Stark Industries, Monday

[imafuturist]

Tony had spent most of last week back in New York being: repeatedly punched in the arm and hugged (Jan), given disappointed looks and lectures about trusting his team to back him up (Steve), ruthlessly mocked for being a beautiful technological butterfly (Clint), and prodded and tested for science (Reed).

Though the last part Tony had helped with. Because science, motherfuckers.

All this meant he completely missed out on the quiet week on island. And now had a backlog of things to get taken care of before Pepper's blood pressure went any higher. He honestly could not help that he was able to access her medical records with his mind to know that before realizing he was doing it. So. Yeah. This was going to need an adjustment phase.

But for now he might have looked like he was goofing off and trying to balance a pen on one finger, but in reality he was answering emails with his brain.

And goofing off. Sue him. He earned it.

[Open business!]

Comments

[heroic_jawline]

Steve came back in from a run around the island (Again. Shhh, don't judge him.) and smiled to see Tony. "I brought you something from our trip," he said, heading for the living quarters. "Don't move."

[imafuturist]

Tony would judge the running all he wanted. Mostly by making a face because stairs, Steve. So many stairs.

"Not moving," Tony called after him, ending an email to R&D about integrating FuturePharm employees. The ones not in jail or guilty of violating various ethics codes with their research.

[heroic_jawline]

So...both of them?

Steve returned with a small wheel of cheese.

...it was possible Steve really sucked at gifts.

"Here," he said. "There weren't a ton of things to choose from."

[imafuturist]

...okay, fair point. Damn it, scientists in Marvel. Stop doing terrible things for science.

Tony grinned anyway. Because people usually didn't even try to get him gifts. "So, what you're saying is that the place was a little cheesy?"

TONY NO.

[heroic_jawline]

"Wow," Steve said. "That's almost as painful as talking with the cheesemonger, who talked entirely in terrible cheese puns."

[imafuturist]

"And no one will ever believe that I said it," Tony replied. Because some people honestly believed Tony was cool.

Although there was one universe that a version of him had a fridge specifically for cheese. It was amazing.

[heroic_jawline]

Even Black Widow was impressed by the cheese fridge. Whether she knew that he hosted all-dude hot tub parties was up for debate...

"Those people have never spent that much time with you, then," Steve said with a little grin. "Well, enjoy your cheese from another world. Which is still weird to say."

[imafuturist]

While still in his armor. Tony, just take the armor off sometime.

"I think I might have some others fooled too," Tony replied, taking the cheese from another world. "Should I have brought a gift back from New York? I could get you a Yankees hat."

[heroic_jawline]

Well, Loki took his staff. Possibly dirty.

Steve's look of disgust was only half done for effect. "The Yankees? Ugh, no thanks."

Because he was still going to say thank you. That was just how Cap rolled.

[imafuturist]

He probably muttered at the staff about liking his brother more than him. We do, Loki. We really do.

"Are you a Dodgers fan I'm every universe?" Tony asked, making a face right back. "I was hoping your taste was better in at least one."

[heroic_jawline]

Didn't explain the dancing. At all.

"Dodgers fan for life," Steve said because Steve didn't know about the move. Poor, poor Steve.

[imafuturist]

Dancing was the best method of conquering Midgard. Which is clearly why Steve did the Charleston for eight hours to protect earth.

"Steve. You might want to take a seat."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve sat down and focused with earnest attention on Tony. "Yes?"

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

Jessica decided to stop in to check in on Tony now that he was back. It was the start of the week. He was bound to be back, right? That's how weeks worked around here.

"Hey, Tony. Still holding up? No terrifying side effects?" Jessica checked as she walked in. "No sudden bursts of evil cackling?" Small talk could wait.

[imafuturist]

"Manageable levels of cackling," Tony decided after a moment. "Nor have I had any leanings toward fascism."

So far.

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

"Hey, JARVIS. Do me a favor. If the cackling gets out of hand, let me know ASAP, okay?" Jessica said. "Just in case."

[imafuturist]

"I will try my very best, Ms. Drew," JARVIS answered loyally.

"Traitor."

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

"He's a good AI," Jessica said. "How was the rest of the week? Hopefully the team didn't get too angry with you."

[imafuturist]

"Only some lectures." A lot. "And some punching."

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

"If it was face punching, then Extremis really does a good job healing you up," Jessica noted.

[imafuturist]

"Mostly in the arm," Tony replied. "But I think it was because Jan's a little short."

Heh.

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

"Just be glad she didn't get any shorter and zap you," Jessica pointed out.

She had never met the Wasp. The Blob had eaten her before Jessica joined SHIELD.

[imafuturist]

PLEASE NEVER TELL TONY THIS.

"She only does that to bad guys." A beat. "And Clint one time."

[craftyladyparts.livejournal.com]

And then Hank bit Blob's head off. Ultimatum was so EXTREME it should have happened in the 90s.

"Well, that makes sense," Jessica said. "Well, congratulations for surviving a crazy thing and making it back. I would have hated putting my name on the building if anything happened to you."

[imafuturist]

In no way would that help. In no way.

"I'm almost certain that some new version of me would show up to beat you to it."