God help them both

[toblameforit]

(from here; warning for some fairly wrong goings-on all round)

His room is on the second floor and it's really more of a suite. First through the door is a comfortable little living room containing all the essentials—squashy couch, wall-mounted plasma TV, bookshelf for Sherry, liquor cabinet for Tony, a pair of reasonably uncluttered desks side by side for the rare occasion when they both bring their laptops. One of them has been usurped by a violin case.

Comments

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

Obadiah just laughs, adjusting the arm he has around Tony to fit with Tony's moving closer.

[toblameforit]

Tony radiates smug like a smug little furnace. So he's shit at spotting lies in general, fine, yes—but there is no fooling him about how much you're enjoying yourself in bed. And in this case the answer is 'a lot', because he is awesome.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

Except for the part where Obadiah did all the work. But he's used to that when it comes to the Starks.

And this time it was exactly what he wanted.

"You're an obnoxious little shit," he tells Tony, with great fondness in his voice.

[toblameforit]

And Tony held out for three-ish hours. You can't tell him that's not awesome. Because it would be a lie.

"I know," he says, equally fond. "You love me anyway."

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

It was longer than he'd expected, he'll give Tony that.

"It'll be our little secret," Obadiah says agreeably.

[toblameforit]

"What," he teases, "that I'm an obnoxious little shit? Because I don't think we're going to have much luck keeping that one under wraps."

But the pleased little smile lurking at the corners of his mouth (and faintly audible in his voice) suggests he understood the real meaning.

Tony doesn't really think Obie loves him the way he thinks of love. Because if he did, the whole assassination thing would never have gotten off the ground. But if Tony didn't believe there was something more going on there than creepy sexual fixation, they wouldn't be here right now. And it's starting to look like he called that one right.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

"Well," Obadiah says. "Whose fault is that?"

There's no denying that he's fond of Tony. The fact that his Tony is still alive speaks clearly enough to that.

But that's a problem to be worked around. Or, if he can't find an adequate workaround, to be rectified. Most people see affection as a strength; Obadiah understands it as a weakness. He let it dictate his actions for too long with Howard.

It's not a mistake he'll be making again.

[toblameforit]

"Definitely mine," he has no problem with admitting.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

"You'd better watch it," Obadiah says, "or you'll end up being more trouble than you're worth."

It's something like good-natured teasing.

It's also true.

[toblameforit]

Tony could take that any number of ways.

He decides on: "I dunno, man, I think I'm worth a lot of trouble right now," and a quick kiss for emphasis.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

That's fine by Obadiah. He's not inclined toward another round of arguing at the moment. There are a few new ideas forming in the back of his mind; he'll bring them to light in a little while for closer examination.

"There's a surprise. When don't you?"

[toblameforit]

"When I'm not just coming down from like four hours of fantastic sex?" he suggests.

His opinion of himself is extra inflated right now! Be afraid.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

"I seem to recall I might have had something to do with that."

He'll want that shower soon, now that he's had a few minutes to get his breath back.

Obadiah has never been one for pillow talk.

[toblameforit]

"Next time," Tony says cheerfully, "you can let me do all the work for a change."

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

"We'll see."

Something to eat, too. It's a shame Milliways has always seemed to be so conspicuously lacking in room service.

[toblameforit]

"Now who's taking who for granted?"

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

Obadiah glances at Tony, then allows his gaze to wander slowly down over Tony's body.

"Hardly," he murmurs.

[toblameforit]

"See? I'm awesome."

He grins, then stretches, rolling away a little.

"Dunno about you, but I need a shower. Back in five minutes. You want me to go grab you some clean pants from Bar after I get dressed?"

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

Obadiah watches him, saying,

"No, I have a room. I keep some clothes there. I could stand to shower myself."

[toblameforit]

Tony pauses, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looks back to see where exactly he was going with that.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

Obadiah doesn't actually bother to meet his eyes. He's more interested in the marks he can already see forming on Tony's skin.

"Care to meet up for dinner after?"

He'll have his thoughts more organized again by then. Readier to pick Tony's brain a little more.

[toblameforit]

"Sure," he agrees.

[be-this-naive.livejournal.com]

"Then I'll see you there."

He waits until Tony is out of his line of sight before pulling his clothes on for the walk back to his own room.

For an evening that started out so badly, it's certainly turned into a resounding success. And not one he'll forget any time soon.