Sunnydale AU: let's try that again

[americas_son]

The Milliways vacation was, Cal thinks, exactly what they all needed. He definitely came home to discover that things seemed a lot more manageable than they had before he left for New York, and not just because Obadiah Stane will officially never be his damn problem again.

(Peter, he knows, suspects that something happened while Cal was away, but Cal calmly ignores his less-than-subtle hints for an explanation. What would he even tell Peter?

Although he does kind of love imagining the look on Peter's face if he found out exactly how far Cal was out of his reach, and for how long.)

There's more time for life beyond the household now, and so it is that Cal is resuming something resembling regular visits to the Stark residence once more.

Comments

[if_inconvenient]

"Believe me, we have always been clear on that."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I guess it's kinda hard to miss," Cal says reflectively.

[toblameforit]

"Oh, now who's ganging up on who?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I think you can take it," Cal says.

Tony's pretty tough.

[toblameforit]

He laughs.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"See," Cal says, "you're fine."

[toblameforit]

"Okay, you got me there."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal smirks.

"You know what that means," he says.

[if_inconvenient]

"A new record in subtlety. I approve."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"It means I win," Cal continues.

In fact, with Sherlock's approval, it might even mean he wins twice.

[if_inconvenient]

"And there goes the subtlety. I knew it was too good to last."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Or maybe just once. He can live with once.

"Subtlety is your job."

[if_inconvenient]

"Granted."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"So I'm sure you can do it enough for both of us."

Because why be subtle when he doesn't have to be?

[if_inconvenient]

"And for Tony, too, because heaven knows he's incapable of doing it himself."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal just laughs.

[toblameforit]

"So it's a good thing I've got you, huh?"

[if_inconvenient]

"I don't know how you ever managed without me."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Neither does Cal.

Though he doesn't actually say anything.

[toblameforit]

Cheerfully: "I had Jarvis."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal still doesn't say anything.

He's not sure this part of the conversation is actually his to join in on.

[if_inconvenient]

"And lately you have that remarkably efficient young lady," he adds, grinning. "You are surrounded by helpful people, Tony."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Helpful people and Cal.

Who, admittedly, has recently been helpful, but doesn't want to think about (or remind Tony of) what that help entailed.

So the silence from his seat continues. He looks out the window, into the mirror, to make sure Connolly is still there.

[toblameforit]

Tony snorts. "Please don't call her a young lady to her face. If she has a sense of humour, I haven't found it yet."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Connolly is there, of course.

Cal laughs at Tony's remark, looking back over at them.