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

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal will not be telling Peter about this conversation ever, thank you very much.

[if_inconvenient]

And Sherlock will just be over here, giggling.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

". . . Anyway," Cal says after a moment, trying to ignore Sherlock. "I'm sure Peter told you we weren't expecting trouble from the same source anymore, but I, uh. Just wanted to doublecheck."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

Connolly immediately resumes his professionalism.

"Yes, sir," he says. "Standard operating procedure is in place."

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock's giggles vanish as quickly as that.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods.

"Okay," he says. He and Connolly exchange a couple more brief remarks, then Connolly returns to the security vehicle.

And Cal, who had been trying to be considerate, finally lights his cigarette.

[if_inconvenient]

Aww.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal gives him a narrow look.

"What?"

[if_inconvenient]

"I? I said nothing."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, don't give me that."

Like Sherlock even has to say anything.

[if_inconvenient]

"I think it was very considerate of you to wait until he had gone away."

Look, he didn't even use the word 'adorable'. Does he get a cookie now?

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Some people have manners."

And other people imply that they are going to have threesomes with a person's employees.

[if_inconvenient]

"Bloody useless things. Never seen the point in them."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal blows some smoke upwards.

"Yeah, I know," he says. The glance he gives Sherlock this time is more on the wry side.

[if_inconvenient]

He grins unrepentantly.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal rolls his eyes, but smiles as he does so.

[if_inconvenient]

"I'll see you inside, then, shall I? Someone ought to keep an eye on Tony."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, okay," Cal says with a nod. "I'll be in in a minute."

[if_inconvenient]

Demonstrating his opinion of manners, Sherlock heads into the building without another word.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Technically, it's a little closer to five minutes before Cal makes his way inside and is directed to their table.

[if_inconvenient]

Somehow, they have ended up by a window that gives Sherlock a good view of the parking lot.

[toblameforit]

"Hi, Cal," says Tony. "We're arguing about classic rock. Syd Barrett: yes or no?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal chooses a seat at the table that mostly keeps him from having his back to the restaurant. He's gotten into that habit from going to Milliways - not necessarily out of paranoia, but just because you never know what you might see.

"Who?" he asks, reaching for a menu. Cal's knowledge of classic rock is as follows:

Old people listen to it. And some of the songs are really, really long.

[toblameforit]

Tony grins.

"Kids these days. No appreciation for the good stuff."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal laughs.

"Okay, Grandpa," he says.