ironmonger | (no subject)

Well.

Despite being quite comfortable in Obadiah's lap, he thinks it is probably past time he left it; but when he does, he tucks himself up against Obadiah's side with his feet stretched out along the empty couch, preferring not to relinquish the physical contact.

"Apart from that, however, it was a very successful experiment." He crosses his arms over his stomach and leans his head on Obadiah's shoulder. "Thank you again. Is there something you would like to know in return?"

There is always something else Obadiah would like to know.

In this case:

"Why the sudden change toward me?"

"Tony," he says, which contains the whole of the truth but describes it inadequately.

"He loves you. Very much. You... take more care with him than I had expected." Softly: "I cannot help liking anyone who makes Tony smile like that."

"That's all it takes with you, huh?"

Not much of a surprise. It's not like Sherlock is especially subtle about it. (Either Sherlock. It did not escape Obadiah's notice that the other Sherlock's hatred of him vanished when Obadiah made his desire to rescue Tony crystal clear. Hell, he might even approve of the truth behind Obadiah's own "abduction" if he ever figures it out.)

"Always," he agrees, smiling.

(He would. Absolutely. He would not overlook the fact that Obadiah could have simply not murdered them, but Obadiah still made a sacrifice for Tony's sake and Sherlock cannot fail to acknowledge that.)

"I'll have to keep that in mind."

Here, it's a not-unwelcome fringe benefit. At home, it could be very useful someday.

He snorts softly, but doesn't caution Obadiah against attempting a campaign of seduction on Tony at home, because he expects Obadiah to know better. And there are countless other ways to make Tony smile.

Although perhaps not quite like that.

Of course he knows better.

(If he were going to try something with that Tony, he would have done it long before the meeting in Milliways.)

"Tony benefits regardless," he says mildly, "you can't argue with that."

"I am only thinking that you cannot make that Tony happy in quite the same way you did with this one."

Some creativity will be required!

That is another thing Sherlock trusts this Obadiah to have.

He chuckles.

"No, I can't," he agrees. "But I'll come up with something."

Possibly several somethings. Best to have more than one iron in the fire.

"Buy him a car," he suggests, and laughs. "No, don't; he has always been rather indifferent to gifts, particularly of things he would rather pick for himself."

"No, that's what I would do if I didn't particularly care what he thought," he agrees.

"Unless," he says thoughtfully, "you have Tony pick the car."

He considers this.

"True," he concedes. "I could arrange for a private show of models that aren't on the market yet."

"Have my Tony pick the car," Sherlock clarifies, "and surprise him with it. Which will have the added benefit of making Sherlock fret about where you are hiding your extra Tony all over again."

He laughs.

"You know," he says, "I'm starting to like the way you think."

Sherlock grins up at him. "I believe I will choose to take that as a compliment."

"I believe you should," he says.

The ensuing giggle causes Sherlock to gently slide down until he is lying on the couch with his head in Obadiah's lap.

He does not appear to mind.

(In truth it is more complicated than that; in truth, he thinks of the smell of apple brandy, and there is a moment when he wishes to be anywhere else. But it passes too quickly to leave any outward sign.)

Idly, out of reflex more than anything else, Obadiah runs his fingers through Sherlock's hair. There are some situational responses that are universal to everyone.

"I'm sure Tony would enjoy taking a little trip out to do that," he muses.

"He'd love to," Sherlock agrees, closing his eyes and smiling contentedly. It seems both Starks have kittenish tendencies.

That's desirable enough a reaction that Obadiah keeps going.

"I'll ask him," he says, thinking about the other things they could get up to back in his world. Maybe he could leave a little something for Sherlock to notice later, to frustrate him with the knowledge that the extra Tony had been within his grasp.

"Yes," he says, as though Obadiah had suggested it aloud, "I am sure Tony would also love to fuck you in whatever suitably discreet location you come up with."

"That goes without saying," he agrees.

Maybe they could fuck in the new car . . . ? No, that's the kind of scenario best kept in his imagination. Making it a reality would be a little sleazy even for him.

Still without opening his eyes, he chuckles.

"I can very nearly hear you thinking naughty thoughts," he says cheerfully. "You may as well tell me the good ones; I'll hear it all from Tony eventually."