hello, good morning, love -- for starknaked

[specification]

It was a month in on this job from hell, or so he was starting to mentally refer to it as, and there was a faint light at the end of the tunnel that he could faintly see. They were hardly to the point where Arthur would feel confident in saying they were ready but they were making progress.

As he had promised, Arthur sent a text at least once a week even if it was as simple as 'i'm alive', 'hey' and 'how was your day'. Something where Tony knew he was alive and well.

It was Friday and even Arthur, the workaholic that he was prone to be, wanted the evening off just as much as everyone else seemed to. Instead of hitting a local restaurant or bar with the others, Arthur decided to return to his hotel suite and order in room service.

With his order in front of him and a glass of wine, Arthur picked up his phone and thought about what time it would be in California. 7:15 in the evening in Paris was roughly 10 AM in California. If Tony didn't get back to him now, Arthur would be up for a while either way.

Alone and I want you. Oh, and good morning, love.

Comments

[specification]

Arthur's lips quirked up. "Just playing to your genius," he quipped before chuckling and listening to him talk. "That would be exceptionally beneficial to hospitals. Wonder what the initial cost would be for hospitals," he mused.

He stretched his legs out before slowly sitting up and leaning against the bed frame.

[starknaked]

"And you really do know the way to my heart, don't you," he asked, yawning long and loud despite himself. "That is the downside so far. It's insanely ridiculous, and only rich people trying not to die early would be able to afford it, so I've got to find a way around it without giving them away. Pepper is against that."

[specification]

"Of course - I am a point man after all," he said but his tone was teasing. Arthur couldn't resist the urge to smile when he heard Tony's yawn. Of course, as with all things when it comes to yawns, Arthur yawned in response. "Thanks," he muttered half heartedly.

He hummed in agreement. "You'll figure something out," he said, confidently. He chuckled softly. "Yes, she would be against that." But that wasn't to say anything against the woman. He liked Pepper but no, she would be against just giving them away.

[starknaked]

"I thought being a point man told you how to get to my brain, not my heart," he teased, snuggling in against the pillows as he rolled over onto his side.

"I figured something out. It was giving them away. Not my fault no one else likes that answer."

[specification]

Arthur chuckled. "It just means I use those skills to know the best way to your heart," he teased and curled up on his side.

He hummed in response. "Well, you do need to make some kind of profit to keep a business afloat," he mused. "Just tell Pepper it was an act of charity that most hospitals could use the technology to better assist the ailing. Especially if people keep trying to take over the world and people are harmed in the process of such events."

[starknaked]

"Once more explaining how you're the best at what you do," he said, amused and content at the conversation. With Arthur, talking in low tones as they were, he could talk about it and admit it, enjoying the truth of all they were working out between them.

"I can try that. I'm working on finalizing things at Stark Towers to make it entirely one hundred percent substainable energy on the same technology. If it works, well, we'll see exactly how it goes."

[specification]

"Exactly," he agreed, amused. It was nice talking to Tony like this -- to have the time to talk to him like this.

Arthur smiled. "I think it's fantastic," he said, honestly. It was after knowing Tony for as long he had and how he had learned to be in regards to the environment that he truly saw that this could do wonders for the world. His lips curled up wondering if Saito would attempt to buy them out next if they succeeded. If that happened, he would have Arthur to deal with. "And would greatly benefit many institutions as well if you took it elsewhere."

[starknaked]

"Greatly benefit many and piss off our government," he said cheerfully, which made it clear what part of the appeal was to him. Ever since they had tried to take the suit from him, he had taken to enjoying doing what he could to piss them off. "Free and sustainable energy? Not their desire, you know?" There wasn't a profit in it. Not long term.

"Wonder what one of these could do to your little machine," he said,not being insulting at all in the term.

[specification]

Arthur didn't exactly have the best track record when it came to the government either so he could certainly agree and understand Tony's position. He chuckled. "Course not - they wouldn't be making a profit from it and thus, they would want to squash it like a bug. Which makes it all more appealing."

He hummed and thought about it. "It might be worth an experiment or two to see what it could do to the PASIV."

[starknaked]

"Yes, doesn't it? I do love things that make them want to smash me and then they find out they can't. Kind of my hobby these days," he said with a snort and a laugh.

"I told you I wouldn't until you gave me leave. Is that permission?"

[specification]

"I can't imagine it, you of all people," he said with a tone of mock shock. He couldn't keep the facade up for long and chuckled at the end. "Just glad that they aren't able to squash you - rather like you alive and healthy."

"On one condition -- you can't test it on mine. I need at least a perfectly working one and who knows if the one you experiment on blows up or not." He paused. "And I want to be there."

[starknaked]

"I know. I'm a paragon," he said with a slow, lazy chuckle as he snuggled down into the pillow. "I'm glad for it too. No worries, Arthur. You're stuck with me for a long while yet." Which he liked thinking about, if he was honest.

"Get me another then," he said as if that was easy. "Or let me look at yours and I'll build my own from it," he offered because that was such a great offer. "Though I'm offended you think I blow up things that easily. How many times have I done it? Once? Twice? A half dozen?"

[specification]

Arthur grinned. He too liked that thought. "Holding you to that," he said. But he was realistic - not everything worked out in the end. Didn't mean he wouldn't try to make it work out for a long time to come though. Still, it was good that they were both on the same page these days.

"Let me get right on that," he said dryly. "You wait and you might get to experiment on Cobb's PASIV." He couldn't help but chuckle at that and pulled the sheets and blanket over his body. "Hm, I'd say a half dozen from what I've experienced and from what I've heard in papers and Pepper. Mostly from Pepper."

[starknaked]

It was the realization that Tony had come to. One that shocked him deeply. He actually did want to try and make this work. It almost scared him.

"What? Going to steal it from him," he asked, laughing. "I would delight in that. Pay the sonofabitch back for all he's put you through," he admitted. "What did I tell you about listening to her? And what I did to Dummy doesn't count."

[specification]

"I had considered it," he said with a grin. "Specifically speaking, he has said on more than one occasion that after this job, he can go home to his kids. It's my understanding that he will have no need for his any longer afterward."

Sometimes, as much has he thinks he doesn't need it, it's nice to know someone supports him like Tony did.

"You said to not listen to a word she says because they're all lies," he said promptly with a smirk. "I just chose not to listen."

[starknaked]

Well that didn't make it nearly as fun for Tony but if he got his hands on one of the PASIVs, he would be okay with it. More than okay if he could dismantle it without Arthur having his ass for it.
"Good, bring it to me then when you come home," he said, not having thought about that sentence before he said it but then it was out there. Home.

"But they are lies! I don't blow up that much."

[specification]

Arthur was silent for a minute.

Home.

Fuck, but it was.

It had been a long time since he had considered anywhere a home -- his home.

But -- with Tony, it was home. He smiled. "Yeah, I'll do that," he said.

Arthur chuckled. "Is that right? Then how many times have you blown something up?" Arthur's tone was playful.

[starknaked]

Tony hadn't realized he was holding his breath, waiting for Arthur's reaction. Not until he agreed and he exhaled softly. He had no idea what he would have done if he hadn't agreed.

"Since you've been gone? Three."

I'm totally thinking that after this scene - we should do their first meeting. :D

[specification]

Arthur's lips quirked up as he laughed. "Three? In the last month? Or do you mean in the last year or two since I've been doing this with Cobb?" He stretched his legs out slowly and sighed. If he wasn't in the middle of a job and Tony wasn't doing what he did, Arthur would even suggest a weekend trip to Paris but that would be pure distraction. Still -- it was becoming hard not talking to the man as often as normal.

Fuck - who knew after that first meeting that they would be here of all place months later.

That he would call being with Tony more home than anywhere else in the world -- more than any of the countries he had homes/safe houses in.

Yes. Yes we have to! Or I want to. Or both :D

[starknaked]

"Since... you've been gone. Two were small and work related." At least he could write them off as work expenses. "Since you've been doing this with Cobb... I don't think we need to have that talk. You have read the news reports of things with Whiplash and when I first made the suit, right?"

He knew Arthur had, knew he would have learned everything he could. That was just who Arthur was and what he was like. It was part of what Tony liked about him. He was thorough and not nearly as uptight as everyone thought.

"I'm trying to behave," he said with a chuckle. "Just bored."

YES, WE HAVE TO! :D I fully support this decision. ALLLLLL OF IT.

[specification]

He had. And he told Tony as much.

Even before Arthur and Tony met, once he got that phone call, he researched everything he could about Tony, about the suit about what made Iron Man - Tony and what made Tony - Iron Man. He never came unprepared for whatever he may come into contact with.

He chuckled softly. "Yes, I can see how boredom would lead to explosions."

YAY. Love the talks

[starknaked]

"If you were here, I would blow up less things," he said without thinking about it. Then he paused, wincing.

"Sorry. I don't mean to guilt you."

ME TOO! Do you want to start it when we get to it?

[specification]

Arthur was used to the Tony who didn't think about what he said and said it -- it had happened on more than one occasion in the past. But these days, it felt as though they thought a little longer about what they said than before. Still, it said a lot when Tony apologized. He smiled after staying silent for a moment and exhaling. "I know," he said. "Just make sure I have a home to return to when I'm done here," he said, with a hint of playfulness in his tone.

[starknaked]

He snorted at that. "I just built this place in New York after what happened in Malibu. Do you really think I would have plans to destroy this one? I just got it like I like it," he admitted. "All cozy and empty."

[specification]

"No, I don't think you would," he admitted with a grin. It'd be nice to return to New York once he was done with Cobb and his bs. Arthur grew up in New York, knew the city, had people he could turn to in the city and contact if he wanted to. "How is New York?"