," he sighed. "And.. for the record. I wasn't 'fetishizing' her race. I was trying to flirt with her and she seemed uncomfortable with her race. So I told her that it was unfair all the Au Ra I knew weren't single. I only know her and Sarai. If she'd asked or given me a few more minutes I would've made it clear I was trying to be funny." Although, maybe it was a fetish? Sarai had been pretty smoking hot.. hotter than Era (but he might be biased).

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have thrown her out like that."

His arms loosened when Tony shifted around, letting the other man turn unhindered. At his question, Gladio smiled. "The garden helped, yeah. It gave me something to do instead of sitting around on my ass." Madoka had helped. Noct and Prompto had helped. There were so many people who helped. But then Ignis had gone and someone had been needed to fill the void. Gladio had stepped up for their team. He'd taken on the cooking duties, tending to his team. Had become the lead for that team. Had someone found himself voted onto the council. He'd started to really get his act together and then... he was pulled from it and sent somewhere else. But at least now he had the tools to help himself.

That didn't mean he hadn't sat and moped that first month though. But for a different reason. It was the loss of the people he loved that had stopped Gladio then.

"It was good to keep active there. But it was limited. We did our best with what we had." And that was all they could have done.

Gladio gave a low laugh and wrapped his arm around Tony again. "Yeah, I know you weren't doing that. A flirt, yeah. But that level of jerk? You'd never get me to believe it." He sighed. "I don't know what her issues are, but I know she's got some beef with men. First time I met her? My first day. I tripped over her. She was kneeling and I never saw her and we went over. So I grabbed her to stop from hurting her. She... whipped my balls so hard with her tail I thought they'd pop, then tried to disembowel me with her horns. Accused me of trying to protect her because she was a poor little woman who couldn't defend herself, or something. She really hated me toughing her..."

"Long story short, she's a damn minefield and I don't get her. But... don't apologise for throwin her out." Gladio tilted his head so he could catch Tony's gaze. "You needed her gone. That's good enough for me." Because he was afraid of what the stress on his heart might have done had she stayed and they continued to argue like they had.

There were times he'd thought the train hadn't been that bad or he might even be happy. However, being away from it even a week had made him realize how he'd been enduring the experience, not enjoying it.

"Thanks. I really needed to hear that." Maybe it was silly he needed to be reassured, but he'd think any man would take a good, hard look at their treatment of women after an accusation like that. Any decent man, anyway.

His jaw dropped as he listened to Gladio's story. He really wanted to tease him. Gladio got hit in the nuts, that should've been funny and yet.. wow, that had been so wrong. "Of all people for her to think would mistreat a woman.. that girl is batshit crazy! Are you alright down there?" Okay, now he started to laugh. "Leave it to her to ruin a good 'my buddy got hit in the balls' story too."

He appreciated the further reassurance and with a deep breath to steady his nerve, he relaxed more comfortably against Gladio's side. He was quiet for a bit, letting the adrenaline created by the anger seep away. When he spoke again, his tone was lower and with noticeably less energy.

"I kept thinking of that place as a penance for all the mistakes I'd made. After however long we were there, I still don't feel any better for those errors of judgment or the lives I ruined. I wish I could tell you I was exaggerating too, but in one instance, I killed precisely one hundred and seventy-seven civilians due to a misjudgment on my part. I learned every one of their names and I read a little about each one of them, but that's not the same as saving them."

Part of him had kind of hoped to get a laugh out of the story. It hadn't been funny to him, but if the roles where reversed he probably would have laughed at Tony.

"All better now. Ached for a day or two though." He grinned though. There hadn't really been much in the way of hard feelings after that, though Gladio had vowed to keep a good distance between himself and that tail. And he would think twice about protecting her again, since she clearly needed none of it... But he'd hoped they were working on things. Up until today.

Maybe if they gave it a day or two, he could try and talk to her again...

But for now, his focus was on Tony. When the other settled, Gladio moved his hand to slowly run up and down Tony's arm. Again he listened. And this time he leaned forward and pressed warm lips to his friends temple.

"You made a mistake. You learned. I'm sorry it happened, Tony. It's not an easy thing to get over." And Gladio didn't think for even a second that he would. He'd hold that death counter in his soul until the day he died. "But you've told me you died to save a world. I think you can stop beatin yourself up now. Remember the mistakes, but don't punish yourself over and over, you never learn if you do that."

It was a weird day. In another situation, he probably would've fallen on the floor over that store laughing his heart out. A part of him found it amusing even still. It was that obnoxious other portion that was hung up on how crazy Era was that made him angrier at her for doing something so stupid to his friend.

He was quiet and thought about what the Shield advised. It was logical and probably what he needed to do. Somehow he needed to put some distance between himself and his guilt, though he'd never be able to forgive himself fully. The kiss was a nice touch. It was something Pepper would've done. "I'll try." It was the best he could offer, but he doubted he'd be able to. For all of his great feats, that might be too impossible.

To distract both of them though, his lip quirked up on one side. "I can always examine you to make sure everything is still working okay. You might have missed something crucial."

Gladio's smile was slow, his laugh deep. Clearly someone wasn't feeling so bad now. Or at least making a good effort not to. Though it was hard to know if he was being serious or not.

"After a month and change, I can promise it's all in working order." Again he hugged Tony and tugged him a bit closer. This was what he'd been missing these last several weeks. He'd gotten so used to just... being still and holding someone. He liked this. Liked holding Tony, though he knew he'd have to let go eventually. He could enjoy it for a little longer. Or as long as he was allowed.

Except Tony didn't feel any need to push Gladio away. He thought he might get tired of it, but he was enjoying it as much as the larger man was. He wondered if it was something about this place or if it was what they'd been through that caused this need for closeness. Whatever it was, he was starting to not care.

He smiled, loving the sound of Gladio's laugh. He didn't hear it often enough. He lifted his head after a few minutes and with a smile, he leaned forward to kiss him. He kept it light, testing to see if Gladio was in the mood or if he simply wanted to hug some more. It was so strange that the older man was perfectly satisfied with either one.

Gladio was happy either way. Holding or kissing, both where equally good in his eyes. So when Tony turned in his arms, his head lifting and leaning toward him, Gladio smiled and let him. His hand rose to rest gently against the back of Tony's neck, fingers lightly brushing through the short hairs at the nape of his neck.

For a moment or two he followed Tony's lead, keeping the kiss light, almost lazy. It felt good, having him resting against him that way, those lips upon his. It felt better than he'd ever imagined it would. And soon enough those light kisses weren't quite enough. His lips parted in an open invitation.

Tony knew they weren't the most logical pair. They probably would have people looking at them funny if they were in public and making it obvious how they felt about each other. Tony was fit, but also in his early fifties. He was also just barely 5'9". Gladio on the other hand was a giant and at the peak of his youth. Either way, people would be jealous he'd scored himself a hot, young piece of ass- with a brain and heart to boot. And did he mention ass?

He didn't have plans with what he wanted to do here, but it had started off comfortably lazy and now Gladio was lighting a match, threatening to ignite his blood. Tony took the bait which should surprise no one. He moved from where he'd been comfortably pressed against the man's side to straddling his lap. His tongue delved into Gladio's heat, eagerly tasting the sweetness of his mouth. Caressing skin along skin, Tony's eyes slid shut as he savored the younger man's tongue dancing to his. His hands dug into hard muscle along Gladio's back, not bothering to hide his desire. He wanted Gladio, he didn't care how, balls deep or wonderfully filled.

He also was fairly certain there'd be a point the younger man would come to his senses and put the brakes on. For now, he'd enjoy this rising thrill of passion.

Logic be damned. Age be damned. Though if he was honest with himself, he'd always wondered. At first he'd wondered how Ignis could fall for someone as old as Tony. But after getting to know Tony, he'd wondered how the guy had managed to fall for someone like Ignis. They'd seemed at complete odds with each other. Older he may be, but he didn't act it. He didn't feel it... If Gladio didn't know any better he would have guessed Tony to be a good half his age.

And damn fun to kiss.

Gladio groaned, his hand moved up to bury his fingers into the hair at the back of Tony's head. His other moved down to his hip, gripping lightly. He wanted... he really wanted more. But knew that this was about as far as they could go. At least for now... Still, making out on the couch had it's perks. It was something he felt he could get used to. Against his better judgment, Gladio really wanted to get used to it.

Age was funny that way. He didn't feel fifty most of the time but every once in a while, he felt a hundred. Although that happened at thirty and forty too with all the shit he put his body through. Either way, it didn't matter. He accepted who he was for the most part and so long as these lovely, spirited twenty-somethings kept falling in his lap, he wasn't going to stop them.

Right now, he wasn't going to question or scrutinize this at all. He was simply enjoying the feel of Gladio's mouth, the tickle of his facial hair on his skin, and warm, strong arms around him. His lips trailed down his jawline and closer to his ear. He took his time, kissing along tender skin and brushing his rough beard, teasing and awakening the nerves. He opened his mouth, clearly ready to speak and...

Buzzzzzzzzz!

The kitchen timer went off in the kitchen and instead, Gladio got a muttered curse instead.

Gladio's experience with kissing men was limited to two. Neither of those two had had facial hair. So while Tony was enjoying his, Gladio was rather amazed by Tony's. It felt strange. Tony's was thicker than his own, but softer too. And he liked it. A lot. He groaned as those kisses moved from lips to his jaw with the promise for going even further. He wanted them to go further. He wanted...

That damn buzzing to stop.

He dropped his head back against the couch and laughed. "... Think those pies are done." Cockblocked by pastries. Typical.

IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

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