long overdue

[watchesthewatchers]

It's Ricki's little ramshackle apartment, but there Peter is one morning, perched on the loveseat, reading a file, waiting for Bruce Wayne to arrive.

He has a gun, but tucked out of sight, not on his person. Just in case.

Comments

[watchesthewatchers]

"I'm glad to have you two to come back to."

Bright eyes opening.

"Wayne wants to you pay Ricki out. He says I'm slinking back to you, making him think he's alone."

[profiteering]

"Ricki would think I was trying to get rid of him if I did."

It's the only reason Tony sends him into danger: so that Ricki will know that Tony wants him.

"And slinking? I'd have you and Ricki both if I could, so this 'being alone' thing is shit."

[watchesthewatchers]

"I did dislocate his shoulder. I'm not actually an angel, Tony."

Reminding him.

[profiteering]

"I never said you were. But he still wants you, so you're not exactly repellent either."

He sips his refilled drink and nods at him significantly.

"But no more dislocations in my house unless they're trying to steal something."

[watchesthewatchers]

"He deserved it, that time."

He informs him, looking at the ceiling.

[profiteering]

"You never did tell me why you were so pissed at him back then."

Or rather, Tony's distractable mind doesn't remember it immediately.

[watchesthewatchers]

"He stalked me off-duty, outed me as queer, and fucked my boyfriend."

Peter reminds him, blinking hard.

"It wasn't- it felt. Invasive. I know we don't have- I'd have rather he hadn't done that with you. It made me feel... insignificant."

[profiteering]

It's been months, almost a year, but they've never talked about it. He looks at him very soberly.

"You aren't."

[watchesthewatchers]

"It was a tremendous violation of my trust, on his part."

He tells the ceiling.

"It almost cost me you. I came so close to running, and not looking back."

[profiteering]

"I was really scared you would."

He can admit that now, quietly.

[watchesthewatchers]

"I had my bag packed."

He tells him.

"It was the fear in your voice that stopped me. But it wasn't an all right thing for him to do. It took a long time for me to forgive him."

[profiteering]

"And me?"

Because he'd been as complicit, after all.

[watchesthewatchers]

He shrugs, still watching ceiling tiles.

"I love you. You know that. I don't want to change you or police you. And I know he didn't tell you the whole truth to start with. So I can live with it."

Even if he's blinking hard, almost a year later.

"It's an irrational thing to mind."

[profiteering]

"I like him. I care what happens to him. But he's not you. You're my boyfriend for a reason--you're one of only two I've ever had. You're one of three people I've ever seriously dated. You're in my exclusive little club because I get more than a good time from you. You understand?"

He sits up, to peer down at Peter, block his vision. He's as relaxed as ever, but genuine, too.

"There are things about you that I could never find in anyone else."

[watchesthewatchers]

"I think I wasn't sure of that, then."

He explains, quietly.

"We didn't start out easy, remember?"

[profiteering]

"Well actually, for me?"

He shrugs, oops.

"Our relationship has been pretty smooth sailing. You should see how mine usually go."

[watchesthewatchers]

"You're my second boyfriend too."

He reminds him, eyes shutting.

[profiteering]

"Things were different then."

He starts icing Peter's cheek again.

[watchesthewatchers]

"Tell me how they are now? Compared to then."

Curious.

[profiteering]

"Oh I meant when you were dating someone else."

He teases. Half-teases.

"You don't have to hide as much from me. I won't ask questions a normal boyfriend would. Plus that superhero aspect gives me some advantages."

[watchesthewatchers]

"When was I dating someone else?"

Asks Peter, stunned.

[profiteering]

"Your first boyfriend. Things were different then. No one knew you were queer."

He frowns at him.

"Sorry."

[watchesthewatchers]

"Oh. I thought you meant when we were together."

Clarifying, with a shake of his head.

"I didn't come to you taken, that's all."

[profiteering]

He hums and shakes his head.

"I know you didn't, pet. Look, the point is I like this. A lot actually. You know?"

[watchesthewatchers]

"I do know."

Smiling, faintly.

"But it's also nice to hear."