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]

"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.

[toblameforit]

"If you really wanna know who we're talking about, I'm sure Sherry can tell you all about him."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Tony makes that sound like so much fun.

"You know, I'm not really that curious."

[if_inconvenient]

"He was actually quite fascinating. Founding member of Pink Floyd; lost his mind and left in roughly that order. Tony thinks his music makes no sense."

[toblameforit]

"Because it doesn't. At all. And it makes even less sense when you play it on the violin, yes, I do pay attention sometimes."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal closes his menu.

"Music's supposed to make sense?" He is kind of lost.

[if_inconvenient]

"You see?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"- Okay."

Cal looks hopefully for their waitperson.

[toblameforit]

"There's making no sense and then there's making no sense," says Tony, unhelpfully.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

". . . Guess which one you're doing," Cal suggests.

[toblameforit]

"The first one?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Oh, no," Sherlock contributes. "Definitely the second."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'm gonna go with Sherlock on this one."

When in doubt.

[if_inconvenient]

He laughs.

[toblameforit]

"You're both assholes."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"That's why you like us so much."

Oh, here's their waiter! He is ready to take their orders.

[toblameforit]

Good thing Tony is not busy giggling. In contrast to some people at this table.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Sorry," Cal says dryly, "we don't let him out in public very often."

The waiter chuckles gamely.