( closed to fightlikehell. )

[holdplease]

i'll make it pretty later right now it's like 3 am.

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( i will not fit perfectly you will have to break me in. )

[holdplease]

[ The Avengers were having a relatively quiet past few weeks. It'd been fine, until the project he and Banner were working on hit a wall that neither of them could seem to get past. The search for Loki's sceptre was going absolutely nowhere. Then Pepper was called away on Stark Industries business and Tony was left to his own devices.

It was harder to sneak out and have a life of his own, but god did he need away.

He had J make the call for him, and waited until Matt picked up, grinning already at just hearing his voice. Pepper was right, he had it bad, didn't he? ]

Hey there, Little Mac, you doing anything tonight or can I bunk over?

[fightlikehell]

[They're busy. They have separate lives. And Matt has come to accept that. The lines don't always intersect. And he, like the rest of the world have to watch and hold their breath when the Avengers storm whatever battlefield decide to get out in front of them. Quiet is good, for the most part.

He know that idle hands are the devil's playground.]

My schedule is...actually clear for once.

[At least it is now. No better excuse. Hell's kitchen is stabilizing. Matt knows better than to feel accomplished there. The voice in the receiver is like a call to paradise.]</small Come on over.

[holdplease]

[ They do have busy and very separate lives, and that's what makes these small moments they can meet in the middle so much more special. He won't pretend to imagine how hard it is for Matt to watch their missions televised around the world, usually in the aftermath, and the high stakes that always come to bear hellish odds. They may not be in the small time, but with people like Matt watching out for that corner of the world, he knows it's in good hands.

Even if it causes worry of it's own. ]

Lucky me. I'll pack up and head over in ten. Shouldn't take more than twenty to get over there.

[ They talk more than they meet, and it's almost tempting to keep going on the phone. Except he really wants to see him. ]

You want anything while I'm on my way? I can bring stuff over.

[fightlikehell]

[Even when he isn't actively trying to listen in, the whole rest of New York is. Tony is one of their own if not the hero of heroes. Front and center. Sure they don't have collectible cards about him like a certain captain type, they're not too far down the line. Hearing his voice on the phone even for right now makes all that worry dissipate.]

Yeah? That's-that's great!

[Sooner than later. Though it seems that time and distance don't matter at all when Tony is determined.]

Nothing I can think of, no. Just you.

[When on earth did they have a moment together last? Lunch a few month ago? No wait, that can't be right.]

Everything alright on your end?

[He's not...going into hiding is he?]

[holdplease]

[ Lucky for them they've still managed to somehow keep this on the down low. It's not easy, and they aren't trying to hide the other from the world. But if their lives intersected publicly, neither of them would be able to afford that privacy anymore. That's not something either of them want to lose. ]

Good. I'm getting my stuff now.

[ They'll probably still end up ordering in at some point. They usually do. Tony always has some kind of snack on him though, even if it's the healthier sort. Lately it's still dried blueberries.

God, it's been a while though. They really need to get on top of doing this more often. Provided the world kind of chills for them both. ]

Yeah, everything's great. Just tired of the same old walls, and---I missed you. Saving the world is great and all, but---could use a pause button for a second.

[fightlikehell]

[Matt wonders if that tofu is still good. Then he is trying to remember how Tony likes his tofu, if at all. There's a greater purpose to his step as he starts to pack up the work strewn across his coffee table.]

I can help you try and find one. Or make one.

[These dopes. Papers rustle on his end.]

...I've missed you too.

[And Matthew Murdock is likely one of the worst people at texting.]

[holdplease]

[ He does like tofu. He has his moments, like most people, of eating junk food, but he actually does care about what he puts in his body. Then again, near death experience in a cave all those years ago puts it in perspective. ]

I like those ideas. We'll see what we can do once I get there.

[ He hears the papers rustling a bit, and pauses. ]

I didn't interrupt anything, did I?

[ Contrary to what most believe, he does actually give a shit about people. It's hard to shake old images, though. Even then he cared, but caring doesn't get press. Or at least it didn't until it was him. ]

[fightlikehell]

[Matt's leftovers are Tony's leftovers. And at this juncture Matt is pleased to have more than just beer in the fridge. Success! Though he realizes they may have to get take out.

Already feels like a weight is coming off his shoulders knowing that Tony will be around.]

Nah, just scanning a few things from court. I told myself I was going to stop for the day like an hour ago. There's always going to be paperwork.

[He rubs one eye with the heel of his hand as he cradles the phone to his ear.]

[holdplease]

[ And vice versa. He's brought party leftovers before especially when some of the local spots that took donations weren't keen on things already opened. Tony gets it. He just buys them what they need when he gets home instead. Works out.

Tony's got a tablet in a bag, phone and the rest. It's a small overnight backpack, but if he needs more it isn't like he can't get it. He has to juggle the phone a second while he tugs a hoodie on, and grabs a ball cap. ]

Good thing I called then. All right, I'm on my way. See you soon.

[ He says it with a smile, and heads out of the lab and towards the elevator. ]

[fightlikehell]

[That double life that Matt has does leave him with odd realizations that he has to go shopping and do chores sometimes. Those details of life absolutely creep up on him. Heightened senses don't mean heightened sense of time passing and personal care is notoriously low on his personal priority list. Foggy, Karen and Tony are terrific people encouraging better habits through the lens of being a better guest. (If not for outright scolding.)

The soon doesn't seem soon enough. Matt is ready and waiting with a smile spread across his face as he greets Tony the minute he smells that designer cologne mixed with engine oil.]

Hey.

[A muted greeting, the embrace is what says a lot more I've missed you, I'm so glad you're here, I want to get all over you.]

[holdplease]

[ Tony is admittedly not the greatest person at looking out for himself. Half the time he forgets if he ate that morning, or what it might have been. Even for all of his healthy eating antics. JARVIS keeps track of all that, and it makes things easier for him. It also helps having the other Avengers around as well, since they usually notice if he forgets to do something like eat all day instead of just drinking coffee.

He already knows the door is going to open before he gets there, and it makes him grin, chuckling softly. ]

Hey.

[ Repeated, but heartfelt underneath the singular word. It's easy to wrap his arms around Matt, careful since he doesn't know if he's got any injuries he needs to be wary of, but no less warm or inviting. When he pulls back, it's only to bring a hand up and cup the other man's face, and lean in for a slow kiss. It's been a while, a little bit of reacquainting is definitely on the list of things to do. ]

[fightlikehell]

[The warmth and weight of arms around him and deeply breathing in Tony for all he is. Bruises what are they really? Nothing is going to hinder him from enjoying the embrace.

Matt is still smiling as his sleepy eyes--one with a fading bruise around the socket--slip shut in the kiss. The taste of coffee is what comes first. Not at all a complaint. He gently pulls at Tony encouraging him through the threshold, bags and all. All the better to shut the door.

It has been too long. They can agree across the board. Nice to know that no matter how much time and crazy in between, their mouths meet without issue.

Warmth spreads through his face and he hums happily. If they can get the door closed he's going to shove off that silly cap.]

[holdplease]

[ It's easy to let Matt draw him in close, The way they slot together is surprisingly easy. Tony's no stranger to sex and pleasure, but intimacy is another thing entirely. The only people in his life who've gotten to enjoy that particular benefit are Pepper and Matt. Tony fully intends to keep it that way.

He leans back, and catches a glimpse of that bruise around his eye, but puts that down to ask about later. Letting the other man tug him through the doorway, he grins against his mouth with the kiss. Once there's enough room between them and the door to get it shut, Tony hooks a foot around it to kick it closed. The bag is the next thing to go, and he only breaks the kiss long enough to pull the strap over his head and let it drop to the floor next to them.

Then he's going in for another kiss, chasing after the warmth of his lips and that hum he wants to hear again, hands settling against the other man's sides. ]

( my love is clumsy it bumps into everything and apologizes excessively. )

[holdplease]

[ Tony liked keeping under the radar, away from the company that Obie was running to carry on Howard's legacy, and just do what he loved. Doing that had involved running off to join the Air Force with his best friend Rhodey, serve two tours, and end up blown half to hell and captured for three months. It also left him with a permanent reminder of that which he kept carefully out of the public eye for the few still interested reporters and the like who came around for stories once in a while.

Not that they ever really got past the door.

That had ended with a medical discharge, Obie trying to bring him back into the fold (he politely declined), and getting a lease on a small electronics shop with a two bedroom apartment above it. Which turned out in his favor cause the next month had an ex coming into his life just to drop off a baby girl named Morgan. It didn't take her long to end up the light of his life, and even though it was hard sometimes, he made the single dad thing work.

That was four years ago now, and the summer had her spending more time with him in the shop, with breaks to go to the local playground or park and hang out with other kids for a while. The ladies around the neighborhood thought it was cute and charming that he was living the simple life and doing play dates for his kid. He's pretty sure most of them would have ulterior motives if they weren't already happily married, considering who he was.

Currently, he's doing an inventory of what he's got on hand in a small room tucked away from the main part of the shop, and getting ready to order some more things he needs in. He misses the bell, and with Morgan up front, JARVIS doesn't really see fit to let him know for whatever reason.

Morgan puts down her crayon from where she's sitting at the desk that Pepper usually occupies when she's in, and sits up. Despite being as young as she is, she's surprisingly articulate. ] Hello. Do you have an appointment?

[fightlikehell]

[There are so few Mom and Pop electronic stores. Matt's life heavily relies on either Braille printed materials or his readers. And if not any of those than something that can talk to him. So that is why when he found out that there was an independently own store he was quick to jump on it.

Entering the shop it is not bustling or noisy the way a Radio Shack or Best Buy.]

Hi. Uh.

[That is a very young sounding voice. He approaches the counter, a bag over his shoulder with his needed repairs.]

No. I don't. Though I figured that a consultation might be best first. What I have isn't typical.

[The cane taps to the counter top as he approaches.]

[holdplease]

[ Tony could've had everything. He chose to turn his back on that. It didn't stop Obadiah from stopping in still, or sending people to try and talk him into coming back into the fold of his family's business. Usually there's bribery involved in the form of pizza and good scotch. It's nice to have those rare moments, but he wouldn't trade this little shop and apartment with just enough room for the two of them for anything.

Tony hears a bit of conversation towards the front, and starts finishing up his count, pen coming out of where he has it caught between his teeth to tuck behind an ear. ]

I will have to see if there are any ava---availabilities.

[ Tony comes up with a clipboard to set on the desk just as Morgan starts rummaging through the papers on her own clipboard (so she can be professional. her words.), and looks up when she sees her dad walk in to ask: ] Daddy, are you available?

Yeah, kiddo. I can help him. [ A brief pause to lean down and kiss the top of her head. ] What're you doing, huh? Coloring on the job? What am I paying for here?

Sorry, hi. I'm Tony. Did you have something you needed me to take a look at Mister---? [ He's noticed the glasses and the cane, which means Morgan has as well, and he's probably going to get questions later, or she's going to ask him. She's like him in that way, too curious for her own good sometimes. ]

[fightlikehell]

[The establishment has glowing reviews. Yelp buzzing about reliable work, decent prices and charming setting. Matt tries to take these things with a grain of salt. The only low rating reviews were nitpicky. Clearly made by people never satisfied with anything. It checked all the boxes for Matt.

He moves the bag to the counter top and carefully palms over to ensure he won't be putting his items on anything. The clock is the first to come out.

Hearing the conversation, how can he not hear it he hears everything, Matt beams. Oh. That was a child. Probably one of the more well-behaved little persons he has ever come across.]

Hi. Matt Murdock.

[The hand is extended, best not to attempt to take his hand and let him do the pleasantries that way.]

I got a special case.

[A little laugh at himself. What else wold he have really?]

[holdplease]

[ Well, Tony does his best. Tries to stay humble about it. It's hard when people still have his face plastered all over the occasional TIME or various other magazine covers from way back.

His eyes follow the clock as it comes out, and his interest is already piqued. He loves being able to revamp old tech, at least, if that was okay with the person who wanted things fixed. He hasn't worked on anything precisely like that before, but he'll give anything a go. As far as Morgan is concerned? Tony knows he won the kid lottery with manners, even if she does slip up on the occasional curse word thanks to his slip ups. ]

Nice to meet you, Matt. [ He takes his hand to shake it. ] So, what do you have for me?

[fightlikehell]

Great to meet you, Tony.

[Obviously the father to the darling child and the owner of this establishment. Matt has endless admiration for parents, for business owners, for everyday people. It's quite an assumption that Tony is just like any other person. It's the sort of air he puts on.

Both hands are on his strange, triangular phone.]

I must have got this in college. This is my alarm clock. It is supposed to talk and tell the time. It vocalizes but just...scrambles the time. I've been relying on my cellphone for now.

[holdplease]

Likewise.

[ Wouldn't he be shocked to find out the last name? He probably will at some point. Most people do. Tony heads around the small counter as Morgan leans up on it to try and give her own discerning look. ]

Mind if I go ahead and take a quick look?

[ He grins at the mention of how old the alarm clock is. He's seen a couple of things like it, never got a chance to work on one. ] Got it.

So, are we wanting this fixed right off or some updating? [ He turns it on, and sure enough, we've got the voice, and then the time just ---well. It tried. ] It's definitely trying.

[fightlikehell]

[A name like Tony all by itself in the city like New York doesn't set him apart from anyone. The last name though. That's the real kicker. For now Matt treats him with the everyday kindness that he would with any other Tony.

He can hear small feet scurrying.]

Please, go ahead.

[Matt is quiet as he hears the surface shifted and turned.]

If it could tell me the time that would be terrific. I'm not sure if it uh could be updated. I mean, it's easily six or seven years old.

[holdplease]

[ That's the great thing about a name like his. It helps with the low profile he tries to keep. One of Matt's coworkers might clue him in at some point. ]

It got the time wrong. [ Comes Morgan's very discerning deduction. ] It sure did. Looks like I'm gonna have to fix that, huh? [ She gives a quiet uh huh. ]

I can definitely get that up and running for you. As far as the updates go, I can take a look. I'm pretty good in a pinch.

[ Tony doesn't really do this for the money. He doesn't have to. Which is probably why so many people stop in instead of calling the Geek Squad. ] I don't have anything going at the moment, so I could get it back to you in the next few days.

[fightlikehell]

[Soon enough. For now though, basic human decency and Murdock charm are at work. His fingers are laced together as he leans against the counter. He smiles and nods at the young lady.]

You're a very smart young lady.

[Young to be sure. The deduction of the problem and crayons mean she must be at the very most seven.]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. I uh also have a little problem with my reader. This had happened before a few years ago. I dropped it. I think it just needs a few things tightened.

[The second object is long, flat with small holes that alter to let Matt read the Braille.]

[holdplease]

[ The guy is definitely that. Tony's really hoping that Morgan isn't going to pick up on it. She and Pepper have been conspiring to get him a date. He's outnumbered. It's terrible. ]

Daddy's the smartest. [ There's a small scoff in jest and Tony frees up one hand to ruffle her hair gently. ] I'm pretty sure I know somebody smarter.

Of course. [ He sets the clock to the side so he can get a better look at the display. ] Yeah, I can definitely get these taken care of for you.

Do you need them soon? I can probably rush it. I just don't want to tell you inside a week and you need it in like a day.

[fightlikehell]

[Daughter and father team, they really are just adorable. Matt smiles and pushes his glasses up on his nose.]

Maybe smarts just...run in the family.

[Happy medium. No one asked him. He wets his lips.]

Oh uh. I mean, I'd appreciate having them before the week is out if that's possible. I have other means. It is just easier to have separate devices verses relying on my phone for everything. The voice command isn't reliable.

[And the whole flat screen where he can press many things he doesn't need.]