welp.

[debts]

—and we're back.

I don't think anybody's surprised.

Comments

[ex_starks385]

What's that old saying? Curiosity killed the assassin in the catsuit, but — uh, satisfaction brought her back?

[debts]

[ Natasha doesn't as so much blink. Because she's playing up the scary factor. Because. Tony Stark. ]

My satisfactions don't tend to be bloodless.

[ex_starks385]

Okay, was the whole point of that to sound like something straight out of my sexiest nightmare, because — hey, job well done.

[debts]

It's good to know I haven't lost my touch.

[ex_starks385]

Considering your touch comes with both bruises and several years' worth of a finely-honed ass-kicking arsenal? Yeah, gonna go out on a limb here and say you're still gold there, Ponyboy.

[hulk]

Or that unhappy, either. Least as far as I'd think.

[seem]

They always come back.

[ Petyr pauses, the line of his mouth briefly twisting in a resigned sort of expression. ]

Sometimes it takes more time, sometimes it takes less, but the principle holds.

[debts]

[ Dryly. Like, dry as the sahara desert, dry: ]

Any other requests?

[debts]

I think you're a little biased.

[debts]

So it does.

[ The cut of her mouth isn't a mirror of his own, but it's a close thing. ]

I hope you're doing well, Petyr.

[ex_starks385]

So far, no. Give me about five minutes and a latte and that's never far out of the realm of possibility.

For the record? Welcome back, Red. [ That's Tony for 'you've been missed'. No bromo. ]

[seem]

You're too kind.

[ Still, he smiles, ducking his head once in something like acknowledgment. ]

As well as one can in relative solitude. This sort of listlessness ill suits me but, as you know, these are matters in which we have precious little say.

And yourself?

[debts]

[ Natasha's not a bodily speaker. But, for Petyr, she tips her chin a little, the expression akin to I'm trying to figure it out. ]

I'm not sure yet. Seeing the world, maybe. [ A beat, then she allows: ] Or saving it.

[hulk]

Well. Maybe some things are worth losing objectivity over.

[debts]

[ Please, like she'd ever show an ounce of personality in Tony Stark's immediate line of sight. That would be tantamount to admitting he's tolerable. ]

I'm glad to be back, I think. Not a lot to do.

[debts]

[ Her smile, slow as it is to come, is at least soft around the edges. ]

Are you enjoying vacation?

[seem]

Saving the world, [ he repeats, and one gets the impression that, were he talking to anybody else, the words would sound sarcastic. ]

That's quite magnanimous of you.

[debts]

[ She huffs out a laugh; small, quiet, bare. ]

I keep getting roped into it, if you'd believe that.

[hulk]

[ A shrug, darned and extremely well-worn. ]

Not sure if "enjoy" is the right word. Too much time with too little work, it's never really gone and appealed that much.

[debts]

At least she's enjoying herself, [ Natasha points out, easy as anything. ]

I think we have an outstanding date, with how I've been gone.

[hulk]

True, and. You know I'm not begrudging her that - if everybody were going to be like, well. Me... Would be slightly problematic.

[ Bruce is only slightly self-conscious as he smiles, shoulders curving in around it to keep too many people from seeing. ] Look at that. My calendar's clear.

[debts]

Or maybe I cancelled everything you had beforehand so you'd have the time.

[ It's a joke, though, despite how well she sells it, her smile fleeting but honest. ]

We'll find something fun.

[seem]

[ Gently: ] I have heard tales of dragons, of women and men being brought back from the dead — I'm rather inclined to believe what you tell me.

[debts]

[ That, in turn, makes Natasha smile again. ]

Not many people would believe me that easily.

[seem]

I'm a soft touch.

[ Or rather, they lie to other people and to themselves with every breath, and in that recognition, there is a special; it's mutual recognition of the fact that affords them some semblance of honesty or trust. ]