ironmonger | (no subject)

(no subject)

Milliways's appearance on the other side of the bathroom door is unexpected, but more acceptable than it would have been fifteen minutes ago. Obadiah is fresh from a shower, his sleeves worn just a little longer than usual. His business in the room he was using is concluded, and he doesn't see why he can't get a drink before he goes home.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Good," Obadiah murmurs, stroking a bit more firmly. "So do I."

He likes very much that Tony likes it. Almost as much as he likes the prospect of really getting to do it.

Any further thoughts he might have been about to voice trail off into contented humming.

"How do you feel about breathplay?"

He can guess. He's seen the evidence of Tony's thoughts on the subject for himself. But he wants to hear Tony say it.

"I like it," he says readily.

(The memory that pops into his head is of Sherry with handprints on his throat, the size and shape of them so clear even Tony could see who it was, would have known even if Sherry hadn't told him. But—it's okay. It has to be.

God, he wishes they hadn't done that.)

"Good," Obadiah says again. "Maybe I'll leave that on the list, then."

Maybe.

(There's no "maybe" about it. He can even remember to be careful. It will be easier, in its way, than it was with Sherlock. He didn't care much about what Sherlock enjoyed.)

Whatever he thinks about Sherry, this is perfectly true: "I hope it's on the list."

Obadiah just smiles.

"Hell of a list so far," he muses, thinking back.

"And it's fine if you surprise me with something, too." Now that they've each got an idea of what lines the other thinks along. "As long as it's not, I dunno, something else that's as big a deal as breathplay and guns. Those we talk about first."

"Of course," Obadiah says readily.

"Believe me, I'll have plenty of little surprises for you."

"Good."

Tony grins. Yeah, he's getting good feelings about this.

Obadiah smiles as well, though perhaps a bit distractedly. The list of possible surprises is varied and of great interest.

Okay. As delightful as it is to just snuggle up and enjoy the anticipation, there are two more things they need to talk about.

Tony reaches for his drink.

Obadiah glances at him, attention drawn by the movement.

He meets the glance with a wry little smile.

"We need a safeword," he says, because that's the easy part.

"Of course," Obadiah says agreeably. "Anything particular in mind?"

He puts his empty glass down.

—It's obvious as soon as he gives it a moment's thought, but oh God, he's going to have to explain. Tony giggles.

Obadiah looks at him expectantly, smiling a little.

"Obadiah," he says.

"It's how it works with Sherry. We use each other's full first names, 'cause we never say 'em otherwise."

Obadiah considers this. It's less obscurely obnoxious than Sherlock's choice had been, at least.

"I can't remember the last time I heard you call me that," he observes. (The last time he heard either Tony call him that.) "All right. And I'll see to it that the cuffs are arranged so you can knock on the headboard if you can't speak."

"'Kay."

Well, that was easy. As predicted.

Now the other thing.

He takes a gulp of whiskey and thinks about how to say it.

Obadiah can feel him thinking.

He waits.

He unwraps his arm from around Obadiah to hold the glass in both hands, resettles himself to lean more comfortably on Obadiah's shoulder, closes his eyes, and takes another drink.

"It's gonna be pretty intense for me," he starts, more hesitant than a Stark ought to be capable of.

Obadiah tightens his arm reassuringly around Tony.

"Of course," he murmurs.

"And... I'm gonna need you take care of me afterward."

There. He said it.

"Like—I don't know. Be there. Be... safe. Probably let me cry on you a little."

He's trying not to ask for things Obie can't give him, but this would be so much easier with Sherry. With Sherry he'd just say, love me?, and Sherry would say Always, and that would be that.

"Of course," Obadiah says again. He'd already realized that the shower's that way, don't let me keep you is not going to be an appropriate strategy here. He's more than willing to put in the extra time afterward; it seems like a small price to pay.

He kisses the top of Tony's head. "Whatever you need."