[ The side-eye is strong and Bruce is making sure to keep the distance constant between them, casually taking a step to one side whenever Tony tries to approach again. ]
Even if there was, you'd still blast over it, wouldn't you?
[ At least he doesn't sound annoyed or angry. Just tiredly amused, maybe. ]
[ He's got a strong game, Tony'll give him that. He's only run into stronger from Pep and Happy. He can appreciate it. It does all of nothing on him, but respect where it's due and all. ]
I mean, I don't typically---[ A drawn in breath and an exhale. ]---care all that much about no-fly zones. Puts a damper on things, in my opinion.
I could be persuaded, though. Maybe. Like a soft kind of maybe not the definite kind. [ Tap. Tap. Oh, he keeps moving whenever he ---yeah, ok. ] It's in the realm of possibility.
The only persuasion you listen to is when Pepper makes dirty promises or threatens to make you sleep on the couch.
[ Just saying. Bruce knows who holds the reins there. ]
You see no-fly zones as a challenge, anyway. How much can you jump through them until someone finally slams you through a wall to say 'no', that sort of thing.
Not wrong! But, I can be reasonable when it suits me. Plus, you're not threatening to make me sleep on the couch or erring on the side of more interesting forms of persuasion so.
[ Hey, Tony isn't shy about who can make him heel when it comes right down to it. Fury's got nothing on Pep when she's on a rampage. Glare could use some shoring up is all. ]
Haven't hit a wall yet. And come on a no from the government is just begging to be ignored, everybody knows that. They're just jealous they can't get it up past a certain point is all. [ Tony stops, deciding to make the first move and that is in the form of surrender. Which is not his go-to. At all. Ever. Tablet down, hands up. ] Look, how about this: we dissolve this weirdness and I promise to keep my hands to myself whilst working on projects in the lab.
[ He knows what he said but that gives Bruce more than ample time to make sure he can get away from him after. He's being really gracious here. It's weird. Don't make it more weird. Just say yes. ] It's not like I'm asking you to bunk over here.
[ Shaking his head at you, sir. But while he's not looking up from the little tablet he's jotting notes on, he's also taking a step towards Tony instead of away. ]
Yet being the operative word, sure. Trying to go in slow and easy like. No muss, no fuss.
[ Still, Bruce takes a step closer and Tony takes that as a win in this situation. He picks up his own tablet, and lets the other man take his time coming over. ]
Come on, let's share notes. Promise I won't cheat.
The great Tony Stark wants someone else's notes? What is this world coming to...
[ Still, Bruce does slowly make his way over and places his tablet on the counter space between them. Don't think he hasn't noticed you and your refusal to be handed things directly without a Pepper buffer. ]
It all started going downhill when I started sharing lab space, I know.
[ But he chuckles at the comment. What? It's pretty funny. Also, he's grateful for the lack of handing him things. The amount of times he has to field that particular peeve is incredible when she or Happy aren't around.
Still, he slides his over and shifts to hop up on the counter, sitting on it and turning just enough to be able to read. ]
[ Bruce is going to be obliging enough to turn the tablet just enough that both of them can read it. It might also leave him in a potentially dangerous tickle-zone, but Tony is supposed to be trying to behave himself, so... Bruce is going to give him a chance. ]
Just barely. It's a wonder I get anything done without a chaperone.
[ A joke, of course. He's got plenty of drive. He just gets distracted with other things, little hobbies, tinkering and so on. This pet project of theirs with the AI bit is high on his to-do list so he is pretty focused on it.
Except for lately cause they've hit a wall and he's got to have something to keep him occupied. Hence, tickle attacks. But hey, he's behaving, right? That's new and good and all that jazz. ]
get the sander out
[ The side-eye is strong and Bruce is making sure to keep the distance constant between them, casually taking a step to one side whenever Tony tries to approach again. ]
Even if there was, you'd still blast over it, wouldn't you?
[ At least he doesn't sound annoyed or angry. Just tiredly amused, maybe. ]
i've got it and the stoprust.
I mean, I don't typically---[ A drawn in breath and an exhale. ]---care all that much about no-fly zones. Puts a damper on things, in my opinion.
I could be persuaded, though. Maybe. Like a soft kind of maybe not the definite kind. [ Tap. Tap. Oh, he keeps moving whenever he ---yeah, ok. ] It's in the realm of possibility.
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The only persuasion you listen to is when Pepper makes dirty promises or threatens to make you sleep on the couch.
[ Just saying. Bruce knows who holds the reins there. ]
You see no-fly zones as a challenge, anyway. How much can you jump through them until someone finally slams you through a wall to say 'no', that sort of thing.
no subject
[ Hey, Tony isn't shy about who can make him heel when it comes right down to it. Fury's got nothing on Pep when she's on a rampage. Glare could use some shoring up is all. ]
Haven't hit a wall yet. And come on a no from the government is just begging to be ignored, everybody knows that. They're just jealous they can't get it up past a certain point is all. [ Tony stops, deciding to make the first move and that is in the form of surrender. Which is not his go-to. At all. Ever. Tablet down, hands up. ] Look, how about this: we dissolve this weirdness and I promise to keep my hands to myself whilst working on projects in the lab.
[ He knows what he said but that gives Bruce more than ample time to make sure he can get away from him after. He's being really gracious here. It's weird. Don't make it more weird. Just say yes. ] It's not like I'm asking you to bunk over here.
no subject
Yet. You're not making me bunk over there yet.
[ Shaking his head at you, sir. But while he's not looking up from the little tablet he's jotting notes on, he's also taking a step towards Tony instead of away. ]
no subject
[ Still, Bruce takes a step closer and Tony takes that as a win in this situation. He picks up his own tablet, and lets the other man take his time coming over. ]
Come on, let's share notes. Promise I won't cheat.
no subject
The great Tony Stark wants someone else's notes? What is this world coming to...
[ Still, Bruce does slowly make his way over and places his tablet on the counter space between them. Don't think he hasn't noticed you and your refusal to be handed things directly without a Pepper buffer. ]
no subject
[ But he chuckles at the comment. What? It's pretty funny. Also, he's grateful for the lack of handing him things. The amount of times he has to field that particular peeve is incredible when she or Happy aren't around.
Still, he slides his over and shifts to hop up on the counter, sitting on it and turning just enough to be able to read. ]
no subject
At least you're self-aware... Sort of.
[ Bruce is going to be obliging enough to turn the tablet just enough that both of them can read it. It might also leave him in a potentially dangerous tickle-zone, but Tony is supposed to be trying to behave himself, so... Bruce is going to give him a chance. ]
no subject
[ A joke, of course. He's got plenty of drive. He just gets distracted with other things, little hobbies, tinkering and so on. This pet project of theirs with the AI bit is high on his to-do list so he is pretty focused on it.
Except for lately cause they've hit a wall and he's got to have something to keep him occupied. Hence, tickle attacks. But hey, he's behaving, right? That's new and good and all that jazz. ]
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[ Just so long as there's no jazz hands in development to try for more tickle attacks, thanks. ]
Isn't that what JARVIS is for?
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A little high-pitched sound of amusement through his nose as he smirks. ]
Yeah, he wishes. Hey, J, how many safety briefings do I ignore on the regular from you?
[ JARVIS responds drily: I'm afraid that number has grown too large to bear recording, sir. ]
Oh, he's got jokes.
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[ But is Bruce joking, now? The plot thickens.
He lightly wiggles the tablet and asks: ]
Come on, then. What do your elf eyes see?
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[ The latter, more than likely. He does love to feed his ego and if he got offended at everything people said he'd never get anything done ever. ]
Yeah, uh. [ Rubbing at an eyebrow, he sighs: ] I see the same thing we've been staring at for days now.
no subject
Right.
[ Sigh. He should've expected as much for the both of them. ]
Yeah, in my experience? That usually means it's time to take a break whether we like it or not...
[ Which definitely pains the insomniac workaholic in him quite a bit to admit. ]
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[ He had to go and say it out loud. Damn. The thing is Tony's sure he isn't wrong. This kind of thing happens. Doesn't mean he has to like it. ]
Right, the only problem with that is it leaves us doing what? Sitting on our hands? Yahtzee?