coming in from the cold

[watchesthewatchers]

He's gone for a month, and then he's back again, sitting on Tony's balcony, lighting one cigarette off the next, eyes closed.

Comments

[watchesthewatchers]

"I used to think he never could, but-"

Biting the inside of his cheek.

[profiteering]

"But?"

He rests his chin on his shoulder.

[watchesthewatchers]

"He mentioned a nephew. In that solicitous, condescending way men do."

Admitting, stretching.

[profiteering]

"...You're speaking British again. Is he trying to hook you up?"

He grins, knowing full well but enjoying the chance to tease him.

[watchesthewatchers]

"Is that a boat on your tiepin? My nephew likes boats, Peter, what a funny coincidence, he and his partner are going yachting."

Illustrating with a smile.

[profiteering]

"What do you wanna bet he already knows what you're really doing here?"

Tony wonders sometimes if he is still being groomed as an informant. But because, as he's said, his only loyalty is to himself it doesn't matter much to him.

[watchesthewatchers]

"I know. I just wonder what that will one day mean for you. Leamas was better friends with George than I."

Eyes closing.

[profiteering]

"What do you mean?"

He has the lights dimmed.

"I'm not just some civilian."

[watchesthewatchers]

"Yes, love, you are."

He insists, quietly.

"In my world, you are."

[profiteering]

"So what do you think it could mean for me someday?"

It's important to hear this; Peter rarely talks about his fears.

[watchesthewatchers]

"One day someone will smile, come up to you, and with a hand on your arm ask where you were last weekend, and then you'll never hear from me again."

[profiteering]

There's a taste like nickel on his tongue.

"Don't say that."

[watchesthewatchers]

"It's a reality."

He admits, tight and nervous.

[profiteering]

"It's not yet. This is."

Here, Tony wrapped around him, on a soft couch in Stark Tower.

"How do we keep it this way?"

[watchesthewatchers]

"I don't slip."

He says, seriously.

"I never slip."

[profiteering]

That's not a good plan. It's not a plan at all.

"Tell me what I need to do."

[watchesthewatchers]

"Pretend you've never met me."

Eyes closing.

"Always, even casually, even with people you like."

[profiteering]

He can do that. But.

"You come here a lot. And Ricki knows--Pepper and Bruce know."

[watchesthewatchers]

"I'll work something out with that."

He promises, scrubbing a hand over his eyes.

[profiteering]

"Ricki knows not to say anything. Bruce doesn't talk to anyone, Pepper...."

Well, that's a snag. She's good at fielding awkward questions, but not to the degree a spy needs.

"You should talk to her."

[watchesthewatchers]

"I will."

He gives him a watery smile, to see if Tony hates him yet, a little.

[profiteering]

Instead, Tony just huddles closer, smelling Peter's shampoo, his skin, his clothes.

"Look, I just... I really, really don't want to reach the day where you disappear."

[watchesthewatchers]

"Neither do I, but I'll promise you this."

Straightening up, touching a hand to his cheek.

"Once in my life, I made a decision to walk away from someone I loved in order to do better at this job. I won't ever make that choice again."

[profiteering]

That actually does help. He brushes his nose against Peter's and closes his eyes a moment.

"Thank you. I can promise you will always have a safe haven here."

[watchesthewatchers]

"That helps."

He admits, eyes closing.

"It may one day come to that."