specification | [Heart in a Knot] We're on the cusp of something (w/ Tony)

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[Heart in a Knot] We're on the cusp of something (w/ Tony)

The news of Maurice Fischer's death hit Arthur's radar within minutes/hours of it happening.

It didn't take long for Arthur to pack up what he had and be on the way to the warehouse to warn Cobb, getting there at the same time as Saito's driver pulled in.

After that, it was a flurry of activity. To get Eames and Yusuf to the warehouse, to make sure all documentation of the job was burned and to clean the warehouse of any fingerprints or discriminating evidence of their actions.

Saito assured them that he had the best team on it but Arthur preferred to do his own clean up. To make sure what needed to be burned was burned, etc.

Soon, they were all at the airport as they waited for the flight that would take them to Australia to meet up with Robert Fischer.

Arthur sat with a cup of airport coffee resting on a knee held onto by one hand and his phone in the other, flipping through news reports for something to catch his eye. After a few minutes, he typed out a text to Tony.

We're on the move. If all goes as planned, I'll be in LA by the weekend.

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"Oh I see how it is. Looking for special boyfriend privileges for a top of the line Stark computer, are we? Want the phone and watch that goes with too," he asked, definitely teasing him. Already he was building the system in his mind. "Course, you give up the whiteboards and you can have the full hologram imaging system. Might even manage a travel one for you to take on jobs," he noted, wondering if that would be too much of a give away or, if in his circles, there was enough secretiveness no one would mention it.

"Well, you know. That," he said, waving a hand, smirking. "As for that..." He paused though, considering. "I may revise the plans, because I was going to make floors for the others, but if you're staying here, I won't have you leaving because you're afraid they'll know you're here," he asid, working to protect Arthur as Arthur wanted to be.

That was definitely distracting enough, leaning up into the kiss with a groan, moving to push closer to him, rocking gently against the other man.

Arthur smiled and pulled back from Tony's mouth with a hum. Since knowing and being with Tony, he had never once asked for anything that came out of Stark Industries. If he wanted something, he went out and got it fair and square. As much as he starting to think having one of the hologram imaging systems may be handy on a job or two, he was perfectly fine without them as well. The thought of others figuring it out wasn't, for once, the first thing that passed his mind. Though, giving it some thought, he had been given enough money with this job that it wouldn't seem too far stretched for a man like Arthur to have something like that.

He bit on his lip a little and looked at him more honestly and seriously. "You know I wouldn't never assume that you would simply just give me something, right?" He knew Tony had to know - Arthur wasn't always the easiest to take gifts of any size. He just didn't want the man to think he was just like any other person out there who wanted to take advantage.

Arthur stayed silent for a moment after Tony mentioned the others and himself. He was a private man and he was glad that Tony was considering that just as seriously as Arthur would. "Do you think they'd go around sharing...?"

"And I'm not asking this as Tony Stark inventor of the world, but as someone that's never had a long term love interest, and will keep you wether you let me do things for you or not. But that's the thing, Arthur, I like doing things for people. And you're my favorite person," he said, tones almost plaintiff as if worrying that Arthur might not already know that. "But you don't have to let me. If you say no, I won't."

He leaned in, kissing him once more.

"Would they? No. If we ask them not to, no. They wouldn't say a word. But if you're uncomfortable, you come first and they can have another tower. Only one that stays already knows and isn't saying a word." Pepper.

He honestly had never been told something like that before.

If he thought about it though, and he has, neither of them have been through something like this before and it was frankly new for the both of them. "You're my favorite person too," he admitted and slid his fingers through Tony's hair. "You know, I wouldn't mind testing out the system first."

Arthur smiled when Tony kissed him. He was never not going to get tired of that. He had missed those kisses, his body pressed into his over the last several months.

He nodded, "Let me give it some thought." Truth was, this group would understand the value behind being secret. But first? He wanted to meet them. "I... want to meet them first."

He liked hearing it back, especially because much as people wanted things from Tony, he wasn't always wanted himself. Not that it stopped him from being a jerk, since an ego was what Tony Stark did best. "I know I am. How could I not be," he said, smirking, though he nodded at that question. "Anything you want to play with," he said, giving a smile that was definitely a leer.

And that they shared this kind of intimacy, so easily and wanted between them both, it meant the world to Tony and he'd do it as long as he could.

"All the time you need," he said with a nod, considering what. "Whenever you're up for that."

Arthur grinned at the leer then chuckled. "Could never turn that down, Mr. Stark," he said sending him a teasing wink.

He liked the way they shared this. He liked the way they could banter back and forth and still find comfort and intimacy in kisses, hugs and soft words that they didn't share with anyone else. Arthur wasn't a sentimental man by any means but he was going to hold onto this relationship with Tony for as long as he could. It meant too much to him to do so otherwise.

"I did say that I would go with you tomorrow morning to watch... someone leave I think you said?" He would be okay doing that. This way he could observe.

"Well good. I'd hate to think I invited you to stay and you didn't think you wanted that," he pointed out, laughing. It was a bright sound, genuine, and not the sort that Tony Stark, playboy philanthropist was known for. It was a laugh that Arthur got because he made him feel real and genuine.

"You could call it that. Getting rid of someone," he said, nose wrinkling. "The one that opened the portal to bring on the invasion," he admitted, his voice softening. "Thor's brother."

Not for the first time did he think about how much he genuinely like the sound of Tony's laugh. He grinned in response then chuckled. "Oh no, I want it," he said - had missed it; missed being with him period.

He lifted a hand and slid it over Tony's cheek. "Ah, I see." He didn't like this brother one bit. Not if he nearly lost Tony because of him. "Then, it looks like, I'll meet the crew tomorrow." Arthur leaned up to press a soft kiss to his lips. He hated the look on Tony's face and wanted to make it go away if he could. At the very least, help make it go away for the time being.

He kissed him back, forcing down the fears that came from falling to his death. He didn't want to think about it. He just wanted to see that damn stone and Loki taken care of. Back to Odin wasn't enough for Tony, but he could accept that so long as something was done. He was with the birdbrain on this one though. Death wasn't good enough for Loki with all he had done.

"If you accidentally shoot Loki in the head, not many would mind," he said, offering a bright, tight smile.

Arthur smiled at Tony's words and slid his thumb over Tony's bottom lip. "Mm, I'm sure they wouldn't but from what I can tell, he's a god. I'm not sure it's going to do much to him other than annoy him. And maybe piss off his brother."

Though, for Tony, he would consider it. Even if it was just for a minute.

"Piss him off, sure. Blame you? Probably not," he said. "The man did try and take over my mind," he admitted, moving to tap the piece in his chest. "But this prevented him from doing it. See? My nearly dying was useful. The first time," he added, making a face. "Not sure about the second time."

Arthur rolled them over and settled on top of the other man, sliding his hand over Tony's chest. "I'm really glad that you're in one piece," he admitted, thinking of how close they had both come to losing one another. He leaned down to press a slow kiss to Tony's mouth before sliding his hand over his cheek.

He didn't normally wish for things like this but he really wished he could have picked up that phone call when Tony called. Heard his voice.

Steve let himself be rolled over, hands settling on Arthur's hips and looking up at him. He chuckled at that, leaning up into the kiss, letting it be slow and deep as he leaned into that touch.

"I have to admit," he murmured against his mouth. "Kind of happy myself. You okay though?"

Arthur hummed softly against his mouth and slowly pulled away, looking at him with a softer look. A look that only Tony got to see from the point man. "Yeah, I'm okay," he said, sliding his hand over his neck. It had been a rough ride - Inception - but at the end of the day, everyone had gotten off that plane in L.A. and he was here, with Tony Stark.

He couldn't be better.

"Glad I'm here," he said before sliding his mouth over the other man's again, humming softly.

"If you ever weren't okay, tell me," he said, meaning it. Not a single hesitation in that, despite the fact that Tony rarely made friends or connected with others in this way. It was others he turned to. Instead he came to Arthur, wanting to help him instead of facing what he was going through with his own encounter.

"And you will always be welcome here, Arthur. Always."

He nodded and slid his hand over his neck slowly. "I will," he said and looked at him. He didn't go to many - he didn't trust many - but over the years since they started this relationship of theirs, Arthur felt a closeness to Stark that he didn't feel toward anyone.

"Well, I should hope so - you did ask me to move in," he teased him with a soft smile, looking at him. He appreciated it though - more than any words could say. That wouldn't change the fact that he had safe houses in many cities and countries around the world but it helped knowing... he had someone to come back to.

"And if you don't, I will hunt you down and harass you until you tell me," Tony said, sounding serious and solemn. It was Tony. Maybe he meant it. Maybe it was him being silly. It was never a known sentiment with Stark. Especially learning to accept this that they were sharing and that he hadn't really known before.

"Even if you had said otherwise, I mean it. No matter what happens."

Tony had faced his mortality and he knew there was a chance he wouldn't come home one day. He wanted Arthur to know then he still had a home there.

Arthur felt himself smile at Tony's solemn and serious tone. One thing he learned over the years was to never put anything past Tony Stark. He wouldn't be too surprised if he did hunt him down and harass him.

"I know," he said with a soft smile, nodding. He felt welcome here. Wanted. Loved (though they'd never use that word -- often).

Arthur leaned in and pressed another kiss to the man's mouth, cupping his cheek in his hand. It had been longer than he could admit where he simply felt content, laying here and talking with him. Although the building had sustained a lot of damage, it was still more comfortable than when they were stuck in that cabin during the blizzard.

At least they weren't freezing their asses off.

"Do you feel tired?" He was pretty certain he wasn't the only one who hadn't truly slept in a while.

Tony wasn't a subtle man. If he wanted something, he got it. If that was Arthur, who knew what kind of insanity he might commit, just to show Arthur how much he cared about him.

The tenderness of those kisses made him sigh, loving that Arthur treated him that way. So many were rough with Tony, treating him as he treated the world. That Arthur showed such gentleness though meant so much to Tony when he was used to nothing but harsh behavior, both given and received.

"Maybe, yeah." Which made him fall quiet, nervous but he felt he needed to make an admission. "I'm having nightmares, Arthur. I might have one." and the panic attack to go with it.

His gaze softened when Tony admitted to being exhausted and having nightmares. "I'm here, if you do. I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice soft.

Anyone who knew Arthur (or knew of him) would probably never suspect him to act or be capable of being tender and loving like he was showing Tony. It was simply because of Tony, being Tony, that Arthur acted this way.

He leaned down and nuzzled his nose against Tony's. "Honestly, I'm a little tired myself." He had been up for a bit over twenty four hours.. give or take.

He wanted to believe that, to hold faith in him that this would not change things. He didn't know how to even explain how he was feeling, had been since Arthur walked in that door.

Sleep. The very idea of it left him nearly shaking.

"I'd like that nap," he said in a low voice, knowing he was admitting a lot and not being entirely easy with making this admission. It felt like weakness and he knew how that would have gone with his father, all through his life. "We should make this a thing."

Arthur watched him with a soft gaze, sliding his fingers through Tony's hair. "Nap then," he said, softly and low. It wasn't in his mind to judge him or think of him any less. The man, superhero or not, needed the rest.

"Make what a thing - me helping you take a nap," he asked with a soft teasing smile. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to the man's lips then shifted so he could lay down next to him. "Or simply taking a nap together after long days?"

He was worried about falling asleep. Worried he would end up having a nightmare, to have those nightterrors that had already started. Maybe though, with Arthur there, he would be able to sleep and not worry about them.

"You here. Sleeping with me." He didn't mean it sexually. Not as he might have once. Not at this time. "You. Here."

He felt a smile curl on his mouth and nodded. "Agreed. I know I sleep much better with you too," he said, softly.

There was no doubt about it, they both loved the sexual elements of their relationship. Still, Arthur loved the rest of their relationship too. The way they understood each other and balanced the other out. The way he felt in Tony's arms and simply being in the other's presence.

"I'll be here. Sleep," he said softly and rest his head on Tony's shoulder, his arm resting on the man's chest.

"Jarvis, will you get the lights, please?"

Life was changing for Tony, and not just because Arthur was in his life. That had been an initial change. Now though, after what had happened, he knew things were changing again, and he was suddenly just very glad to have Arthur there as well as Pepper. He suspected after that fall, he was going to need them both.

Settling in close to Arthur, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him in close.

"Good night, Gentlemen," Jarvis said as the lights went out.

"Good night, Arthur," he murmured softly.

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[Heart in a Knot] We're on the cusp of something (w/ Tony)

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