[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

[if_inconvenient]

And Sherlock, sprawled out with his eyes closed and his head in Tony's lap, is occupying the rest.

[seeagreatergood]

It turns out the gym in Milliways is pretty well set up, and working out has always been more effective at clearing out Auggie's head than alcohol. And he's needed the head-clearing.

He's sweaty and disheveled but in a good mood as he comes into the bar proper, laser cane in hand. His path to the bar will take him right past the couches and armchairs by the fire.

[toblameforit]

He looks up from running his fingers through Sherry's hair as Auggie passes.

"Auggie! Hey!"

[seeagreatergood]

He halts, turning.

"Hey, Tony."

[toblameforit]

"What's up? You wanna come sit with us?"

[seeagreatergood]

"Hey, Sherlock," Auggie adds.

"Yeah, uh -- let me get something to drink from Bar, okay?"

[toblameforit]

"Sure thing."

[seeagreatergood]

Which conveniently gives him a minute or two to figure out how to start this conversation, while he orders a protein shake.

By the time he comes back, the only things he's really managed to decide on are an apology and the same question he asked Tony. Beyond that, he's playing this by ear.

"Hey," as he returns, "point me towards an empty chair?"

[toblameforit]

"Coming up on your ten," says Tony.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock remains quiet.

[seeagreatergood]

He finds the chair, pulls it a little closer, and has a seat.

". . . Sherlock, you there?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes," he murmurs. "I'm being terribly rude, I know, but making noise requires moving and I can't be bothered."

[toblameforit]

"It's my fault," Tony explains cheerfully, "I'm the one snuggling him."

[seeagreatergood]

"'Sokay. I just don't want to start apologizing to you if you're not actually here to hear it."

[if_inconvenient]

"You may be sure that I am."

[seeagreatergood]

"Okay."

He takes a breath. This isn't easy. It needs to be done, but it's not fun.

"I'm sorry. I was an asshole. I'm still having trouble figuring out which parts were the most dickish, so I'm just going to apologize for the whole conversation."

[if_inconvenient]

"Well. Thank you," he says. "You are forgiven."

[seeagreatergood]

He raises his eyebrows.

". . . Thanks."

[if_inconvenient]

"But sometime when you are feeling less awful about it I would like to hear an accounting of all the things you think you did wrong, so that we know where we stand."

[seeagreatergood]

"Yeah, cataloging that is not going to make me feel less awful more quickly."

[if_inconvenient]

"Hence why I would rather wait, yes."

[seeagreatergood]

"Right. Okay."

He rubs his forehead.

"I'll tell you what I told Tony now, though. I'm not sorry for worrying about you. I am sorry for implying you can't take care of yourselves."

[if_inconvenient]

"That is all right, then. You understand the important part."

[seeagreatergood]

"Okay. Good."

He doesn't like feeling like an idiot for only understanding the important part, and maybe it shows a little in the tension in his shoulders, but he firmly puts that thought aside. Not helpful. He's putting Sherlock at his ease at the moment and if that means getting his ego bruised, he'll just have to deal.

[if_inconvenient]

Softly: "Is that the end of it?"