[IC] Appointments Post

[selfhelp]

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[Action, January 1st]

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Comments

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

[He wants to say something, about how he shouldn't be judged against someone he isn't, someone who had nothing to do with him, but he doesn't. Billy has clearly been through a lot--even he can understand that. So, hey. He'll take even this acceptance. He's always liked an opportunity to prove himself, anyway.]

And here you said you were thinking about quitting. Keep me on the straight and narrow, Billy.

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

[...Okay, yeah. He can do this. Billy manages a real smile this time, ducking his head in a nod.]

That's the plan, boss. Guess we're stuck with each other.

[And then he pauses, brows furrowing as the smile vanishes once more.]

About the SRA, though- Pepper and Sue mentioned not telling Cap. I can understand why, I just... wondered what you thought about that.

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

[That's tricky. Tony had been in Luceti a year and had time to warm up to the idea of multiple universes and alternate versions of himself being different. But Steve was still fresh off the boat.

So he'll go with his general answer for these sorts of things.]

If he needs or wants to know? Tell him. If it doesn't come up, then don't.

[If it didn't become important for him to know, then what was the point?]

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

...Mm. [Billy's response is noncommittal for a long moment; he's been taking so many pauses in such a short time, but only because it's such a huge subject. This sort of story is a life-changer, not just for the people involved, but for friends and family if they hear of it. And not everyone is able to look part the idea of alternate universes and altered futures; it's still a work-in-progress for him in only two or three months.]

I don't want to tell him. It's- ...there's no point. I'll leave it up to Susan to decide.

[He's pretty sure she doesn't plan to, so they're probably safe.]

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

Seems fair to me.

[Except the whole thing isn't fair, not really, to any of them. But that's just one more inconvenience of Luceti and he's made the decision to not let it get to him anymore. He's his own man. He knows what he won't be. No alternate universe is going to dictate that for him.]

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

[He's not a mindreader, but he understands one thing: it isn't fair. It's why he's been trying so hard, keeping it a secret this long. Because he's learned what this version of Tony Stark is all about. Because he's had to discover for himself what the differences are.

Because the fact of the matter is this: once bitten, twice shy. And those first bites are still stinging, months later. The scars on his ears are testament enough of that.]

...I'm sorry for all of this. Really, I am. None of this is right, even if we can't help feeling the way we do. But for what it's worth... I wish he was more like you.

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

[It's sentimental, and he doesn't do sentimental--at least, not at the local bar with a kid who routinely cleans his house. He's not at that point of openness yet, and he's already taken enough risks here as it is. So he scoffs back the slight smile it gets from him when Billy says that.

He is a better man, and you know what? It's nice to have people point it out sometimes.]

Now, don't get sappy. The Coke's a little too strong?

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

Ha...

[Billy ducks his head, lifting the heel of his palm to rub stubbornly at an eye. He's always been excessively emotional, but he's determined not to cry in front of Tony. He'd probably never hear the end of it.]

You are still a jerk sometimes, though, so don't worry about your reputation.

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

[It's true. He wouldn't. Probably. Tony will just take a well-timed sip of his drink and concentrate on the glass.]

Well, that's a relief. I can't tell you how shattered I'd be if people knew I was nice occasionally.

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

[Awfully nice of him, really. Billy lowers his hand and sips at his own glass as he recovers, swallowing hard before he trusts himself to speak again.]

Thought so. I won't say a word.

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

There's a good fanboy.

[What were you saying about nice? Tony smirks and takes another sip from his glass, emptying it.]

Now our skeletons are out of the closet, and I have a mission to set off on in the morning. [Not to mention a lady waiting at home. And he shouldn't keep the lady waiting.] You think you can make it home after that Coke? It's a doozy.

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

[Wow, that's not degrading at all...]

I'm sure I can stagger my way through a teleport somehow. [Billy smiles faintly, lifting a hand to wave him off.] Don't get killed, okay? I'd be no comfort to Pepper.

[It's said half-teasingly, but he does mean it. On both parts.]

[action; july twenty-second]

[alloys]

Don't worry, I've already promised her that. She was very persuasive.

[Not that he intended to get hurt anyway. Getting hurt really isn't one of his favorite things, even if it seems to happen a lot.]

Try not to get too wasted, Billiam.

[action; july twenty-second]

[selfhelp]

I'll give it my all.

[Psh... like he'd drink underage. His mother would find a way to travel across dimensions so she could kill him herself.]

See you when you get back.