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[madenough]

C'mon, don't leave me outta' the trainwreck. I mean, everyone else is doing it, right, princess?

Besides, it's been a while and I kinda' deserve a break after all that. I'm a little stiff and ache-y in all the wrong ways.

Comments

[madenough]

Trust me, I know all about it, pal. [ a pause. ] Tony. Uh. You know, whatever you want me to call you.

[usavatar]

She might not appreciate being called princess.

[thestarspangledman]

Maybe she should send you somewhere with friends. I'd certainly like to see you.

[madenough]

Yeah, uh, there are a lotta' you floating around here. Some of which I've had some pretty interesting conversations with--not many people can keep up with me--and some of which are only too happy to tell me what a dick dad I turn out to be. Which, you know, not too surprised about. Runs in the family and all.

[madenough]

What can I say? I like to live on the edge.

[madenough]

Oh, Steve, you make my little heart flutter.

[shootingshields]

A break from what, exactly? Though princess might not be the best choice of words to get what you want.

[madenough]

Agent Carter, after the kinda' thing she writes about me, she's lucky she gets something as fond as 'princess'.

[usavatar]

Yeah, well, these folks can pull out a lot worse than a gun, and I don't know if even you could find a way to stop some of it.

[madenough]

Oh, trust me, Steve, I've gone a few rounds with her. [ and lost miserably. ]

[shootingshields]

How fond it actually is depends on the tone you apply, Stark.

[thestarspangledman]

I'm flattered, Howard, but I'm taken. [He's grinning, though.]

Peggy'd sure love to see ya, too.

[madenough]

Glory of glories, finally. I was seriously beginning to think you'd dance around one another forever.

Sure is nice to know a guy's missed.

[madenough]

Oh, ouch, back to Stark, huh?

[usavatar]

[Wince.] Sorry to hear that.

Looks like you're ready to get back in the ring, from the sound of things.

[shootingshields]

Howard then, but the point is still the same.

[thestarspangledman]

Well, things are a little different where we are.

You'd be a lot less missed if you decided to join us on the barge. Does your young lady have anywhere she wants to send you?

[madenough]

I'd really love a drink, yeah, thanks. [ understatement of the century. ] --Still, you know, I hear you do all right for yourself. Your Pepper's a firecracker. You've got-- I mean, you work with Steve, who's a great guy. I'm.. extremely jealous of your tech, can't lie.

[madenough]

Well, you know, what can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment.

[madenough]

Well, you know, I believe in treating a lady well, but she's a sadist.

[madenough]

Heh, not that I'm aware of. Mostly I think she just gets her kicks in writing awful things and throwing me at various versions of you or my kid or Peggy or whoever.

[shootingshields]

Harsh, though I do know some of these mundanes enjoy doing rather horrible things.

[ambitious]

Princess? Has that ever actually helped your case?

SHE EVEN SHOWED ME HER TAG BEFORE POSTING IT AND HADN'T SEEN MINE OKAY

[usavatar]

[Not-very-hidden smile and a huff of laughter.] If you hadn't told me, I'd never have known.

[Speaking of punishment - ] For the record, Agent Carter and I were... Independently concerned that your mundane might take your wording badly.

[madenough]

Hey, we're Starks, right? When we fuck up, we fuck up big time. It's how we operate.

[ he downs the glass in one go, pressing it against his brow afterward and taking a deep breath. the thanks seem to startle him, though, and his brows arch. ]

Oh, uh, right. You're welcome, I guess. Pretty sure I haven't actually done it yet, though. War and all.

l m a o i see i see

[madenough]

No? Damn, I'm good, then.

I wouldn't be surprised if she had. I've got about this much-- [ he pinches his index finger and thumb together. ] --sympathy for her, though.

[madenough]

I thought that was a 'most of them'.

[madenough]

You'd be surprised. --Not with her, obviously, but I've gotta' get my punches in where I can.

[madenough]

[ a slightly uncertain laugh. ]

Ah, yeah. No offense, because I'm glad you were born and all, but I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to let me have kids.

[madenough]

Yeah, maybe. I just-- [ pouring his full. he can't handle the future right now ok. ] --I didn't, uh. I mean, you're talking to me, so I guess that at least means I was on the lower end of the scale-of-bad-fathers, right?

[ w a r y. ]

No.. screaming or.. I mean, I'm pretty sure it's not in my personality, but it's always good to check.

[madenough]

Not a lot. That I wasn't affectionate, which I pretty much expected. Not sure how to handle kids, you know? That I didn't spend much time with you, which-- again, not surprised. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a workaholic.

[like_a_gerbil]

[Steve is going to facepalm now, especially since now he he has the mental image that he really shouldn't have about his best friend's father. Even if he knew Howard first and...yeah, mentally scarred for life. Thank you, Howard.]

Be careful of those - uh - trainwrecks, Howard. Some of them are dangerous places.

[Yeah, let's focus on that instead of those mental images.]

[shootingshields]

Probably, though I was trying not to give mine any ideas.

[thestarspangledman]

Well, I don't mind that if you don't.

[fearmymartini]

[ did not need that mental picture, howard. ]

Exactly what are the right ways?

[bucky_barnes]

......do I even want to know? [Have an extremely skeptical look, Howard.]