[ This is one of the easier ones, for sure. At least it doesn't hurt so much, in that dull ache sort of way that sits heavy in the chest. One of them is more or less free to do as they please, and the other one is left playing the game closer to home. It's dangerous.
Hell, if Ross found out about their little meet ups that'd be the end putting him on hold for hours at a time. Sometimes he thinks he'd like him to find out just so he could see the look on his face. For Ross to realize he got played in a big way. It'd almost be worth it.
He looks up when someone approaches, unable to hide the quirk of a grin that tugs at his mouth when he speaks. It's a new look for Steve, definitely. He's not sure if he's overly fond of it or if he wants to drag him a bit. ]
No, but I didn't invite the Unfrozen Caveman Soldier. [ He's trying really hard not to laugh, even though his get up is not much better. Leather jacket, t-shirt, jeans, and a ballcap pulled down low. ] Who're you?
Edited (sorry messed up the title it's been a while) 2018-05-15 01:29 (UTC)
[ He sits down as he asks the question, unable to hide the look of amusement in his eyes at the comment. At least it’s better than a baseball cap and sunglasses, right? It still weirds him out every once in a while, to see this side of himself staring back in the mirror, but it’s the best he can do to blend in. ]
Oh, I’m just someone passing by. [ He leans back against the chair, watching Tony for a moment almost as if seeing all the ways the other man has changed in his own way the last few months. ] It’s good to see you.
[ There's a distinct lessening of the ache that's been living in his chest for months now when he sees the other man's face, hears his voice. It's been difficult, there's no hiding that. All of this bullshit pageantry and nothing to really show for it. Unless exhaustion counts. He sleeps less. A lot less. ]
Well, I guess you can stick around. Don't know what the other guy'll say when he gets here. [ He waves someone over for coffees for the both of them, fingers fiddling with the edge of the mug. ] Likewise. This place isn't as bad as FRIDAY made it out to be. Are you guys holding up okay?
Need anything.
[ He wouldn't have to pull money here, he already has stuff set aside to give over if they need it. ]
[ The fondness in his eyes is impossible to hide, because Steve has missed this. Their banter, the chance to just talk. It’s something that he’ll forever hold against Ross, that he has pushed them into hiding and for their team to seemingly disperse. On very few occasions does Steve let himself actually get homesick, and somehow now, even if Tony’s in front of him, he finds himself longing to go home. ]
No, it isn’t so bad. [ He has definitely seen worse. They have been hiding in seedier places than this, after all. ]
We’re okay. Keeping busy, laying low. The usual.
[ As helpful as extra money would be, he wouldn’t take it. They can find their way around, and he refuses to do anything that could make someone do a double take and get Tony in trouble. ]
How are you doing? [ He notices the circles under his eyes, the lines that hadn’t been there before. ] The truth. Are you okay?
[ Tony has missed it too. The mansion is too sparse without them. The halls echo in odd ways, and it feels less like home. Home was less the place and more the people in it. ]
I can't help but think that's some kind of code for it's terrible.
[ A lot of people don't clock him for it, but Tony worries. A lot. He and anxiety are old friends. He wants to do more than just give them a heads up when Ross is sniffing too close.
He's about to answer, but then snaps his mouth shut, smiling. ] That's subjective, you know. I keep busy too.
[ A small smile crosses his lips, one that is wry and a little humorless. Leave it to Tony to guess that right in the first shot. Their living arrangements aren't the best, and it's not home, so...he's not wrong. It is terrible.
Either way, though: ]
It's fine. We make it work.
[ Steve nods slightly, looking down at the table for a moment before peering over to look at Tony. ] Is that your code for terrible, too? Is he causing you any trouble?
[ 'He.' Steve doesn't say the name, in case someone is listening, but it's not like there's any doubt in who they're talking about.
Guess working is all we've got. [ It's sad, isn't it? This is what they've all been reduced to here. ]
Yeah, think it is. [ His mouth twitches like he might smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Ross is more trouble than he's worth, and he's got scary amounts of power to back it, as Tony is starting to realize. Not all of it is legal either.
It's like Banner all over again. ]
Nothing putting him on hold for hours on end can't cure.
[ He tries to smile, but it doesn’t really work. He’s concerned, too concerned for Tony. He usually is, but generally he can chalk up those concerns to him exaggerating. After all, it could all be in his own head. Tony could have been fine.
But now that he’s here, and he’s seeing evidence of the contrary, Steve wishes he could do more to help him with the burden that is General Ross. ]
I’m sorry, Tony. I wish there was more I could do right now.
[ Which means it really isn't. Everybody knows what fine stands for after all.
Ross might have had his near-death epiphany, but it fueled the same monster that had made Banner's life a living hell and torn him away from Betty. The same mistakes that she still had yet to forgive her old man for, and probably never would. ]
Don't be. We chose this, we knew what could happen. [ He reaches out, before he really even realizes it, and claps a hand over Steve's, squeezing. ] We'll get through this.
Together, right? [ Even if the rest of the world doesn't know. Can't know. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Hell, if Ross found out about their little meet ups that'd be the end putting him on hold for hours at a time. Sometimes he thinks he'd like him to find out just so he could see the look on his face. For Ross to realize he got played in a big way. It'd almost be worth it.
He looks up when someone approaches, unable to hide the quirk of a grin that tugs at his mouth when he speaks. It's a new look for Steve, definitely. He's not sure if he's overly fond of it or if he wants to drag him a bit. ]
No, but I didn't invite the Unfrozen Caveman Soldier. [ He's trying really hard not to laugh, even though his get up is not much better. Leather jacket, t-shirt, jeans, and a ballcap pulled down low. ] Who're you?
no subject
[ He sits down as he asks the question, unable to hide the look of amusement in his eyes at the comment. At least it’s better than a baseball cap and sunglasses, right? It still weirds him out every once in a while, to see this side of himself staring back in the mirror, but it’s the best he can do to blend in. ]
Oh, I’m just someone passing by. [ He leans back against the chair, watching Tony for a moment almost as if seeing all the ways the other man has changed in his own way the last few months. ] It’s good to see you.
no subject
[ There's a distinct lessening of the ache that's been living in his chest for months now when he sees the other man's face, hears his voice. It's been difficult, there's no hiding that. All of this bullshit pageantry and nothing to really show for it. Unless exhaustion counts. He sleeps less. A lot less. ]
Well, I guess you can stick around. Don't know what the other guy'll say when he gets here. [ He waves someone over for coffees for the both of them, fingers fiddling with the edge of the mug. ] Likewise. This place isn't as bad as FRIDAY made it out to be. Are you guys holding up okay?
Need anything.
[ He wouldn't have to pull money here, he already has stuff set aside to give over if they need it. ]
no subject
No, it isn’t so bad. [ He has definitely seen worse. They have been hiding in seedier places than this, after all. ]
We’re okay. Keeping busy, laying low. The usual.
[ As helpful as extra money would be, he wouldn’t take it. They can find their way around, and he refuses to do anything that could make someone do a double take and get Tony in trouble. ]
How are you doing? [ He notices the circles under his eyes, the lines that hadn’t been there before. ] The truth. Are you okay?
no subject
I can't help but think that's some kind of code for it's terrible.
[ A lot of people don't clock him for it, but Tony worries. A lot. He and anxiety are old friends. He wants to do more than just give them a heads up when Ross is sniffing too close.
He's about to answer, but then snaps his mouth shut, smiling. ] That's subjective, you know. I keep busy too.
no subject
Either way, though: ]
It's fine. We make it work.
[ Steve nods slightly, looking down at the table for a moment before peering over to look at Tony. ] Is that your code for terrible, too? Is he causing you any trouble?
[ 'He.' Steve doesn't say the name, in case someone is listening, but it's not like there's any doubt in who they're talking about.
no subject
Yeah, think it is. [ His mouth twitches like he might smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Ross is more trouble than he's worth, and he's got scary amounts of power to back it, as Tony is starting to realize. Not all of it is legal either.
It's like Banner all over again. ]
Nothing putting him on hold for hours on end can't cure.
no subject
[ He tries to smile, but it doesn’t really work. He’s concerned, too concerned for Tony. He usually is, but generally he can chalk up those concerns to him exaggerating. After all, it could all be in his own head. Tony could have been fine.
But now that he’s here, and he’s seeing evidence of the contrary, Steve wishes he could do more to help him with the burden that is General Ross. ]
I’m sorry, Tony. I wish there was more I could do right now.
no subject
[ Which means it really isn't. Everybody knows what fine stands for after all.
Ross might have had his near-death epiphany, but it fueled the same monster that had made Banner's life a living hell and torn him away from Betty. The same mistakes that she still had yet to forgive her old man for, and probably never would. ]
Don't be. We chose this, we knew what could happen. [ He reaches out, before he really even realizes it, and claps a hand over Steve's, squeezing. ] We'll get through this.
Together, right? [ Even if the rest of the world doesn't know. Can't know. ]