ironmonger | (no subject)

He wears them, in Obadiah's considered opinion, even better than Sherlock does. Obadiah carefully reminds himself that they are trying to be discreet downstairs. It would be just like Milliways to arrange for Howard to come around the corner at the same moment Obadiah pulled his son down for a kiss.

"Mm. That we do."

Tony makes a face that is full of question marks.

"There have been a few difficulties with my Tony in the past few days," Obadiah tells him. "I considered locking him up for his own protection, and Sherlock suggested that I discuss that with you."

"...Sherry, you're an asshole," he says with great fondness.

But the more important part is: "What happened to other-me?"

"He was kidnapped," Obadiah says. "Don't worry, we got him back. He's fine."

More or less.

"...Fine as in actually fine or fine as in it doesn't show until you count the empty bottles?"

"Fine as in all in one piece and not dead," Obadiah says. "The rest of it . . ."

He shrugs slightly.

"We're dealing with it. I'm staying at their house tonight and probably for the next few days."

"Yeah. Good. —Except that Sherry probably hates you, so less good."

He sighs, wistfully contemplating what it might be like if everything wasn't so complicated, and slides into Obie's lap to give him a hug. Because sometimes you just have to.

He wraps his arms around Tony.

"We're getting along a little better now," he says.

"...I hope," he says consideringly, "for both your sakes, that getting along better doesn't mean fucking."

Because that would end in death and trauma respectively, he's pretty sure.

He laughs, leaning his head briefly against Tony's shoulder.

"No," he says. "That is definitely not in the cards."

"Well, good. Because that would be a really bad idea."

(Some part of him, some part that operates largely below the conscious level, has decided not to mention that the second likeliest reason for a different Sherry to get in bed with Obadiah Stane would be to ensure he never got out of it again.

The first likeliest reason, of course, would be to see what would happen.)

"It really would," he agrees. "But I'm not interested. He has a lot of growing up to do."

He glances over at the Sherlock who is actually present.

"Sunnydale's been good for him," he tells Tony.

Tony looks at Sherry, too.

He smiles benevolently at them both.

Obadiah snorts.

"To an extent."

"Shall I leave you two to catch up, or would you in fact rather I accompanied you?"

...Tony, remembering what it was they were going to catch up on, looks speculative all of a sudden.

"I suppose," Obadiah says, "that depends on how much of a tease you feel like being."

His tone is light, but his eyes - watching Tony - are thoughtful.

"I? I never promise anything I do not intend to deliver."

Beat.

"Except perhaps by request."

"...I vote all three of us go up to my room," says Tony, just a touch distractedly. "And talk."

"I'll second that."

The hint of distraction in Tony's voice is very promising.

"Sherlock?"

"Oh, absolutely."

He gets to his feet, comes forward, and gives Tony a quick kiss.

Does it have to be quick?

Obadiah doesn't mind if they take their time.