Anthony Edward Stark | Iron Man (616) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
definingfuture) wrote2015-04-20 03:07 pm
definingfuture) wrote2015-04-20 03:07 pm
IC inbox for duplicity
Tony's Mailbox.
IC inbox for
Tony's Mailbox.
If I could explain it better, I would, believe me. But I wasn't dead. I was...unstuck in time, I guess.
[ There's an edge to his voice, like he knows exactly how ridiculous it sounds. ]
[ There's an edge to his voice, like he knows exactly how ridiculous it sounds. ]
[It sounds ridiculous, but the kind of ridiculous just on the side of possible that makes Tony shake on his end of the devices. This might really be happening. This Steve might really be Steve from the world he knows, who for some unknown reason has decided to forgive him. It sounds impossible, but he's desperate.]
You- you sent me something... When you were gone.
You- you sent me something... When you were gone.
What, the shield? Who else was I gonna trust to take care of it?
I asked you to look after Bucky and that the mantle of Captain America had to continue. Didn't expect that you'd combine them, but you were always smarter than me. It worked out.
[Okay, it's really happening and Tony can't process any more. He finds the floor, which probably sounds awkward and loud through the audio as Tony nearly drops the phone, cursing under his breath as he realizes what is happening.]
God. Steve? You- How did you get back?
God. Steve? You- How did you get back?
That. [ He makes a sound that might be a laugh. ] Is a very long story. The short version is that the Red Skull took over my body and me and Buck managed to get him out.
Tony, hey. Are you okay? Do you want me to come over?
Tony, hey. Are you okay? Do you want me to come over?
No.
No, I'm fine. Thanks, Steve. I just... That's a lot to take in.
No, I'm fine. Thanks, Steve. I just... That's a lot to take in.
I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just drop it all on you like that. I just don't like thinking you're still carrying that when you don't have to.
[He knows Steve means well. It's Steve. He's a good person that wouldn't blame Tony no matter how much he deserved it, because Steve can be biased when it comes to his friends and Tony can be a bastard when it really comes down to it. But he can't accept this. It's just not right. Even if Steve does come back and right everything eventually, it doesn't change the collateral that happened. It doesn't fix it.]
That's... nice of you to say. I-
[He was so happy when he heard Steve say that he thought he was a good man before. It had carried him through a lot, but in the wake of losing Sal and killing yet another friend, he doesn't know if he can believe that.]
I'll try to remember that.
That's... nice of you to say. I-
[He was so happy when he heard Steve say that he thought he was a good man before. It had carried him through a lot, but in the wake of losing Sal and killing yet another friend, he doesn't know if he can believe that.]
I'll try to remember that.
Yeah, it's fine.
I don't have a roommate anymore.
I don't have a roommate anymore.
[ There's a quiet sigh. He should have known better than to think it would be that easy. ]
Please do. And--
If you need to talk, I'm always here for you. Okay?
Please do. And--
If you need to talk, I'm always here for you. Okay?
[ He has to mute the phone for a moment. He doesn't want Steve to hear him cry. Tony swallows it down, but he can't shake the knowledge that Steve wasn't there. Not for him or anyone else. And Steve might not blame him, but Tony feels it anyway. He comes back, calmer at least, but unsure of how to accept this sudden forgiveness. ]
Okay. Thanks, Steve.
Okay. Thanks, Steve.
[ Loki makes a face at precious, but it's in between kissing Tony, and therefore fleeting. Either way, Stark makes up for it by pulling him in close and arching up against him as much as he makes up for it with the flattery–which is probably mockery, but Loki decides to take it in earnest, as that's the more flattering option. ]
If only you were there to impart your creative vision.
[ Loki's voice catches as Tony rocks his hips up against him, his hands–briefly–going clumsy. He releases him then, his hand sliding up to his chest so that he can steer him, until the backs of Tony's knees hit the bed. ]
Down.
[ –he says, condescendingly, as though Tony were some sort of pet. Either Tony obeys or Loki helps him obey, pushing him to sit on the bed so that he can straddle his lap, that hand on his chest sliding up further so that he can grip his jaw a little more tightly than is strictly comfortable, and lean in to kiss him again. ]
If only you were there to impart your creative vision.
[ Loki's voice catches as Tony rocks his hips up against him, his hands–briefly–going clumsy. He releases him then, his hand sliding up to his chest so that he can steer him, until the backs of Tony's knees hit the bed. ]
Down.
[ –he says, condescendingly, as though Tony were some sort of pet. Either Tony obeys or Loki helps him obey, pushing him to sit on the bed so that he can straddle his lap, that hand on his chest sliding up further so that he can grip his jaw a little more tightly than is strictly comfortable, and lean in to kiss him again. ]
[Oh, god. Okay, Tony, you've got this. You're cool. You can do it.]
Sure, Steve. What'd you want to talk about?
[Nailed it.]
Sure, Steve. What'd you want to talk about?
[Nailed it.]
Oh.
[He's all attention now.]
Yeah. Of course. What about it?
[He's all attention now.]
Yeah. Of course. What about it?
You know I don't like it. I'm never going to like it.
[ That is not a good way to start this, Steve. There's a brief pause before the rest comes. ]
But there's no one else I'd trust more with it. If you're willing.
[ That is not a good way to start this, Steve. There's a brief pause before the rest comes. ]
But there's no one else I'd trust more with it. If you're willing.
[God, just hit him with those mixed feelings, Steve.]
You know I don't want to do anything to hurt you, Steve. I know you don't like this, but I believe it's for the best. For now.
You know I don't want to do anything to hurt you, Steve. I know you don't like this, but I believe it's for the best. For now.
I know. I trust you.
[ He's just going to repeat that as many times as necessary. ]
What do we need to do?
[ He's just going to repeat that as many times as necessary. ]
What do we need to do?
I know.
[That's kind of a lie, but he thinks Steve believes in him. It's not the same as trust, but it's close enough.]
Well, we have to draw up a draft. I'm guessing you'll want some safety precautions in place. Maybe house rules.
[That's kind of a lie, but he thinks Steve believes in him. It's not the same as trust, but it's close enough.]
Well, we have to draw up a draft. I'm guessing you'll want some safety precautions in place. Maybe house rules.
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