endgame

[watchesthewatchers]

And then one day at around noon, Tony gets a sudden call from a number Peter sometimes uses.

Only it's Arthur's voice that bites out;

"He needs a jet. He's in Hong Kong."

Comments

[greatdealofbravery]

"I'm with him. We're in a rabbit hole, the kind it'd be more dangerous to reveal with a guard than it is likely to be found. So come for him when you're ready to come for him, but not sooner."

He instructs him.

[profiteering]

"Got it. I'll call you as soon as I can, just try to keep him..."

Safe, comfortable.

"Stay safe, Arthur."

His next call is for Bruce, explaining.

[zen_en_vert]

Bruce wishes him well and goes to get the tower ready, anticipating both of them arriving soon.

In the mean time, Arthur keeps Peter hydrated, keeps him zoned out of his mind.

[profiteering]

Tony isn't off the plane when he calls.

"I'm getting a car, where do I pick you up?"

Because he's taking them both, if he can.

[greatdealofbravery]

"Yeah. I'll have him ready, come in and help me get him down the stairs."

Arthur agrees, quietly.

"When you come in there's going to be a lot of blood. It isn't ours."

[profiteering]

Tony feels his heart drop, but he clenches his teeth and drives.

"Five minutes."

And he means that, too. It's a little over five minutes before he's there, rushing up the stairs.

[greatdealofbravery]

Peter is on his back on a cot, sweaty and grey, down to shirt sleeves.

Arthur is sitting at Peter's feet, slumped over his knees, gun in hand.

[profiteering]

Tony looks them over, pale and worried, not sure what to do. They have to leave but he wants to make Peter comfortable and safe.

"Arthur-"

[greatdealofbravery]

He thumbs the safety on again, and holds the gun out to him, on its side on his palm.

"Lets go. Fast."

[profiteering]

Tony takes it without question, and moves to help with Peter, with the door, with anything.

"We're in the blue car by the door downstairs."

[greatdealofbravery]

Arthur shifts ahead of them, clearing the stairwell.

Peter leans muzzily into Tony, looking tired, a little gaunter than when they started last.

[profiteering]

"Hey, pet."

He whispers, hurting for him, hating MI-6. He tucks Peter into the back seat, and has Arthur up front to help direct them safely back to the jet.

"We have to get him to a hospital when we land."

[greatdealofbravery]

"Can you bring someone to him? He thinks the CIA might be after him, and I'm only half sure he's wrong."

Arthur interjects, as Peter starts to form a muzzy objection.

[profiteering]

"I'll see what I can do."

Is all he can promise. He sends a message about it to Bruce, and then they're at the airrport.

"Ready?"

[greatdealofbravery]

Peter is still dazed, moving where Arthur pushes him. The point man nods determinedly, very practiced at dealing with people he's put in this state.

[profiteering]

"Where did you find him?"

He asks, when they're in the air and he's holding Peter's good hand.

[greatdealofbravery]

"I was hired to defend the man he was after."

Arthur explains, curtly, while Peter drowses. Now that they're up close and still, he's watching his shoes.

[profiteering]

Tony looks up at him, and then reaches out, squeezes Arthur's leg.

"Thank you."

For saving him.

[greatdealofbravery]

"How's Banner?"

Because he'd looked rough, the last time Arthur left them (screaming.)

[profiteering]

"He's good. He was just asking about you, too."

He looks back at Peter, frowning.

[greatdealofbravery]

"Sure."

Says Arthur, plucking at someone else's bloodstain on his shirt.

"Glad it got sorted out, then."

[profiteering]

"How safe are you?"

He asks, worried for him, too, and not sure how to show it. Or if he should.

"Look, we left on rough terms. And I'm not really sure how to- say thanks, and I'm sorry, and...yeah. that."

[greatdealofbravery]

"I'm fine. Everyone involved is gone, or dead, or both."

Shrugging, quietly, looking up at him.

"I'm sorry too. I don't know what we were fighting about, but it wasn't important enough to be worth it."

[profiteering]

"I don't remember either, but I should've reached out sooner."

He smiles faintly at him.

[greatdealofbravery]

"You're collared, since I saw you last."

Seems excuse enough to Arthur, at least.