[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]

"It comes from loving him," Tony says quietly. "It comes from knowing he loves me. I know I can't trust him the same way I trust other people, but we're okay, I swear we are."

[seeagreatergood]

"How long has this been going on? Since before you met me, I'm guessing."

[toblameforit]

"Like a couple months before, I think," he says, trying to remember.

[seeagreatergood]

"And you've felt safe. The whole time. Honestly safe."

[toblameforit]

"Yeah, or I wouldn't have done it. I mean, if it comes to it either one of us could probably kick his ass, and I didn't start getting kinky with him until I really knew he was okay."

[seeagreatergood]

"Jesus."

He rubs his eyes again.

"I see."

[toblameforit]

"Do you actually get it or are you just saying that?"

[seeagreatergood]

Rather clipped: "I understand the facts of the situation."

[toblameforit]

He sighs, comes around to the front of the couch, and sits.

Plaintively: "Now can I hug you?"

[seeagreatergood]

"Yeah." He sighs, shoulders slumping. "I guess so."

[toblameforit]

Tony scoots closer, wraps his arms around Auggie, and very gently leans on him.

[seeagreatergood]

Auggie doesn't reciprocate, exactly. He's still keeping his hands to himself, resting on his knees now.

But he does lean back, a little.

[toblameforit]

He lets out a breath, and all his tension with it.

"I'm not mad at you," he says, nestling his head on Auggie's shoulder. "I know how it looks. I just... I wish I could make you and Sherry okay."

[seeagreatergood]

"Yeah. Well. So do I."

[toblameforit]

"I'll help you figure it out," he offers. "I'm good at Sherry."

[seeagreatergood]

He sighs, straightening up and reaching for his tequila, dislodging Tony's arms a little in the process.

[toblameforit]

"You want me to get drunk with you, too?"

[seeagreatergood]

"--Jesus, Tony, no." He puts the glass back down with a clink and feels tequila slop onto his hand. "I already feel like I'm taking advantage of you -- if I gave you alcohol as well I might as well just go down and turn myself into Security for sexual misconduct."

[toblameforit]

"...I'm not going to fuck you while you're trashed, are you kidding me?"

[seeagreatergood]

"Well good!"

. . . That was slightly ridiculous and he knows it.

[toblameforit]

Tony giggles.

[seeagreatergood]

"Oh, shut up," Auggie complains.

[toblameforit]

"I love you," he says fondly.

[seeagreatergood]

"I know." He closes his eyes. "You know how much harder that makes this whole shitstorm?"

[toblameforit]

"It doesn't have to be a shitstorm," he murmurs. "It can just be I love you."