bakerstreet | fell asleep on

(OoC: I hope this is okay!)

It seemed that even heroes needed their sleep as Marie suddenly found herself with a weight on her person, the brown (pink?) haired girl before her having kinda-sorta passed out on her. At the very least, it was on a bench and away from other people so she didn't have to worry about being seen.

"...what were you up to to be like this, hm?" she uttered, smiling as she tried to get comfortable.

While he likes the idea of seeing the world, at least in a theoretical sense, Rei is a terrible traveler. It's not that flying is a problem. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Maybe it's the hum of the engines, the pillowy clouds beneath the plane, maybe it's even something in the recycled air onboard, but whenever Rei flies he also falls asleep almost as soon as cruising altitude is reached. He really didn't mean to this time; he has a book open in his lap and everything.

If he was awake he'd apologize, of course, but he's not. Unfortunately for his seatmate, this graceful butterfly also has no sense of balance once he's asleep, and he's drooping ever so slowly toward her shoulder.

Draco poked a little at her cheek. Insufferable twit. First, he'd been forced to sit with her because there was no more room on the train - he wasn't sure where her so-called friends were - and then she'd had the gall to fall asleep. On him. Oh, probably she hadn't meant to, he'd give her that. She just as easily could have tilted toward the window instead of onto him.

He poked her again, with no response, and sighed to himself. The last thing he wanted was to see people come in on them like this. Once her friends caught up with them, he was likely to get another punch in the eye. At the same time, it was nice and quiet and as soon as she found out she'd fallen asleep on him, she was likely to create a ruckus...and punch him in the eye.

So instead, he settled back in his seat and closed his eyes. He was tempted to tilt his head and lean against hers. It would be more comfortable. But it would also be harder for her to slip away with both their dignities intact, so he left his head where it was and hoped she woke up soon.

She had no joy when Malfoy had sat beside her on the crowded train. And so she had ignored him. She had been staring outside the window, when the click-clack click-clack of the train along the rails slowly lulled her to sleep.

Of course Hermione had no control over the way her body leaned when slumber caught up to her. She had no idea where her head rested.

Her slumber was so deep that neither of the poke at her cheek had no effect. She must be dreaming, for her body only moved a little, and an arm reflexively wrapped around his chest.

Draco groaned a little when he felt her arm wrap around his waist. That was it. He really was doomed. Either someone was going to kill him or he was going to kill himself. He'd always known there was nothing to be gained by being nice, but it was only when things like this happened to him that his theory was really proved.

And yet he still didn't try to move her away. And yet he did finally relax enough to rest his head on hers. He closed his eyes again and wondered if this was what it would have been like if he'd been friends with Potter. If maybe he hadn't taken everything his parents said as the utter truth.

Their last, belated year at Hogwarts, and the best thing he could say about it was that he and his parents weren't in Azkaban.

She slept steadily, her arm around him, her head on his chest for a long time. It was finally when the train took a corner, and there was a little jolt to the soothing sound of the wheels against the track, that Hermione finally started to waken from her slumber.

Immediately she knew that she was holding someone. Sleeping on someone.

It took several minutes of stillness, before she remembered who she had been sitting beside. And who she was holding right now.

Her eyes opened wide, and she looked up to where his head was resting on hers.

A rage of emotions filled her chest. Panic. Confusion. Fear. Anger. But somewhere in all that she didn't pull away. She didn't move to slap him (though that had first come to her mind). She really didn't know what to do.

Except by that point, he was the one whose breathing had slowed. After all the panicking and wondering what she'd think when she woke up, he'd managed to fall asleep before the worried-over event could take place. Of course, he'd managed to worm an arm around her so any movement on her part would have woken him up.

After a few minutes, he tightened his grip a little, frowned, and grunted. One of the biggest problems he'd been having since the end of the war were the nightmares about what might have happened if 'his' side had won. Or, maybe worse, what if they'd lost but the Dark Lord had somehow survived? It would have been his family that suffered. His family had always been the most loyal and the one who had ultimately betrayed him.

He jerked a little, his dreams shifting to what might have happened to the woman in his arms. Mudbloods were the most hated. Muggles were nothing but toys, but mudbloods were an insult.

He made another noise, this one closer to a whimper.

Hermione was putting her mind to different ways of sliding out of the arm around her body, when his grip tightened and she froze.

She looked up, just as he frowned and grunted. And then she heard something from him that she had never thought possible. A whimper.

He was obviously having a bad dream. And suddenly escaping his grip left her mind. Hermione gently placed a soothing hand on his cheek.

"Shush..." She whispered. "You are safe."

Instead of setting his unconscious mind at ease, the comforting gesture only made the nightmare worse. There was only one person he knew who would comfort him like that and the idea that his mother was in the world his dream had created was unfathomable. The whimpers grew into full-on words, pleas of 'no, please, no'. Maybe he should have woken up, but the part of his mind that blamed himself for everything kept him under.

Yet he still clung to Granger as if she were some kind of lifeline.

Damn Hermione swore to herself. Somehow she had made things worse. And despite their rocky past, it broke her heart to see him like this. She bit her bottom lip when his whimpers became soft little pleas.

And he clung so tight to her.

"Malfoy." She didn't want to cause a scene. Didn't think it would be proper for anyone else to see him so vulnerable. She had to do something.

So she slapped him. Something that would at least remind him who he was with.

Edited 2015-01-18 01:36 (UTC)

He gasped at the slap, going into motion before his mind caught up to the rest of him. He stumbled to his feet and then dropped to his knees as he lost his balance. He turned and scrambled back to the other side of the car and only then did he realize what had happened.

He pressed a hand to his cheek and stared at her.

"You were the one sleeping on me!" he protested, unaware that his nightmare had been the reason she'd slapped him.

"I know." Hermione replied softly. She waited patiently for him to return to his seat. Her hands in her lap, in case he thought she might slap him again.

Only when he did return would she explain why. "You were having a nightmare."

He didn't return to his seat. Instead, he got to his feet shakily and stared at her. He knew exactly what she meant by 'nightmare', but it was humiliating to think that she might have seen him in the grip of one.

"You couldn't think of any other way to wake me than to slap me?" he accused.

"I had stroked your cheek to waken you and it got worse!" Her own voice rose in her ire.

[ Probably better that someone falls asleep on him. ]

[If there's one bad thing about Tony, it's that he can be obnoxiously tenacious. In, like, everything. Up to and including a fiddly piece of tech that just won't work right.

Gene's finished the book he was reading, and he has no idea what Tony's doing with all that equipment, so he figures a small nap wouldn't go amiss. He leans his head against Tony's shoulder and prepares to doze.]

[ The repulsors on his boots are cutting in and out, ever since he put the new ones in and that's not on. He's just not going to accept that. He needs to fix it because if he's in the middle of a fight with, like, Whiplash or the Black Knight and his repulsors go out, then Gene isn't going to have someone to lean on.

He glances over and sees Gene with his eyes closed and just goes back to what he's working on. Tony's screwdriver slips and he bumps Gene a bit. ]

[Gene lets out a little surprised noise when Tony bumps him, and opens his eyes.]

Am I in the way? [he mumbles.]

[ Tony absolutely is not fond of Gene when he's all sleepy and rumpled. He absolutely is not. He's also not fond of Gene getting in his way when he's working on tech.

This time, however, he really is in the way a bit. ]

Can you put your head in my lap?

[ At least he wouldn't be in danger of a slipping tool, or of Tony's hand slipping. ]

The repulsors still aren't right.

[ At least Gene usually understands when Tony is like this. Unless it's hour forty-eight or something like that. ]

Hmm, aren't we forward, [Gene drawls with a smirk, but does as he's asked. He yawns.] I'd offer some advice, but I don't think I could tell you anything you don't already know.

[ Tony rolls his eyes and flicks that piece of hair that's always in Gene's eyes. Then he goes back to the repulsors. ]

The cycles per minute are off. I need them back up where they were, but I think the wiring won't handle it. I'm going to have to rewire the entire thing.

[ He drops the screwdriver, disgusted and cards his fingers through Gene's hair. ]

I'm going to have to rewire the entire suit.

[ Which means long nights, and wearing one of the back ups for a while. ]

Uuuuuugh, [Gene says, leaning his head back and rolling his eyes. He's not rolling his eyes at the fact that Tony's hands are in his hair - far from it - but rewiring the suit means a ton of lost nights, which means less time with Tony that isn't this.]

I could help, if you want. [For totally non-selfish reasons.]

Edited 2015-01-17 20:01 (UTC)

[ Tony scoffs. Not that Gene can't help him - he has in the past - but that Gene is obviously trying to look innocent. It isn't working. ]

Nah. Shouldn't take more than a couple days.

[ Of no sleeping, barely any eating and potentially getting distracted by Gene. ]

I'll get started. Why don't you go get some sleep?

[Because one of them should be functional. ]

It's okay, I'll stay with you.

[He means it. Is he jealous that the work - and the armor - is Tony's first love? Yeah, maybe, a little. He knows he should let Tony take care of it, and the fewer distractions he's faced with, the faster it will get done, but he doesn't want to wait.

So he's going to petulantly remain here. In Tony's lap. For as long as it takes.]

[ Technology and being Iron Man will always be Tony's first love. It isn't a slight to Gene. The fact that Tony lets Gene in at all says something for how he feels about the other teen. But he will always be Iron Man first.

He looks down at Gene and cards his finger through Gene's hair for a moment before picking up the screwdriver again. He can rewire the suit around Gene - not the first time - but he's sure that Gene is disappointed. ]

You sure? I'm going to have to get up eventually.

Uh-huh. [He'll just move, then. It's not a big deal.

Something that Tony is probably beginning to learn is that Gene loves jealously, when he permits himself to love at all. People leave, and he's found that to be true too many times. He understands Tony's obsession, as it mirrors his own, but his quest for the rings is complete and Tony's life as Iron Man is just beginning. It's different.]

[ Tony runs his fingers through Gene's hair one last time, before settling in to work. The suit needs rewired, and the only person who can really do it is Tony.

He heats up his soldering iron and pulls over the wires he's going to need. Except it's the wiring in the suit now and that's just not working. So... he needs new wires. He needs new stronger wiring.

And to do that....

He drops the screwdriver and with a flick of Extremis, fires up the virtual working. He needs a new alloy to work with and while he knows a few of them that could take the amps he needs it to - what he wouldn't sell for vibranium - none of them are available, even to him with all the resources of Stark Industries behind him. And it sucks.

He scowls at the list scrolling by. Maybe a new alloy...? ]

[Gene watches what he can see of Tony's activity sleepily. He's come to terms with the fact that quite often, Tony's mind goes where he can't follow, and while he doesn't exactly like that - how about that for a blow to the ego - he can accept it.

It's a little mesmerizing, to see the hologram flick by so quickly as Tony processes the information.]

[ Even without Extremis, Tony would process things so much faster than other people. He used to be a genius. Now he's a genius who can manipulate machinery. He knows for a fact that Fury has him on a list of dangerous people - he'd erased himself off the list three times now. He disagrees with it being around at all. There's too much opportunity for it to be abused.

He flicks through the metals that could handle what he wants and starts combining them in the virtual. a few become weaker, a few stronger... a few explosive - he's really glad he's working in the virtual for right now.

Absently, he cards his fingers through Gene's hair, one hand flicking faster and faster through the combinations. ]

[It is such a pain having a know-it-all boyfriend. Gene can perhaps take solace in the fact that, given the chance, he literally can know everything. But that seems like way too much effort to retain on the regular.

He half-closes his eyes as Tony's fingers move through his hair.]

[ Tony stops, staring at a combination he hadn't considered. Adamantium and copper. That just might work for what he needs it to do. Of course, adamantium isn't that prolific, but at least there's more of it than vibranium. ]

I need adamantium.

[ There should be a market for this stuff. Like an actual supermarket or WalMart or something so that he can buy the alloys that he needs. Plus, working the adamantium into the copper is going to be a pain in the ass. ]

I wonder if Dad's got some.

[Well, there's always the black market, but Tony might not be so happy with that.]

I still have some criminal connections, [Gene mutters.] I can ask around, if you want.

[He's trying, okay?]

[ Tony looks down at his lap and scowls. He stops finger combing Gene's hair. ]

No, Gene. I won't do that.

[ Not just because he's got morals. He's not going to let Gene get dragged back into that world, not for anything. ]

Dad will know where to get it if we can. If we can't, I'll figure out something else.

[ He is a genius after all. ]

[Aww, Tony, why'd you stop?

And besides, it's not getting dragged back in if he goes back of his own free will. He wants to help.]

Okay, [he says, sounding indifferent and closing his eyes.] If you're sure.

[ Because you're being a doofus and doofuses don't get their hair pet. Good boyfriends do. ]

I'm sure.

[ Tony sends the email to his father with one hand. There's nothing else he can do about the suit until he knows what material he has to work with. ]

[Fiiiine. He'll be good. Or at least he'll try to. He reaches up to place his hand on top of Tony's, which is still resting on his head.]

So now what?

[ Tony shrugs, interlacing their fingers together. ]

There's not much I can do until I hear from Dad. Then I can rebuild the suit. Until then, I'll have to use one of the backups.

That sucks, [Gene says, and even manages to sound sympathetic. There's no love lost between him and that armor, but he knows how important it is to Tony. So it has to be important to him, too.]

You might have to give being normal a try.

[ Tony looks down at Gene amused. ]

You mean a teenage billionaire and teen idol? Yes, let's try that.

And let's not forget dating the world's most wanted man, [Gene teases.]

When did I start dating Victor von Doom?

[ Because Tony's in a mood. ]

[Ugh, you dork! Gene playfully smacks his arm with his free hand.]

Are you cheating on me?

With von Doom?

[ Tony makes a face. ]

Never.

[ He smirks. ]

T'Challah though....

Oh! I guess being nearly omnipotent isn't enough for you, you need to be dating royalty!

[He looks mock-offended.]

Well, it would have certain advantages.

[ Tony considers it quietly. ]

We all wonder what's going on in Wakanda, this would be a perfect way to figure out why they don't let outsiders in. Then, T'Challah is the Black Panther.

[ Now he's really just being a jerk. ]

I can tell you what's going on in Wakanda, [Gene says, a little petulantly. Perks of being electively omniscient, and all that.] And I'm way better than the Black Panther. My armor is cooler.

So because you have "cooler" armor, I should date you? Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[ Never mind that Tony is dating Gene. It has nothing to do with his armor. ]

Well, I have to admit, aside from the phenomenal cosmic power, I'm not that much of a catch. So I have to lead with my strengths.

[ Tony actually laughs about that. ]

Do you have the itty bitty living space too?

No, I'm far too grand for that, [he says, and stretches.]

Far too pompous and full of yourself, perhaps. Grand? Nah.

[ But he's combing Gene's hair again. ]

Ah, hello there, pot, I see you're maligning the kettle again.

[He's smiling.]

Keeping the kettle on an even keel, maybe. I never said I was too grand for anything. Too smart is another argument.

Sheesh. And you have the nerve to call me pompous.

Genius, Gene. I'm a genius.

[ He shakes his head. ]

How come you keep forgetting that?

Didn't Stephen Hawking say something about people who constantly brag about their intelligence being huge losers?

[Sorry, Tony, you're a loser. Dr. Hawking's call, not Gene's.]

Nah, it was Einstein, I think.

[ People he loves proving wrong. ]

Point remains: You are a loser.

Who's the loser? Me or the guy desperate to date me?

[ SMIRK. ]

'Desperate'? [Gene snorts.] Oh, please. [He sits up.]

I just want to make sure you know the score. Because... [And he leans in progressively closer to Tony's face with every word:] I. Don't. Share. What's. Mine.

[ Getting cranky are we? Tony doesn't move, because he's not scared of Gene. Not now, not ever. ]

I'm yours? You sure?

Quite sure, [Gene says with a predatory grin, still leaned in close, and...

...begins tickling him.]

HEY!

[ Tony starts trying to get away and knocks his knee into the table in front of him, almost knocking the boot off. ]

Hey! Knock it off.

[Gene's still smirking, but he does stop tickling Tony due to potential tech destruction. Well. He doesn't totally stop.]

Hmm...you want to make me?

[ Tony pushes his hands away. Why does Gene always resort to tickling?

Instead of forcing Gene to do anything, Tony leans in and kisses him. That'll probably work. ]

[He tickles because it works.

Gene kisses him back. Mandarin? More like MandaWIN. #winning, Charlie Sheen style.]

[ Keep thinking that Gene. Tony pulls back. ]

You always do that.

[ Complain, complain. ]

Is this you saying you don't like it when I do that?

[You sure, Tony? You really sure?]

Not around the workbench.

[ It's a grump he's had before, Gene. No messing around the delicate equipment. ]

Oh, fine.

[You're such a grumpus, Tony.]

[ But now that Gene's moved, so can Tony. He pushes himself up and looks around the lab. Literally the only thing needing his attention is his suit. He's caught up with everything else.

... This is not a good place for Tony to be. The last time he was like this he went on an inventing spree. The patents were nice, but some of the experiments had to be dismantled... by him in the armor. Whoops. He's still sorry that one couldn't be made stable to work.

He stretches and looks around the room. ]

Wanna get something to eat?

Yeah, all right, [Gene says. He'd napped on Tony earlier, but now his stomach is beginning to get in on the unfortunate 'human needs' parade. And he knows how Tony gets when he gets in one of these inspiration jags.

Like he forgets to eat.]

What're you thinking? Pizza?

[ He'll forget to do anything until his body literally gives out on him. He's worked himself sick before and poor Gene - before they were dating - had gotten stuck babysitting him because everyone else had found someplace else to be.

Tony scratches at his hair. ]

Indian?

[ He grabs his phone and tucks it into his pocket. ]

Or we could get bad Chinese at that place on Seventh.

[ Teasing Gene? NEVER. ]

Do you want the lecture on how chop suey isn't actually authentic Chinese food again? [Gene says patiently.] Because that can be arranged.

[He's silently thankful that Tony wants to get up and out of the lab and stretch his legs at all. He doesn't want to repeat that babysitting incident.]

Do you want the "I don't care, it's good" response?

[ They have their things, and Tony is usually the instigator. No one knows why. Pepper despairs. ]

Why, though. Why would you do that to your poor defenseless tastebuds.

[Fucking foodie.]

[ Tony loves getting him riled. ]

Because if I want authentic Chinese, I'll just send you to get it.

[ Teleportation has it's advantages after all. ]

What I want is quick, simple, filling food... what about that one Greek place with the gyros?

[Gene makes a face. He's not a damn taxi and he's not your damn errand boy, Stark!]

Gyros sound good.

[ You love it and you know it. It's your chance to show off your powers and do something Tony can't.

Tony reaches for Gene's hand, in a rare show of open affection. ]

Then let's go. Then we'll come back and I'll start on the armor.

[Gene takes Tony's hand, smiling, some unusual shyness in his demeanor.]

Okay. Let's go, then.

[ Tony's not going to say anything about it because he likes, sometimes, when they do normal couple-y things. Like go out to dinner. They have so much other stuff - Mandarin stuff, Iron Man stuff, Stark stuff... to be fair, most of it is Tony's stuff - that it's nice every once in a while to be a couple with someone... who isn't Pepper. He loves Pepper dearly, but she'd drive him crazy. ]

Want to walk, or get a driver?

[ Since Tony hasn't done that whole 'learn to drive' thing yet. ]

Let's walk, [Gene says with authority. It might help Tony unwind and expend a little of that restless energy that's always animating him.

Besides, it could do them well to be normal for a bit.]

[ Normal? He's a billionaire teenager superhero. There's nothing normal about him. Plus, he probably should work on that homework that he's been putting off. While he doesn't have science classes at the Tomorrow Academy any more, his father had said that the normal classes - English, Drama, etc - were probably good for him.

Tony had disagreed loudly until his father had threatened his lab space. ]

Alright, let's go.

[ And he will tow Gene out the door, because now he really wants food. Anything to put off doing that stupid English essay. ... Maybe Pepper will do it for him. ]

[Whoop. And there they go!]

You just want to put off your homework, don't you, [Gene says, but allows himself to be towed out the door. He'd knocked out his own essay already, while Tony had been scienceing.]

There's an essay?

[ He even tries to sound innocent about it. He knows very well there's an essay and he's totally putting it off, and don't make him do homework, Gene! ]

[Gene arches one evil eyebrow.]

I didn't say 'essay'.

[BUSTED.]

[ Aw, dang it. Tony sighs. He's busted and he knows it. But at least Gene won't tell his Dad. The teacher however....]

I can do it later.

[ And he will! Possibly an hour before class, but later! ]

[Gene won't tell your dad because Gene is terrified of your dad, Tony.]

You'd better. Or else everyone's going to blame me for being a 'bad influence' on you, whatever that means.

[ What? He's just one of the few that can sort of keep up with Tony. Cuddly bear, really. ]

I will. And no one thinks you're a bad influence on me. Just look at Pepper and Rhodey.

[A cuddly bear who isn't exactly Gene's biggest fan. So, a regular bear, and Gene is wearing a meat suit.]

Okay, Pepper is definitely a worse influence...

[ Tony laughs and nudges Gene in the side with his elbow. ]

She is, but I meant she doesn't think you're a bad influence on me. Rhodey doesn't either.

[ Though, Rhodey's glad to have someone else help him try to drag Tony out of the lab and to school and all that fun stuff. ]

And that would be a first, [Gene mutters.

You'd think being a literal supervillain would cause some problems.]

[ Tony looks around. The street isn't horribly crowded, but there's enough people headed into Stark Industries that he's probably been recognized about five times over. Luckily, most of them don't bother the son of the owner and CEO - and major patent holder.

But, Tony doesn't like Gene talking about himself like that and wants to prove that he's not a bad influence. In some cases, he's a good influence.

So, he crowds Gene against a wall and nips at his mouth, kissing the other teen quite thoroughly. ]

Stop it. You're not a bad influence on me. Pepper likes you. Rhodey likes you. Dad... doesn't dislike you.

[ Tony's never sure what his Dad's feelings on Gene are. ]

So, stop it. Hear me?

[Gene lets out a noise of surprise when Tony sidles him into a wall and kisses him, his heart leaping in his chest.] People are looking, [he grouses good-naturedly when Tony pulls back, but he still can't help but feel a bit smug that Tony's kissing him, in public, so that all the world knows how they feel about each other.

It's weirdly exhilarating.

His voice drops a little bit, getting husky.] I'll stop if you kiss me again.

[ A couple of people snicker as they walk by, but no one says anything. No doubt his Dad will know, but his Dad's not an idiot. He knows they do a lot more than kissing. ]

I don't care that they're looking. Maybe we'll make all the teen gossip magazines.

[ Tony smirks. It wouldn't be the first time. They'd been the first one to suspect there is something more between the two boys. ]

Will you?

[ He sidles in closer and presses hard against Gene, kissing him again. ]

[And that is a conversation Gene hopes he will never have to have with Howard, ever.

Gene doesn't get a chance to respond before Tony kisses him again, and he briefly quite forgets what he'd promised or why they're kissing but who cares.]

Probably not, [he admits,] but it was worth a try. [And he pecks Tony on the cheek.]

[ Tony would never make you have that conversation alone, Gene. He's not cruel.

Tony sighs and leans his forehead against Gene's. He's hungry, but now he kinda doesn't want to eat. His mind is on other things. Better to go eat. ]

You need to stop talking like that. What's it going to take to convince you that I like you?

[ And really. Who cares about the rest? ]

[You need to eat, Tony.]

Nothing, [Gene says, a little too flippantly.] Um...a new brain, maybe. One that can actually believe good things can happen to me.

[And he's going to be real here - Tony is a very good thing.]

[ Tony sighs and takes Gene's hand again, dragging him toward the gyro place. ]

I'm going to get you to stop doing that, eventually. I will.

[ And no one ever tells Tony he can't do something. ]

[Gene looks unsure, but he just says,] I know, [quietly. He doesn't like that he makes Tony disappointed and frustrated, but he can't help it. It's just how he is.]

Good.

[ Because someday, he will get Gene to recognize that he's not the cause of every bit of something that goes wrong. Not even when it goes wrong in his life. ]

C'mon, let's get some food and then we can work on the suit.

Oooh, you mean you're actually going to let me touch your precious suit? [Gene teases, his melancholy forgotten, to all appearances.] Truly, a momentous occasion.

[ The crowd is starting to thin out to the mid-afternoon throng that gladly ignores the two boys that are moving through them. Some are Stark Industries people, but they're intent on getting either to work, or back to work.

Tony snorts, squeezing Gene's fingers with his own. The change in topic is one they've done before, and one that Tony doesn't buy for a minute. It'll come up again. ]

You've helped me before. Maybe not with a full rebuild, but you've helped before.

[It will, but until then, Gene is content to ignore it. He squeezes Tony's hand back.]

You're not going to let me rip the guts out of it or anything, are you?

[ Tony looks at Gene. He has to be joking. He really has to be. ]

I was going to remake it from the ground up. No ripping required.

[ That's a no, Gene. ]

[Aww, you never let him do anything fun!]

Not even a little? [he teases.]

[ That's not true, and you know it. He just doesn't let you play with the suits. Remember The Incident? ]

Not even a tiny bit. But, we do have to paint it. You can help choose the pattern.

[ But not the colors. Those are pretty well set.

Tony glances at Gene out of the corner of his eye. ]

Rescue needs an upgrade.

[We all try and forget The Incident. And you sure, Tony? Black and gold would suit you for normal livery. Then they could match! It would be precious.]

Oh, God, if I messed up her precious suit she would kill me, [he mutters.]

[ He has a black and gold stealth suit or is that the space suit? Whichever. He's just not usually in it. Besides, everyone expects him in the red and gold. So no. Pattern choosing only. ]

Well then, [ smirk ] I'll have to make sure you don't mess it up.

[They should go fight crime together in space. Space crime! And they can be space cops.]

Yeah, you'd better, [Gene says, smirking, and shoves him,] because she'd kill you, too.

[ They're not becoming space cops. Howard really would frown on that.

Tony laughs and stumbles out to the length of their arms, his hand still holding Gene. He reels in the other teen, high on life and the boundless energy that always seems to surround him. ]

Are you kidding? She'd do worse. She'd babble at us.

[ A fate truly worse than death. ]

[It would be fun, though. They could have their own cartoon.

Gene can't help but laugh in turn when Tony pulls him back in. He kisses Tony on the cheek, nuzzling him. Being around Tony always made him feel better.]

Oh, God, [he says with a laugh,] well we ought to avoid that, then, huh? I'll be good.

[ Tony likes that Gene doesn't get too jealous of being Iron Man; he doesn't hold it against Tony when the need to create, the need to just SCIENCE until he's run himself out. ]

Can you imagine the whining? [ Tony shudders. ] And you won't be good.

[ He smirks and whispers in Gene's ear. ] At least not too good, I hope.

[Gene's about to be indignant - he's at least trying to renounce his wicked ways - riiiiight up until Tony smirks and whispers in his ear. Oh. He gets it. And he shivers at the breath in his ear, suddenly wanting nothing more than to ditch the quest for food and do something a little more interesting.]

I'll be good in public, around other people, [he clarifies when he can gather his wits enough to speak again, and smirks.] Aside from that, well...

[ Tony laughs. This is what he loves to do to Gene in some contexts. It's funny watching Gene try not to get all indignant about things.

Tony drags him around the corner, toward the gyro place finally. ]

C'mon, I'm starving.

[ In all iterations of the word. ]

Yeah, me too, [Gene says, allowing himself to be pulled. He knows Tony loves to push his buttons, and he loves to goad Tony right back. He usually lets Tony win, though, because his taunts can get a bit on the mean side and he wants to nip those thoughts in the bud.

Honestly, with Tony's Extremis-enhanced energy expenditure and therefore increased appetite, the restaurants, food carts, and takeout places near Stark Tower are doing a pretty brisk business these days. The gyro shop is no exception. Aside from the fact that Tony could probably eat the entire rotating meat skewer by himself, there is also no small amount of prestige in being a shop frequented by Iron Man himself.]

[ The gyro shop owner greets Tony by name. He knew Tony when all Tony was was the son of Howard Stark. ]

Hey Jose!

[ The owner of the shop grins and waves to the two boys and comes around the counter to take their orders. Tony happily orders half the menu. He needs the fuel and he'll piece while he works anyway.

After getting their orders - literally, three quarters of the menu - Tony grins and takes Gene's hand again. ]

Do you want to go out somewhere and eat or back to the lab?

[ Tony wants to be seen in public with Gene. ]

Hmm...we should go out, [Gene says authoritatively.] Otherwise you might not see the sun again for days. [He's teasing, sort of. Tony's well known to be a bit of a hermit when he gets on an inventing jag.] We could go to the park?

[ Tony knows how he gets; it's why he suggested going out. Better to get out now, than to make everyone worry while he's rebuilding the suit. At least he's out of the lab?

Once they get to the park, Tony flops on the ground, his food next to him. Gently, he tugs on Gene's hand. ]

Come down here.

[Gene takes Tony's hand and lets the other boy pull him down.]

Anything you want, [he says with a smirk.]

REally?

[ Tony's interest is piqued. ]

Tell me more.

[Gene laughs a bit at that. He laughs more around Tony; smiles more, too.]

I do mean anything, [he says, his voice a low purr.] Whatever you want. I'm yours. [Beat.] ...just let me have some of my lunch first.

[ Tony laughs. ]

I guess we can eat first.

[ He leans up and kisses Gene again. ]

Then we'll figure out something to do.

[Y'all need to eat those calories before you burn 'em, after all.]

I'm sure we'll rack our brains, [Gene says dryly, smiling a little when he's kissed.] Come on. This food won't eat itself.

[ Tony hears it. Just on the edge of his hearing and just at the edge of Extremis he can feel the whirring of the camera. Oh well. What the hell does he care if someone posts about him kissing Gene in the park?

Groaning, he pushes himself up and grabs the bag from the gyro shop. ]

What all did you get?

[ Tony got a lamb gyro with everything, and a beef one without tomatoes. ... And maybe a few other things. ]

[Gene cannot hear the camera shutter, which is probably a blessing. He's still very wary of being in the public eye, but it's pretty well unavoidable when you're dating Tony Stark.]

Lamb gyro and some kibbeh. And you'd better ask before you take any, [he says, waving a plastic fork threateningly. He'll fight you over food, Tony.]

I wouldn't take any!

[ Tony grabs his own fork, digging in. He's starving. He wonders if he should wipe the local pictures and cameras. Nah. That's mean. ]

Well, not until you were done, anyway.

Uh-huh. You have enough of your own food. [More than enough, if they're being real.

And he starts eating ravenously, getting tzatziki sauce on his face and not really caring. ~~There'd better not be any cameras omg.~~]

[ the chicken soup that the gyro place makes is beyond delicious. If Tony's sick, it's what he lives on. He loves it. He just sits there and sips it, smirking. ]

You got a little something on your face.

[ He reaches up with a napkin, wiping off the sauce. ]

[Gene jerks back a little, but allows Tony to clean him up a little.]

I'm glad I have you looking out for me.

Of course I'm going to look out for you. What else are boyfriends for?

[ He's casual about it, but it's the first time either one of them have used the b-word, because they just... didn't. Tony knows why he didn't, but he's not sure about Gene, and if Gene rejects him now, well, they thought it was hard to get him out of the lab before? He'll never leave it again. ]

[Gene falters, a little alarmed - it's a test, he knows it's a test, and passing or failing will change the course of everything - but he decides he quite likes the word, and everything it stands for. It means Tony's his, and he's Tony's, and that works for him. So he smiles.]

I'm sure I can think of a lot of other things boyfriends are for, [he says, trying to sound just as casual ~~and failing~~.]

Can you now?

[ Color him curious for all the things he's supposedly good for. ]

I'm happy to let you test my imagination, [Gene says, and kisses him on the cheek. Yeah, his wicked mind is getting interesting.]

Then test it we will. When I'm done with the suit.

[ Smirk. ]

...you don't mean when the suit's finished, do you?

[Tonyyyy! C'mon! That'll take weeks!]

[ Cue look of confusion. ]

That's what I said?

When the whole thing is done? That'll take forever! [And he pouts. Have you ever seen a supervillain pout, Tony?]

Nah. A week at most.

[ Stop pouting or Tony will kiss you. ]

That still sounds like forever, [Gene points out.

And dammit, you've caught on to his endgame!]

[ Tony pokes him gently. ]

Well, if you don't bother me, it'll get done sooner.

[ You know, for piddly things, like sleeping and eating. ]

[Gene pokes him right back.]

How are you supposed to get anything done if I don't bother you?

[But he's smiling.]

[ The epic eyeroll threatens his eyes. ]

What's that supposed to mean?

You know damn well, [Gene says, poking him again, because he can.]

[ Tony grabs his finger. Because he's mature. ]

No, I don't. Now explain it.

You need me around so I can remind you to do things like eat, [he says, poking Tony,] and sleep-- [he pokes Tony again.] --that'll get you to work more efficiently so you don't burn yourself off.

[He grins wickedly.] And do other things, too.

[ Tony rolls his eyes. Gene's in a mood apparently. ]

It's the other things that makes everything take forever. If you behaved yourself, I'd get things done quicker.

[ Not that he's complaining. Just pointing out a few things. ]

But behaving myself is so boring, [Gene says, all innocence.] I won't interfere too much.

That's what you keep promising and then I end up lounging around instead of actually doing the work that needs to be done.

[ Mock outrage. ]

I'll be good. Mostly. I swear.

[Look at him, Tony. He's the picture of virtue and piety.]

If you're not, I'm telling Pepper.

[ It's a common threat between the two of them. She's scary, okay? ]

[Gene winces, and actually does look serious.]

Is this the face of a man who would lie to you about something so important?

[Tony? Run.]

[ Tony doesn't know how to run. It's a fatal flaw of his. ]

Good. Then I'll get the suit done and we'll go do something fun. Maybe go out on the town and give the scandal mags something to talk about?

[ Now he's being mean. ]

[Gene frowns at him.] I don't know why you want to keep those vultures fed, honestly.

[And if they ever found out Gene's true identity...they'd both be ruined.]

But I can deal with something fun...as long as I get veto power.

I keep them fed because if I give them something sometimes, then they leave me alone to do the real work. They see me out of the suit, they leave me alone when I'm in the suit.

[ It's all strategy, really. and let them find out. Tony doesn't care. ]

And of course you get veto power.

[Okay, Gene has to admit that makes a certain amount of sense.]

Good, [he says, and kisses Tony on the cheek.] Then maybe we can really give them something to talk about.

[ Tony likes cheek kisses! Do that again! ]

I'm willing to let them speculate and talk all they want. You have something specific in mind?

Oh, I'm sure I'll think of something, [Gene says, that faux innocense suffusing his tone again.] I'll get creative.

[ Tony grins. He knows that Gene won't go too far. But they can push the boundaries. ]

We could go dancing.

[ Dirty dancing that is. ]

[Push all dem boundaries!]

Now there's an idea. One problem: I don't know how to dance.

[But he knows how to fight. Close enough, yes?]

Who said you had to know how to dance?

[ Tony sure as heck doesn't know how to dance. ]

I'm told that's a prerequisite for going dancing, [he says dryly.]

Maybe, but you've never been to a club. No one knows how to dance.

[ He takes a bite of his gyro. ]

...point taken, [Gene notes.]

I don't have anything to wear to a club.

I'll call Pepper. She'll pick you up something.

[ No, Tony's not thinking straight, he's off in calculation land. ]

I am not letting Pepper shop for me again.

[The Banana Hammock Incident is best not repeated.]

[ Tony grins. ]

Well, it's her or Rhodey and knowing Rhodey, he'd buy you a suit.

...yeah, okay, fine, I'll let her shop for me. I get veto power, though.

But I think I'd look good in a suit, [he teases.]

Edited 2015-04-20 00:11 (UTC)

[ Tony grins. Gene would look fantastic in a suit... or being peeled out of one. He shouldn't think about that right now. ]

I'll even help you argue her to a standstill.

[Yeah, and Tony wouldn't look too bad in or half-out of one, either. Nothing for it but to try it out sometime, right?]

Much obliged. Though I don't think we'll be able to take it further than that.

[ This is something they will have to test the theory of. For SCIENCE. ]

Well, no. It is Pepper after all.

[And Gene's only too happy to be the guinea pig. First, they need suits...]

I don't think the Supreme Court could argue Pepper past a standstill.

[That's what the Supreme Court does, right?]

We argue her to a standstill all the time.

[Tony feels the need to point that out. ]

Right, but not past one. When's the last time you ever got your own way in an argument with Pepper?

[ Tony opens his mouth. He's totally beaten Pepper in an argument! He totally has!

... Hasn't he? He's pretty sure he has. He just munches on the last of his gyro, instead of answering. Shut up, Gene. ]

Yeah, thought so, [Gene teases, and swipes a french fry.] God help us if she becomes a lawyer.

She's still set on being a SHIELD agent. Even though she already has her rocket boots.

[ Tony finishes off the gyro, leaning back against the grass. ]

More power to Nick Fury.

More power to him? [Gene snorts.] More like more luck to him.

[He lies back on the grass too, gently bonking Tony with his head.]

I keep telling her she's too smart to be a SHIELD agent.

[ He's full, the sun is warm and Gene is right here. He scoots over and puts his head on Gene's shoulder. ]

But really, I don't want Fury getting his hands on her suit.

Just wait, [Gene says, teasing him,] give her a few years, and she'll be running SHIELD. And she's too smart to let Fury at her suit, anyway.

Though I wonder if he'll come for me... [Gene knows he's done wrong, but he doesn't want to face SHIELD's justice and end up in a cell. He's spent enough of his life in one, anyway.]

[ Tony sighs and rolls so he can lean over Gene just a tiny bit. ]

He's not going to come after you, Gene. I promised, remember?

[ If Fury comes after Gene, he'll have to go against Iron Man and more importantly: Both Starks. ]

I trust you, [Gene says, reassuring him.] I just don't trust him. [The Mandarin is a big prize, and he knows that, and he thinks that prize may be too tempting for Fury to let it slip through his fingers.]

Fury won't do a thing.

[ Tony is sure of that. He knows that he's got Fury by the metaphorical balls when it comes to the Mandarin. ]

You're safe, with me.

I know. [He tilts his chin up to kiss Tony on the forehead.] It's the only reason I come out in public.

[ He doesn't want forehead kisses, Gene. Give up the real thing. ]

The only reason?

[ Pout. ]

Well, there are a couple others, [he admits, and gently kisses Tony on the lips.]

[ A quick flare of Extremis, and there's no way someone can take pictures of what he's about to do. His hand goes up and he pulls Gene into a real kiss for a minute, because he's not distracted by SCIENCE right now. ]

Good, because you're going to be fine, Gene. No one's going to take you from me.

[Had he been goading Tony into a proper kiss? Noooo, don't be ridiculous, that'd be such a silly villainous plan.

But if it was...it worked.]

You promise? [He says it with a smile, but it's easy to tell there's a bit of fear there.]

I promise. And if you want, I'll release the twelve cellphones, three video cameras and five digital cameras around us and let them witness it.

[ They're not all pointed at them, but that's not the point. ]

Oh my God, don't, [Gene says, laughing.] I don't need any more close encounters with the media.

[Still, he's touched that Tony would bind all of them with Extremis to make him more comfortable.]

Edited 2015-05-09 02:52 (UTC)

You sure? It wouldn't take much...

[ Tony grins. Because he won't do that. He hates the paparazzi as much as Gene does.

He settles back down next to Gene, his head on the other boy's shoulder and stares at the sky. ]

I don't think we've been outed, yet, but we probably shouldn't stay long.

No, probably not, [Gene says, quite innocently.] We can't do anything really fun out here.

What do you have in mind, Gene?

[ Tony is quite innocent. Why what could you have in mind, Gene? ]

[He shrugs.] I don't know. Video games?

[But there's a flirtatious twist to his words that implies Xbox is not all he has in mind.]

Are you going to let me hook it up to the hardlight generator this time?

[ Because Tony believes that video games should be fun. Let him have fun Gene! ]

Edited 2015-05-10 23:56 (UTC)

Sure, why not. Let's give that a shot.

['Fun' is in the eye of the beholder.]

[ Tony rolls to his feet and holds out a hand. ]

Then lets go. Because I see no reason to hold people back from their internet any longer.

Oh, fine, [Gene says, accepting the hand and pulling himself up to his feet.] Let's go have your idea of fun.

Not just my idea, you know. Maybe we'll just forget the video games and stick with science, huh?

[ His phone rings. ]

Hi Dad. No, I don't... not right away. New suit. I'm at the park. Sure. We'll come back. No, I'm with Gene. Pepper's probably out doing whatever it is Pepper does when she's not asking for up - oh. Yeah, we're coming back.

[ He grimaces and shuts off the phone. ]

Pepper's looking for us.

[Gene waits while Tony's on the phone, trying to glean the content of the call. When Tony mentions what's up, a look of consternation passes across his face.]

And she's bugging your dad to get us to talk to her?

[ Tony sighs and rubs the back of his neck. He'd done something and Pepper is going to let him have it. ]

I locked her out of the inner lab, where the sensitive stuff is and I might have blocked her calls. Just while we were out though!

[ Because that makes it better. ]

[Gene laughs.] You'd better not try and pin this on me. You, uh, probably did a good thing, locking her out of the inner lab. [Pepper does not need to get into the prototypes.]

[ Tony sighs. He's in for it and he knows it. Pepper will rightfully be mad at him. ]

I'd pretend to not have my phone, but she was in the background when Dad called. C'mon, lets go see what new upgrade she's thought of. I'm not giving her the stealth tech.

She'd see right through that lie anyway, [Gene says, and sighs too.] She's probably thought of something terrifying again.

She knows that I'd never go out without it anyway. Not with Dad trying to keep me on a short leash.

[ Not that he minds, just Howard keeps him at hand nowadays. Makes for trying to make out with Gene kinda awkward at times, but they manage.

He gathers up his garbage and then tugs on Gene's hand. ]

C'mere.

[Gene grins and lets Tony pull him close. He knows why Howard's keeping a watchful eye on Tony, and is well aware that he's the reason - he's several reasons - why Howard's become a bit of a helicopter parent.]

Okay.

[ Tony grins. He's got Gene right where he wants him. A twist of Extremis and people have their cell phones back. He wants pictures of this out there. He leans in and kisses Gene. He can feel the electronics firing up. They'll be trending on Twitter in no time. ]

You're going in with me, and Dad will probably be there. But don't you dare leave me alone. Alright?

[Oooh, Tony. You're bad. By the time Gene realizes what he's up to, it's too late and Tony's kissing him and he's pretty sure he doesn't mind this at all, really.]

As if you'd let me, [he retorts.]

If you asked, I might, I'm asking you not to ask. Dad will come around.

[ He hopes. ]

He'd better. You can't get rid of me that easily.

[Even if you really, really want to. Sorry, Tony. Once you're his, you're his.]

I wouldn't want to get rid of you. He'll come around. He just... Doesn't get how you've changed yet. But you're mine so he'll try.

[Tony hopes anyway. It's what he's banking on.]

[Sometimes, Gene's not sure he has changed. But he has to have, right? Tony wouldn't have accepted him if he hadn't.

Howard...Howard's still a tough sell. And Gene doesn't blame him for that.]

I'm pretty sure the few hundred photos of us aren't going to raise his opinion of me, [he points out, ever the pessimist.]

Dad doesn't pay attention to the fourth estate. He can't. Or he'd have a heart attack every other day.

[ Maybe an exaggeration but not that big of one. ]

Still. I don't think he's going to get over me being...who I am...anytime soon.

[ Tony sighs. Unfortunately, Gene is right. ]

He will. It helps that you make me happy. And that you don't mind dragging me out of the lab now and again.

I definitely don't mind that, [Gene admits. Even if they do have some fun in the lab, from time to time.] I'm glad I make you happy.

[There's a pause.]

You make me happy, too, [he says quietly, almost under his breath.]

Edited 2015-07-04 20:23 (UTC)

[ Tony threads his fingers with Gene's. ]

See? No reason to worry then.

[ He heard that Gene. ]

TONY!

Hide me, it's Pepper.

No way, [Gene says with a smirk.] I'm not dumb enough to stand between you and Pepper when she's mad.

But we'll face her together, [he says, and squeezes Tony's hand briefly.]

Tony! Where have you BEEN? We're supposed to be working on the upgrades, remember?

[ Tony sighs. He knows he's supposed to be working on her phone upgrades, but he wants to spend time with Gene. ]

Gene dragged me out for food. Plus, I need adamantium for the suit, so there's nothing I can do until I get it and -

[ Help him Gene! ]

Oh, come on, he's not going to be any good for upgrades unless he eats, [Gene says, trying to save the situation.] Believe it or not, even he needs fuel for his brain to work properly.

[HELPING.]

Oh. Well...

[ Her phone chimes and she looks up at them, her eyebrows rising. ]

I thought you came out for food?

We did!

[ Smooth Tony. Of course she has your hashtag tracked on Twitter. ]

We came out to eat and -

[ He trails off, looking at the picture she shows them of the pair of them kissing. ]

That was after we ate?

[Well. Now they've really come out, as it were. Kind of.

Um.] That wasn't exactly planned... [he begins. Not like he'd had a problem with it at the time, though...]

[ There's that Look from her. Like she's both disappointed and happy and wants to both hug them and noogie them into submission... possibly while wearing her suit. Tony, however, is prepared. ]

C'mon, Pepper. We'll go get your phone worked on and you can grill Gene about everything.

Why didn't you tell me?

[ Tony sighs. She has a right to ask that. ]

We haven't really told anyone? Just... everyone. All at once. Oops?

Surprise, [Gene says weakly.] We really were trying to keep it on the down-low, and then, uh...that just kind of...happened.

[He shrugs.] Too late to do anything about it now, I guess...

Not that we didn't want to tell you, Pepper. It's just that Dad still gets this twitch every time Gene's name is mentioned.

[ Well, that makes her stop and think. At least for a second. ]

You still could have told me. I can keep a secret.

[ Which is a small miracle, considering how much she babbles. Tony, smartly, says nothing. ]

[Gene winces just a little. He is not unaware of how deeply Howard still disapproves of him. And he really can't blame the guy.]

We wanted to, just...like I said, it was kind of unexpected.

[Not unwelcome, though.]

Gene's right. And, he didn't know that I put it out all over Twitter.

[ Well, not him but they know what he means.

Pepper punches him in the shoulder. ]

Ow! What was that for?

Because Gene should know before you do things like that! Now, c'mon, let's go fix my phone.

[ Tony can't even argue with her logic. ]

Yeah, dummy, [Gene says with a grin, and punches Tony in the shoulder. Then he follows Pepper, laughing.]

HEY!

[ That totally wasn't fair. Now they're ganging up on him! And Gene's his boyfriend. Or something. No, definitely boyfriend. Tony knows that. He jogs and catches up with them, threading his fingers through Gene's again. ]

- But now you have to come out to like, everyone. Think of all the good it will do kids to know about Iron Man and his boyfriend! And think of the laws you two could get pushed through! Are you going to get married?

[ MARRIED?! Gulp. ]

[Gene smiles when Tony takes his hand. It's nice, to have this kind of affection. He'd rather thought he'd never get it.]

Um...that's a little too far into the future to think about, [Gene says, trying to laugh it off, but the idea makes him uneasy.] Let's just...deal with right now, okay?

Can we finish high school first?

Well of course you can! I wasn't expecting you to get married next week, but it's something to think about, now you can.

[ Married to Gene? Could he do it? Probably not. They fight too much sometimes. Sure, right now, they aren't, but what happens the next time Tony disappears into working, and Gene gets locked out. It's happened. And while Tony doesn't like doing it, sometimes, he needs the space to do what he needs to do. ]

Let's just keep it calm for now, Pepper. Calm and easy, okay?

[Calm and easy? Tony, have you met Pepper?]

I'm going to exercise my right not to think about that. [Beat.] No offense.

[Because that's scary - commitment is scary - and Tony is scary, too. What's scarier is that Tony might decide he's too much one day, and want him to leave.]

[ Her information. ]

[How would Very Special Agent Tony DiNozzo from NCIS work? it's Murgy btw ]

[ Brigid is exhausted. First there'd been the long plane ride from Ireland and now a train down to DC. She isn't even sure why she's going to DC. Except the Alpha said go to DC, so she goes.

There's a member of their pack who might be in trouble and it's, partially, her job to see if he's guilty of what they accused him of. If he's guilty, then he faces Alpha Justice and will wish that the humans had gotten to him first. Unfortunately, the pack member is also a Marine and needs to be handled carefully. But he's a dear friend of Brigid's and the Alpha wants her to talk to him to see if she can tell if he's guilty or not.

Her head tilts sideways and she's too exhausted to stop it. She just drops her head. It lands on something warm and she closes her eyes, almost immediately falling asleep. ]

Edited 2015-01-18 16:10 (UTC)

[ Well, this is new. Tony looked over at the woman now sleeping on his shoulder. It wasn't something that he got to experience everyday, so he wasn't quite sure he wasn't to disrupt her.She did look tied. He got more comfortable, and started to read the book he brought with him. ]

[ She makes herself a bit more comfortable and holds the book in her arms close. She's reading a treatise on Irish Folklore. It looks like it's a book that's been read time and time again.

She's a pale redhead and that paleness is made worse by the exhaustion pulling at her. There's an announcement suddenly, about diverting tracks and she starts awake, blinking blearily around. Curly, unruly hair conceals her brown eyes for a moment. Then she looks up at the man that she'd apparently been sleeping on for the last hour or so.

Brigid blushes, from the tip of her chin to the root of her hair. ]

I- I'm so sorry! I didn't mean- I'm terribly sorry.

[ He will mock people, and he's a walking trigger warning. Please remember that. ]

[There's nothing worse than feeling exhausted with everything when your second instinct is that you need to keep moving. Get the hell away from everyone and everything for a while whilst you still can.

Unfortunatley for a certain young half-dragon woman this would be exactly what she's going through now. ]

...Crap.

[Yeah, there's no fighting it. She actually wants to settle down to sleep somewhere for a little while. Luckily there's a rather shabby barn around here that doesn't look like anyone's currently using it. Maybe she can grab a quick nap in there before she decides to move on again. Unzipping her hoodie she decides to use it as a pillow by folding it into shape and then snuggling up against a rather large looking pile of hay.] It's not the Hilton...but I guess it'll do.

In the chaos of Ultra's attack and in Charlotte's inexperience, she hadn't made it to the safehouse. Near as she could tell she was close to NYC, she could make it back. But she was shaking, breathing too hard, Baadollie clutched tightly to her chest. "Mo-Morgan?" Her voice trembled as she called out, sure the others hadn't been paying attention to her - it wasn't that they didn't care, but she was seen as being the responsibility of certain people. She knew Russell and John had stayed behind.

Not paying attention, she tripped over something - a foot - and she managed to not fall, but just sank to the ground, sniffling and yawning.

Creed was having a nice afternoon. Some fishing, some lounging around on the bank, some hanging out and doing nothing. The X-freaks had called him in for some wetwork and he'd earned this time off.

It's not the trip over his foot, or even the soft call that wakes him up. It's the smell of terror and child that makes him sit up. The little girl - god, she's what? Eleven maybe? - is crouched near him and she's sniffling. No, she can't cry. No, he can't take that.

Slowly, he moves more into the sun. "Easy darlin'." He whispers. He doesn't want to scare her. He wants her safe. She smells like Institution and that's never good for kids her age. "Easy there. My name's Victor. What's yours?" He can be utterly sane. It's what makes him so damned dangerous to others. But to this little girl? He'll be a goddamned savior.

Charlotte pulls away - only a fraction, pulling the doll closer, cheek pressed against it's head, she's too pale - it's not from fear. It's a paleness that only comes from never being out in the sunlight.

The man's voice, or how he talks at least, reminds her of Errol. He's been a prisoner too, but he's taken care of her, talked to her, protected her when he could. "Ch-charlotte." She sniffles again, her eyes are bright and wild - but she's not crying, just ducked down on herself. "I got lost."

Someone hurt this little girl and it made the beast rage. Creed swallows down the growl that threatens to break loose. He needs to take care of her, and get her somewhere safe... Then he'll find the people that hurt her and visit some hurt on them.

Where to put her though? Considering the kids at the mansion... no, he's not taking her there. They've got enough trouble and just can't handle a kid this broken. Look at all their fuck-ups with him.

But his cabin is close by. He can take her there. "What's your friend's name there, sweetheart?" It's obviously important to her. He just wants to get her to the cabin and out of the open. "Are you hungry?"

Edited 2015-01-19 15:15 (UTC)

The danger in being in the open is that Ultra could trace their teleport signatures. And they'd forced her to teleport in the Citadel. They knew her's. Some animal or another made a sound and she almost screamed, the sound strange and frightening to her. Running on instinct, she ducked next to hulking man next to her. "Baadollie." It's hard to hear it, but it could easily be a toddler's mispronunciation of 'baby doll'. She shook her head no, hair flying loose around her. "No." What she was, was tired.

Creed slowly rolls up to his feet and crouches next to the girl. He keeps his claws under control, and looks over her, sniffing the air. The fear and now exhaustion isn't abating at all.

"I'll protect you, darlin'. Wanna get out of here?" He asks, offering her his hand again. He'll pick her up and carry her. "Ain't no bad people gonna get past me." He'd kill them first. It's been a while since he'd ripped someone's guts out of their throat.

As he stands up, Charlotte watches, looking up. And up. He's so tall, and she shrunk down on herself. She's little see! Very small. It wasn't a plan, just a reaction. Be small, be compliant, and you won't get hurt.

She nodded, chin bobbing over the head of her doll. "Y-yes." She didn't even resist being picked up, tucking tightly against his shoulder. There's other scents attached to her - people she's around. The strongest, a pregnant woman, the second a man who ate too much bad junk food and very good Korean food were the strongest. Whoever had been taking care of her.

She's a light little thing, and he doesn't like it. Still, Creed tucks her close to his chest and takes a deep breath. No one else around them. He likes that a lot more. "Gonna run a bit, kiddo. Hold on tight."

There's a cabin within a couple miles from here. He's been staying there. He'll take her there and just make sure that she's safe and then figure out what to do with her.

Not the mansion. He needs to figure out somewhere else. Hell, maybe he'll keep her with him for a while. She won't be a burden and it's not like he needs to work ever again.

25+ for ships

Open to a OUAT OC?

Sure! Go for it. :)

:) Any preference to being the sleeper vs slept on?

No, not particularly! It takes a lot for him to wear out but he could still pass out on somebody haha.

Alright, I'll have a little fun with it. ;)

{Chess shifted in her sleep, freezing when she felt a body behind her. It was then the memories came back, the storm, seeking refuge from...Hook...of all people, except she'd been in cat form.

Well, this would be fun. 'Cause she certainly wasn't now; it was then she realized she felt eyes on her, he was awake. Crap.}

[ if anybody asked? he bloody hated cats. most of them were dreadful creatures, all claws and attitude and they'd never been kind to him, happy to claw at him for no reason at all.

in execution he ... well he didn't mind them. he'd pet one if he thought he could survive it. cuddling with a cat, well, that was not something he did frequently but it had been raining and dark and the poor thing had been a little sad, all wet and rumpled...

until, of course, it wasn't a cat anymore. in Storybrooke? it wasn't that strange, honestly, and yet he was still a bit surprised. ]

I guess it'd be bad form to pet you now.

{Chess sighed, no sneaking out now was there? Well, she could, it would just be bad manners to do so.

So, she rolled over to face him -being sure to hold tight to the sheet she'd burrowed under last night- and replied.}

Depends on where.

[ well she could try. it wouldn't be very successful. would he chase the cat-turned-woman to figure out what exactly had happened, or shake it off as a drunken dream? hard to say.

he guffs a bit of a laugh at her response. ]

That so?

{If she used her magic to leave? Chess would bank on the latter.

Her lips quirk teasingly in response.}

I work at the Rabbit Hole, I promise I've had worse than you try to feel me up. Especially under that first curse.

Well, I tend not to pet without permission. You can rest assured there.

[ he lets a brow lift, looking her over. she's keeping those sheets close, which makes him guess that she doesn't have much underneath. he should be gentlemanly and offer her a shirt. ]

Do I get a name for the strange woman in my bed? You're not the first stranger I've found there but I'm fairly sure you're the first that looked so different the night before.

Good to know chivalry isn't dead.

{She has a bra and underwear from what she can feel, but nothing else; so a shirt would be nice. On the other hand, she was worried a touch, usually she'd shift and retain her clothing...apparently she was in worse condition than she realized last night.}

Chelsea, though most call me Chess. {Offers a half smile. Glancing at his hook as she adds.} You're Killian, I believe. Better known as Hook.

Well, not completely. I'm part pirate, part gentleman.

[ he doesn't have too much clothing options, but he does slip out of bed to find her one. she's lucky Maine is bloody cold and he's wearing slacks or she'd be getting quite a show. once he plucks out the shirt he tosses it toward her. ]

Right. Sans the attachment, presently, but the sentiment remains. Do you wander into beds in that way often, darling?

Not an everyday combo, even in this town.

{She sits up as he moves, even with the slacks it was clear he wasn't a slacker when it came to his health. The slacks were a little jarring though, it just didn't seem like the type of thing a "pirate" would wear.

She picks up the shirt replying softly.} Thanks. I'll get it back to you, promise. {Hesitating, she "bit the bullet" as it were and dropped the sheet. It wasn't like she was flashing him and he'd likely seen the female anatomy in undergarments before. She was fit, toned, but not overly muscular; her fingers managing the buttons easily once she got the shirt around her shoulders.}

As a cat? {Glances at him, green eyes teasing.} No. But none of us seem to have the level of control we did back home, 28 years without access will make you a little rusty.

[ it's a sacrifice for a very cold place. if the weather was warmer, she might have gotten a show. he's not exactly shy, he wouldn't have cared if he had been naked, but considering he has unexpected company it might be for the best.

not good form to flash a stranger.

he has certainly seen a woman in levels of undress before, but there's enough decency in him to glance toward the window instead of ogling. it'd be different if she were in his bed by choice. he wasn't shy about his body and he certainly wasn't shy about enjoying the bodies of others, either. ]

Suppose I'm not complaining, you were decent company. [he rubs at his jaw, finally looking at her again now that she's (sort of) dressed. ] I'm lost on the etiquette, do I owe you breakfast? [ he's teasing, but for once he's a little uneven. takes a lot to get killian jones a little unsorted. ]

{It would have made their current interactions far more interesting to say the least...or awkward.

She wasn't sure of his current "status" within town, her father had once harkened pirates to the sea. Harsh, changing and unable to ever be truly tamed or controlled. A right challenge to a Cheshire, who's sole purpose was to guide people.

She'd agree with Killian about the flashing though, not the best first impression.}

Thank you, I think? {She runs a hand through her tousled blonde locks, sure it's full on "bed head." She smirks at the question.} And here I was, assuming it was the other way around. I mean, I did kinda take over your bed -and wardrobe. {She fusses with the collar for emphasis.}

It was a compliment. You were the nicest cat I've ever met. For some reason they all seem to despise me. [ he's not quite sure what he did to cats, but they did seem to resent him for some unnamed folly. then again, if he ever interacted with a modern cat, he might have found them a bit more enjoyable. the feral things that existed in the Enchanted Forest? wasn't surprising that they didn't get on with him.

he chuckles slightly at her note, shaking his head. at least he's not the only one a bit lost on their situation but well worse things have woken up next to him! he rarely takes much stock in awkwardness, he's better things to do. ]

Then we'll consider me a gentleman because I'd think running out for coffee in just my shirt might earn you a bit of looks, and I happen to have one of those magic devices that makes it.

Well, {Manages a half smile.} Thank you. {Adds.} "They" being who? The ones in the Enchanted Forest? How would you feel never having a nice warm home; I wouldn't take it too personally.

{Shrugs.} I'm used to odd looks by now. {All the same she scoots to the edge of the bed and stands, as per usual for a female, the shirt is over-sized and ends about mid thigh.} Sordid past, remember?

Yeah, but do you know how to work it?

{What, he was relatively new here.}

[ how would he feel never having a nice warm home? well, he knew the answer to that, actually. if anything he and cats had that in common. still, he'd never thought of it that way.

he's used to a look or two himself. captain hook, hook attached, former villain? nearly impossible to miss. ] Suppose we all are used to them.

[ as for knowing how to use a coffee maker... ]

Well I do know what it is, so more or less. [ in other words, kind of. ]

{Most never did. It was a small thing: warmth, a home, even food in your belly but they meant a lot.}

In some form.

{She smiles at that, shaking her head.} C'mon, let's see what you've actually got. Working at a bar, you learn to make even non-alcoholic stuff pretty fast. {And since she'd stopped drinking, she practically ran on coffee anymore. She headed for his kitchen.}

[ his kitchen isn't terribly hard to find. the flat he rents is small and suited to just one person, since that's all he is. he doesn't have company terribly often but it's surprisingly clean for a pirate.

he wasn't always a pirate, the leftenant in him shows on occasion.

the coffee maker is mostly neglected, between him not drinking it often and the fact he only barely knows how to work it. ] It's not impressive but I'm told it works.

[ Swan told him, when she handed it off, anyway. ]

{Forget being a pirate, she'd say it was clean for a man in general. Most men she knew here were horrible about keeping things tidy, which made her think maybe there was something more to him; a part of the story forgotten or unknown to most.}

They're pretty hard to mess up. {She digs around, finding the ground coffee, the filters and fills the pot as she talks.} But I take it you don't partake often? {Playing into the stereotype.} Rum usually for pirates, isn't it?

They had been sitting on the couch when he suddenly felt her breathing deepen, and she slowly relaxed.

He looked at her and was just watching her as she slept. It was so peaceful.

Charlie needs to feel safe if she's going to fall asleep and not feeling safe for years has turned her into something of an insomniac. That, and a few other contributing factors.

But Pyro had a way of making her feel safe and unafraid so falling asleep on his shoulder while a movie played on the tv felt like the most natural thing in the world.

But shortly after falling asleep, something awakens her. Maybe it was a noise on the television or maybe she felt him watching. Whatever the case, Charlies eyes drift open and she blinks sleepily before looking at Pyro with a soft smile on her face.

"You're comfortable to sleep on, you know that?"

[Tony okay? ]

[Jason has a tendency to run himself too hard sometimes, and when he does, he knows he'll be safe with Marie.

It's a level of trust he can't possibly have with anyone else, so that's why he feels comfortable resting his head on her shoulder, just for a little while.]

(She glances at him and gives a little smile. It was okay to rest now. She pauses a moment and then gently wraps her arm around him. He can stay that way as long as he wants, she knows she will not move until then.)

Go ahead and go to sleep. I'll stay awake. (She can do this much, at least.)

Edited 2015-01-18 04:23 (UTC)

[He smiles, just a little, when she puts her arm around him.] You sure I'm not going to be in your way? [He knows that she has her own life - encourages it, tries to make sure her whole way of life hasn't been utterly consumed by the need for constant vigilance and suspicion - and he doesn't want to impede that.]

(She shakes her head a little bit and tries to be careful not to move him too much when he asks her that question.)

No, you won't be. I wouldn't have said it was okay if it wasn't okay. Go ahead, get some sleep since you can now.

(It was a little too late to not have to be vigilant, there would always be times when one has to be careful, but she knows that he was trying his best to not force her to entirely abandon how she lived before.) We can take turns sleeping for now.

[He nods, looking exhausted. She's the only person he can let his guard down around, even fractionally, and the mere fact that he's looking as tired as he does is indicative of his deep trust in her.]

Wake me up in half an hour?

[Unless a nightmare did so first.]

(She gives him a nod and hopes that a nightmare does not manage to wake him first. She feels a little touched that he is showing this side to her and she scoots a little closer to him, a sign that she will take this request seriously, just like the other ones.) I will, promise.

I'll nudge you wake and call out? (A warning of how she will wake him up is probably best.)

[He closes his eyes.] Yeah. Sounds good. [Definitely smartest to warn him how it will happen. His body doesn't like being woken up, but it doesn't like sleeping too much, either. The most he can manage some days is a light doze. Warning him how she's going to wake him up will mitigate the inevitable surge of adrenaline.]

Alright then. I'll do that.

(She nods and glances over at him as he closes his eyes. A little smile appears and she just settles in and lets him fall into sleep on his own, choosing to just stay there and shut her eyes and let things stay as they are for now.)

Edited 2015-01-19 23:23 (UTC)

[Jason falls asleep quickly and wakes up even faster - it's just how he is, the only way he can remember being. He must have learned that in his past, the necessity of catching some sleep whenever he can yet always being on alert in case something bad happens.

He wakes up after about twenty minutes, but doesn't lift his head from Marie's shoulder. This is nice. This is comforting. And he doesn't usually get a lot of that.]

(It was peaceful. That was all she could think about what was occurring. It was peaceful. It could stay just like this.

Marie had been beginning to drift off herself, though she was mentally telling herself to open her eyes and check the time. It felt as if the end of it was getting closer. Because he does not lift his head from her shoulder, she has no idea that he had woken up.

A small sound comes from her as she manages her open her eyes. Oh, ten more minutes left.)

((ooc: My friend's comm doesn't have any post limits, it's just whenever you want. I'm looking at games too. I'll message you my AIM if you want to talk there. I'm up for anything.))

[Jason smiles when he realizes that she'd dozed off, too. He could tell because her breathing had slowed.

He likes it when they can find peace. And for now, he's happy being sentry. At least, he is until she wakes up as well.

He takes a deep breath in and dozes off once more. A few minutes more won't be a problem.]

(ooc: sounds great!)

(She begins to stir after some time and once her eyes are open she goes and looks at the time, her eyes widen and feels herself suddenly awake. Marie gently reaches over and nudges the sleeping man resting his head on her shoulder.)

Jason, wake up...we overslept. Wake up?

(Though, once she says that. She feels a little disappointed that this peaceful moment was gone so soon.)

(ooc: The comms I'm at right now are nexus_musebox and the ooc comm is nexus_musebox_ooc. I'm looking at boomtown right now and it's making me realize that I really need to get a bio put together. I should get on that. And yay! Today has been a good day!)

[Jason jerks awake, having drifted off again. Immediately he's on alert, and not just because he'd been shaken into wakefulness.]

We both fell asleep, [he says, and he doesn't sound particularly pleased with that. It's pleasant to be here with Marie, but they'd let their guard down.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, to fall asleep. (She just had gotten so comfortable and it was so quiet and she didn't want to move and accidentally wake him. She shakes her head a little bit.)

It just happened. (She had no real excuse in her eyes. But, it was too late to change that now.)

Edited 2015-01-21 03:24 (UTC)

It's okay, [he says. Mostly he's irritated with himself, for sleeping so long. But he'd needed it, and they hadn't come to ruin. This time.] It was nice.

I'll be more careful next time. (She frowns for a moment then a slight smile appears on her face. She is entirely annoyed with herself because she had said she would stay awake and hadn't managed even that. Though, it had ended well enough this time. That made it worth it, at least a piece of her wanted to think that?) It was nice, wasn't it?

(She lets go of him. They already tempted fate once today, a second time would not be wise.)

[He dearly wants to tell her not to worry about it, that it's okay, that they're safe, that they're protected.

He decided a long time ago he was never going to lie to her.]

It was, [he says with a little smile.]

(She knows that being comforted won't help if something did happen later because of this, the willingness to not lie is something she values. There are too many people out there who would lie over less. She tries to smile back when he says that. But, the worry still lies there and she can't imagine it going away so easily, not for a while longer anyway.)

Did you sleep well? No nightmares this time?

Edited 2015-01-22 03:46 (UTC)

[He nods, knowing that she knows the score and thankful for it. It's not that he doesn't trust you, Marie, he just doesn't trust anyone else. Marie is the one constant in his life - his guiding star. If anything were to tear them apart...]

No nightmares, [he confirms.] You?

(If she had known that he had thought that she would have to put her foot down on that line of thinking before he could finish it. She would make it clear that she wouldn't let anything happen, if that's what it took.)

(She quickly shakes her head.) None. I generally don't get those.

Edited 2015-01-22 22:02 (UTC)

[That's good. Jason wouldn't wish his nightmares on anybody - the snippets of memory, or the drowning. That one's half terror dream, half memory, and it keeps him with a healthy respect for the sea.]

Good. You're lucky.

Lucky? (She knows this will be tempting fate again but she gently places her head on his shoulder again.)

Maybe. (She frowns.) It makes it harder for me to help you.

[He gently places a hand on her head, stroking her hair.]

Don't worry about that.

(That feels good to her and she nestles closer.)

Why shouldn't I worry about it? (She frowns at being told to not worry.) It's hard to watch you suffering with them.

Edited 2015-01-25 02:26 (UTC)

[Jason resists the urge to shrug. Marie's head is on his shoulder, after all, and he doesn't want to displace her.]

It hurts enough to have them in the first place. And remembering. You shouldn't have to deal with that, too.

(Marie pauses for a moment then shakes her head.) Shouldn't? You shouldn't have to deal with it by yourself.

(It comes out a bit more forceful than she had meant it to and she goes quiet after she realizes how her words sounded.)

It's okay, [he says, and kisses her on the temple. Her fierce protectiveness of him is...sweet, actually, even if she can't protect him from the terrors of his own mind.

He's a killer. He's made his peace with that. But he chooses what he is going to be now, and maybe his pain will ease as he makes his new self. He can only hope.]

(She shuts her eyes when he kisses her and tries to relax, though she feels a little disappointed by being told that it was okay.)

(After a few moments of silence.) I want to help, what can I do?

Be here, [he says immediately,] just be here. I'll take care of the rest. I can handle anything, as long as you're with me.

Just being here? I can do that, but...are you sure that's all? (She opens her eyes and makes a face, but she nods showing that she understands. She just has one thought she has to add to that) I know you can handle things, but I don't want to be in the way either.

Edited 2015-01-28 05:32 (UTC)

I'm sure, [he says. That's all he could ever ask of her. He's already asked so much.]

You're smart. You know how to survive, you know how to live in this world I dragged you into. You couldn't be in my way.

(She nods again. She frowns a little bit when he begins to speak again, though she finds herself half smiling after a moment. She finds herself joking and the slight smile turns into a little bit of a mischievous one.) Stop, you're going to make me embarrassed with all those compliments.

(She goes serious again.) I think I still could. There's a lot I don't know and I still make mistakes.

[Her joke makes him smile a little bit, which is rare for him, but not half so rare around her. But when her mood sobers, so does his.]

Then I'll keep teaching you. I'll help you.

(She tries to smile when he says that and manages a tiny one, though it only lasted for a few moments. It would be nicer if he didn't have to, but she can settle for feeling a little more useful for right now.)

I want to start with keeping myself awake longer.

[ Tony okay? ]

It wasn't uncommon for someone to lean into him when Jack was commuting. The width of his shoulders rarely fit in average seating and often involuntarily volunteered him as a human pillow for whoever was seated next to him. He wasn't extroverted by any means which meant regularly having to shrug off whoever threatened to drool on him. However, the tables had seemed to turn on him this time.

His latest trip from D.C. back to New York had him seated next to what appeared to be a very reserved woman. She was rather attractive so he understood her caution. Jack only gave a nod of his head in acknowledgment when her eyes met his before taking a seat. His blue eyes hadn't remained open long due to the lack of sleep he had. The commuter train didn't have the dips an airplane or bus would that often ended up with a person sleeping on his shoulder. No, he had managed to lean into the woman all by himself.

(ooc: but what if q branch and the science division of the ssr were liaisons.)

Edited 2015-01-17 20:57 (UTC)

(ooc: what a magical world would that one be. And they would spend most of the time trying to outsmart each other too. I have no preference, who do you want sleeping on who?)

(trying to outsmart each other with a dash of bitching about their shit getting blown up incorrectly. yes good. i would be fine with either, tbh. it's unlikely it would be something willing. hahahaha "i told you not to lick your lips. it's a powerful knockout serum. keywords including knockout and powerful.")

(If that' not a beautiful friendship, I don't know what it is. And yes, none of them is known for taking proper rest when stuff needs to be done. Serums are probably not Q's area of expertise so we can go for the 'did you use me as a guinea pig again? Leave my teal alone, you ruffian American' if that's okay with you. What year are they in, though? Just so I know of the context.]

(yes. yes perfect. like you wouldn't do the same, q. i am quite alright with either, though perhaps current times is easier? i have hc where howard injected himself with a version of the serum he tried to recreate, but all it did was give him prolonged life and no other super things. what a disappointment)

(~~yes, he would~~ No, he wouldn't because that's hardly professional, please, Howard. And that works for me. Being forever young and handsome, Q says that's what a tragedy looks like.

There we go then.)

[Q should have known better than leaving his tea unattended. Specially leaving his tea unattended in presence of Mr. Howard Stark while he checked a Wristwatch with the new remote detonator he designed.

He grabbed the mug, distractedly took a sip of the warm liquid, and the last thing he saw was everything going black. Once his senses were slowly coming back to him, he didn't want to open his eyes. Q's head was throbbing and he was lying on something that smelled slightly of gunpowder and cologne, but it was comfortable and he didn't feel like moving.]

(He hadn't really planned on knocking him out entirely, or at all, really. It was a test, as it were. To see how much Q trusted him, to see how observant he was. He'd thought higher of him, though not that this put him in a bad light, necessarily. Howard was mostly amused by the fact that he'd come and drank from it, annoyed, nearly taking the whole thing.

As he'd begun to slump into slumber Howard had walked him to the sofa in his office and laid him out, careful to ensure that there was a pillow under his head, a blanket tossed over him, and he set the timer on his telephone to see how long it took before he finally woke up, based on the amount he'd put in.

Currently they were going on just over an hour. A nice nap, really, and Howard glanced over at him as he heard him begin to rustle. He'd stayed the whole time, working on a new design.)

Well hello there, sleeping beauty.

What did you do this time?

[Q's tone was accusatory and the accent deep and heavy. He was only half awake and his eyes were still unfocused but he glared at the man over him.

It didn't took much to knock him out, probably because he was a lightweight in all the senses of the word. Q might not be aware of his drink being compromised but he knew that he didn't sleep when there was work to be done. Which was the main reason why he sleep so few, in general.]

[ as much as he's used to working under the professor in the whole training regime thing, professor k brings it to a whole new level, and bobby is sure he's not prepared for that.

it's why he has to drag himself back in to the base (scott's base and wow!) with slow, tired feet and ice melting beneath him as he moves. it's a wonder that he even manages to make it to his bed, most days. as full of energy as he usually is— kitty's training is painful. and on other days, he doesn't even manage to make it to his bed.

usually, he falls asleep against hank, because he's a comfortable pillow and bobby is as equally comfortable with him. but today, the big guy is off doing some science stuff that the iceman could never hope to understand, so he's not available to be a human pillow. which of course leaves warren, jean and scott. jean is scary, and bobby doesn't want to ignite her fiery anger, and warren is busy flirting with the wolverine clone.

scott.. he's there, and he's kind of bony and kind of uncomfortable, but bobby is too tired to care. so instead of lingering on the fact that it's scott, mister big-team-leader, and without asking for any kind of permission, he instead settles against him, ice and all, and promptly falls asleep.

good night. ]

[Scott was never very used to contact. He didn't like it when it was unexpected and it made him tense and uncomfortable because way too many times it ended in pain for him. More so now that they were in a time-line where most people looked at him with disdain and wanted him dead.

Things had been different, especially with his own team, and he wasn't expecting Bobby from all people to approach him like that. He ice makes him shiver and he was about to firmly tell Bobby that this joke had never been particularly funny when he noticed how tired the other teen looked. His anger deflated and instead of voicing a complaint he just nudged Bobby's side.]

If you are going to sleep on me, be considerate enough and defrost.

[Anna was always more than excited to take a trip into the city; the sheer size of Lumiose never failed to impress the princess, and getting a bite to eat with Naomi was always one of the simpler pleasures of taking the ride out. Work back home had been busier than usual lately, and getting into contact with her friends of friends in Slateport to schedule that cargo ship to make a quick pitstop for Walker and Adachi had proved to be a bit of an exercise...so though she very much enjoyed her dessert, she couldn't help but feel her eyes drifting shut on the ride back home. And as much as she tried to resist, the allure of sleep eventually became too great, and she found herself rather ungracefully conking out on Naomi's lap. ...which wouldn't be too much of a problem, but, the way she sleeps...]

[Days like this are enjoyable. She gets to be with everyone and take a day away from work. It's over as soon as it's started, ending with a dessert that they all enjoyed before they had to go their separate ways. With one more, it's a car ride back to Geosenge as evening falls. Naomi sits in the middle, Alyssa sleeping on one side and Anna... poor girl fell over some time ago. If Naomi had been planning to sleep, she wasn't going to get it. It's fine though... this is fine.]

[Whatever brave young suitor plans on sharing the same bed as Anna does one day really doesn't know just what kind of horrors await them. Though one would think Anna's range of movement on Naomi would be a fair bit restricted by the seatbelt, somehow, as she always does, the girl finds a way. So there she is, sprawled out all over poor Naomi's lap, letting out a decisively ungraceful snore as she tosses and turns the legs acting as her surrogate pillow. Her hair, once neatly done in twin braids, is gradually turning into an omnidirectional mess. One of her arms is even nearly reaching the unfortunate little girl next to them, clutching at the nine-year-old's dress. ...She might even be drooling a bit...

This girl, one should remind oneself, runs a kingdom.]

[Hey, Naomi was not going to say anything about Anna's sleeping habits... though, maybe that she should consider taking intermittent naps to avoid this in the future. The girl had been very busy, but now she's tossing the turning and the doctor was surprised Alyssa was sleeping right through it. The driver looks less-than pleased, but a sharp glare keeps them from commenting.]

[Well, Alyssa has been known to sleep like a rock when she's really tired, a trait she apparently shares with her adoptive sister; a nap would probably have benefited everyone involved, but, well, those usually tend to turn into full-fledged sleeping sessions. Unfortunately, when the car hits a bump in the road, the princess will find herself jumping slightly upward before coming back down atop Naomi's lap...and that might be enough to wake the girl up.]

Mmmph...what year is it...

[That was an unpleasant bump. While Alyssa just shifts and continues sleeping - Naomi shifting her arm around the young girl - Anna appears to have been jolted. The doctor turns to look at her and chuckles at the drowsy question.]

Same year it has been in Kalos, Anna.

Oh, we're still in the car..? I was just home in bed, though...

[She yawns as she rubs her eyes and the drool from her mouth; her hair's a total wreck, but she can't really do much about that...]

Only I wasn't...

We'll be in Geosenge soon...

[Naomi can just try her best with getting Anna's hair back to semi-organized.]

[Anna, at the very least, seems cognizant enough to give her a slight smile, knowing how much of an exercise in futility that is.]

I sure hope so. ...If nothing else, for you guys's sake!

[She says as she quickly wipes up the pool of saliva that formed on Naomi's leg while she was out cold...]

Gosh, I really should try and get more sleep, huh...

[Definitely. It was only going to get mussed up again once they got home and retired to actual beds.]

You should. I know it's been a busy day, but you seem more exhausted than usual.

[Probably the one falling asleep.]

[ Rapunzel was just sitting on the ground sort of spacing out as she watched the clouds go by in the sky when she felt a sudden weight on her shoulder. She glanced over and spotted an unfamiliar face.

Trying to keep quiet she just kind of stares at this mysterious girl curiously.]

[OOC: Not the first person to fall asleep, but she could fall asleep on someone.]

[It's been a very long day, and Winry is exhausted. She sits down next to Amaterasu, yawning.]

[Ammy was always excited to see Winry and her tail was thumping as usual. However, the wolf is staring when the young woman yawns. Early bed time tonight?]

[Winry rubs Amaterasu's head.] It's been a long day! Did you know some sheep got loose over at the Culbertson's place? Everyone helped trying to catch them. The dogs...they went crazy!

[She yawns again.]

[Oh, that's what the racket was about? She thought they had saw something else, but the sheep getting out... She woofed. All back now, right?]

It was a lot of running around. And commotion! And yes, all the sheep are back where they're supposed to be, but I think there'll be some crossbreeding, if Mr. Coyle's lead ram's mounting one of those ewes is any indication!

[Oho, that cheeky ram... Still, all good things to hear. Her tail wagged again and she stretched slightly in a minute. She probably should have helped out.]

You could've helped out.

[Winry pokes Ammy lightly in the shoulder.]

[Yes, but... she rolled onto her side and rubbed her head against the couch cushion. Yeaaah... definitely could have. Just way too comfortable.]

Geeze, and I thought Ed could be lazy.

[Teasing.]

[Front paws tucking as she rolled slightly, she stared at Winry, tail still thumping. Her? Lazy? Noooo... what gave her that idea?]

[Winry snorts softly, but rumples Ammy's ears again.]

So, I'm tired, but I still need to start something for supper.

[She huffed which almost sounded like a laugh. Food... now that had her off the couch and going into the kitchen. Come ooon, let's eat!]

Hey! You've been the one lying around all day.

[Winry staggers to her feet and follows Ammy to the kitchen.]

And you're not allowed to use the stove.

[But come oooon, she can use the stove... Not well, but she can.]

You burn things. [Winry scolds gently.]

You can fetch something out of the icebox. Something easy. Like eggs.

[... Not all the time. Pouting slightly, she woofed and headed off for the icebox. She can get eggs yes.]

[No, not all the time, but enough, and Winry's tired enough she doesn't want to make a whole second or third meal after Ammy's done the burning.

While Ammy was fetching eggs, Winry started chopping up some vegetables to go with the eggs, some onions and potatoes, and tossed them with some oil in a skillet. The fragrance filled the kitchen, enough to make Winry's stomach growl.]

[It would be better if she had opposable thumbs, but we can't all be graced with them.]

[Ammy grabbed a few eggs in her jaws, walking back to the kitchen to be greeted by the most pleasantly delectable smells. She quickly deposits the eggs in the sink to inch closer and drool properly.]

Thanks for the eggs, Ammy.

[Winry gives her a smile.]

I'm going to just scramble everything together and put cheese on the top, all right? Then we can eat, and I can go to sleep.

[Yawn.]

Wruf!

[She eats just about anything so that would do nicely for dinner yes.]

[Yes, well, as long as you don't eat Pinako's chickens...

Winry cooks their meal and divides it on two plates. Because of Ammy's status, she isn't asked to eat off the floor, Winry sets the plates on the table and pulls out a chair for her guest.]

Do you want some water to go with that?

[She's noooot, that would be wrong.]

[Her tail wagging, Amaterasu came to the table and hopped into the seat, sitting down. Ah, water?]

Arf! [She nodded. Yes please.]

[Winry fetches them both cups of water, and sits down to eat. For a little bit, all that's heard is the clink of her fork on the plate, and noise of Amaterasu eating or drinking. Winry's eating slower than normal - she really is tired.]

Did you have a good day?

[Because she will rally enough to talk.]

[Ammy was trying not to scarf down her food. As always, it's delicious... Oh, despite restraint, most of it was gone already. Whoops...]

Ruf ruf~

[Her day was good! Woke up, walked, came back before the whole sheep incident, napped on the couch...]

Better than mine, in other words?

[Winry teases. She's glad Ammy's here, though. It's nice to have someone to talk to.]

[Yeah... pretty much. Sorry about that.]

[Yeah, well.]

Finish up, Ammy. I can hear the couch calling my name.

[No need to tell her that. She gobbled down the rest of her food and licked her lips. Delicious~]

[Winry sets the dishes in the sink to take care of later, finishes off her water.]

All right. Time to relax!

[Ammy almost warped back to the couch and made herself comfortable. Why? Because she was already there when Winry returned.]

You're taking up so much room!

[Shoves at Ammy.]

Scoot over some!

[With a grunt, Ammy moved a little... only to stretch out.]

[Why in the world did a wolf goddess move into the house, anyway? Winry still doesn't know, but she does like Ammy. Most of the time. When she's not hogging the couch.]

You jerk.

[Leaning back is uncomfortable with a long body in the way, so Winry perches on the edge of the couch cushion, hunched over and uncomfortable.]

[And now, with Winry there, Amaterasu flopped over and... laid her head on Winry instead.]

You are such a brat.

[Fondly. Because she can pet Ammy now, and lean back a little bit. And that's better for her back, isn't it?]

[Is she? Is she? ... Yeah, she is a little, but at least they're both comfortable now, right?]

Mmm...you're warm.

[Tired. Sleepy. Starting to relax from all the excitement of the day.]

[She expects that she is. With a yawn, Amaterasu was going to doze off right where she was still partially on Winry.]

[Winry manages to get her legs folded up alongside her, halfway propped against Ammy, halfway propping Ammy up. She's warm and comfortable, and it's getting later. Winry yawns, leaning more heavily against Ammy.]

[ most likely someone has fallen asleep on her! m/f for shippiness. ]

Edited 2015-01-17 19:28 (UTC)

[If she is the one asleep, she is most definitely not drooling a little bit ~~except that she is~~.]

[While their talk on his ship at least gave him the feeling that she wasn't too dangerous, now he was trapped. Either he had to sit there all night in discomfort, or risk waking her. His eyes darted around the room as he searched for a means of escape.]

Well, this is a fine kettle of fish.

[She snores quietly for a few more moments, then suddenly sits up, arms outstretched.]

Elphelt Valentine... eliminate all redundancies with extreme prejudice!

[No need to worry, Johnny!!!]

Ah! There's nothing to eliminate, lower the gun!

[She blinks two or three times, eyelashes fluttering, then looks at him slowly.

Slowly...

Eyes going wide, she flails a little bit.]

YOU WERE WATCHING ME SLEEP?

I didn't have much of a choice in the matter.

....Ohmygosh did I fall asleep on you?

Yes, after our talk you just sort of flopped over.

Oh, gosh. I must've been tired. I didn't... I didn't... Um... Say anything weird or do anything unbecoming a lady, did I?

Something about redundancy.

[OH. THAT. UM.]

That's nothing to really worry about! It's just a leftover thing.

Not to worry. Far from the first time a beautiful woman has slumbered beside me.

[O-oh. She's just going to smile a little sheepishly now.]

It's not like I meant to, but...

You were a bit tired. It's understandable.

[Okay, the smile is a little more genuine now.]

I had a really long day... Did you need to sleep?

I've adapted to a schedule of power naps, so I'm always ready in an emergency.

That's good. If we're being honest, I tend to just sort of go until I can't go anymore.

[She fusses with her hair a bit. It seems kind of wonky...]

You really should set some sort of stable schedule, you know.

[Still messing with her hair...]

I would, but I'm always so busy.

[Doing nothing but sitting and waiting...]

What do you DO, exactly?

Whatever people need me to do...

[That is top secret. And boring. And usually involves her sitting around being bored.]

Sometimes I go to sleep at a normal time, but then when I wake up there's always someone there, and, well, it's a little creepy.

Wait, always? Are you sleepwalking?

No! People just seem to want to bother me when I'm sleeping. Or watch me. I'm not really sure.

[Sorry about all that technology buzzing around him.]

fell asleep on

blue sargent ( raven cycle )

balthazar | constantine

Makoto Kino | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Classic | OTA

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/shows up two days late with a swimming nerd

Reiji | Gundam Build Fighters

Hermione Granger | Harry Potter

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Tony Stark | IM:AA | OTA

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