[Nightlight]

[seeagreatergood]

So things got awkward and Auggie moved his stuff back out of the Stark household into Milliways.

And he's been totally fine with it. Honestly. It's been kind of a relief not to have to keep such a close eye on himself the last three or four days. Milliways is kind of anxiety-inducing, but less anxiety inducing than living in a house with those two young men.

Of course, he misses the easy camaraderie. But it's not like this is the first time he valued safety over friendship.

Comments

[toblameforit]

"Damn, 'cause that's my best trick. Oh well. Some other time."

[seeagreatergood]

That gets a little more of a smile out of him, even if it's brief.

"I should talk to Sherlock."

[toblameforit]

"You should talk to him with me there," he suggests, "so you don't keep biting each other's heads off."

[seeagreatergood]

He rubs his face. Apparently he's going to feel guilty about that for a while. Good to know.

"Yeah. Good plan."

[toblameforit]

"It'll be okay. He's not mad at you either."

[seeagreatergood]

"Why on Earth not?"

[toblameforit]

"Because he knows why you're so freaked out and it's nice of you even if you're being an asshole about it?"

[seeagreatergood]

He snorts.

"Ah. Thanks."

[toblameforit]

"It really is," Tony says earnestly. "It's just... we really are okay, we really can take care of ourselves, and it'd be nice if you noticed."

[seeagreatergood]

". . . Yeah. I'll try to be better about noticing." He rubs a hand over his face. "It won't be easy, but I'll try."

[toblameforit]

"Best I can ask for."

He reaches over and rests his hand on Auggie's shoulder for a moment.

[seeagreatergood]

"I'm not sorry that I worry about you guys, though."

[toblameforit]

"You can worry if you want," he says generously. "Just give us a little credit, okay?"

[seeagreatergood]

"Yeah. I'll work on that."

[toblameforit]

"Okay."

And that's that.

"Should I leave you alone to get drunk now?"

[seeagreatergood]

He blows out a breath. "Probably."

[toblameforit]

Tony unfolds himself up off the couch.



He hesitates for a moment.



Then he leans over for one last quick hug, resting his cheek against the top of Auggie's head.

[seeagreatergood]

Those kinds of seated-standing hugs are always a little awkward.

Auggie hesitates, then hugs back, quick and firm and careful to keep his hands in innocuous places.

"I'll be fine. Go take care of Sherlock."

[toblameforit]

"'Kay. Bye," he says, and steps away.