definingfuture | IC inbox for duplicity

[He's asking him for a contract. Herbert is calling him up and asking Tony to contract with him. There's a pause while Tony processes this, because although he logically knows Herbert is just being practical, he's still touched by the choice. There has to be some level of preference at play, right?]

Would you ever want anything like that? Something more than just convenience?

[Is this sentimentality or a test? Herbert goes absolutely silent for a moment, trying to determine the best course of action.]

I... won't get in your way. We can arrange our own terms, prior to making things official with the government--I don't know what you want, Tony.

What I want?

[God. That's the question he hates to consider. He tries not to when he can help it, but it always manages to come back.]

Would you like to come over? I- I'd like us to talk in person. It'd be nice to see you.

[Herbert was hoping he could set this entire thing up before having to see Tony in person but...he's not surprised. It's fair, some people have an easier time determining intent face to face. It won't particularly help him it just makes things more confusing with more variables to pay attention to but it's not as if he isn't already confused.]

Alright, I'll be up.

[He hangs up without saying goodbye because there's no point, he's going to see Tony again in like 20 minutes anyway.

Or in 30 minutes because the elevator is slow and he ends up on an equally slow bus before finally reaching Tony's apartment building to buzz in.]

[Being cut loose abruptly leaves Tony anxious. When Herbert does show up, he answers the door by commanding it to open. He's been pacing the suite, apparently, and quick steps over to the entrance like he's waiting for important news.]

You're here. Good. I- I'm glad you came.

[He smiles with nervous, hopeful energy.]

Did you want a drink? Something while we talk?

[He seems to have made Tony nervous somehow...which fills him abruptly with a strange urge to tell him that it's fine, they don't have to do this contract thing. But... no. He needs this. Tony is the only person he really trusts here to have that level of power over him. He can't back off of this.]

I'm...alright. I'm not-- [Or... is he asking because he wants to drink something himself? This is difficult.] Soda, if you have it. [Considering Herbert constantly steals it anyway.]

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

[He's a little too eager to go fetch Herbert a drink. A little eager to please, smiling with that awkward, but friendly brightness he puts on when he wants to impress. When Tony hands the soda to Herbert, he brushes his fingers over the back of his hand lightly.]

I'm glad you came up. I know this is... not the easiest situation for you, but I just- I want you to know that- I like it when you're here.

[This is...weird? What is this mood supposed to represent? Is Tony actually happy Herbert asked? Also, apparently, Tony really was just asking if he wanted a drink, so trying to work out the deeper meaning of that failed. Herbert takes a drink of the soda to cover for this, and ends up just sort of holding it after that. He hates this. These sorts of social interactions are the one place he doesn't feel completely confident with the actions he takes.]

You...like it when I'm here... [He almost sounds confused. Honestly, he thought he was just forcing his presence on Tony like he does with everyone else. That doesn't preclude friendship for him: he figures that friends probably just need nudging sometimes, awareness of his existence and possibly of his potential benefit to them. But he hasn't even been doing that with Tony, not really, he's just been constantly showing up.] I wouldn't say the decision was difficult--you're the only one here I'd trust with, this contract.

Yeah, I like it when you're here. I thought you knew that.

[He hasn't actually said that. In typical Tony fashion he just assumed that his easy acceptance and general positive attitude toward Herbert conveyed his thoughts. The actual communication of the sentiment slipped by him, and when he's out or living life normally as Herbert moves his stuff into Tony's drawers and stashes his supplies in his living room, it's the lack of comment and protest that carries the thought rather than a real statement of acceptance. Sometimes Tony needs the reminder that he just hasn't said what he thinks enough.

Right now, he's still getting used to the word trust coming from Herbert and probably getting swept up in it a little too much.]

I just- I don't want you to regret being my friend just because of a contract.

[To be fair to Tony, Herbert's used to his presence being tolerated, not liked. Not to mention his general difficulty with picking up on implications.

This next bit is confusing him again as well, he thought they were past this particular aspect. He stopped complaining, so obviously it was over and done with.]

If I still assumed you wanted to use me for, something, I would never have suggested this arrangement, Tony. That's...why I asked.

Okay.

[He doesn't sound convinced, but that is more a product of how many people that he's hurt lately. People that he cares about generally end up in the crossfire of conflict or grow to hate him and he's feeling the weight of that lately. It's taking him longer to let himself have what he wants.]

Then I would be glad to have a contract with you. Does this mean you'll stay here sometimes? For more than just work, I mean.

[Herbert's intent, anxious posture tilts backward into his usual one. It's not exactly relieved sagging, but it's the Herbert equivalent of it. Tony never actually explained what he wanted, he thinks, never really came up with terms aside from...their friendship not falling apart? He was expecting more of an outline, a pre-contract, what with Tony insisting he come up here to talk with him. But this is fine. He's not going to bring it up if Tony isn't. He prefers no additional rules.]

I was intending on moving in--theee only reason I hadn't previously is that this society is surprisingly puritanical in regards to the, uncontracted classes considering their, monthly sexual requirements. Living here makes much more sense than, continuously travelling between here and the Down.

You'd be all right moving in with me?

[He's honestly touched by that. He knows that Herbert doesn't dislike him, of course, because he comes in regularly, but he never presumed he was that important to the man's life. Living with someone is a big step, and Tony thinks that on some level this must mean the man likes him if he's willing to share space with him.]

Can I... ask you something?

Yes? [Another thing he thought he'd made clear that requires a slightly questioning tone at the end of it. If he's alright signing his damn life over to Tony, obviously he's alright merely cohabiting. He said he trusted him, didn't he?

And Tony said he liked spending time with him. He supposes it must be true? He can't really think of a reason for Tony to say so otherwise. Tony seems...generally fine with a lot that Herbert does, really. It's...new.]

Yes. [And then he feels like something more is required so he adds, gesturing slightly with one hand:] Go ahead.

[Herbert is taking this all much more simply than Tony is. Maybe that means he's just overthinking everything or that he was taking the contract situation the wrong way this whole time. It won't stop him from acting like his usual self, so it shouldn't worry Tony so much.]

I can trust you, right?

[Herbert pauses, to think about why Tony might be asking that. What does Tony have to hide? He's not...the best at analysing intent but he does trust Tony. So clearly, Tony should trust him.]

Yes. Of course. ...why?

I just want to know you'll be honest with me. I- I don't want to force you into anything. And sometimes it happens.

[He's questioning his own motivations here, even though Herbert trusts him. Tony wants that trust to be mutual.]

I'm glad. And I'll try not to disappoint you.

[He's looking a little awkward now about all this...sincerity? This is more open and emotional than Herbert wanted it to be, really, he was trying to avoid it. But maybe it can't be helped when you're talking about trust... When he thinks about it, though, it does make him smirk, briefly.]

I'll be honest. Believe me: you...won't force me into anything. [A moment.] Iii'll. Take strange events and impaired moments into account.

[Getting serious with Tony always involves a certain level of honesty and at least attempted sincerity. He worries a bit too much and regrets more than maybe he should, but it's only because he wants to help those around him.]

Thank you. I just needed to hear that. It's- I can promise you there will be some strange events and that is probably the one thing I can guarantee.

[For better or for worse. He hopes they aren't bad.]

Before we do this, do you mind if I ask for one more thing?

[Ah, ok. Fair enough. He can definitely see wanting assurance that Herbert is clear-headed and sensible enough to not suddenly turn against Tony due to events beyond either of their control. A very good idea to determine that before the contract.

Although he can't imagine what else might be required. He raises his eyebrows and tilts his head slightly forward, quizzically.]

No, go ahead--we have, weeks until the deadline after all, o-one more thing won't hurt.

[It's a small thing when he really thinks about it, but something that matters to him and might feel wrong if he brings it up too late after the contract is already written out. It'll feel staged or forced. He can't do that.]

In that case, will you let me kiss you?

[He's very honest about this question.]

[Herbert wasn't really expecting anything, so this isn't exactly more unexpected. It's mostly just confusing, as Tony's statements and requests often are to him.]

Why...what for?

Would that be a problem?

[It seems like he's always doing things that make Herbert uneasy. Tony can't tell yet if that discomfort is nervousness or disgust. At least he knows now that it isn't dislike, which is nice to know. He can take more of a risk now.]

Not really for anything, just... I thought I would ask. You don't have to worry about it.

[Herbert decidedly has no experience with this, with someone just wanting to kiss him. Not as a side effect of sexual intercourse, or some strategic purpose, just...

Does this imply Tony likes him as an actual, physical person, beyond an interest in his work or a general friendliness? It...might, and he doesn't know what to do with that. People, especially people like Tony, don't like him, they tolerate him for his genius. Or they don't.

His expression goes soft and a little lost.]

No, no problem--you can if you feel, inclined.

[ Herbert looks like he's trying to figure out what Tony just said, like he suddenly started talking in another language. Then his eyes look more than confused. The expression is something else, almost sad, and Tony suddenly has the urge to protect him. He knows that Herbert can take care of himself, but he leans in and puts his hand around the back of his neck almost like he's trying to hug him. He presses their foreheads together with a smile before tilting his head and guiding Herbert into a kiss. It's chaste, but held out, and when Tony pulls back again he strokes his fingers over Herbert's neck. ]

Thank you.

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