Are you fucking dying, what happened? Did the ghost of christmas future spook you? Did you get more demon devil traits and you're feeling introspective?
I feel like answering that question is going to make you want to rescind the apology. Maybe whatever you're apologizing for should include you convincing your other self to take the flying purple people eater out of the FUCKING GROUP CHAT
[Which is just that. It's all Tony gets. Clint decides he needs to send Steve a text first, and when Steve suggests talking to Strange, he sends him a text, too.
[And then, after some waffling, and some conversations, Clint comes eventually out to the blacksmith, because Strange said he was there. Maybe he's gone eventually to his room, but it's not a bad place to start anyway.
Don't be weird, Tony. Just be alive and be, like, normal or something. Clint won't even be sneaky about it! Just full on approach and a wave. Do not! be weird! about things!]
[ Tony pauses his hammering for just long enough to look up and give Clint a nod. ] Hey.
[ He goes back to the homemade bullets he's fiddling with for a bit, occasionally looking up almost suspiciously at Barton. ] You... Good? You okay? [ Because Tony sure as fuck does not know how to do this not at all awkwardly. ]
I'm still as okay as I was the last time you asked. [Granted, Clint didn't really answer, but that's because he was worried what the fuck was happening with Tony. He spreads his hands.] Look. I wasn't gonna ask. [...Well-] I was going to, and then I got talked out of it. I figured we could talk some shop about making me some specialized arrows like I used to have back home.
[His hands drop.] But if you're gonna keep being weird about it, I can just start with the thing you're dancing around instead.
[ Nope he's good! ] Yyyeah I can totally make you some special arrows. [ Tony forces a chuckle. ] What'd you want? [ A beat. ] Have in mind? [ He corrects himself for no reason. ]
Gotta start with the basics. [Tony is still failing step one, but maybe if he distracts Tony with a project...] Grapple's right at the top of the list. But with this technology level, we can't go too tech-y, right? So...net, smoke bomb, cable, bola, suction cup. Basics. Flashbang feels like it could be doable even without gunpowder, but it might be good for me to dip my archer fingers in the world of magic to get some effects that normally need a little more oomph.
I can start cracking at a grapple for ya. Make the horrible death canyon a bit easier...
[ But at the mention of magic arrows, Tony pauses mid-jotting down a note of what he should work on building. ] Bet Strange'd be happy to help you out with the oomph. [ A beat. ] Ooooh...
[ He gets up from his bench holds up an index finger to tell Clint to give him a second. Then he takes a few breaths before he does a weird hand motion, one of Strange's shields appearing on each of Tony's hands. ...For about five seconds before fizzling out. ] Shield arrow would be pretty cool, you gotta admit. [ Or, fuck, portal arrow, if he could figure out how to get the sling ring's magic to integrate with something else... ]
[Well...hot damn, Strange wasn't exaggerating, Tony can do some magic. Maybe not much and maybe not for long, but honest to god magic from home. Clint nods, impressed.]
Pretty cool, just not sure what I'd do with it. Smack someone with a resounding gong? I can dabble with the experts about what kind of shit I could pull without having to clap my hands, turn around three times, and spit or whatever.
Yeah, bit of a pain in the ass to do mid-battle admittedly. [ He says with a laugh. ] But- I'll talk to some people about enchanted arrow ideas, how 'bout that? [ It feels like an absurdly normal conversation to Tony. In a way, that bothers him more.
He picks at a couple things in his workspace that he'll probably be able to turn into a grapple arrow, grabs some parchment and a pen and gets to work designing. ] C'mere. [ Considering it didn't seem like Clint was in any particular hurry to leave. ] What d'ya think? [ It was a bit more overly complicated and steampunk-y than normal, and the materials would definitely not be as high quality, but- It was a start. ]
And by some people, you mean your boyfriend. [Just saying! Just saying.]
I think we got the start of something we can work with here. [Just to ease back from the teasing to the actual meat and potatoes of work.] We don't need complicated. Honestly, if you just make a grappling hook that fits on an arrow, I can do the rest with some rope, but we can try and be a little more professional. I've got my very own blacksmith on call, right? [He shoulders Tony playfully.]
I- Mean Strange, yeah... [ A beat, he clears his throat. ] Look, it's tough out there for wizards. Market's completely oversaturated; so I'm helpin' him out with a referral or two. Sue me.
[ Tony playfully elbows him back. ] You've always had your own blacksmith on call, I just used to go by somethin' different. [ There's a smirk on his face when he follows it up with. ] But I'm the Metal Whisperer, now, don'tcha know.
Helping him out in plenty of other ways that I don't need to know about, too, I'm sure.
[He scrunches his face at the name. What. Tony.] No, you're definitely not. You might as well stay Iron Man if you're gonna have a blacksmith-y nickname. It's still so useful and evocative. Hey, you think the fairies have ever heard any Black Sabbath? [Someone get thee some bards and form a metal band. C'mon. Surely they can figure it out.
And of course it's right in the middle of the cajoling that he has to hit Tony over the head with the whammy:] I don't forgive you, you know. [And don't worry, he's going to let that sink in for a beat or three. For what it's worth, Clint doesn't look mad or upset or anything other than still kind of having a smile about Iron Man, actually. He shrugs a shoulder.] Or guess it's really more that I can't, I s'pose. Can't forgive you for something if I don't know what I'm forgiving.
[ The brief smirk on Tony's face is positively wicked, but he says nothing about all those things Clint doesn't need to know about.
Aaaand then his face falls. And keeps falling. Until Clint gets done with his explanation that he can't decipher what Tony's weird behavior is about. Okay that's- Doable. Tony can do this. ] Just- Apologizing for busting your balls so much, man. [ His too loud laugh probably makes it clear that he doesn't know how much more detail he needs to give to make this clear. He takes a big breath, and decides to just- Go for it. ] About... The king, I mean.
[Look. It's a little bit fun. Consider it his own way of ball busting, just in a way that's perhaps slightly less damaging. Clint's face freezes in stone when the actual topic is dropped. Easy smile and searching eyes turned cold and stiff.]
That's a turnaround for you. Given how much you were enjoying bringing that up at real inconvenient moments. What, you do another trade with him and decide he rubbed you the wrong way?
[Is there a word for something slotting into place and shattering all at once? There's probably a German word for it, but in spite of knowing German, he can't think of one that's quite the vibe of the mental sensation this knowledge has on him.]
You fucking-- [misread the situation??? what- how the hell did-] This entire time, you really thought I-- [was boyfriends with king fuckface, king of the fuckfaces???
Clint runs a hand over his face, then back through his hair, turns and takes a few paces away, turns and comes right back. Opens his mouth like he's going to start shouting, closes it again. Looks around, grabs Tony by the arm, drags him to a quieter corner and keeps his voice low.]
Just so we're crystal clear, do you understand the situation now? Are you sure?
[ Okay, ow buddy; the heart thing means he bruises like a banana. ] Yes, Jesus, I understand. [ Don't make him say it, man. Just don't. ] The King's a fuckin' asshole, I get it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
brandingproblem) wrote2025-03-24 12:12 pm
no subject
Look we both said things while high as kites. Whatever you said that was so egregious, I'm sure it's nothing but water under the bridge.
no subject
[ Tony what are you even trying to do. ]
just
never mind
point is, i owe you a tattoo
[ And the king was owed a damn good punch in the face. ]
no subject
Are you okay?
no subject
Oh don't worry about me, I'm fine.
Are YOU okay?
no subject
no subject
no subject
Do I need to come find you?
no subject
RELAX. I'm not about to shoot myself in the head with one of my gauntlets, it's fine.
Unless you WANNA come find me, I guess?
no subject
[Which is just that. It's all Tony gets. Clint decides he needs to send Steve a text first, and when Steve suggests talking to Strange, he sends him a text, too.
Yeah, this is going to be a Thing.]
-> action
Don't be weird, Tony. Just be alive and be, like, normal or something. Clint won't even be sneaky about it! Just full on approach and a wave. Do not! be weird! about things!]
no subject
[ He goes back to the homemade bullets he's fiddling with for a bit, occasionally looking up almost suspiciously at Barton. ] You... Good? You okay? [ Because Tony sure as fuck does not know how to do this not at all awkwardly. ]
no subject
I'm still as okay as I was the last time you asked. [Granted, Clint didn't really answer, but that's because he was worried what the fuck was happening with Tony. He spreads his hands.] Look. I wasn't gonna ask. [...Well-] I was going to, and then I got talked out of it. I figured we could talk some shop about making me some specialized arrows like I used to have back home.
[His hands drop.] But if you're gonna keep being weird about it, I can just start with the thing you're dancing around instead.
no subject
no subject
no subject
[ But at the mention of magic arrows, Tony pauses mid-jotting down a note of what he should work on building. ] Bet Strange'd be happy to help you out with the oomph. [ A beat. ] Ooooh...
[ He gets up from his bench holds up an index finger to tell Clint to give him a second. Then he takes a few breaths before he does a weird hand motion, one of Strange's shields appearing on each of Tony's hands. ...For about five seconds before fizzling out. ] Shield arrow would be pretty cool, you gotta admit. [ Or, fuck, portal arrow, if he could figure out how to get the sling ring's magic to integrate with something else... ]
no subject
Pretty cool, just not sure what I'd do with it. Smack someone with a resounding gong? I can dabble with the experts about what kind of shit I could pull without having to clap my hands, turn around three times, and spit or whatever.
no subject
He picks at a couple things in his workspace that he'll probably be able to turn into a grapple arrow, grabs some parchment and a pen and gets to work designing. ] C'mere. [ Considering it didn't seem like Clint was in any particular hurry to leave. ] What d'ya think? [ It was a bit more overly complicated and steampunk-y than normal, and the materials would definitely not be as high quality, but- It was a start. ]
no subject
I think we got the start of something we can work with here. [Just to ease back from the teasing to the actual meat and potatoes of work.] We don't need complicated. Honestly, if you just make a grappling hook that fits on an arrow, I can do the rest with some rope, but we can try and be a little more professional. I've got my very own blacksmith on call, right? [He shoulders Tony playfully.]
no subject
[ Tony playfully elbows him back. ] You've always had your own blacksmith on call, I just used to go by somethin' different. [ There's a smirk on his face when he follows it up with. ] But I'm the Metal Whisperer, now, don'tcha know.
no subject
[He scrunches his face at the name. What. Tony.] No, you're definitely not. You might as well stay Iron Man if you're gonna have a blacksmith-y nickname. It's still so useful and evocative. Hey, you think the fairies have ever heard any Black Sabbath? [Someone get thee some bards and form a metal band. C'mon. Surely they can figure it out.
And of course it's right in the middle of the cajoling that he has to hit Tony over the head with the whammy:] I don't forgive you, you know. [And don't worry, he's going to let that sink in for a beat or three. For what it's worth, Clint doesn't look mad or upset or anything other than still kind of having a smile about Iron Man, actually. He shrugs a shoulder.] Or guess it's really more that I can't, I s'pose. Can't forgive you for something if I don't know what I'm forgiving.
no subject
Aaaand then his face falls. And keeps falling. Until Clint gets done with his explanation that he can't decipher what Tony's weird behavior is about. Okay that's- Doable. Tony can do this. ] Just- Apologizing for busting your balls so much, man. [ His too loud laugh probably makes it clear that he doesn't know how much more detail he needs to give to make this clear. He takes a big breath, and decides to just- Go for it. ] About... The king, I mean.
no subject
That's a turnaround for you. Given how much you were enjoying bringing that up at real inconvenient moments. What, you do another trade with him and decide he rubbed you the wrong way?
no subject
Assholeassholeassholeasshole. Dickheaddickheaddickheaddickhead. ]
no subject
You fucking-- [misread the situation??? what- how the hell did-] This entire time, you really thought I-- [was boyfriends with king fuckface, king of the fuckfaces???
Clint runs a hand over his face, then back through his hair, turns and takes a few paces away, turns and comes right back. Opens his mouth like he's going to start shouting, closes it again. Looks around, grabs Tony by the arm, drags him to a quieter corner and keeps his voice low.]
Just so we're crystal clear, do you understand the situation now? Are you sure?
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)