riverviewlogs | listen, i know i asked the universe for a nap but--

Entry tags:

listen, i know i asked the universe for a nap but--

who: Tony Stark and YOU
what: someone wakes up from a coma?
when: end of September to early October
where: hospital, the loft he shares with Steve and Bucky, his partially ruined workshop, wherever?
warnings: none at the moment, will be updated as necessary!
other: Hit me up on plurk or via pm if you want a starter! Or, feel free to just come across him at any of the places mentioned above. He will also be catching up on lost coffee consumed.

user_identity: stephen.strange { span_location: hospital; engage: what_the_hell }

Waking up to the strangely clean cut and well rested face of Stephen Strange is high on the list of shit that Tony never thought he would see. For a good moment, Tony is almost positive that he is either a) dreaming, or b) in a new alternate universe.

Turns out neither.

"Jesus fuck, Stephen?"

Tony wincing at the sound of his own voice, rough and cracked from disuse and holy fuck, how long has he been out? It was clearly a while because he is hooked up to more than the usual IV and--

"What the hell... Stephen, what happened?"

It's a legitimate question because the last thing he really remembers is working in the workshop and... huh.

user_identity: steve.rogers { span_location: hospital&loft; engage: wake_up_call }

When Tony wakes up, he is not where he last remembers being. Granted,
when he tries to really think about it, he can't remember much of anything beyond going for coffee with Steve and then... a really long stint in the workshop. There are vague memories of making some progress on the things that he was building for the perimeter, but then--

Nothing.

Waking up to white sterile walls and the familiar smell of hospital is a lot less surprising than it should be. The only surprising thing about waking up here is what he wakes up with, but that is something he will have to deal with later. For now, he has to deal with doctor check-ups (ones with less judgement than his first interaction) and trying to find his damn phone so that he can get out of here as soon as possible. Not that he doesn't love being in the hospital, but-- well he doesn't.

As soon as he has a moment to breath, he snatches up his phone and sends a text to Steve.

So apparently I shouldn't give roombas coffee, who knew huh?

Followed a few moments later by: Think you could come pick me up? Maybe bring me some clothes that don't smell like bleach? Please?

Then he flops back on the bed and waits.

user_identity: ava.orlova { span_location: loft; engage: coffee_times }

The first time back to the loft, Tony heads right to the shower, not really looking around or taking note of the place and what has changed in the month since he took his extended nap.
He just-- wants the smell off and wants his own bed (well as close to his own bed as he can get here)
and actual sleep because, for a guy that just slept for a month, he is tired.

He wakes up the next day and is impressed that he actually slept a decent amount. Now, there was a great need for coffee. And probably more than one pastry from that place he loves because he deserved it damnit, screw the whole only eat plain things. He wanted chocolate.

Showering and dressing is done on automatic, and it isn't until Tony wanders out to the main are that he notices there is an addition to the place. Ava is curled up on the couch, red hair bright against the dark fabric, and for a moment Tony stops and blinks. Then, more than a little awkwardly:

"Um, morning?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is sometime later in the week that Tony makes his way to Gramarye, idle curiosity and perhaps more than just a bit of a bad habit on wanting to make sure that while he was napping, certain individulas didn't suddenly decide they wanted to go back to shitty capes and world domination plots.

Not that he doesn't think that Steve and Bucky would have handled it already, but-- whatever. Was he a little paranoid? Maybe, but he also didn't want to find out in a week that Victor decided he wanted a new suit and just... took Tony's. Because apparently, that is something that the former villain was prone to doing on occasion. So he wanders into the facility, taking note of the newer names, and not-so-subtly makes his way towards the office of one Victor Von Doom.

Forgoing a knock, Tony just walks into the office, looking around the moment he enters as if he expects to see his armour in the corner (even though he knows it is in his workshop, still).

"Morning sunshine, didn't steal my shit while I was out, did you? "

Thankfully, Victor was in his office when Tony stopped by, sitting at his desk and typing who knows what on his laptop while his armor stood off to the side like some silent bodyguard. He glances up at Tony's arrival and words, rolls his eyes, and goes back to work. Someone is not looking overjoyed to see him up and around after his little coma.

"And here I thought things were starting to feel like home. You finally decided to wake up, did you? And just so you're aware, I haven't stolen anything. If I need anything, I have the resources to get it myself."

The tone of his voice suggests he's not very pleased at the accusation, but resigned to the fact that he's going to be treated like this for a very long time. He's still not used to being accused when he's not up to something, mostly because he used to always scheme.

Look, it wasn't that Tony didn't trust Victor (he didn't, not completely), it was just that some habits are hard to break after a few decades, okay? And Tony is just-- looking out for him?

No, Tony was a bit paranoid and totally thought that if the chance presented itself, Victor would totally take what he could. The man had done it before, apparently, and despite the fact that he has been more of a help than a villain as of late isn't enough to dispel all of Tony's suspicions.

With a roll of his eyes, Tony wanders farther into the office, eyes flickering between all the different things that are on display. He is amused to note that there are no large pictures of Doom in his more ridiculous outfits. Well, amused or disappointed, he isn't sure which just yet.

"Uh huh, pretty sure theft is a resource you use or have used in the past. Forgive me for thinking you might do it again." How do you even know what some of these books are, Victor, they have no writing on the covers. "And yeah, apparently when I asked for a nap the universe listened and gave me one. Should have known."

He's aware of his own worst habits from before. He just hates that other people do too. Eventually, he will accept how people deal with him, but for now it still bothers him like an itch he can't reach.

Weirdly enough, Victor seems to have gone the exact opposite of his usual grandiose interior decorating, choosing to be more muted and almost bland, making his office seem more like it the office of some dull, stuffy professor than one that belonged to Victor von Doom, former King of Latveria and would-be world ruler. Maybe he got it all out of his system in Battleworld, who knows?

"I will continue to remind you that I have changed until you realize I'm telling the truth," he states in an even tone. And the books are magic, he doesn't need titles to know what he's grabbing. Or they're fake books to make him look smart. "I think it would be a good idea to not do that again. There are some people who might be upset that you blew yourself up."

Ignore the little signs around the office that hint at Victor staying there instead of communal housing. That's not important. Neither is the fact that he seems very slightly annoyed by the fact that Tony was in a coma for a month.

Sorry Victor, you can't just erase your past magically. Well, actually you personally probably could, but then are you really any better than you were? Tony might eventually warm up a little more, he doesn't feel the need to don the suit every time he sees you anymore, so that is a start of sorts.

The decoration does leave Tony feeling... a little off-kilter. It's not really sparse but... minimal. Interesting. Tony moves over to some books, poking the spines that are empty. Or clearly not a language known to him, and hums. "Uh huh, you gotta just... prove it really. Can't really blame me for thinking you were gonna make off with my newest suit, can you?"

There is a pointed look, c'mon, you stole the other one when you were 'reformed' so.... Tony is still looking at the shelves and the books when Victor speaks and when Tony turns to look at him there is a raised eyebrow. There is almost a twitch of a smile on his face, like he knows that somehow him being in a coma inconvenienced him. He doesn't think that Victor was upset about it, no, just-- annoyed. Maybe because he wasn't the one to put Tony there, maybe because of another reason entirely, but--

"Uh huh, I have made a note to not do that again, I do hate hospitals so." A shrug, casual as he moves towards the desk and leans over, fingers twitching and itching to get into the information there. Even if it is magic. "You know, I'm sure if you asked Stephen nicely enough, he would give you one of the many bedrooms slash pockets of space-time to stay in, it would be totally better than this place."

Sorry, did you want him to not comment on that? Yeah, no.

Ava's schedule is more than a little erratic when it comes to when she's around, so it's hardly surprising she doesn't see him until late. She's catching a few hours on Bucky's couch after hitting the gym; she'd been up all night working on the skytram. Maybe to most people sleeping on someone's couch wouldn't be great arrangement, but considering most of Ava's life has consisted of either imprisonment or a forgotten about basement in whatever city she was staying in-- a couch wasn't bad at all.

She sits up, stretching with a yawn, blinking her eyes and she smiles a little awkwardly. "Morning. You okay now?" She slips out of bed in a teeshirt and pajama pants, don't judge her. She knows this is a little awkward, given that she wasn't here when Tony went under.

"There was a fire in the residential building." She tries to not look guilty when she says that. "Bucky offered me a place to stay." She does not try to hide the fondness when she mentions Bucky, though.

Yeah, Tony is going to fix that whole 'sleeping on a couch' thing asap, because as much as it might be a step up from what she was used to, it certainly isn't what she needs to be stuck with. Still, Tony is just a little off kilter, from the prolonged absence as well as from not really knowing why Ava was sleeping in the living room.

It isn't a bad thing, just-- different.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Awake and apparently free of anything prone to making me sleeping beauty again any time soon." He stops and makes a face. "Well, at least in my head, the roombas with coffee and electronics are things that I have less control over sadly."

There is a barely there laugh, but it doesn't linger, not when she tells him about the fire.

"Shit! Everyone okay?" He will ignore that guilty look for now, look into it later. "I mean, that sounds like Bucky to be honest, though you could have taken my bed when I was out, you really been on the couch the whole time? It is a nice couch, but not that nice."

"Glad to hear it," she comments, a touch of a smile as she drags a hand over her face. Her senses are sharp, but outside of a danger situation, it takes her a few moments to get her bearings. She's not actually a morning person, it's just more force of circumstance than anything. Easier to avoid the crowds early morning.

There's a touch of humor over the roombas with coffee, but then they're talking about the fire and she nods. "Yeah, everyone's fine, no casualties," she emphasizes that point, because it's important. "There were a number of injuries, and the building was pretty badly off, but between the medics and healers, and the repair efforts, everything got back to normal in a couple days."

There's an investigation, she saw Natasha's post on the Network go up about it, and that can only end badly, but it's not hanging over her head at the moment, so she's settled for worrying about it later since that clearly can't in any way blow up in her face.

She laughs a little but shakes her head when he mentions taking his bed-- "I think we were all convinced you'd be waking up anytime now. Besides, I get nightmares and I wouldn't have wanted to break something." She's a little bit candid since she hadn't initially wanted to be here. She'd been scared about hurting people, but Bucky had convinced her things would be okay. So she's a little less circumspect.

"There any coffee left?" It's only partially a change of subject, mostly it's the fact that she hadn't had any earlier, and it's one of her few vices.

It is oddly calming to see Ava waking up and just-- being normal. It reminds him of hosing the Avengers, of having a team of people that he would do anything for, and it only manages to resolve his decision to get her an actual bed in this loft. Whether she moved back into communal housing later or not didn't matter; he was going to make sure that she was as comfortable as possible.

"Well that's good, I am glad to hear no one got hurt seriously. Shitty about the complex though, not that those were the most comfortable beds in the world..." A smile curls his lips as he listens to her speak, about them assuming he would wake up any day.

It was nice to know that people thought he was going to be around like that, that there were people who wanted him around like that. "Mmm, if you broke something it just means it needs to be made better. That is how I see it at least. Would have been a great reason to try out making new types of beds. I am sure I could sell a few designs here in some of the spots in town and could make quite the income."

Because, you know, that is the kind of thing that he has to think about. Well, that he is thinking about now because why the hell not.

"Mmm? Coffee? Ah, no. I was just about to go to one of my favourite cafes though, care to join me?"

She was a little wary of something like communal housing, after the fire. She'd thought she could keep it in check, that it wouldn't be that bad, but it had been so much worse. If there are three people that can handle someone like her, it's probably Bucky, Steve and Tony. So she feels... almost safe. Safe as she thinks things get short of finding somewhere in the abandoned city, anyway.

"Yeah, it definitely could have been worse," she admits with a sigh, though it turns into a huff of a laugh at the commentary on the quality of the beds there. "Most things got replaced. I think the beds were largely more of the same." Truth be told they were way better than anything she'd ever been used to, but creature comforts were not exactly something she had a lot of experience with. Hence the fact that sleeping on the couch didn't bother her in the least.

He mentions replacing things and making them better and she hums a little bit thoughtfully. "Well, it's not exactly beds, but I do have a project sort of like that," she admits. "If you're into that sort of thing." It's a little bit playful, amused. She smiles at the offer, nodding in easy agreement.

"Give me just a minute. I'll admit I'm curious to see which cafe is your favorite." She grabs her bag and slips off to change, coming back in worn jeans and a slightly too-big shirt, hair pulled back into a short ponytail.

Tony wants to say that, in a sense, it can always be worse. Even when you are so very sure that it can't, there is always a way. But he doesn't think that it is something she needs reminding of right about now. So he laughs and leans against the counter and listens as she tells him about a project. It is pretty damned obvious that he is curious about that.

Eyebrows going up, he gives her a questioning look. "Project, huh? I will admit that you have piqued my curiosity with that, spiderling. We can discuss what kind of bed you would prefer, along with whatever this mysterious project is that you have over coffee, sound fair?"

Not that he expects her to say no. So he waits as she goes to get changed and, upon her return, pushes himself away from the counter and holds an arm out to her, ever the gentleman (kind of).

"Well, let's hope that my coffee tastes are up to par for you. I have to say, part of the reason that I also like this place is the pastries that they have, which you are so trying. They might just change your life, okay."

And, honestly, he isn't joking about that.

She knows it can always be worse. She's seen enough to be aware of what worse looks and sounds like. Everyone had survived, and that was the important part to her. No blood on her hands, deaths on her conscience.

Ava smiles, sharp and bright at the questioning look he gives her- clear that she has his interest and that can only be a good thing. There's a lift of an eyebrow at the spiderling bit, but hey-- it's way better than Natasha Jr so she's not going to argue with the nickname.

"Sounds great," she says in agreement, grabbing some clothes and slipping off to get changed. The note about the bed? She's honestly not entirely sure what to offer aside from something she can't set on fire. She returns not too much later, jeans and a striped shirt, leaves the military jacket behind for the moment after grabbing her wallet out of the pocket. She grins, helplessly amused as she takes his arm.

"Tony, the first time I had coffee it was coffee, instant, type III, freeze dried and included instructions to wait 30 minutes if you'd just chemical purified the water. I'm still pretty amazed at places like Starbucks." The admission is a little wry, but also honest.

"I'll have you know I never turn down pastries." And changing her life with things like that wasn't particularly difficult -- James had done it with diner blueberry pancakes.

It is when he is on his way back to the loft after checking up on Doom that Tony thinks about swinging by Loki's office. He isn't sure what exactly prompts him, the lingering conversation with Steve, or with the other Loki, but-- Well, it feels more or less normal to wander the halls and head towards the office that he knows belongs to one Loki Laufeyson. Not that he knows if the god will even be there, but he thinks that he needs to at least try.

This time Tony does knock on the door (something he didn't do for Victor) but he is also a little more leary of what Loki might do if startled.

"Loki? You around?"

[ Loki jerks his head up, his eyes narrowing. So Stark has recovered. How . . . grating. It had been rather nice without him around. He debates simply letting him linger outside, unsure of Loki's favor before he opens the door with a flick of his hand. There isn't much in the way of papers in Loki's office. It is both shadowed and light, with a few strange plants in the corners and a small mobile made of gems hanging by the window, reflecting patterns of rainbow light across the room. ]

So. You're alive.

[ His voice is cool and unruffled as his eyes sweep over Stark with a frown. Not even a wound. ]

[ Tony didn't really expect to be greeted with any kind of warmth or camaraderie, so the bland way that the trickster greets him just makes him laugh as he pushes into the office. it is-- nice. bereft of more trinkets, things that he expected based more on his knowledge of Loki's other self than of the being before him.

still, there is enough at least to catch Tony's gaze for a moment as he looks around before giving the god a wry look.]

I am alive. Like a few others, I am apparently hard to kill. I did ask the universe for a nap, didn't think it would give me a month long one.

A month is rather generous.

[ And it had been a nice month. While he does not wish his other self any kind of pain, Stark's absence made the jealousy subside to easier levels. He can already feel it bubbling back to the surface, but he puts a tight lid on it. He barely skirted through, last time. He's not keen on a repeat, so soon. It is much better to wait for an opportunity than to create one. ]

What business do you have here? I would have thought you would seek company elsewhere.

It is, perhaps the universe was trying to be kind in a sense.

[ there is another pointed look; he isn't as unaware of the potential train of thought that the god might have at the moment, he knows that Loki probably enjoyed not having him around no matter what the state of his relationship might be with Steve. still, he doesn't want there to be more friction between them then there has to be.

hence why he is here.

with a huff, Tony wanders into the room a little more, hands in his pockets as if that might make him seem... less imposing. right.]

Was making sure Victor didn't steal more of my shit while I was out, thought I would swing by and say hi. [ a pause, and a considering look. ] And see if you wanted to grab a coffee? I still owe you a thanks for helping me with that magic shit.

[ The corner of his eyes tighten at the idea of kindness, but Loki does not rise to the bait. Gracefully, he rises from his corner. The jeweled mobile throws colours in his hair. ]

I doubt Victor would stoop to such lengths. Or least, he would not leave damning evidence around this institute. And do you really think my help can be repaid with coffee?

You say that, but how do you think he got his Iron Man suit? Apparently took it while I was in a coma. SO yeah, he would stoop and he would probably tell me just to see me get annoyed.

[ and yet, Tony doesn't sound as pissed off as he probably should be about that. almost like he was used to the weird way Victor worked or something.

the indignation in the question makes Tony snort, pointed look at the god.]

No, no I don't think it can be, but it is also me attempting to hold out an olive branch of sorts and I know that you at least don't hate coffee, so....

[ Personally, Loki thinks the Iron Man suit is always in better hands than Stark's, but he's aware that he is the minority here. Although this Stark is at least more self-aware than the one Loki knows. He weighs his options before grudgingly making an allowance. ]

Very well.

[ The engineer doesn't even try to hide the way he sags a little in relief when Loki agrees, shooting him a thankful smile. Despite.... well, everything, he doesn't dislike the god, nor does he want the god to dislike him. Tolerate is really what he is going for, he wants Loki to be able to tolerate him. ]

You have a favourite cafe here, or feel like trying someplace new?

Since this is your idea, I'll let you take the reins.

[ That way, Loki can freely criticize Stark's taste. ]

[ It takes Tony a few days to get back into his workshop, to immerse himself into gears and wires and everything that he missed about the world, but once he is in there, it is like he never left. the first order of business is to program the Roombas to not touch coffee anymore. or ever. at all. also maybe to make some mugs that don't spill or something. then he can get to work on other things.

like cleaning and sorting through the scraps that are left.

he is halfway through diving into the coding of things when he hears a familiar voice at the door. looking up with a grin he waves Sam in.]

Birdbrain, nice to see you!

Birdbrain? [HUFF.] That's it, I'm giving your brownies to the mice. At least they're nice to me.

[But there's a relieved look on his face when he sees Tony up and about again, and he can't deny that he's glad to see him back at work. With a resigned sigh, he pulls a Tupperware container out and passes it over.]

And I'm pretty sure you're only glad to see me 'cause I have baked goods. I know how you are, Stark.

Hey now! The mice can't help you make cool new shit for your wings! And that was said... fondly okay. Wow.

[ there is more laughter as he gets up, stepping around the small mess that has been started already since his coming back into the workshop. sure it isn't terrible, but-- whatever. there are grabby hands as Sam holds out the container, the genius cracking into it quickly with a gleeful noise.

yes, brownies!]

Nah, you're a good conversationalist too thankfully, but the food totally helps. [ he takes a bit and hums happily. ] What's up?

Maybe not tech, but they've got a pretty good flair for aesthetics. Wanda's influence, with added feathers and snakeskin.

[Which are provided by Sam - or, more accurately, by Jareth - whenever he needs to bribe them. If he gave them food all the time, they'd be rolling around the house.]

Just checking in on you and your army of killer vacuums, that's all. Do they still clean floors? I thought about liberating one to clean the house, but I'm not sure it's safe to have around the mice.

[ The noise that Tony makes is caught between a snort and him choking a little on the baked goods that he is shoving in his mouth. Well done, Sam, well done. ]

Uh huh, perfect. Because that's what you need to look for in people that handle your wings, a flair for the dramatic.

[ POINTED LOOK.]

Hey, you can totally take one if you want, except the one with the burn marks, his coding looks like it's been tampered with a little bit, so I have to fix it. The rest of them should be fine, but don't be surprised if you see the mice using them as steeds.

I'll admit, they probably don't need real feathers attached.

[And like crimson red wings made of light aren't dramatic enough as it is.]

Besides, you'll take any excuse to get your hands on them. It's like porn or something.

[There's a pause as Sam thinks about mice riding on roombas equipped with knives and flamethrowers. This is either the best idea ever or the worst idea ever.]

.....can they climb stairs yet?

No, that... might fuck them up a bit to be honest.

[ though he is totally laughing at the idea, the mental image. please god do not let the mice near your wings. ]

Well, have you seen those wings? C'mon, I love engineering, it really is my one true love okay. You cannot blame me!

[ yeah you keep thinking about weird jousting mice, Tony is going to continue stuffing his face with food. because yes, good. this is delicious. hope you didn't want some, or you know, for there to be leftovers because he hasn't had real food in literally a month. ]

Mmm, they hover. Less like climbing because the mechanical legs are.... eugh. [ he shudders. ] Make 'em look like mechanical roaches and no thanks.

Totally blaming you, Stark. I'm pretty sure you moan whenever you look at them.

[He's only mostly teasing. And you just go on ahead stuffing your face with the rest of Sam's birthday cake, it's fine.]

You ever think about eating things that aren't dessert? Like a balanced diet and not just cake and coffee?

[Oh, god, hovering roombas.] Just a couple inches, though, right? The mice wouldn't be able to actually fly on them?

When Tony comes back from coffee and planning with Ava, he has two different bags with pastries in hand and an extra cup of coffee in hand. It is later in the afternoon, but coffee and pastries can never be too late, right? Right. He wanders into the flat, putting one bag of pastries on the counter for later, and takes the other one towards the lower level where he is sure to find Bucky working on something or another.

When he finds the soldier, he smiles and holds up the bag.

"Hey, Bucky! If I ply you with coffee and sweet things, think you could help me out with making a bed for our darling little spider that has taken up residence here?"

The request is completed with a pleading look (well mostly pleading, and maybe a little amused).

Bucky is downstairs in the garage, doing some tune-ups on his bike (which is really just what he does when he's not got anything else to do, like work or the gym or things around the house), clad in sweatpants and an old oil-stained t-shirt. He's crouched down with a wrench in hand when he hears Tony come in, and he sits up, perching on the seat of his bike with a subtle, but genuinely pleased look. "Morning, sleeping beauty," he says wryly, and holds out a hand. "I'll take that coffee."

Though, he looks a little sheepish when Tony mentions their newly acquired spider. "You don't mind that she's here? She needed a place to crash after the fire." And he did sort of invite her without talking to Tony or Steve.

Aw, don't look like that, Tony rather likes Ava and is more than happy to have her around. The Sleeping Beauty remark makes him laugh though, batting his eyelashes at Bucky as he holds out the coffee to him. "Morning to you too. How's the bike?"

Because yeah, they have to make things, but like hell you can get Tony to not be interested in mechanics. Ha.

"Mmm, nah, I like her. She's fun, and I feel like she is slightly less likely to murder me in the middle of the night than some other strays that have been brought home before. But I think we should make her a bed. Maybe repurpose part of the loft where I was gonna make the workshop into a room for her? I mean, if she's staying."

He will give up workspace if it means someone will have a home.

"Good, just doing some tune-ups. Nothing pressing." He straightens, popping his back as he stands, and sets the wrench down on the workbench. He takes the coffee and takes a long sip of it, closing his eyes in pleasure for just a moment. Nothing beats a good cup of coffee.

He chuckles slightly, shaking his head once. "Ava's not going to murder anybody in the middle of the night. She's a good kid. She's just been through a lot." He probably knows more than anybody, being familiar with the Red Room. "Mm, we could wall off part of the second floor into another bedroom. It's just gonna be the gym once we've got equipment. It might be less noisy than put it right by your workshop. Assuming she wants to stay."

It is somewhere between first waking up and the first round of checks, and finally being saved by Steve, that Tony is graced with Stephen number two. Tony thinks that he must have some kind of sixth sense for when Tony was starting to get bored and had pulled one of the many machines that were still in his room onto the bed to pick apart (seriously, don't they know to take these kinds of things away from him?).

The faceplating is off, and Tony is humming as he starts to look for some the difference in this compared to what they have back home when he realizes that he isn't alone. The smile that he shoots Stephen is not even a little bit sorry about the almost-mess that is about to be made.

"Ah, morning. Afternoon? I don't know anymore. " He pauses, scratches his head as he gives Stephen a curious look. "You wouldn't happen to have brought any coffee with you, huh?"

He barely manages not to roll his eyes at the sight that greets him. Mostly because he's grateful to see the man awake again. He does sigh through his nose, however, raising a hand towards the bed. The parts scattered on the blanket and the device still in Tony's hands will glow gold before they are being pulled up into the air and away.

"Pretty sure giving you coffee right now would only be seen as an encouragement."

He sets the parts down into a dry plastic wash bin as he walks over, "If you can stop trying to tear apart your room, maybe I'll reconsider."

Oh come on now, don't give him that! He is bored and there is nothing else in this room for him to play with that won't send him back into a coma and he is trying to be a good patient and not just sneak out. The fact that he is only in this ridiculous gown might have a little bit to do with that, but only a little bit.

With a heavy sigh, Tony watches as the machine is pulled away from him, disappearing into the wash bin. He gives it a longing look. "Oh no, pretty sure everyone would consider it bribery to keep me from jumping out the window."

His laugh is still a little rough, voice still warming up after so long in disuse. "And where is the fun in leaving something in one piece! It is learning, surely you understand that?"

He wags a finger at Tony, "Oh no, you're not pulling that one on me." Because Stephen does believe learning is one of the most important things anyone can do. Educate themselves, each other. His mind devours knowledge like it's food. He's starting to see the Starks (because yes they are a collective) are the same way.

He picks up his chart to read it, "I'm here to check up on you. Been occupying that bed for a while." And yeah he was probably checking in nearly every day at random hours.

The response makes him laugh, snorting as the one thing that was allowing him some kind of amusement is taken away. "UH huh, why not? Because it would totally work?" With nothing to focus on, Tony falls back against the bed and, well, whines. He hates hospitals, hates having to have other people take care of him and god damnit, if he hadn't told Stephen and Steve that he would at least wait for a real dismissal, he would have snuck out a while ago.

"Yeah, a month apparently. I have made extensive mental notes not to trust Roombas with coffee. Hopefully, you don't have to waste space on me like this again any time soon." Don't call him on his self-depreciation, don't do it. "What do you need to check up? I'm good. Fine. Great even, longest nap I have had... well in a few years. "

He then waves a hand distractedly, waving off that "argument" and muttering a 'shut up' as he reads. The latter part, however, has him looking up from the chart, brow raised, "A coma isn't a "nap", Stark. You might not mind making light of your health but I can assure you there are plenty of other people in this place that wouldn't appreciate it or agree with the sentiment."

There's a sharp click as the metal hook of the chart holder goes back on the bed. The look is very much of the 'boi pls' variety. The doctor part of him is very unamused.

[ The text comes as a shock. Steve has been visiting Tony regularly, sitting beside him, sometimes talking just to get the weight off of his chest, wondering if he's going to be destined to call out into a void forever. The doctors have assured him that Tony is stable and has a good chance at recovering, for whatever that is worth, but Steve isn't a doctor and he doesn't know. So when he gets the message, it's completely unexpected, like an absurdity that shouldn't be real.

He sends a reply, apprehension gripping him. ]

Tony? Have you spoken to a doctor yet?

Do you know where you are?

[ The text that he receives in response makes him huff a laugh, it was so Steve. He responds promptly, pleased to know that he can leave sooner rather than later. ]

Yeah, talked to both Strange's, that counts right? They said I will be good to go by the end of day at least, and it's what... 2 pm at least? I hope?

And yeah, Quarantine. The boring part of the hospital wing since I am not allowed to take apart their machines to see how they work.

I suppose it does.

[ Steve actually isn't sure about that, but he doesn't argue. If Tony thinks they have a sound enough opinion to get advice from, he'll let Tony make that choice. Instead of really getting into the conversation, he pushes forward. ]

Glad to hear you remember us. It's three, actually. I'll be over in a half hour. Try not to get too restless.

[ Steve actually makes the trip in twenty minutes, bringing along with him a set of clothes he found in Tony's room. He has a good talk with a few nurses before finding Tony himself and delivering the clothes. ]

Sounds like it'll be okay for you to go home. You should probably take it easy for a while, though. More sleep, less tinkering.

She'd heard murmuring lately that Tony was awake after his long nap. Something about a laboratory accident, and honestly, she'd kind of thought that he'd maybe managed to trip over that stupid Roomba or one of a thousand coffee cups and give himself a wonderful goose egg and a long sleep from a desk, or something. The idea of an explosion, though? Kind of jarring. Not at all unexpected if she's honest, but she'd certainly not thought that he would manage to blow himself up so badly that he'd be in the hospital for close to a month. Another accomplishment to add to his long list so far as he's concerned, she's sure, but..

Regardless of all of that madness Re-L's decided to make a little trip to Tony's workshop to see if he's there and, more importantly, if he could do her a favor. If he wasn't.. she'd just have to wait a little longer for her request, her typical holo notebook tucked under her arm carefully. Doubtless he could hear her before he saw her, as per usual wearing heels despite how much she probably didn't need to be wearing them in the busy streets of the Quarantine, that head of dark hair poking around the door jam of his building space to take it in.

From what she can tell it's more trashed than the last time she was there, and there's no sighting of that Roomba yet -

"Stark? Are you in workable enough condition to be here?"

Tony hears the sound of her shoes approaching his office, but that doesn't mean that he expects to see Re-L peer around his doorway. As much as he was sure that the news of him being awake had spread through the place, this-- well, there are always going to be things that surprise him about people, that much is obvious.

When she speaks, Tony is elbow deep in the turret and when he looks up, smile on his face, there is a curl of wire in his hair and some smudges of dirt on his face, but he otherwise looks healthy and hale. Very healthy and hale. It is amazing what a month-long nap (and magical golden fruit) will do for one's health.

"Ah! My little Ray of Sunshine!" Oh, I am sorry, did you not want absurd names? Too bad. Tony puts his tools down and grabs a rag to wipe off his hands as he moves towards her. "I mean, I am pretty much always in workable condition, even when comatose. You would just have to hook up the right machines to produce my AI, but whatever."

There is a wink as he tosses the rag down and picks his way over to her, fingers going through his hair and dislodging the wire. "What can I do for you?"

Well at least he looks like nothing ever happened. Somehow it might've been more shocking had he looked up and still been a complete mess, now that she thinks about it. After all, there were doctors that had instruments that could heal on the spot, like Bones had done for her before.

Still, she definitely wasn't expecting the nickname, and before she can stop herself there's a slight wrinkling of the nose that rolls across her expression. Definitely not her style of nickname, but Re-L's sure Tony knows and is doing it anyway just to rankle her a little. It seems to be one of the ways he likes to operate, at the very least. Re-L's gathered herself back to her normal neutrality by the time Tony is headed her way, at least, still wary that she doesn't allow the roomba too close if it's around -

"Well you're awake at least. Which is good - I have something I need." Since, obviously, she's sure he sits around and waits for things like this to walk through his door. She flicks open the journal in her hands, activating it so that he can take a look.

"I'd like to have a computer that operates in the same way as this journal. Free moving pages, majority touch control, note addition .. "

There was suddenly a suspicious lack of nurses in the general area of Tony's room. This might have seemed odd had Ivar not taken it into his head to visit his friend when he heard that he'd woken up out of his coma. Most of the hospital staff hadn't forgotten the Viking's infamous temper tantrums when he had been a patient, which included slashing a doctor with a scalpel, nor his intense anger at the entire staff for failing to help Letha.

He rolled into Tony's room, axe by his side, and the arm braces Tony had made for him strapped to his forearms. "I'm so pleased to see you aren't dead." Though he was prone to biting sarcasm most of the time, Ivar was entirely sincere in this instance. Comas in Viking times meant that you just slipped away into death. There was no coming back from them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

listen, i know i asked the universe for a nap but--

user_identity: victor.von.doom { span_location: office; engage: world_domination!? }

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user_identity: loki { span_location: office; engage: try_again }

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user_identity: sam.wilson { span_location: workshop; engage: BROWNIES! }

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user_identity: bucky.barnes { span_location: loft; engage: lets_build_shit }

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user_identity: babyface.stephen { span_location: hospital; engage: but_WHY }

:: incorrect username /HUFFS

error; correction { user_identity= FALSE } invalid

input { fuck u stark }

feedback error: { only if you say please babyface }

:: number blocked - hdu use that name with him

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slinks on in here -

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