[tony's house]

[anthony_e_stark]

Parties have always been Stark's thing. Since he'd been old enough to enjoy the attention showered on him, he's been fond of them. Can't get enough of 'em. Would throw them for anything. Special event? Good business deal go through? It's Tuesday? Time to party. Birthday parties are doubly so.

Not so much this time, though. Despite having been the lifelong life of the party this is exactly the last place he would like to be right now. That's not a sentiment much of anyone around him would believe - well, mostly. There's at least one person who might've backed him on refusing this shindig. Not that anyone else would listen, even if she yelled again.

Shame, he thinks, staring down at the spiderweb of dark veins radiating out from the arc reactor while his computer screen cheerfully lists his new and improved expiration date. Palladium concentration: 89%. Not like I'm gonna get another one after this.

Comments

[lichfield]

Whoo-hoo, time to roll on this stupid fucking party nobody actually wants. Or at least Stark doesn't want the damn party, and it's his birthday. Nobody asked her though. Or him apparently. Ugh. Anyway. Caroline makes her way into... is this actually his bedroom? It looks weird for a bedroom. Maybe it's a weird rich people thing. Who knows.

Wherever this is, Stark's in here and she's bringing him a box of watches. More rich people shit. She walks in quietly enough that he very obviously does not hear her, because his shirt is open and he's not making any remarks about it. Caroline starts to announce her presence when she notices... what the fuck is that? She pads closer very carefully, trying to get a better look. The gray... she's not sure if they're veins or what, but they lead back to the arc reactor in the middle of his chest. Maybe...

"Is that it?" she asks quietly. "Is something wrong with your arc reactor?"

[anthony_e_stark]

Tony really can't help but be startled by the sudden appearance of Lichfield. One second he's woolgathering sadly, the next there's a quiet voice asking him a question. His attention snaps from the computer monitor to the tiny redheaded woman, currently bearing an assortment of watches. He's not sure how she managed to sneak up on him. Tiny tiny ninja.

It doesn't take but half a second to realize what it is she's looking at, though.

He pulls the shirt back over his arc reactor, expression going quickly shifting to a wry grin. "My eyes are up here, you know."

[lichfield]

That's about the answer she expected, honestly. At least he didn't dance this time. Caroline rolls her eyes and offers up the watches. "Here, let's figure out which watch goes with your outfit before I'm overcome by your beauty." If her hands were free she would make a fluttery be still my heart gesture, but alas.

She catches sight of the computer screen just before she steps back to maybe shoo Stark over to the chair. Palladium concentration 89%. Whatever the hell that means. "So. Palladium, huh?" Caroline expects more dodging, but she's going to ask anyway. Besides, if he doesn't want anyone else to ask him about that, he should probably close that screen.

[anthony_e_stark]

"Can we accomplish this that quickly?" Tony replies, looking very concerned. "Is that even possible?" He obliges with getting shooed over to the chair with little problem, at least. And then she goes and asks about the Palladium. Lovely.

He dismisses the readout on the screen as casually as he can manage. "Science stuff. Nothing to worry about." The box of watches gets some very pointed attention. Unfortunately... he doesn't much care about the watches. Or the party. Tony frowns down at the watch selection. "Is it too late to cancel on everyone, you think?"

[lichfield]

"Maybe. If we hurry." Caroline gives him a wide-eyed, worried look. Which is a little tricky when you're trying not to laugh. Fortunately, she gets Stark settled into the chair without further shenanigans. And then... 'Science stuff.' Really. She can't even think of something clever to say in response, so she just has to settle for scoffing loudly and rolling her eyes.

She backs off a little while he pokes at the watches. Stark looks about as into the watch collection as she is, honestly. "Well..." Caroline trails off, considering while she steps forward to rest a hand on Stark's shoulder. "Probably, yeah. But you're Tony Stark, you could get away with being too cool for your own party." She doesn't even want to consider the Potts Lecture™ she'd get for letting him ditch, but hey. Who the fuck cares.

[anthony_e_stark]

"What if I just put on all the watches and called it good." That's a terrible idea. A really stupid idea. It's enough that he misses the eye-roll in the meantime.

He doesn't even know how to react to the sudden hand on his shoulder. Touching, huh? He's alright with it. That shouldn't be much of a surprise.

"Maybe." Tony's frown goes a little crooked. But the potential Potts reaction to that. "Pepper'd probably have a fit if I don't make an appearance though, huh?" As if both of them don't already know the answer to that one.

[lichfield]

"Put them all in your jacket and be that creepy cartoon guy." Caroline... that doesn't quite make sense. But it's Stark, he'll probably know what she's talking about anyway.

"More like three or four, but yeah." Before she can decide otherwise, she gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'm willing to sit through them if you are." Because there is absolutely no question about whether Caroline will be 'in trouble' as well. She'll even promise to... try not to yell this time.

[anthony_e_stark]

"Pretty sure if I did that they'd just expect me to flash them." Tony can't even be offended at that idea. He's Tony Stark. Drunken hijinks is at least 50% of his rep, at this point in his life. That thought's enough of a reminderof the glass of scotch on the table nearby. He lifts it and takes a sip.

Tony considers that offer - and the shoulder squeeze - for a moment. Should he? Should he really? Lichfield's an employee, technically. He can practically hear Pepper screaming lawsuit at him. He's fairly sure it's not unwelcome, though. And if it isn't... he won't live long enough to deal with the consequences of it. That's classic Tony. Completely irresponsible, everyone else has to deal with the consequences Stark.

Why the hell not.

"I don't think I can survive that many Pepper lectures," He replies mock forlornly. He pauses for a beat to take another drink, and then... "But speaking of sitting." Stark places the cup back down and then pats his lap.

[lichfield]

"Well it is your birthday party." Caroline gives him an over the top leer. Lichfield no.

Whatever smart-assed remark she was about to make is forgotten in the wake of Stark patting his lap in invitation. Really? She probably shouldn't. He's her boss and all, and quite likely joking. Then again, he'll probably roll with it even if he is just joking. And hell, it's not like there are a whole lot of opportunities left for this sort of thing.

...She probably spent a little too long pondering that. Oops. Anyway. Caroline smirks down at Tony. "Well, I have been on my feet all day." She slides around from the side of his chair to settle into his lap. And then kicks her feet up over the arm of the chair for good measure.

"Oh yes, this is definitely more comfortable, thank you." She aims a bright smile at Stark. See, she's adorable, right? Right.

[anthony_e_stark]

"And I'll cry if I want to?" Tony helpfully finishes. Or flash people if he wants to. Or both, he can multitask.

That long moment Caroli-Lichfield hesitates is enough to make Tony wonder if he had made some awful miscalculation here. Even if he won't be around to deal with much fallout, he'd actually rather not.

...And then suddenly there is a very small redhead sliding into his lap, kicking her legs up distractingly and beaming at him. Well. Hello, there. He wraps one arm securely around her waist, resting the other across her legs. They are on his armrest, after all. "You're welcome. It's a very tough lot in life." His very put-upon expression doesn't look the least bit convincing, but he's honestly not trying that hard.

It occurs to him that this is almost begging for a Pepper-related interruption. Attractive employee in his lap, he's already had a drink or two, it's ripe for a 'dear gOD Tony what are you doing' speech as is. Why not just keep going? These moments are of increasingly limited quantity. Tony just goes ahead and puts Caroline's very close proximity to good use. He tugs her a bit tighter against him, leans in and kisses her.

[lichfield]

Caroline settles in a little more securely as Stark wraps an arm around her. Though really, she's in his lap. She can probably call him Tony. She's just starting a pout in response to his goofy put-upon expression when he tugs her closer and kisses her. Good.

She makes a small pleased sound and wraps her arms around his neck. Mostly so she can play with Tony's hair. His stupid floofy spiky hair that she's wanted to play with for at least a couple weeks. ...His stupid floofy hair that is apparently not only as soft as she suspected but also still unfair enough that she unintentionally makes an angry grumbling noise against his mouth. Well. If anyone could make angry noises while making out, it would be her.

[anthony_e_stark]

Caroline sounds happy enough about their current circumstances that Tony's pretty sure some kind of terrible lawsuit scandal is likely not forthcoming. That's good. Not that much of his brainpower is being devoted to that subject. There's kind of several immediate distractions going on here. Her arms are around him and suddenly there's fingers in his hair.

He's more than alright with that.

That noise she makes gets a very muffled laugh out of him. It's enough he has to pull away a little, looking amused. "Did you just growl at me? Seriously?"

[lichfield]

Busted. Of course he had to comment, he's Stark. Caroline gives him a very half-hearted glare and huffs. "I was grumbling at your stupid fluffy hair, actually," she says with as much dignity as she can muster. Which isn't very much, especially given that she's still playing with his hair.

"But I could probably be talked into growling at you if you ask nicely," she adds after a moment, leering at Tony again.

[anthony_e_stark]

Tony laughs quietly, adjusting his arm around her waist. "Only if I ask nicely?" There's something else he was going to say, he's sure, but as soon as he opens his mouth to continue his phone chimes. That's the Pepper text alert. Goddamnit.

He has to shift around awkwardly to find his phone. One look t the notification is enough to get a small frown out of him. "How does she always know. It's like she's got a sixth sense for fun-ruining."

[lichfield]

Caroline starts to reply with some comment about standards or not rewarding bad behavior or something equally ridiculous when Tony gets a text. From Potts. She's been on the job long enough to recognize that particular phone chirp. Oh boy.

"Are we in trouble already?" she drawls as he wiggles around to get at his phone. She's mostly joking, but also not. Pepper Potts hates fun more than Scrooge and the Grinch combined. It's impressive.

...If they're not yet, they will be shortly. "Well, I think you're stuck going to your party after all," she says after he gets a look at his phone. Damn. That's annoying on a number of levels. She shifts around a little to slide her feet back down to the floor. Wait a minute.

"Of course," she adds, "there's nothing that says you have to stay there." She's not even sure he'll particularly care about continuing... whatever this is by then, but at least he doesn't have to stay at this party he so obviously doesn't want.

[anthony_e_stark]

"Already?" Tony sighs a little theatrically, a little long-sufferingly. He thumbs the screen of the phone back off and tosses it to the table. "More like always."

He looks very sad at her slipping her legs from the armrest - and out of his grasp. Her idea's not a bad one, though. It's not something that Tony shouldn't have thought of on his own either. It's just Tony Stark is not really known for showing up to parties only briefly. He hadn't even considered that. "I could do that," He considers aloud. "Show up, make the rounds, call it a night early..."

Stark trails off a moment, expression going thoughtful. "Be ready to leave when I, y'know, bolt for the exit." He says as if he's going to be making some daring escape or something.

[lichfield]

Caroline reluctantly stands and backs out of the way enough to give Stark room to stand as well. She smooths the wrinkles out of her dress while he thinks aloud. "Will anything be exploding or on fire for that?" she asks. She's mostly kidding.

Hey, at least she's invited too. That's gratifying.

[anthony_e_stark]

Tony looks very disappointed when Caroline finally leaves his lap. He stands reluctantly, giving the watch collection the briefest of looks before picking more or less at random. Good enough.

"It's me, so..." He trails off, thoughtfully. "Probably."