(no subject)

[biggerstick]

[What does an insomniac superhero do at night? They wander off the pool house and build their own working area in the underground labs]

Comments

[biggerstick]

I did. It timed it until I had company and then marked is as separate events so he could get away with doing it repeatedly. Didn't you, JARVIS?

[the lights blink]

Yeah, of course you did. Anyway, food?

[the lights blink again]

Shut up, JARVIS.

[paragon]

Wanna come with me, see sunlight at least once before it goes away again?

[biggerstick]

[rubs the back of his neck and stretches]

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Then I can drop by the pool house and take a shower. That covers two out of the three points JARVIS is bugging me about.

[paragon]

What's the other one?

[ beginning to make his way to the door as he asks that ]

[biggerstick]

Sleep.

[and he puts on sunglasses just before stepping outside]

[paragon]

[ we're off! ]

Anyway, no one's fine on their own, Tony.

[biggerstick]

I've been more or less on my own most of my life, I can deal.

[paragon]

Well, you're not now, so I guess that skill's seen its day.

[biggerstick]

Steve, honestly. I will pinky-swear it if you want, you really don't need to worry about me.

[paragon]

I'm not worried.

[biggerstick]

You've been taking time to check on me practically since we arrived. Not that I don't appreciate it but you can't be doing it for the company, most of the time I'm just babbling to myself.

[paragon]

You know, you aren't as smart as you think you are.

[biggerstick]

What? I just said I appreciate it. I also appreciate the food you'll be cooking because neither of us wants me near a stove.

[paragon]

Not if we don't want it deciding what we're gonna eat for us.

[biggerstick]

Hey, there's an idea!

[paragon]

[ huffs ]

No tinkering until after we eat.

[biggerstick]

No, sir. I got enough projects as it is.

[paragon]

Yeah, like what?

[biggerstick]

I've been working on upgrading the lab, I want to be able to work in 3D again. Holographic projectors, it's been a pain because I have to build most of the parts. And I'm working with this kid who's got a metal arm, I'm learning a lot from it.

[paragon]

— really?

[biggerstick]

Yeah, it's ridiculously advanced. Not as advanced as what I could do with a fully equipped workshop, but still very impressive.

[paragon]

I appreciate you looking into it, Tony.

[biggerstick]

It wasn't on purpose. I met the kid, he needed a mechanic, I figured I could learn something.

Oh. And I think we can make you a new shield. Same material... probably.

[paragon]

. . . Howard said it was the rarest metal on earth.

[biggerstick]

[pokes at the arc reactor on his chest]

Pretty sure it's the same material. He left me a riddle, I rediscovered it. And this kid is an alchemist, if he understands the element he can make it.