[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

[seeagreatergood]

"Who's this forty-five year old who's beating you?"

[if_inconvenient]

"If you want to know, I will tell you the whole story. You won't like parts of it. The important part is that we love him and he would not hurt us in any way we didn't want."

[seeagreatergood]

"Are you sure about that?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes. I don't trust him the way I trust you. He is not... he is not nice. But he can be very sweet, after a fashion, and I understand him well enough to know that he is safe."

[seeagreatergood]

Well that makes him feel great.

He smiles, very faintly. "I'm 'nice'?"

[if_inconvenient]

"By comparison, certainly. But also on your own merits."

[seeagreatergood]

"Sweet of you."

[if_inconvenient]

"As Tony would say, I tell it like I see it." He shrugs. "Do you want the rest of the story?"

[seeagreatergood]

"Yes. What are the parts I won't like?"

[if_inconvenient]

Clearly and unapologetically:

"His name is Obadiah Stane."

[seeagreatergood]

"--Jesus Christ," he says, straightening, "the guy who had your parents killed? The guy who tried to have Tony assassinated? You're fucking him?"

[if_inconvenient]

"The man who had Tony's parents killed, yes. But this one never tried to assassinate Tony. He is from a very different universe, and he is not the same person we knew."

[seeagreatergood]

"Did he have Tony's parents killed?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes. And Tony has forgiven him for it."

[seeagreatergood]

Auggie makes an incredulous face.

[if_inconvenient]

"You are surprised? He is Tony," Sherlock says, as though it explains everything.

"And he fell in love along the way."

[seeagreatergood]

He groans.

"You're giving me serious doubts about his taste. Yours, too."

[if_inconvenient]

"He has made sacrifices for the Tony in his world," Sherlock says quietly. "In his own way, he loves them both a little. Our Obadiah never did."

[seeagreatergood]

"Do you think that makes him safe?"

[if_inconvenient]

"It is one of the things that does. He has no reason to hurt Tony—either Tony. He has what he wants. He wanted the company; he has it. He wanted Tony; he has more of Tony than he could ever deserve, and a little of me into the bargain. And he is handling it admirably, because he wants Tony happy."

[seeagreatergood]

"Guys who hurt people for personal gain will find reasons to do it again."

[if_inconvenient]

"As my current collection of bruises will attest, Obadiah is not lacking for opportunities to hurt people. He does not mind that we like it; in fact he finds it gratifying. Can you trust me when I say that I know what powers the machinery of his mind, and if he becomes a danger to us, I will take appropriate steps?"

[seeagreatergood]

"I don't really have a choice about trusting you," Auggie comments, not a little frustrated. "There's fuck-all I can do about the situation."

[if_inconvenient]

"You certainly do have a choice. Your choice will not affect what I do with Obadiah, but I think it will affect what you do with me."

[seeagreatergood]

"Jesus." He rubs his forehead.

"I'm not about to stop hanging out with you guys, if that's what you're implying."

On the contrary. That little bombshell might convince him to move back in with them, for what little good he can do to keep them safe.