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004 | Tony Stark | Video
[ Although he’s not exactly smiling, Tony’s expression is blandly neutral, relaxed, and his voice is friendly. ]
Normally I’d have my assistant – I guess technically she’s my CEO now - handle the whole public relations thing, but she’s not here so I guess that leaves me doing it myself. Unless I have a volunteer from the audience? No? Didn’t think so.
[ He glances away from the camera for a second, almost like he’s looking at a list. ]
Stiles, I got your bow and arrows here. Any time you want me to stop by and get them, feel free. Alternatively, I can be persuaded to play delivery guy.
Sharon. You wanted some new toys? I got a couple for you.
Party Poison. Not to be confused with the lovely Poison Ivy. We have a bet, right?
[ Twisting his wrist, the video blurs and comes into focus on a large sabertooth tiger reclining on the living room floor like he owns the place. At the attention, he lifts his head, flattens his ears, and lazily bares his teeth. The video blurs again, coming to rest on Tony’s face, who’s utterly unfazed by being threatened by hundreds of pounds of formerly extinct cat. ]
Meet Stanley. And start the countdown.
[ Flashing a smile, he starts to lower his wrist, then pauses and lifts it back. ]
Oh, right. And one more thing before I forget.
[ Anyone who knows Tony might know better here. Might realize that he wasn’t going to forget and has in fact been building up to this the entire time he’s been talking. ]
“Hot Hands.” [ He even makes the air quotes with his free hand as he smiles, like everything’s all friendly like. Much like Stanley, though, it’s really a baring of his teeth. ] Listen. If you touch Bruce again, I’ll break them. And then my big green friend won’t have to show up to beat your ass into the ground. Capiche?
Normally I’d have my assistant – I guess technically she’s my CEO now - handle the whole public relations thing, but she’s not here so I guess that leaves me doing it myself. Unless I have a volunteer from the audience? No? Didn’t think so.
[ He glances away from the camera for a second, almost like he’s looking at a list. ]
Stiles, I got your bow and arrows here. Any time you want me to stop by and get them, feel free. Alternatively, I can be persuaded to play delivery guy.
Sharon. You wanted some new toys? I got a couple for you.
Party Poison. Not to be confused with the lovely Poison Ivy. We have a bet, right?
[ Twisting his wrist, the video blurs and comes into focus on a large sabertooth tiger reclining on the living room floor like he owns the place. At the attention, he lifts his head, flattens his ears, and lazily bares his teeth. The video blurs again, coming to rest on Tony’s face, who’s utterly unfazed by being threatened by hundreds of pounds of formerly extinct cat. ]
Meet Stanley. And start the countdown.
[ Flashing a smile, he starts to lower his wrist, then pauses and lifts it back. ]
Oh, right. And one more thing before I forget.
[ Anyone who knows Tony might know better here. Might realize that he wasn’t going to forget and has in fact been building up to this the entire time he’s been talking. ]
“Hot Hands.” [ He even makes the air quotes with his free hand as he smiles, like everything’s all friendly like. Much like Stanley, though, it’s really a baring of his teeth. ] Listen. If you touch Bruce again, I’ll break them. And then my big green friend won’t have to show up to beat your ass into the ground. Capiche?
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No, I wasn't scared. I wasn't going to let Kobra hurt Sharon; he wasn't going to get through me. I was frustrated and then I was angry that he couldn't see how he was letting his anger control him to the point that he thought murdering her out of nowhere might be the solution. How he was going off on a rampage because he was so blinded by his rage. [ Sound familiar? ]
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[ Backing off seems like the best course of action, and he does it, all but lifting his hands in surrender. ]
I only know what I'm told. And that's not always accurate. I get that. And okay, good news? Sharon's safe. So, he didn't do anything.
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Yeah, and I'm glad he's okay too. He's okay, Kobra is. He just has a lot of problems, and I'm not sure how to get through to him.
[ With a sigh, he runs his hand up Tony's arm and settles it on his shoulder, his thumb tracing along his collar bone. ]
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In my experience, people don't change unless they want to. Or they're given a damn good reason to do it.
[ His experience being largely himself and the people who tried to convince him to be a better person for the majority of his life. He shakes his head. ]
I don't know what to tell you. My feelings on the issue are a little clouded right now.
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[ He knows Tony can carry a lot without ever letting on to how much it's bothering him, and Bruce hopes that maybe he'll stop, but that will be a long process too. Tony's right -- people have to want to change. ]
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[ He shrugs, not worried about admitting it. After all, it's true. He's not as angry as he was, but it hasn't completely gone away yet. ]
Tomorrow it might be gone, I don't know. I'm not going to go all jealous boyfriend on him and shoot him, if that's what you're worried about.
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[ He tugs lightly on Tony's hair and then threads it through again gently. ]
I'm just worried about you. This is a lot of baggage to suddenly be saddled with.
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[ It's not something he's proud of, and considering how rarely he gets involved with someone, not something he has to deal with often. Which, if he thought about it, might be why he finds it so easy to get jealous in the first place. But he smiles at Bruce and leans into his hand.
Until he mentions baggage and Tony's attention snaps back to him, forehead scrunching up in genuine confusion. ]
You mean about Sharon? I wouldn't call that baggage. I hardly know her and anyway, it's not like I'm not used to dealing with threats to people. It's nothing I can't handle and it's certainly nothing we can't handle. Don't worry. We'll take care of it.
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But, change of subject. ]
No, I mean dating someone who sometimes goes on rampages through the town, and you get to deal with the aftermath.
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You mean dating the guy who occasionally turns into another one of my best friends? The friend who wrestles tigers and saves my life and gets into tickle fights with me? That guy who turns into that friend? I'm still not seeing the baggage.
I'm really not. Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody loses control. Most of my life has been a series of me losing control of myself in public places. There's no baggage for me in this, Bruce. None at all.
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no subject
[ He leans forward to give him a kiss on the forehead. ]
Seriously. You don't have anything to apologize for.
no subject
But I accept your answer.
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You don't have to accept it, but it isn't going to change. And, you know, it's easier if you just do. [ He grins. ] Or I can convince you. That's always a possibility.