runs_on_batteries | IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

Tony huffed with exasperation. "Why are you being so difficult about this? Is it so unusual to you that someone may care for you enough to ask how you feel instead of just assume and take you for granted? This is me, being as respectful as I know how to be, asking these things so I don't assume and do something that might hurt you. Because I don't want to do that. I want only good things and good feelings between us."

He watched as Gladio sat down, not really sure what was wrong with the answer he'd just given. "The fact that you can't tell just.. really sucks," Tony answered, using everything in him to keep from making a bigger fool of himself. "Gladio.. Gladdy.. you'd never be 'just a fuck' to me, you dumbass."

He didn't think he was being difficult at all. Guarded, sure. Because he had no idea what was going on. No idea what this was. Tony was saying all the right things now. But tomorrow? The day after? He'll be joking again, dismissing it, pretending things never happened, guarding his own words and feelings. Sometimes Gladio wondered if Tony thought he was too stupid to notice, or if he thought himself a better actor...

Gladio folded his arms on the table top and then propped his chin on one hand, frowning.

"Callin me my name isn't going to hurt me. Calling me a name others've called me won't hurt me. You've made an assumption on that, Stark. But... thanks, for asking." Since he clearly needed validation there Gladio would give it. But the rest... "I'm asking because I don't know. This isn't something we've done before. And we've never talked about this shit. So yeah, I'm damn well going to ask." And somehow it was reassuring to know that it wasn't just Tony needing to get off and it had meant something.

Why did Gladio think Tony had any idea what this was either? Some of the confusion was because it was confusing. They were one thing on the train, but here? They were something else and Gladio didn't need the mess that was Tony Stark on top of all of his own burdens. It seemed so selfish to want a man who was half his age and didn't have a fraction of the baggage the superhero carried. He wanted to do what was right here, right for Gladio.

Hearing that confirmed, Tony nodded and his lip curled upward. He had at least one thing he wanted and he could tell himself to be satisfied with that.

His smile faded away again and he listened to the explanation. He understood, even if it hurt. "You know.. I've only ever used 'darling' for two others- no, three, I forgot about Morgan- before. Pepper and Ignis. I can understand if you don't want to be called that but.. maybe you could tell me some you're okay with? Assuming we ever get swept up in the moment again? And just so you're aware, if you don't want me telling you so many sweet things during or after sex.. you could say them to me. You might not realize this, but I do love compliments." He was making a bit of a joke here, but not really. Since the topic had been broached, why not see if he could get some more information about what Gladio liked and didn't like?

"Look, if its something you do, don't let me stop you." Gladio might not agree with it, but he wasn't going to make Tony stop. He wouldn't be that kind of an asshole. He didn't want that moment of Tony slipping up and then apologising for being affectionate. It wasn't a big deal. Gladio's only real problem had come from being called 'beautiful'. He was big, hairy and scarred all to hell. Tony was insane to have picked that word to describe him. But arguing about it wouldn't do him any good. He didn't need assurance, he didn't need Tony to explain why Gladio was wrong and he was right.

He just looked at Tony then, he could see the joke, but knew it was true as well. The problem was, to Gladio, talking like that was for people in relationships. Sweet nothings, tender words, declarations of love... That wasn't what they were. But it looked like Tony wanted all the benefits of a relationship without being in one. And that just confused Gladio even more.

"Noted... But I never said I don't like sweet things, Tony." Just so they were clear on that point.

Gladio could be so damn frustrating. Tony wished he could just shake him sometimes. They could be dealing with cultural differences, generation differences, dialect, etc etc and the younger man seemed so stubborn about not giving Tony some words he actually approved of. Were there any he was okay with or would Tony try this again in a week and find out Gladio found the word he chose then equally stupid? Would he just cringe inwardly hearing it and not tell Tony or would he shoot him down like he had today?

Tony also missed what the problem with his questions because Gladio didn't vocalize his issue with it. Tony was smart, but he couldn't read minds. In fact, with emotions he was pretty stupid. Just ask Pepper about her twelve foot bunny plushie.

He had thought maybe there'd be some fun exchange over preferences in bed, but something in how Gladio answered made him feel like that wasn't welcome. He didn't know what that meant but he was hesitant to ask. His confidence had taken a beating this morning. "I'll remember that," he promised, though he doubted he'd be saying those if there was a next time. It was a shame. He couldn't remember the last time the sex had been that good.

"I think I might go down to Affurgato's. Can I pick you up anything while I'm out?"

He sighed and leaned back with a shake of his head. "No, nothing." And then he pulled himself up from his seat and went back to the counter to finish making his sandwich and his tea. Their conversation was over, he guessed, if Tony was leaving. So he'd make himself his food and his drink and take himself back to his room and... What?

Gladio just didn't know what they were doing. He didn't understand why this was so hard and why they kept misunderstanding each other. He had no experience with this. He'd never been in a relationship like this before. Especially since this wasn't a relationship.

He was getting a headache.

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