Who: Tony, Bruce, Reed, and Sue NPCs: Clubgoers When: 4/27 (backdated) Where: The Science Club (nightclub in NYC) What: It’s one of Tony’s parties, for a Tony-ish reason. Rating: Rish for safety.
He’d discovered the club by accident; it really wasn’t his usual affair. Oh, it was an excess of booze and music that meant that people were giddy on both and therefore dancing roughly to the harsh beat, but the crowd really did tend more towards the college-goers who didn’t entirely turn off their brains, if only because the trivia contests geared towards actual facts rather than pop culture, and because it was always fun to be sober enough to watch the fake volcano blow up several times a night without feeling nauseous.
It was a good place for a party of intellectuals, even if Bruce couldn’t fully show off his thorough qualifications to Reed. It would not make Reed or Sue unable to look anywhere without embarrassment, but it was lively enough for Bruce’s cover and his own mood.
He had come far enough to admit that he was upset and unhappy, and he was surrounding himself with noise and movement to make it at least look as though he was not upset and unhappy. He just wasn’t going to let anyone know his reasons. He even knew why he was unhappy, and it was more than just ‘Luthor is a dick’. It was just easiest to lean on that explanation. Some things were still private, and all the more for everything else being open to scrutiny.
He got the first round for the table, and passing out the drink order, cheerfully informed them, “First up on the agenda for solving the world’s problems: cancer. Discuss.” ~~~~~
This was going to be the most miserable night of his life.
Bad enough he was surrounded by gyrating collegiates - young enough to think they know everything but not yet wise enough to realize they never will; he had to pretend to be a moron in front of one of his idols, Reed Richards, with Tony looking on and laughing at him.
At least he would be laughing at him, if it looked as though he were ever inclined to laugh again. Even as Bruce chuckled at something (he didn’t even know what) he noted the faint lines around his eyes and the dark coronas of displeasure Tony was striving earnestly to hide. Emotions weren’t Bruce’s strength, but he’d seen that look on his friend’s face before, and briefly raised an eyebrow at him as Tony announced the first subject up for discussion.
The beer he was pretending to nurse had mysteriously lost some volume, which gave credence to his response: “Let’s just crush all the tasty little bastards, and have a nice seafood goolash, I say.”
It took an effort not to roll his eyes, and he pretended to take another drink to hide his shame.
~~~~ Reed was glad Sue had agreed to take Tony up on his invitation for her to join them in their “Science Club”. Not only because it would keep Tony from taking him anywhere inappropriate- but also simply because he enjoyed Sue’s company, whether they were in public or at home together. And he did owe her a “date night” after she had so graciously allowed him to use some of her lab equipment. Though, this hardly counted as a “date” by any stretch of Reed’s imagination-- and he certainly wouldn’t consider Tony or Bruce Wayne as acceptable guests for a date.
But he had still dressed and promised Sue a real date night very soon.
He thought they’d be able to go to the club Tony had specified, meet up with Mssrs Stark and Wayne, be pleasant (by letting Sue handle the social situations like she did so well) and go home. However, Reed hadn’t anticipated the pull that Bruce and Tony had with the paparazzi-- or the fact that they would be interested in who all would be joining the socialite billionaires. While Reed tried very much not to dislike the paparazzi, he wasn’t particularly fond of them either. However, he realized that everyone had a job to do, and he was usually willing to stand still for a few moments before carrying on.
Reed had tucked his arm around Sue and escorted her inside where they were quickly seated with Tony-- introductions (or reintroductions) had been made to Bruce and all was well in the world.
Except for Bruce’s comment. For a long moment, Reed stared across the table at the former M.I.T. student that he had supposedly known. Was that a... was that an astrology joke? Not astronomy but astrology. Reed did his best to laugh, politely. Yes, he was glad Susan was here- she was far more graceful in these high pressure social situations than he was.
~~~
Sue had agreed to accompany Reed out to drinks with Tony, because Tony had invited her so graciously, and she was intrigued by Bruce Wayne. She had a hard time believing that he was the vapid playboy of only average intelligence the papers portrayed him as. That didn't seem right to her, because even though she didn't know Tony as well as Reed knew him, she knew Tony well enough that he couldn't tolerate idiots. If Tony was keeping company with Bruce Wayne, and thought enough of him to introduce him to Reed, then there was clearly more to Bruce Wayne than met the eye. It was a matter of appearances. Sue understood that; she understood the social graces, the effortless effort, and the need to present a certain image to the world that everything was fine even though things were no longer as they should be. She'd behaved that way for years after her mother died, unconsciously, without realizing it. It wasn't entirely bad, but one of the things about Reed that she loved so much is that he lacked that. He didn't put a on front, often because he didn't know how to. In their own interactions, she valued that, because she could count on honesty. And when it came to helping cover for some of his awkwardness in interacting with other people, Sue didn't mind.
Susan had chosen to dress up for the occasion, in this case not so much for the benefit of her husband (though she did keep him in mind), but for the other two men present. Knowing that both Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne were notorious for being womanizers and also notorious for getting hounded by papazzari, she'd decided to be nice and give them all a gift. Men were very visual creatures. If someone caught wind of the fact that Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark and two members of the Fantastic Four were out together having drinks, it was likely to wind up in the papers. So what if Sue had factored that into her thinking and dressed accordingly? Good publicity was good publicity and a hot girl was a hot girl, regardless of the 1Qs of the men in the room.
(To whit, she was also wearing leopard print pumps, a three-strand necklace made up entirely of smoky quartz, the silver diamond tennis bracelet her father had given her when she'd gotten into Columbia on her left wrist, behind her watch. She wore nude pantyhose, and underneath her dress, they were held up by a garter. Sue would let Reed discover that for himself on the way home. Just because this wasn't a 'real' date didn't mean she couldn't turn it into an opportunity later on. That was what marriage was all about. Seizing the moment in the everyday.)
Sue greeted Tony warmly, though not as warmly as she might have on another day. She noted his mood, and was mindful of it, giving him his personal space. She was far more polite when being introduced to Bruce Wayne, as social convention dictated. They'd only just met, and she of course had her doubts about who he presented himself as. At the same time, she was especially mindful of Reed's mood; he was her husband, and her best friend. And he was so hopelessly lost when it came to anything banal or small talk.
This… this was not getting off to a good start. Tony was faking cheerfulness, Wayne was embarrassing himself by trying to be funny and failing because it was the wrong crowd and Reed… Reed, bless him, just didn't get the joke. "Do you know any place that serves good goulash, Mr. Wayne?" Sue asked lightly, taking a sip of her drink, making eye contact and smiling charmingly at Bruce briefly, to help smooth over things, before turning her attention to Tony.
"Really, Tony, if you want to talk about cancer, then we'll need to talk about context," Sue began, leaning forward slightly and fixing Tony with an intent look. "Where do you want to start? Less painful treatment options? An alternative to chemotherapy and radiation? Our views on the UN's Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases? That was in September, by the way," here, it might become apparent why Sue and Tony's assistant Pepper were such good friends, if hadn't already, "We can even discuss changes to breast exams that have been made recently in some countries… pick a sub-topic, gentlemen."
Susan smiled at them all, and excused herself. "I'll be right back," she said.
~~~ These days, it at least occurred to him that he was being manipulative and demanding and shoving himself into the center of attention, and without a ready circle, was insisting that one was created for him. Thing was, he didn’t care. At least not right now. And really, Reed and Bruce both needed to get out more, so this was for their own good. But mostly for his own good because he needed company. (Yes, he was a selfish bastard. So everyone had always told him.)
Company, happily, included not only the college kids he liked for their energy and enthusiasm, but also Sue, who was adding a bit of class to their table in the way that only a beautiful woman could. He tried not to think of what he’d rather have, because apparently he wasn’t getting that, and Reed had already scooped up Sue.
In answer to the subtle eyebrow from Bruce, he just as subtly raised a shoulder in a shrug and took a sip of his scotch. He’d explain later, if he was drunk enough and forgot to babble about science, not his life. He’d really rather he didn’t explain.
“Point for most subjects covered in fewest words,” he told Bruce as he gestured with his glass that was just as mysteriously losing volume, but he was actually drinking. “That was...what, medicine to astrology to biology to culinary?” Which was proof that even Bruce faking it wasn’t near as dumb as the papers made him out to be; if he was, he wouldn’t be able to get up in the morning without being told. Tony always figured that as long as he kept away from solving long mathematical proofs in his head, he was probably good for his cover.
“And points for you and Sue focusing on what’s really important,” he added.He wondered where the best place for goulash was, anyways.
Sue who was really reminding him of Pepper at the moment, the serene lists of options and even the way she headed off. Naturally, it made him grumpy, and had him knocking back the rest of his drink. “So,” he asked Reed, and actually managed it to be light because this was Sue, “is she always right, or just frequently? Subtopic us up.” ~~~~~
Ignoring Reed’s tight courtesy laugh (if it could even be politely called that), Bruce was grateful for Sue’s graceful rescue. “As a matter of fact, I know several,” he said, leaning forward across the table to face her directly. She had a much more direct, discerning gaze than her husband; he was going to have to be much more careful with her. “But it depends - are we talking about a real, authentic Hungarian goulash? Or just a pastiche, Hungarian-whatever-culture-has-adapted-it goulash? Both can be good, but when you’re weighing one against the other, it’s going to make a big difference in taste. And may I just say,” he added. “That it’s an unspeakable crime that the most beautiful woman in the room is the one called ‘Invisible’.”
Patting Tony’s shoulder in a friendly gesture, masking the actual intention, he said in a lower voice, “Add travel to that list.” Bruce knew the only reason he was really here was to pay court to Tony. It was the only reason he’d agreed to come in the first place - to be a good friend. Something hard enough for him to do, except when it came to his obligations. He had no real desire to be pushed into spending a night out for his own sake. For the sake of someone he had a responsibility to? He’d be an idiot. At least he could see that something was wrong. Bruce wasn’t really the cheering up type, he was the sit and listen type, but he was here.
Bruce only knew Pepper a little, and Sue far less, but the superficial similarities were enough that he knew what had turned Tony’s mood darker. Having a strong sense that Reed would not have any idea he might be walking into something bad, he watched Tony carefully. And his scotch. “I thought we were going to talk about breasts?” he asked.
~~~~
“Frequently.” Reed responded to Tony’s question about how often Sue was right. Sue was, among other things, a brilliant mind. The only time that Reed would question Sue’s conclusions was when his own theories opposed them directly which, despite their expertise in completely different subject matters, did occasionally happen. Those were not good days to be a member of the Richards/Storm family, and Ben and Johnny tended to keep their distance from both scientists until the dilemma had been resolved.
When Sue excused herself, Reed stood and pulled her chair back for her, only sitting again once she had gone, though he watched her go for a while.
Reed really did consider himself a lucky man-- not only was his wife intelligent and ambitious and determined, but she was, without doubt in Reed’s mind, the most beautiful woman in the world- definitely the most beautiful woman in the room and he could prove it mathematically. You see, Sue’s physical attributes followed the Golden Ratio which was the mathematical standard by which aesthetics could be judged with the “matter of taste” variable taken out of the equation. Sue, and Johnny for that matter, were attracted individuals because the bone structure in their faces and their respective figures followed the notion that a + b is to a as a is to b. This proved, of course, that they were attractive on a level which Ben and Reed and most other people in the world could not compare because they were- simply put- average. Or at least Ben had been before the Accident. Reed turned his attention back to Bruce and Tony and wondered, briefly, if Bruce’s facial structure followed the same pattern.
“May I take measurements of your face?” Reed asked Bruce before he realized that Tony had spoken to him, “Hm? Oh, yes. A subtopic of cancer.” Bruce seemed to have really honed in on the topic of breasts (Reed wondered if maybe he shouldn’t introduce him to Johnny, they seemed to have quite a bit in common). “One of the greatest difficulties in the treatment of breast cancer (and many cancers for that matter) is the lack of motivation when it comes to breast exams- both for women and men. Women are, mostly, taught by their OB-GYNs to do a proper breast self-examination, though only a certain percentage actually practice it. Men, on the other hand, are never taught or even suspect that they should do self-examines-- let alone have mammograms which are equally important in early detection. The discrepancy there is that the survival rate for men with breast cancer is considerably lower than breast cancer in men due to the lack of excess tissue. It is, put simply, easier to perform surgical procedures to remove a woman’s breast than a man’s. “
~~~~
"That's kind of you to say," Sue was gracious when accepting Bruce's compliment, but continued on: "But it's no crime. The truth is I'm very lucky. People call me the Invisible Woman, but the fact I can make myself invisible has made me one of the most visible women in America. I've been given a gift."
With those thoughts, Susan left the boys to their own devices so she could go to bathroom and surreptitiously text Pepper in private. Pepper was perhaps Sue's best girlfriend, and Tony's assistant/righthand, so it was unusual for her not to be here, unless the two of them had had a fight. Sue knew that Tony and Pepper had feelings for each other, even if they didn't. Everyone knew that Tony and Pepper had feelings for each other, except Tony and Pepper. Well, and Reed. Sue wouldn't be surprised at all if her husband had no clue. Sometimes, he was utterly hopeless at relationships. She just counted herself lucky he wasn't hopeless when it came to their relationship… most of the time. And that she had Ben. And Johnny. And even HERBIE.
It was just that, no matter how hard he was tried to be cheerful, Sue could sense that something was bothering Tony. And she kind of figured it had something to do with Pepper because it felt like it had something to do with her. Now, Sue noticed the similarities between Pepper and herself just as much as the next person… mostly because it was those similarities that made them such great friends. So, she was texting Pepper. Also because she missed her. Which she did.
Susan freshened up after some texting and quick pee and made her way back to the table. Upon hearing the conversation, she breezily interjected, "There's already an app for that, dear." She still had her phone out, and quickly scrolled through, purchasing the app she'd mentioned. She accepted Reed's help with her chair, then pointed her phone at Tony, telling him, "Smile, Tony!" as she snapped his picture with the Vanity app. Then she laid her phone in the middle of the table so they could all witness and critique the results produced by the app. She'd spared Bruce from having Reed take measurements of his face.
"Doesn't it make you feel good to know that math says you're handsome, Tony?" Sue teased.
"And when the others chose 'breasts' as a subtopic," Sue said, addressing her husband, "I don't think that's quite the avenue they expected the conversation to go, Reed. You bring up excellent points, but why don't we focus the discussion on how we could eliminate the cancer without having to remove any tissue? Surely between the four of us we could come up with some ideas," she said. Then she took her drink and drank from it, leaning forward almost like she was telling them a secret:
"Women are just as attached to breasts as men are. You knew that, right?"
~~~~
“It is a benefit when you’re attached to someone,” Tony quipped lightly. He could mean himself, of course, and would make that claim if pressed on it. He knew full well that dealing with a woman who was always right - which then meant that they argued because of course he was right as well and even if he wasn’t, in certain circumstances she had to be wrong because he couldn’t accept it otherwise - was one of the depressing downsides to it.
Which was why he was here in the first place, trying not to sulk because he’d had a fight with Pepper and she was actually right. And because she technically went on a date with the enemy. Even if it hadn’t been that kind of date and she hadn’t enjoyed it. It still rubbed at him, and that combined with the argument over it made him feel lousy, and he hated feeling lousy. Hence, summoning friends and drinks. In another life, he’d have been adding ‘women’ to that list, but even he knew that in these circumstances, that was a Bad Idea.
He shot Bruce a quick grin. “I pay mileage,” he returned, still lightly, but with actual feeling behind it. Somehow, he’d make it up to him that he’d dragged him well out of his comfort zone and city.
The grin turned into a delighted laugh at Reed’s absent question, more at the distracted tone than the question; that was Reed, jumping to a scientific idea no matter what it sounded like. “Aw, you’re taking measurements of his face and not mine?” Sue’s interjection, then, was well-received with an automatic cocky grin and smug agreement, “Of course it does; everyone says I’m handsome. Even laws of nature.”
Reed’s points were well-taken and on target, but after Sue’s return, he had to point out, “She really is frequently right, isn’t she?” He matched her drink and lean forward, grinning. “Do elucidate, Sue. And be specific.
“To get back to the point at hand,” he continued. “Increase motivation for exams is all well and good, and so’s minimally invasive procedures, but the Holy Grail’s preventing cancer in the first place.”