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

[rickitikitarr]

"He can't, dove, he's still got his head hidden under pillows."

Stuttering, catching the pet name.

"-Tony?"

[profiteering]

He smiles; it warms his tone a little.

"Yeah?"

[rickitikitarr]

"If you wanted, I'd like to spend some time together, next time I report in. Not working, just you and I."

[profiteering]

He doesn't know if he wants to grin or just sag in relief.

"Plan on it."

[rickitikitarr]

"It was pointed out to me last night that I, perhaps, have a tendency to read in scorn for me where there is none."

Sagging against the counter.

"I would hate to lose you over a misapprehension."

[profiteering]

Tony is grinning, and grasping at Bruce and Peter to contain himself.

"If you're reading scorn from me, then your radar is way off."

[rickitikitarr]

"I'm two for two."

Smiling, moving to get two coffee cups ready.

"If I weren't already compromised, I'd have Peter fire me. So many mistakes."

[lasiurus]

"Two? You doubted Peter, too?"

He asks, puzzled.

[rickitikitarr]

"Hadn't thought of him. But I meant Wayne."

Sheepish.

[profiteering]

"Ricki."

Really?

"Ok, I could have seen it from me because I have it on good authority I'm kind of an asshole, but I think I know what the problem is now. You're mistaking 'scorn' for 'this guy really likes me and might even want to fuck me'."

[rickitikitarr]

"Tony," protesting, weakly, "ask your Bruce to explain it, all right? It isn't something I can put into words for you."

[profiteering]

"Will you come visit?"

He retorts.

[rickitikitarr]

"When we've settled down."

He tells him, but he's smiling.

"How's Peter? Is he badly hurt? Bruce doesn't have an easy setting."

[profiteering]

"Uh..."

He glances at Peter, making sure he's not pale with agony.

"Well we won't have to amputate."

[rickitikitarr]

"That's something."

Unmistakably fond.

"I saw the footage of the fight, you know."

Peter winces, and buries his head in the pillow.

[profiteering]

"Give me the highlights, I haven't heard any details yet."

Which in hindsight he feels foolish for; he should have asked.

[rickitikitarr]

"Peter was being a lamb, when Bruce took as a lie. Bruce got angrier and more suspicious the more benign Peter got, until his patience cracked and Peter told him he was very good at getting his loved ones killed."

Ricki recounts, uncompromisingly.

"Bruce reacted furiously, and took him off his stool. He gave him two to the jaw and then pinned him. Peter told him to let him go or he'd regret it, and then fought the hold until his wrist broke while Bruce disarmed him. Both of them behaved like children, honestly."

[profiteering]

"Think he'll redact that 'stay out of Gotham' order, then?"

Tony asks dryly, trying not to sound hopeful.

[rickitikitarr]

"I think maybe, when he's less piqued, though it may be a good idea to meet on your turf first."

Sipping his coffee.

"But Peter needs to apologize."

[profiteering]

"Ok but you know he's the one with the broken wrist right?"

He nudges Peter under the blankets, and then does get up to take the conversation to another room.

[rickitikitarr]

"That he articulately warned Bruce he was about to break if he didn't release the hold. He knew what he was doing."

Ricki objects, quietly.

"Bruce owes him one too. But the things Peter said were cruel, Tony. He's a master at manipulation and he knows he's in the wrong here. Otherwise he wouldn't have promised to give me up. Do you see that?"

[profiteering]

Tony is quiet as he thinks that over and finally sighs.

"I'll talk to him. When's your next report in date? Next week?"

[rickitikitarr]

"Day after tomorrow."

He admits, softly.

"I'm about two weeks away."

He moved mountains for him.

[profiteering]

And Tony knows it. Even by his most demanding estimate, Ricki wouldn't have come close to what he's actually accomplished.

"I reserve the right to celebrate with you."

[rickitikitarr]

"Anything you like, pet."

Smiling.

"It was for you."