ironmonger | (no subject)

"Christ, from you two? Surprise me," he says with a lazy grin. "Shouldn't be a tough job."

Obadiah turns to Sherlock.

"We'll have to have some lengthy conversations, then," he says.

"Definitely."

He smiles a smile that knows all the tricks.

And is willing to share.

"I look forward to it," Obadiah says with complete sincerity.

In the same vein: "So do I."

"I look forward to what you guys are gonna do to me afterward," Tony says happily.

—He thinks, belatedly, of a request.

But he does not, on reflection, think he actually has to request it.

"Mm. That'll be the best part."

Or at least one of the best parts.

"There is also," Sherlock suggests helpfully, "what you and Tony will do to me."

Because he knows Tony. He knows Tony is not capable of being vicious, but he knows Tony is capable of being creative, and he knows Tony knows how much he'll like it.

"That," says Obadiah, "will be the other best part."

Just the thought of Sherlock's acting skills applied to that moment of realization is delicious.

"I look forward to it."

He really really does.

"You and I will have to do a little strategizing, too," he says to Tony.

"A little," he agrees.

Not that anything he does could ever really surprise Sherry, but you never know. And with Obie in on it... well, maybe.

The only thing he knows about Sherlock's limits is that he doesn't like to pass out. It doesn't seem like quite enough information. He knows Tony won't let him go too far, but that doesn't let him off the hook as far as gathering information beforehand goes.

Besides, plotting with Tony instead of for him will be an interesting change of pace.

Won't it just.

Tony beams and sips his nearly-forgotten drink.

"And after that," says Sherlock, "what else might we get up to, I wonder?"

Sherlock seems to have a tendency to wonder just the right things at just the right moments.

"After that," Obadiah says. "I'll need a break. I'm not as young as you two are."

He doesn't mean it as the teasing "errand" he'd had before with Tony. He'll need a little recovery time.

"What you two get up to, of course, is your business."

"I am sure we will find some way to occupy ourselves."

Perhaps there will be reconciliations involved.

Tony sighs happily as he thinks about it.

"Yes, I imagine you'll manage somehow."

He has faith in their abilities to find some way to pass the time.

"You should totally watch us," Tony suggests. "Wouldn't wanna leave you out."

"I was planning to," Obadiah assures him. "I was thinking maybe something obvious like a one-way mirror. You'll know I'm there, but if you like, you can pretend you don't."

"Awesome."

It's not like having somebody watch him fuck Sherry is in any way new.

"I thought you might like that," he says. "I'll leave a key somewhere, too, so you can get yourself out quickly if you need to."

Because, as always, there are the practicalities to consider. The importance of ensuring that Tony feels safe.

And Sherlock, but he thinks it would take a little more than a locked door to shake Sherlock's confidence.

"Thanks, Obie."

He smiles, snuggles up, and drinks his whiskey.

Sherlock pauses in idly designing the layout for a suitable room to say, quite without irony, "I am pleased by your firm grasp of the practical considerations."