#gracelessconflagration

Tony stirred from unconsciousness with a thumping headache and every single part of his body aching. He blinked hard as he opened his eyes, his vision blurring slightly. He groaned a little his eyesight adjusting to the dark around him and blinked out his grogginess. He tried to move a hand to wipe his eyes with his hand but the rattling of chains snapped his mind into motion and his head whirled to glanced at his wrists, chained to the wall. He tugged at them, finding the action futile. He tried to remember what had happened before he found himself here in this dank dark room when he was momentarily blinded by the light pouring in from an open door but Tony glanced away, closing his eyes.

"Sorry about these conditions," Came a low voice with a southern drawl. A large man stood in the door way, brow raising, "Though I must say, I expected more from an angel of your stature. You didn't really fight back as well as I would have hoped." He walked fully into the cell, and stood before the bound male. Pale blue eyes scanned Tony's form, cataloguing the young man's every feature. "Pretty banged up. Mm, but that's what happens with cheap labour. Always damage the product before it gets to the recipient."

Tony blinked hard to allow himself to adjust to the blinding light shining into the dark cell and he frowned at the voice. A small growl rumbled in his throat and in a quick flash, Tony stood, the chains pulling him back slightly and his wings unfurled to show off the pure white feathers. "Release me now or face the consequences, demon. I'll allow you the chance to free me before I kick your ass I believe the phrase mortals use."

"What language." The man tipped Tony's chin up appraisingly, then tsked softly, "I shouldn't have expected anything less from you, of course. A little spit-fire, aren't you?" The man ran a hand over Tony's soft wings, lips quirking up into a grin. How soft.

Tony's wings moved away from the demon's touch, moving them behind his own body. He heard of demons clipping angel's wings and Tony was rather fond of his own. He wasn't willing to give them away just yet. "So what if I am? You expected me to be a silent prisoner? You underestimate your captive, demon."

"You won't be a prisoner for long, of course." The demon cocked his head to the side, still smiling that ever-so-fake smile. "As you can tell, I'm quite... Well-aged for my kind. The heart of an angel would clear that up quite efficiently. I would love being youthful again, but you wouldn't be able to witness it."

A growl left his lips and he pulled hard against the chains that bound him to the wall. His eyes were narrowed at the demon and he almost looked disgusted. "You will not let you just take my heart without a fight, foul demon. I will fight you with all the power I have in me and I will not just take what you think is rightfully yours. You should not have been able to grow old in the first place."

"Being cursed will do that to a man. Especially if the spellcaster dies becore lifting the damned enchantments. " The demon pressed a hand to Tony's chest, "An angel's heart is a magical cure-all, but you should know that." The poor creature must have been terrified. Any sane person would be, after all. "Don't fret. I'll make your death painless."

"Of course I know that but you're under the delusion that you'll actually kill me.." Tony pulled at the chains again until his grip relaxed. "You're not taking my heart, I promise you that. It'll be your death before mine." He kicked his leg out, connecting his foot with the demon's shin. "Now I'll say it again, release me before I hurt you."

"A bird in a cage can do no harm to me." The demon stepped back with a chuckle, "Especially if I clip the little bird's wings." He shifted and threw a piece of bread at the angel's feet. "Eat up while you can. You'll want to enjoy your last moments."

Tony glared at the man opposite and he scrunched his nose up at the bread. "Once I get out of here, I will kill you. I will destroy you and have the satisfaction of killing such an old demon such as yourself." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh, my pride. It just shattered." The man snorted back, "Well, if you are quite comfortable with kingslaying. I say it's a messy business. And you would have me leave my poor, son behind. What a cruel creature you are." The demon took a seat in a rigid chair, crossing his legs almost primly. He admired the look of hatred his captive possessed. It was always glorious to tear his opponents down piece by piece.

"Don't play games with me, you don't have a heart to care about that son of yours." Tony quirked a brow at the demon sat opposite him. Tony let out a small laugh and shook his head at the demon. "You're funny and if you weren't such a blackhearted asshole, I think I'd like you." Tony's wings folded against his back, an amused look on his face.

You just said I don't have a heart." The man smirked back widely, then took a bite out of an apple. "I don't think you could like me, boy. I'm the farthest thing from your kind as possible."

Tony shrugged casually, trying to fake a bored expression. "I'm not a boy, I'm older than most of your thugs." He retorted, a smirk growing across his lips. "This could turn out to be fun, although you won't have the satisfaction to put up with me much longer.. And you'll be angel heart-less."

"I can find another if you escape," He snorted. "But you won't. And you're a boy compared to me, bird. If you want, I can clip your wings now."

Tony scoffed at the demon's words. "You're cute. You really do underestimate me, demon.. Do you even have a name?"

"Obadiah. Obadiah Stane. I knew your father." The demon responded calmly, "You look a lot like him. Though he never threatened me. Times were different." He offered the apple with little more than a raised brow. "Well?"

Tony didn't react when the demon said he knew his father. "Funny that, he didn't mention you at all. Ever." He retorted, crossing his arms. "Tony. Tony Stark."

: "You have your father's eyes." He chuckled in return. "Most people don't like heaving about Angel-Demon relations. They don't tend to last long." Obadiah stood and paced towards the door.

"I hope that for your son's sake, he doesn't look a thing like you." He said with another casual shrug. "So you really knew him huh?" He asked curiously, putting empathises on the 'knew'.

"Oh yes. He was quite... Vigorous." Obadiah ignored the jab about his own appearance, "I grieved when I heard of his death. He was my favorite little pet. A puppet on my strings."

Tony backed up a little only to lean against the wall, examining his nails like he'd seen those mortal women do when they got bored. "Pet, huh? Always knew he'd be some demon's pet." A small laugh errupted from him. "Don't tell me you think I'll be your 'puppet on a string' like my old man, do you? Because that is too funny."

"Of course not. I'll be killing you in a day or so." He flashed his most vibrant smile. "So you needn't worry about being a marionette."

Tony laughed. "That's what you think.. If only I had a camera to record your reaction.." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"Ah, you enjoy mortal tools as well, then?" He snorted, "My son collects them and takes them apart to see 'what makes them tick'. If you weren't about to die, I would surely introduce you two."

"What makes you think I'd want to meet your spawn anyway?" He asked, smirking crookedly at the demon. "I've know a lot about mortals.." He shrugged.

 "Mortals are weak, foolish creatures." Obadiah sighed, "You are a dreamer, aren't you? They're monsters. More so than I."

Tony shook his head. "They seem like that at first glance yes but oh.. They are so much more than that." He shook his head. "You sure like underestimating people, don't you?"

"I like being suprised, what can I say?" The male asked calmly. "You would become one in a minute, wouldn't you?"

He shook his head. "And give this up?" He asked, gesturing to himself. "Hell no. I like mortals but not that much."

Obadiah snickered, shaking his head slowly. How pitiful. "Stark, you act as if I'm just going to let you escape. I'm going to be back in a bit, with a sharp pair of shears and antibacterial fluid. If you ask nicely, I'll give you anesthesia first."

Tony chuckled and shrugged against the wall. "Aw, how kind of you.. Maybe you do have a heart in your chest.. A moth eaten black heart but a heart nonetheless." He waved at Obadiah mocking.

"It's unfortunate you were so close to the border, boy. But my agents nabbed a brilliant little angel for my dinner. I don't think I'd have it any other way."

Tony let out a laugh, shrugging his shoulders. "You talk a lot don't you? Or are you trying to terrorize me first? Because I've heard worse."

"I can imagine." He tipped Tony's chin up, peering into those warm brown eyes of his. "But I only talk as much as you."

Tony jerked his head out of the other's grasp, raising his brow. "Or is your bark really worse than your bite?"