you know who I am

“Stark, touch me again and I’ll make you regret it.”

“youch. Why the hostility? I don’t remember flirting with you before or trying to get in your pants.”

“DUDE … I need to see your degree to believe any of this.” Peter replied, glancing at Tony. “You can solve all my problems? Can you help improve the sound system inside of the Milano? Rocket isn’t here and even if he was he’d probably just take apart what’s already put together to build another gun. Alternatively, where’s a good place to eat around this place?”

“I got a couple framed in my room. I like to have them right over my bed so guests get a good eyeful. Drives the ladies crazy, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Peter, squeezing his shoulder again. “Ohhhh I love it when people talk tech to me, tell me more, I want details.” He’s eyes brighten up in childish glee, excited with the prospect of getting his hands on some Alienware. “depends, what do you like to eat?” 

wide brown eyes went from the man’s hand on her shoulder to the man’s relaxed face. her body stiffened in discomfort. “ if you do that again, doctor stark, you may lose a hand. ”

“wow, you got some fire in your eyes. Or is that just blood?” Tony jokes, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips. Despite the teasing, he let’s go of her shoulder chuckling, “You know that might be cool. Maybe I’ll have a test subject for the prosthetics I’ve been testing! Hands are one of the hardest to get down, having so many bones and tiny muscles in it.”

She chuckled and shook her head. “I’ve been sober for a year and if you need a drinking buddy, you’re barking up the wrong tree.” Karen giggled. “But I can have some soda and we can pretend?”

“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.

“You’re taking her side? But Rho rhoooo.” He whines loudly, not giving any shit that he’s in a public area. He at least has the excuse of the mask. Masking the childish antics of tony stark, not that everyone didn’t already know of his behavior. Being one of the favorite topics to discuss on the tabloids. His thoughts on the tabloids drifted away as he got another good look at Rhodey, damn that man fits well in a suit. Granted, He was always looked good in whatever he wore. But suits just framed his body nicely, giving Tony a wonderful eyeful. But he already promised himself only pg tonight, he was looking forward to that dance.

The beginning of a frown had already started on Tony’s face. His eyebrows tensed, ready to interject and bribe his way to get what he wants. Fortunately, he was able to hold his tongue long enough to witness Rhodey stand up. His heart almost stopped watching the man push himself into Tony’s arms. Jaw dropped, eyes widened, he just stares at Rhodey. Standing. Fuck. He blinks, feeling vulnerable and so taken back by such a sight. “Rhodey...holy shit.”   

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.”

“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!”

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.”

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.”

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?” 

          Shuttering from the draft coming in from the window Tony walks over to the battered rusted thing squinting at it. It’s been banging all night and making so much racket, he’s not sure how anyone could sleep in this dump. Not like he was doing much sleeping honestly. Being on the run he could feel paranoia eat at him, every eye that looked his way, every question directed at him. It was driving him up the wall with stress knowing any moment he could be taken in. Yet, here he is more worried about Rhodey then his own sanity. Clenching his fists tightly he wonders if his best friend was taking him being gone so long. It was crazy, everything was. The billionaire truly had nothing at this point, having to live in a place for free, and even using a stolen phone to try and communicate to the people back home. Fuck, this was all a mess. 

Rubbing his face he sighs, hopefully, his message had been delivered. Maybe he’ll be home soon, not having to worry as much and sleeping in a soft bed, maybe next to his best friend if he still had one. Flipping out the stolen phone he bites his lip, risking the whole operation by texting Steve and Jason. But god damn it, he couldn’t live without any contact. 

[text: ??? & ???] -> is this steve and jay? [text: ??? & ???] -> cause if so hey! not dead. Just hiding and wondering how much trouble i’m in! [text: ??? & ???] -> {unsent} I’m so fucking sorry. does rhodey hate me? or pep? do you guys hate me? I didn’t mean for all this to happen...I didn’t want to go... [text: ??? & ???] -> {unsent} Please tell me everyone is ok.. [text: ??? & ???] -> {unsent} i didn’t  [text: ??? & ???] -> Can I go home yet?

RA: fuck i wonder y that could be...

RA: ur ok right? this isnt u calling to tell me ur in even deeper shit right?

RA: because i dont have pepper on speed dial and i got fired so i dont really have the money to skip town and help?

Tony: probably daddy issues and having too much money.

Tony: nah I'm fine. I mean I might get a std from just sitting on theses sheets, and I'm pretty sure something is dying in the closet.

RA: fuck u stark dont judge me

RA: where the hell did u even go?

RA: r u just hiding out at stark tower with like, MORE INTENSE security??

Tony: wrong person to say that to girly. King of judgment here.

Tony: kept going til I had no gas...so. About a couple towns over.

RA: this is rosie

RA: trying to deciper exactly who this is tho?

RA: there r a few people i know who r out and about right now

Tony: ha! I'm good at shit.

Tony: it's your neighborhood friendly genius. Who's been "missing" mostly just chilling.