It's Called Being A Badass

“COULD ALWAYS LEAVE IT ON until she wants to add some new decorations or until nature rips those ones off – wind and all that.” Bart suggested.

Clark’s frown deepened at the question. Sure, to anyone else it would’ve been a fair question– but Clark had his work to back up his response. “Getting the people the truth is what I’ve always strived for, Mr. Rhodes. That hasn’t changed.”

“I THINK YOU SHOULD KEEP IT. It’s a great look, your friend has a great talent for decorating.” Bart said with a grin as he admired the different decorations on the chair.

Standing up on that stage, flanked by Tony and Rhodey, Pepper had heard the gunshot as loud as thunder. It still echoes in her ears when it’s quiet, so she’s had the TV on all night, has it on again this morning. She has no idea what happened to Tony, they got separated – both of them looking for Rhodey – but she knows Rhodey got back to the Tower, so that’s where she is. She slept here, not really wanting to cross the city right now to go to her own apartment.

She’s in the kitchen, putting a pot of coffee on and trying to figure whether it’s worth making something to eat – she isn’t particularly hungry, and as far as she knows, Rhodey, isn’t awake yet – when he wheels himself into the kitchen as if thinking of him is a summons. She offers him a wan smile as he comes in, pouring him a cup and passing it over before pouring one for herself. “I thought it was smarter,” she says. “I’m fine. I slept on the couch, kept the news on all night. I didn’t want to wake you, so I kept the volume low and turned the subtitles on – they mentioned us on the news, you know, because we were up there. My name is Pepper P-O-T-S-S, apparently.” She smiles slightly. “How are you? How did you sleep?”

It’s good to see her safe after the night before - she’s been in plenty of bad situations in her life and she always knows how to handle herself, James has always admired her for that, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. He’s different, he’s trained to respond in a certain way - Pepper seems to be able to do so naturally, and he’s glad. It keeps her safe. “Good call, y’know you’re always welcome to stay here.” He smiles and takes the cup, taking a sip of coffee.

“So - this story.” James frowns as he leans forward in his chair, elbows resting on the arms of the chair as he studies the man. “Is it gonna be the truth, or is it gonna be doctored to keep the truth from people?”

“No, I didn’t do all of this.” James gestures to the all of the decorations that are still firmly glued onto his chair, all very fancy and shiny as per Gwen’s wishes. “Friend of mine thought she’d dress up my chair for the festival, just didn’t get around to taking them off.”

“Jesus, watch it -” James narrowly swerves his chair out of the way of the incredibly rude person who’s speeding past, glaring up at them as they pause to glance back at him. “Mind your manners, come on! It can’t be that difficult just because I’m in a chair -”

“You are a terrible cyborg bro.” James tells his friend sternly, an expression of mock-offence as his chair comes to a stop. “Not even asking how my PT is going? I’m disappointed, Jason.” He drops the expression and tone, replacing it with a smile and a laugh instead.

It’s been a week since the festival and, after many debates, heated conversations, and borderline arguments with his doctors, James was finally, finally able to start his physical therapy. Finally able to lean how to walk again with his new spine. Surprisingly enough, Tony had stayed out of it - James isn’t sure if it’s because he’s still hesitant for James to push himself, or just because he doesn’t want to get in the road of James’ persistent temper, but either way, he’s glad Tony let him argue this on his own. It’s his spine, his legs, his life. He’s taking it back on his own terms.

Standing at the festival had been one thing, but learning how to walk again is a whole other experience. It’s not as bad as it could be - if he’d gone from five years in a chair back to walking, he’s sure he’d have had more than a few falls in the process. He’s grateful he’s been walking for the past few years, it’s kept his muscles strong, he remembers the motions, how it feels to move one foot in front of the other. If anything, the weird part is just the new spine. The fact that there’s something completely new in his body but it manages to act just like his own spine had before the fall.

It’s almost as though nothing’s changed, and somehow, every step he takes in his first session is a whole other world. Part of James is astounded this is happening, another part is terrified it’s all just a dream. His physical therapist leaves him to take a break, noting the sweat rolling down his temple and making the decision that he’s earned some rest. And as much as James wants to continue, he nods, making his way over to a chair and easing down carefully, letting out a slow breath before he looks up at Tony. “You gotta be bored out if your mind, huh.” He jokes softly, but he’s glad Tony’s here. None of this would be possible without him, and he wants Tony to be there every step of the way as he gets through this.

Everything’s been a blur ever since the festival ended in an absolute disaster. Things were a rush, a complete blur between getting off the stage and getting back to the tower, and the first thing James wanted to do was go to sleep. Between standing and half-walking, the shooting, the insanity that followed, and seeing all of that from a chair instead of standing and working played tricks on his head, wore him out.

“You know, I wouldn’t be able to tell you,” he joked lightly, gesturing vaguely at his face. “But it does seem like the kind of thing that people would be able to pay a little more attention to, I have to admit.” Matt nodded, reaching a hand down in the man’s general direction. “Matt Murdock.”

“Nope! Friday didn’t let me know what my boo bear was wearing. And I even asked her, I wanted to match. But this is just as good too.” He winks, smiling. He had honestly wanted to match with Rhodes, but Friday had kept stubbornly quiet. Maybe payback for trying to trick Rhodey like this. So instead he had planned to look like a knight in armor, coming into the gala to sweep his prince’s feet off the ground. literally and fugitively. He pushes the chair, raising an eyebrow at the pretty decreations. huh, someone really pampered rho rho, tony makes a mental note to thank whoever did.

 The frown tugs at Tony’s lips. As someone who sometimes throws fits when he didn’t get his way, this was normal, even if Rhodey made it a habit of making sure Tony didn’t get that ( for his own good ). But this was different! He wanted to have a dance with Rhodey, damn the consequences. “rho rho is you doubting me?” He lets out a gasp and whines. “ How could youuu? I’m not a weakling like when I was 16 Rhodes, I can pick you up just fine!”

“Remind me to thank her for that.” James chuckles softly, though he doesn’t mind. Somehow, they still kind of match - James’ outfit of black and silver a striking opposite to Tony’s white suit and mask. Maybe they just know each other too well by now, who knows. Or maybe it’s pure coincidence - much more likely, considering the white suit is probably all linked back to Tony’s obsession with Knights.

He shakes his head quickly, shifting a little in the chair. “Not doubting you, just doubting the idea of you holding me up while you dance us around the place like I’m gonna be light as a feather. It’s not gonna be as easy as you think it is, Tones. Though...” He bites his lip as they pause at the edge of the dance floor, gripping at the arms of the chair as he pushes himself up slowly, as carefully as he can manage, the five weeks he’s spent recovering have given him enough time to at least be sure his stitches have more than done their job, but the muscles in his back are still weak. He grasps at Tony’s arm instead, trusting his strength to hold onto him as James pushes himself upright, turning carefully to face him with a smile. “Might not have to hold me up entirely.” He was standing, really standing, properly, for the first time in years. Maybe he can have this dance with his best friend.

He smirks a little, knowing that he had surprised his best friend. Of course, he would come to the dance. Too many times had he lived through so many missed opportunity’s, for some reason or anther passing by Rhodey’s life unable to approach any closer to his heart than the box of friendship he had been entrapped in. Of course, he didn’t want this to be another one of those missed opportunities. This time he won’t let things slip through his fingers. “I can be the yin to your yang baby.” He blows a kiss, over Rhodes way to make it more teasing. In truth he hadn’t planned this, just putting on another suit for another party. But he wouldn’t miss the chance to flirt with his best friend. 

“what if you don’t dance. You just let me hold you, and we can dance like that.” He softly whispers, reaching out and rubbing Rhodes shoulder lightly. he didn’t want to let this slip from his fingers, no fuck that. “come on, I really wanted to dance with my favorite guy.”

As much as James wants to be annoyed Tony not only said he wasn’t gonna be there, but he’s late, he can’t help but be happy instead. Nothing’s felt - well, normal, since he went on the run after getting that stupid note, and... maybe they needed something like this. Not that big festivals with heaps of people were normal, but it was more normal than everything else they’ve been dealing with. “Wait, did you plan this? Did Friday tell you what I was wearing?” He laughs at Tony’s ridiculous comment, shaking his head as Tony pushes him through the crowd.

“Tony...” James shakes his head, but he can’t help but smile at the idea. “You don’t wanna dance with Pepper or Selina, I dunno - someone who can stand up?” Truth be told, James feels okay. Maybe not ready to be running around, but between all of the resting and his own exercises he’s been doing to keep himself in shape despite the chair, he feels okay enough to stand and move around a little. He just... worries about what it might mean if it goes wrong. “You can’t hold me up, c’mon, you’re gonna hurt yourself.”

Tony scans around the main floor of the masquerade, he’d just arrived an hour after the whole shebang had started. Fashionably late as always, and ready to party after the stressful events that had transpired. But he didn’t really want to think about that mess, he was back and there was one man he was desperate to see again. He hear’s his voice, the smooth tone singing in Tony’s eardrums. 

Walking up to the group of people he get’s behind the wheelchair, grabbing the handles and rolling him away from the crowd. “Sorry folks! This man is needed for some important business.” He waves at the crowd pulling Rhodey fully away from the crowd. “Hey sugar bear, would you have this dance with me?” 

@138combatmissions

The moment the chair moves James is ready to reach for the wheels and bring himself to a screeching, and likely painful, halt. It’s only when the man speaks that James feels himself relax, glancing up to see Tony pushing the chair. “White suit? Really?” He asks, somewhat amused. Really, he’s not sure if he’s more annoyed Tony lied about coming than he is happy to see him here at all.

“Whoa whoa, hold on - Tony, I can’t dance.” His relief fades away immediately, a frown spreading across his face as he glances through the crowd, concerned to see they’re making a beeline for the dance floor. “Healing, remember? I shouldn’t even be standing for long, never mind dancing.”

Matt heard the slight squeaking of the wheelchair, shifting out of the way slightly, though not so much that the other man would get suspicious. “I understand,” he said, tilting his head at the sound of the man’s voice, trying to pinpoint if he had heard it before. “You know, I’ve bumped into so many people and things around here tonight, I’m surprised I’m not covered in bruises. But, to answer your question, I’m fine. Thanks.”