video | un: iron.man

[buildsomething]

[The video opens on a very nice view of a warehouse ceiling, at least until there's a muffled curse offscreen and it tilts to reveal one Tony Stark. He's practically vibrating with the kind of manic energy that means he's been working for possibly too long, all hair standing on end and a few dark smudges on his face, but he looks pleased at least. Just behind him is a glowing blue hologram picking out the lines of something circular, spinning lazily like it was hurriedly abandoned.]

So hey, you all know those power plants out there in yonder abandoned wasteland? Sure you do. I know there's one working, but I've got some ideas for how to give the other ones a good kick. Thing is, I could use an extra hand.

[The metal arm that's been slowly rolling along behind him suddenly straightens and twists in Tony's direction, claw at the front contracting. Without looking back, Tony just snorts.] Not you. [The arm droops, somehow giving the impression of looking disappointed, but continues his trek to wherever he thinks he's going.]

Anyway, yes. Manpower needed. Preferably the kind that knows it's way around a welding iron, but I'll take what I can get. Oh, and a metric shitload of palladium. So if anybody's got a spare catalytic converter or twenty, let me know.

[He reaches for the phone, then pauses, something slightly sardonic flicking across his mouth.]

Or if one of you magic types wants to straw-into-gold me up some, I'll take that too.

Thanks in advance.

[Looking much more satisfied, he reaches the rest of the way to cut the feed.]

Comments

[livingsymbol]

I don't know.

[There seems to be a lot he doesn't know about all of them.]

Maybe you'll tell me.

>private

[buildsomething]

Ookay, is something up? You're sounding a little dramatic there.

>private

[livingsymbol]

Dramatic?

[That's different.]

Is it that weird to ask how you are? You look like you haven't slept in days, by the way.

[buildsomething]

I've been busy.

[He'd assume that would be something Steve is used to. He isn't that different from the other Stark.]

I don't know, usually when you start going on about people not telling you things, there's an implied lecture in there somewhere.

[livingsymbol]

Well, maybe people should tell me things and not leave them buried.

[Yup, that's Tony all right. He always finds a way to dig under Steve's skin.]

I was asking a simple question, that's all. You don't have something to hide, do you, Tony?

[buildsomething]

[This conversation took a left turn somewhere, and Tony's not entirely sure how.]

No seriously, I'm fine. I'm working. What more do you need?

[He's always happier when he's working. The concerning part is that it took him this long to get there.]

[livingsymbol]

Uh-huh.

[Tony and his obsession with work is pretty normal, but Steve doesn't appreciate being called out. Naturally, he's going to be sour now.]

So you're just fine. When did you last eat?

[buildsomething]

[Whoops, triggered cranky mother hen Cap. Tony resists the urge to sigh.]

Sam is coming over to feed me, at ease.

[He does pause to peer at the video, though.]

While we're on the subject of not hiding things, you sure you're okay?

[livingsymbol]

[He bristles, both at Tony's teasing about his concern and the question that follows. Of course Tony is deflecting and jabbing at him for pushing too close.

He frowns, jaw stiff.]

I don't know what you mean.

[buildsomething]

[Well this is going splendidly. And to think he had actually been in a good mood. Tony puts his hands up defensively. Not like he has any right comment about someone not wanting to talk.]

Alright, sorry. You want to come over and see what I'm working on?

[The best kind of olive branch he knows how to give.]

[livingsymbol]

[The apology is strange, cooling the flash of defensive irritation and reminding Steve that he's not on great terms with the Avengers in the city. It drives home how off step he is, and he looks away, letting go of the annoyance with a kind of defeat.]

Is that all right? I don't want to impose.

[buildsomething]

Just invited you, didn't I?

[He shrugs a little.] You don't have to, just figured it might be easier to show you.

[livingsymbol]

[Tony is a lot like another drama queen he knows. Steve smiles a little.]

I'd love to see what you're working on. Should I bring anything? If you're planning on putting me to work, I want to be prepared.

[buildsomething]

[Tony just shrugs, though he looks almost indefinably pleased that Steve seems less cranky already.]

Nah. The real work won't be for a while yet. I'm still in the planning stage.

[livingsymbol]

[Being included goes a long way to making Steve happy, even when he tries to deny it. He appreciates those gestures that make him feel less lonely, holding onto them because he knows how quickly they get lost.]

All right. You'll need to explain it to me, but I like to see you work.

[buildsomething]

I'll try. [No offense meant, Tony's just well aware he's not always the best at explaining things.] Just let me know when you're swinging by.

[livingsymbol]

[Considering Steve is not an engineer, he's not that surprised by Tony's response.]

Break it down for me. I'll be by this afternoon. Unless you'd rather I give you more time?

[ You know, in case that was a subtle hint earlier and Tony and Sam are having a work date. ]

[buildsomething]

Sam's supposed to be coming over to feed and water me, so maybe later? Or whenever, really. Not like I'm going to be anywhere else.

[It's pretty much an open invitation, when he says it like that.]

[livingsymbol]

[Aha. Sometimes he does pick up the hints.]

Tomorrow, then? I won't make it too early.

[buildsomething]

Sure, sounds good. JARVIS'll let you in if I don't hear it.

[Or if he's, you know, sleeping or something. It could happen.]

[livingsymbol]

Jarvis will?

[Wait, he thought this Tony only had robots.]

[buildsomething]

Yeah? [He blinks at Steve's confused look.] He can control the lock and everything.

[livingsymbol]

[And the confusion only gets stronger when Tony acts like this is something he should know.]

When did he get here? I haven't seen him around.

[buildsomething]

[His eyebrows lift slightly.]

He's an AI, Steve, what exactly would you be seeing?

[livingsymbol]

An- You have an AI named after your-

[Wait, wait, maybe this is all just a coincidence.]

Did you know a man named Jarvis at one point?

[Subtle.]