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

[watchesthewatchers]

He tips gingerly over, so he can curl up with his head on Tony's knee, eyes closing tight.

Arthur remains judiciously quiet, watching them both.

[profiteering]

Tony comes back from that serene, protective bubble in a moment and looks up at Arthur.

"Sorry."

He'll always feel compelled to deflect when he's caught in a tender moment.

[greatdealofbravery]

"Don't apologize. I see why you'd do just about anything for him. It makes before make more sense."

[profiteering]

"Good."

With genuine relief.

"Then you'll think about staying in New York?"

[watchesthewatchers]

"Yes." Says Peter, while Arthur shakes his head.

"Not me."

[profiteering]

"What, you don't like us anymore?"

Raising his eyebrows.

[greatdealofbravery]

"Fuck off."

Says Arthur, shaking his head.

"You don't just move in after a fight like that."

[profiteering]

"You're allergic to hotels now?"

Smirking, still playing placidly with Peter's hair.

"There are options. Compromises. Open yourself to possibilities."

[greatdealofbravery]

"This doesn't strike me as being particularly possible."

Is the issue with that statement.

[profiteering]

"This isn't a slumber party. We need to figure out what the hell is going to happen from here."

Tony says, losing all the play in his tone.

"If you need to disappear after the debriefing then I can't stop you, but I'm not asking because I just want a big sexy reunion."

[greatdealofbravery]

Arthur grins (bares his teeth) at him at the hostility. He looks a tiny bit strung out. It's been a rough few days.

"This is already turning into a repeat of last time."

[profiteering]

Tony grits his teeth and turns his attention back to Peter. They have a few hours left in the air, but better to spend it in terse silence than fighting, he decides.

[greatdealofbravery]

Arthur slips away to go get to the other side of the cabin, curling up in the corner there to get a little rest.

Peter is drowsing much more openly, secure in Tony's lap.

[profiteering]

When they land, Tony goes out first, to be sure there's a ride waiting.

[zen_en_vert]

Bruce is there, leaning on the car door, biting the inside of his cheek.

He moves to intercept Arthur, first, who immediately tries to bolt, and reels him deftly in for an embrace and a few warm words, keeping an arm around him as he heads them for the doorway.

[profiteering]

Tony helps Peter, who he can only imagine is in pain again. He gives Bruce a brief, grateful smile.

[zen_en_vert]

Bruce gives him a quick smile, so tender it could nearly be a kiss, before pinning Arthur in to the car and helping Tony get Peter into the back seat.

"We have SHIELD medical waiting at the tower."

[profiteering]

"Thank you, baby."

Trying to be simultaneously relaxed and attentive.

"Are you driving?"

[zen_en_vert]

"I've had the most sleep out of all of us."

He says, before slipping in to the front.

"So I think that's best."

Peter grabs at Tony, a pretty good indication that he shouldn't take shotgun.

[profiteering]

Tony settles in the back with him, and with Arthur.

"Drive fast."

With a subtle squeeze of Bruce's shoulder.

[watchesthewatchers]

Peter puts his good hand on Tony's knee.

"I feel like my mouth is full of cotton."

[profiteering]

He grins.

"That's because we filled you with morphine. How's the pain?"