“Something about the set of your mouth, it looks like trouble.” And the heavily documented scandals and stunts throughout the years but she wasn’t going to bring that up, seemed to much like salt to wounds and she wasn’t that kind of person. “Besides, I thought leggy models were your type, not tiny, overworked, surgeons.”
❝ As much as I appreciate that I’m a modern day keyholder to the playboy mansion, and the reputation for loving models I may have – it is beauty that I appreciate. Internal and external beauty. See, Doctor, I’m a builder - I can see potential and I bring that out; extract pure potential in it’s finest form, and nothing is more beautiful than manicuring a ring of steel to become a core to a device that is relied upon heavily. I shan’t bore you with the details.
❞ Tony waved his hand nonchalantly, dismissing the theory quickly, all the while maintaining that devilish smirk.
❝ I won’t deny that I am certainly a risk, but weighing up the opportunity cost of such a risk — maybe you ought to be looking at doing such.
❞
❝ Oh please, it’s not as though we would be sleeping together. I have a spare bedroom and if my safety is of any concern, well then I suppose I could always find an excuse to tase someone. ❞ the corners of her lips spread wide, revealing a lovely row of pearly whites. ❝ I’ll join you for one drink, more than that and I may get out of hand, ❞ her nose wrinkles at the teasing gesture, her demeanor perhaps a little too inviting, but the redhead feels entirely comfortable in his presence.
❝ I can assure you to the highest degree, that tasing me won’t be an issue. Given my line of work one would have assumed I would have developed some sort of immunity, alas… the volts surging through my system are enough to trigger any fragile conditions I may disclose at a later date. Perhaps. ❞
❝ Duly noted. I’ll ensure it’s not more than one drink.
❞ He may have been many things, but Antonio wasn’t a hound dog that would take advantage of her, that and he wanted to show her that he could be trusted - and there seemed to be no other way. He reached for her hands without an ounce of hesitance, taking them in his own and casting his deep blue gaze down upon her in a warm, charming manner.
❝ Come now, just tell me where it is, I’ll pour us a glass each and we can discuss our living arrangements further, though the idea of your company is something I’m more partial to. I’m sure if your home is as organised as this office, I’ll feel right at home.
❞
Her lips curve up at the side at his pun, her fingers darting away as she delivered a text to Jarvis. “Flattery is still your go-to technique—does your Janet LOVE flattery as much as me?” Eyes scan him to assess what he’s wearing at the moment. Nothing amazing; nothing terrible. “An open mind is needed for sure. But I don’t think it’ll be too hard to find you something we’d both like.” Her car pools up by them, Jan opening up the back seat door, arm raised on top of it as she gestured for him to enter. “Hm, Tonio. Tonio it is then.”
Observant as he is, the engineer catches the tilt of her lips, and returns it with an edge of his own. ❝ It comes natural, perhaps a knee-jerk reflex, but my compliments are earned, my dear. And no, I can’t say she’s as partial if I am going to continue being entirely honest with you - I am not afraid to confess my shortcomings.
❞
Under dressed as he was, the black turtleneck and scarf tended to be his go-to, considering though – he had arrived just meeting the change of seasons. Out of anything, though, he was enjoying how forward she was – and accepted the ever so courteous invitation to sit beside her. Even though he was the one that held doors open in his world – chivalrous.
Seated in her rather fancy looking car, adjusting to the unfamiliar leather, given his own cars had different interiors – but there seemed to be a lot of YELLOW in this one, in particular. Head turned, to a slight angle to keep his eyes focused on the fashionista with such intrigue.
❝ And shall I continue referring to you as Janet or do you prefer Ms Van Dyne…
❞
“There’s a couple of options there Antonio. Feel free to take your pick, shame about the yacht mine’s still in Monaco.” The old sport comment was hardly doing him any favours. Brian’s Britsh, not straight out The Great Gatsby. “A quickie would hardly be worth opening a Chateau Lafite Rothschild, no matter who you are. Tape or otherwise.”
❝ A crying shame indeed. You do realise, Lord Falsworth – be you a lord of stature or none – that I am many things, but I am not so easily swayed, even by the finest of red, even if aged to perfection. I consider a simple drink and casual affairs to be an extremely dated play of men who are deeply afraid of who they are meant to be. It reminds me of the not so fond times of gentlemen's club, where the finest of men would wear their ever so dapper suits – sip scotch and smoke cigars, only to take their lust driven needs to the quarters of a bathroom, car, or an expensive hotel for a single night. I am far more complex than those old men – and I welcome the future with open arms. Simply put… I am a man of romance. ❞
❝ Apparently, I give off that vibe now. I’ll take it. What reputation? I’m the eyewear godking. I got this on lock. ❞
❝ Back in my universe I’m the godmod of all things fashion, in particular, eyewear. I’m flabbergasted. How am I to survive in this universe if I am– dare I say it – below your calibre.
❞
“You’re self conscious but be more considerate to this guy, our worlds aren’t the best right now, and let me tell you what else is going down… Where do you exist, then? I imagine the universe is gone, so…pocket universe? A patch up job?”
He looked at him as he was obviously carried away by his own thoughts; even if he got a little insight as to what his counterpart’s life was like, it was also impossible to know exactly what happened, how he lived. And his reaction, getting his full attention meant that things back home were entirely different.
“Trust me, she pulled no punches.. even if she was friendly to my AI..ah yes, I uploaded my consciousness to an AI while I was asleep. And Steve, well.. It’s complicated. He DID say that he LOVED me, can you believe that?! All this pining for over a decade, and he gives me a confession while I’m unconscious, while.. something got to him. He wasn’t himself, he was talking about how the old him loved him but he would now destroy everything that we had built together..”
❝ I believe your universe refers to it as ‘1610′, the ULTIMATE universe. And in that universe – yes – there is little to nothing left for me to return to, however, NOTHING is an exaggeration. Particles exist, therefore it’s possible to be reborn, come on Tony, you know how the theory of evolution works. Darwin would be appalled. I realise WE’RE not a biologist specialist but it’s basic…
❞
Brows shot up with surprise, unable to contain it despite his extremely practiced and mastered ability to hide such shock. Antonio couldn’t imagine what it had felt like to hear the Captain say he had loved him – in fact, he was sure the spike he felt in his chest was the impalement of JEALOUSY; for himself.
❝ The latter sounds like something far more in character. Drastic, but in character nonetheless. The fire of determination and aggression is an attribute our darling Captain doesn’t lack in the least bit. Trust such words to be uttered whilst you were unable to retaliate… I’ll admit, to you and you alone, I was starting to become envious until the tagline was brought into play.
❞
❝ Well, you certainly are different from the Tony I know, taller too, muscular, handsome, every woman’s dream —But, I can’t have you running around here whenever you please, I spend enough time in the PR department as is, I don’t need a cover up story for the odd occurrence of not one, but two Starks. You can either stay at my place or make yourself at home in my office until I figure out on what to do with… all of this. I have a few alcoholic beverages to offer, and no, they’re not from the grocery store. I hardly partake in drinking, but when I do indulge a little, I supply only the best. ❞
❝ I’m a GENTLEMAN, so I’ll let you decide whether or not you would like a not-so-stranger-stranger make residence at your very own humble abode. Or office. I could make good company with.. That leather chair, I suppose. ❞ He fanned his hand at it nonchalantly,
❝ As for the drinks, I’m I prefer a fine Bourbon, but there’s nothing I enjoy more than drinking with company. If you would join me, that is– it would certainly be a sad sight to drink alone.❞
