biggerstick | (no subject)

There were comic books. I don't think they were even in print by the time I was born, but I got them anyway.

Aw, jeez.

[ sighs a little ]

One time the guys got their hands on some and passed 'em around to read out loud.

I'm sorry your life is endlessly bizarre. [holds up a coke] Drink?

[ nods ] Thanks.

[hands it over without shaking it beforehand look at how nice he's being]

Do you regret it?

...

Uh. That's intrusive, isn't it? You can ignore me.

[ just smiles ]

Not really, no. It got me where I wanted to be. And the thing with the guys was embarrassing, but so long as they knew that wasn't me it didn't really matter.

[ shrugs, and it's startin' to smell like delicious meat product in here ]

... I'm not sure that's what I asked but I'll take it.

[and approaches because food is excellent and he's starving]

— oh. The serum?

[ places a couple of unadorned hot dogs on a plate and hands it to Tony ]

Yeah, sorry. Invasive and personal.

Thanks.

[eats, keeping his eyes on Steve]

[ loading up his own plate and leaning against the counter with it. he nods at Tony's chest. ]

Do you?

Didn't I just say invasive and personal?

[he doesn't sound angry though, he takes another bite of his food before speaking again]

It's not the same. I mean, I didn't volunteer, this [he pokes at the arc-reactor] happened to me. Do I wish I didn't have a hole in my chest? Yeah, I do. But I wouldn't...

[long sigh, tapping the table in front of him]

I'd been naive until it happened. That cave and... everything that happened, it was an eye-opener.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wish it hadn't had to happen? But I'm glad I learned what I did. And I don't regret becoming Iron Man in the least, so there's that.

[ listens without touching his food, then nods and looks down toward his plate contemplatively ]

. . . I knew it was what I wanted. I knew, logically, that it didn't mean everything was gonna be perfect after, but . . . I was a little naive too. [ pokes idly at some bread crumbs on his plate ] I think even when we make the right choices, life goes on, and sometimes it knocks us on our backsides.

[ looks up at Tony, a smile twisting the corner of his mouth ]

Good thing you didn't ask me that a few months ago, though.

[smiles a little too]

I wouldn't have asked a few months ago.

Yeah, I know.

[ aaand actually eating now ]

Good to know we're good. Mostly good.

Decent? Ish?

[on his second hot dog already]

We're good. And Tony? I like your company.

[ nods his head toward the stove where the pan is sitting ]

There's more.

[stops mid-bite. lowers his plate. takes a second]

...

Where did that come from?

Edited 2013-08-24 22:11 (UTC)

You said I can't be spending time with you for the company.

[unsure of how to deal with this]

Uh.

...

You have weird taste. People usually steer clear from me when I'm tinkering.

Well, I'm not really worried about anything exploding.

You haven't been around me for long enough.

Oh, I'm sure I'll get to see it someday. I'm just not worried about myself.

Oh good. Don't worry, it's usually just property damage.

...

A concussion that one time.

...

Couple of broken ribs. Nothing to worry about.

If you're expecting a lecture from me on self-preservation . . .

Please don't.