That's why he always had a stiff neck. And yet Nat didn't move him, he'd wake up if she did. Instead she fed into the pretty lie and curled up beside him, falling asleep herself once the cat had wandered off.

"Sure will." Absolutely does not. The food is all stored away and Nat sits on the floor in front of the couch eating her dinner and sipping on chocolate milkshake while watching something predictable on the tv. Cosy, almost domestic. And false.

She’ll never admit just how much she wants him to stay. If only for the night.

It was clear, but she knew better than to say anything. Instead she tossed him a few cushions to 'get comfortable' and made a bit of a show over getting plates and napkins and all that stuff. Delay tactics. If she waited long enough, he'd be asleep and she could toss a blanket over him. -

The cat seemed happy to make themselves at home, the redhead found a blanket and placed it nearby. A makeshift bed. “Make mine chocolate, I’m feeling indulgent.” More blankets, these tossed into the couch. She dimmed the lights, turning on the tv. Setting the mood for him to fall asleep.

Kitty- She held her hand out to see if the cat would give her a cursory sniff. “I don’t like people in my space.” He seemed to be the exception to that rule. But she’d never say that out loud. They didn’t have an out loud sort of relationship.

“You’d think I’d sleep better back in my own bed, but no. It’s like all those thoughts hit me at once and I’m staring at the ceiling.”

"𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝙸 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝, 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛."

“Is that a bit of jealousy I hear?” She was teasing, and ordering an obscene number of sandwiches and cookies. Hinting that her diet had been limited while she was away. Did the cat need a cat sitter? She’d volunteer just as an excuse to be too busy to do anything else.

“You better not tell anyone that, they might get jealous.” There’s the sandwich shop. If she bought today’s sandwich and tomorrows, she might not have to leave the apartment and speak to anyone all day.

“Sandwich place, liquor store, my place, eat, sleep, crash.” In that order. “And then we donating up tomorrow. Just as one of us is running off again.”

“Let’s go grab some food before you kill someone over a Snickers.” Not that she was suggesting that he was grouchy, but he was grouchier than usual. “Overstuffed sandwiches and a gallon of Coke?” Junk food.

An eyebrow lifted at his tone. “I might have to feed you, too.”

"Mm. So. Do you have time for a drink?"

“And that’s why you’re my favourite.”

“I thought we had an understanding? We never ask stuff like that.”

“A beach sounds like a dream right now.”

“Ask no questions, hear no lies.”

“Let’s not discuss where I’ve been.”

No time for coffee, work calls. More like work is hitting like a frying pan to the face. Owch..

that's suspicious... 🙄

// What the fuck? 🤷‍♀️

Orville reference, and I’m not sorry

“It is a little too on the nose?”

“The best years of my life.”

“I don’t look a day over 80.”

“Whatever is going on, it’s not my business.”

“…polar bear? An actual polar bear, or some punk in a furry suit?” It could be either. Or both. Such was life. “You know how I feel about Fisk, but at least he keeps everyone else in line. Is this any different to the usual power struggles?”

Busy Sunday evening Lots planned

“You would benefit from the physical and mental stimulation, sense of purpose, and crucial opportunities to combat loneliness and social isolation during your golden years, Tony. You did rely heavily on your workplace for your social interactions.” And Pepper. Who he hasn’t mentioned.

Oh no, what had she done?! “I’m imaging something very Masters of the Universe, but red and gold…” Wait, did that mean she could get a She-Ra bikini? No! Focus. “What you got in the Basement?”

“That sounds sickening, I’m in.” “We can play catch up. You can tell me the who’s who of criminals right now. I can tell you who the next president will be.”

“Knowing you?” Her smile was wry, but teasing “I’ll pack my combat bikini.”

Do I have to babysit you?

“Cheese fries. I’m craving some basic New York delicacies like cheese fries, hot dogs that might make me hurl, and something with more saturated fat than the Orange Guy.” She’d been out the country, somewhere with no cheese fries.

Miss you? I’m jealous I’d like to be sunbathing on a beach

“We can only hope.” There was a ‘brain rotting syphilis’ joke there, but she couldn’t judge. “Just got back from an extended expedition, I’m ready to enjoy my three days of down time and then complain that I’m bored out my mind. So if you’re up for a bite, I’m eating.”

Boring ass

She is not going to ask anything else “Clever son of a bitch, aren’t you?” Smarter than most.

“Did they not show you the Gonorrhoea video at basic training? The one with the highly graphic images of the male appendage all covered in sores and seeping pus?”

“I bet you were a player back then, Castle. Gave it the full swagger, did you?”

“So were all those interns he burned through in his party days.”

“Contain your excitement, I’m back.”

“Stark? Big slut.” “Massive slut.” “Huge.”

What happened to @avengedliberty.bsky.social Is he back on ice?

“Do I smell coffee? I’ve had a tough night and I’m dehydrated.” “Share. Please?”

“My eggs are done.” “Good protein.”

“For the best. Sometimes things don’t need to said.”

“You’re not the first man to say that to me.”

“Stark, shh. I’m trying to be coquettish, here.” “I’m just a silly girl who needs a big strong man to teach me the way of the Trad Wife.” “I would look real nice in an apron.” “Dusting your office and memorising state secrets.”