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]

"So you've said. Repeatedly. Against all evidence."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Evidence is your thing," Cal points out. "Not mine."

[if_inconvenient]

"Evidence is of universal benefit."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal does know perfectly well that this is an argument he can never, ever win, nor does he want to, but he keeps right on going anyway. What else are they going to do on the way to Modesto?

"I'm not trying to put anyone in jail," he says. "I'm just explaining to Tony that he's wrong."

[if_inconvenient]

"Someone is certainly wrong here."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"It's Tony," Cal says.

Helpfully.

[toblameforit]

"Is not."

Not that he even remembers what they're arguing about anymore.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Is - so wrong."

He just narrowly avoided the is too there.

[toblameforit]

"Are we actually going to do this all the way to Modesto?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"If you'd stop being wrong, we wouldn't have to."

You're bringing it on yourself, Tony.

[toblameforit]

"I honestly do not even remember what you think I'm wrong about."

Beat.

"But I'm right about it."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal laughs.

"No, dude," he says. "You're not."

[toblameforit]

"I so am."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Nope."

(. . . are they gonna do this all the way to Modesto?)

[toblameforit]

"Oh, you know I'm right."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Not only are you not right, you're also wrong about being right."

Because if they are, they may as well do it right.

[toblameforit]

"You are wrong about how much sense that made. If you think it made any. Because it doesn't."

[if_inconvenient]

"The standard of discourse in this car is astonishing to behold."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"It's not my fault you guys can't keep up with me."

The affectation of loftiness he tries to put on is kind of ruined by the fact that he's starting to laugh.

[if_inconvenient]

"You'll need a little more arrogance to make that sort of statement work for you."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Then I'll hang out with you guys until I get it right," is the prompt response.

[toblameforit]

"See, now you're getting the picture."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"- well, even you have to be right sometimes."

A stopped clock is twice a day!

Or once, on military time. But it still counts.

[toblameforit]

"See? And I'm right about that other thing I don't remember, too."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Nope," Cal says. "Sorry.

"Nice try, though."