IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

[runs_on_batteries]

[For IC messages/ posts in suggestion box/ 'I don't want to flood the comms stuff'/ etc etc etc.]

Comments

[callmegladio]

"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.

[runs_on_batteries]

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?"

[callmegladio]

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.