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Tweak says, "Steven Yeun rules"

Tony Stark (notyourplayboy) wrote in somerealityrpg,
@ 2019-09-07 13:54:00

Current mood:	cheerful
Entry tags:	active: nebula, active: tony stark, inactive: james rhodes

Tony, Neb, Rhodey
WHO: Tony Stark, James Rhodes, & Nebula
WHAT: Reunions
WHERE: Rhodey and Nebula's apartment
WHEN: Saturday morning pre kitten adoption and birthday celebrations
SPOILERS: Endgame
WARNINGS: Language probably

Tony felt like an excited little boy on Christmas morning. James Rhodes had been Tony's best friend throughout his entire adult life. He was the first person Tony really trusted and one of the few who never betrayed that faith. There were many awesome things about Goodland, but Tony still missed "his" Rhodey fiercely. He felt selfish wishing for more friends and family when he already had so many in the place, but he couldn't help wishing his best friend would show up for his upcoming wedding. And he had!

Rhodes was living with Nebula, which was perfect. Two of his favorite Avengers right next door? His family next door? He rarely allowed himself to feel so optimistic, but he couldn't help it just then. He practically ran to Nebula and Rhodey's apartment. "It is me!" He called. He knocked, but it came out as more of a bang.

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cybertechnic
2019-09-07 06:11 pm UTC (link)

Nebula had made it back to the apartment just before Tony's 'knock' (it was a bang, and frankly if this was any other situation and anyone else she'd probably growl as she opened the door, but this was not that situation), so she turned back, thinking it wiser to open the door to Tony than to head to Rhodes' room (or what she assumed would be his) without allowing Tony entrance first.

He'd probably run through the door like in those cartoons Nebula used to watch with Morgan.

"You may want to slow down, Speedy." Nebula didn't exactly have eyebrows to raise, even as she stepped back from the door to let Tony pass, but there was a light smirk on her blue lips that hinted at amusement.

Tony Stark was the first person who had ever been genuinely nice to her. Even Gamora, whom Nebula had come to love and miss dearly, had not started off by being nice to Nebula. It put Tony in a league that Nebula previously hadn't had before. "That one, I think." And it also meant she had an inkling of just how important Rhodes was to Tony.

So she let him in, and let him head towards James' room first.

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justrhodey
2019-09-07 06:47 pm UTC (link)

James knew that both Nebula and Tony were aware of his condition, just like the rest of the Avengers were, but he hated the idea of anyone seeing him struggle. It was a pride issue, and though there were hardly anyone that Rhodey trusted more than the two people coming to see him, he didn’t want to depend on them.

Sitting up in the bed had been the easy part, he’d done that before he’d even written on the network. And luckily, though he’d gone to bed, he had been dressed in basketball shorts and a tshirt, which meant he didn’t have to worry about that. The desk chair seemed to have wheels on it, didn’t it? If he could pull it over to himself, than maybe he could get himself in it, and use the walls and his arms to propel him. It wasn’t ideal, but it seemed like a better idea than having Nebula or Tony have to lift him.

He pulled himself to the edge of the bed closest to the chair and he stretched for it. It was further than he could manage, though, and after almost toppling over a few times, he’d decided that he would just wait. Cursing his luck for not being taken during a time he was wearing the damn leg braces that Tony had made for him.

The frustration, as obnoxious as it was, was nothing compared to the excitement of seeing Tony again. He almost couldn’t believe it, as if it were some sort of drug induced hallucination or vivid dream that he was going to wake up from before he saw Tony. He could hear him coming through the livingroom and his grin was wide.

When Tony opened the door he wished he could have stood and walked over to the man to embrace him. Tony looked good, not at all like the troubled beat up mess that he had last seen and that made Rhodey happier than he could possibly explain.

“I feel like I owe you a good punch or two for going and dying on me.” Rhodey said with a grin.

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notyourplayboy
2019-09-07 06:56 pm UTC (link)

Tony understood a thing or two about not wanting to appear weak in front of others, but, honestly, Rhodey was one of the strongest people he knew. He still felt guilty for what happened to him during their battle against Steve and the rest. Still, if there was one thing he learned since arriving in faux New York City? He couldn't let the anger and guilt consume him. He needed to focus on the present. And the present? Well, he was going to see his best fucking friend for the first time in what felt like forever.

His face betrayed how excited he felt. How could it not? Rhodey's greeting was just what he expected. "You can't punch a dead man, that is just not fair." It all felt perfectly them. He hurried across the room and didn't think twice about plopping next to his friend on the bed so he could hug him. "I've gone soft," he complained. "You left me way too long, Rhodes."

He didn't want to let go, but he also didn't want to cling like a child so he, after a moment longer, glanced at Nebula. "Look at you two! Roommates. And right next door. Come over for dinner anytime. Or for breakfast. Really, anytime. Thor likes my couch. Or the video games that come with it." He hoped Nebula already knew she was invited anytime. They already shared donuts as a family.

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cybertechnic
2019-09-07 07:12 pm UTC (link)

Nebula didn't linger too far back, moving to the doorway to watch the reunion. She was still getting used to emotions in the long term -she usually only had bursts of them at times when she was around the Stark family at the cabin, when she ate cookies with Morgan and made a fort and didn't think twice about a tea party.

The small human was the reason she understood love. That and partly the scene ahead of her. "We will have pillow fights and talk about boys." She was pretty sure she got that reference right.

Crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame, she let them get whatever they needed to get out, out. As much as she knew she was a part of the unit now, she still liked to keep a bit of distance while she attempted to assimilate into the life they all seemed comfortable with. "Tony is making it a mission to adopt all the young ones who need mentoring. I am sure they will enjoy your stories Colonel."

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justrhodey
2019-09-07 07:26 pm UTC (link)

It was very natural to James, that when Tony sat beside him that he embraced the man, fighting back just a few tears of relief that Tony was solid and there. How many times had he, and undoubtedly others, replay the end of the battle in their head, wondering if there were anyway to change how things had ended. They were assured that there wasn’t, but it was human nature to wish things could be changed. Rhodey himself had even considered bringing up the idea of another time heist, much like the one they’d committed, if only to save Tony, but it was too risky and they could change everything. Besides, without Tony to set the computers and the coordinates, no one was entirely comfortable with building the machines.

“How many times have you almost died and I punched you? Since you’re here, I consider it the same concept.” Rhodey teased as he pulled away from Tony and grinned at Nebula.

“You can call me Rhodey, Nebula.” He reminded her with a grin when she called him Colonel. “And I would love to regale all the little Starklings about the sort of things he got up too when he was just a little older than they are.”

“Once I figure out how to get more functional, I’ll be sure to drop by… you know, as long as it isn’t you doing the cooking.” James grinned, looking pointedly at Tony. “You’re lucky I live next door if you don’t even have room on the couch for me.”

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notyourplayboy
2019-09-07 07:49 pm UTC (link)

Tony rolled his eyes as Rhodey mentioned his youthful escapades. Okay, "youthful" covered things well into his middle age, but Tony wasn't about to admit that. "Hey, I can cook now! Not everything, but, like basics," Tony replied. "When I first arrived, it was just Pete and me so I couldn't let the kid starve." He straightened up, obviously proud of himself. "I even bought a cookbook!" He didn't mention the child-rearing books he also bought. That had been a long time ago and Tony liked to think he'd come a long way since then. Besides, he wasn't giving that sort of ammunition to his best friend. "Plenty of room on the couch," he added, waving a hand in dismissal. "Pepper is talking about knocking down walls anyway. We'll just get a bigger one!" However, his expression grew more serious when he glanced between Nebula and James. "You'll get more functional very soon," he reassured. "Michelle's birthday party is today, but tomorrow...tomorrow I fix this shit."

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cybertechnic
2019-09-07 08:45 pm UTC (link)

Many of the Avengers had these connections, the long standing jokes and camaraderie. She learned that was what family was meant to be like, not the bastardization that she'd had.

"The cookbook is not even used as just a paperweight." Although she was wondering how everyone was going to fit into the Stark suite at this rate, especially if there were more adopted kids joining them as time went on.

"We could get him to the roof before everyone else. And set up somewhere comfortable." She understood that family at parties was important.

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justrhodey
2019-09-08 06:12 pm UTC (link)

“I’m honestly a little surprised that you haven’t managed to build up another Avengers tower somewhere to house all of us.” Rhodey grinned. The Avengers Tower, even when it was still called the Stark Tower, had been a second home to him.

“Okay, but now I’m cuious about the cookbook. Because for some reason I don’t see you twirling around the kitchen to Julia Child’s Classics or Martha Stewarts greatest recipes or anything.” James put his hand on Stark’s shoulder, just because reminding himself that Tony was honestly, truly here and not just some trick was still blowing his mind a little bit. When Tony started talking about someone’s birthday, Rhodey just squeezed his shoulder. “Take your time, Man, I’ll be here. Eat, sleep, spend time with your kids.” He nodded seriously. “Enjoy who ever this MJ person’s birthday is.”

“Uh…” Rhodey sort of stammered at Nebula’s suggestion. He didn’t know who the person was Tony was throwing this party for (though Tony had mentioned he had adopted a lot of kids), but he wasn’t sure he liked the idea of being just sat somewhere. He didn’t like the idea of being propped up in a corner where everyone could just see how useless he was without his enhancements. “I think I’m going to sit this one out-- well, literally I guess. I’ll be fine on my own for a little while, I promise. I don’t think I want to be the weird dude in a corner, yet.”

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notyourplayboy
2019-09-08 11:30 pm UTC (link)

Tony's expression faltered at the mention of Avengers Tower. It housed the Avengers when they needed a safe place and when they needed to be together over the years, but Tony couldn't help remembering the division that took place, leaving only a few of them in the Tower. It reminded him that even here, having not lived the years between the snap and the un-dusting, he still felt like he didn't belong. However, he didn't want his insecurity clouding the moment so he forced a grin that became genuine the more Rhodey talked.

He wasn't surprised Rhodey chose to remain behind. "Yeah, we will leave that for next week," he teased. He didn't mention getting Rhodey what he needed to become mobile again, but Tony silently vowed to get it done as soon as possible.

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cybertechnic
2019-09-14 07:12 pm UTC (link)

Nebula could understand the instinct not to be vulnerable in front of others, or appear weak, even if it weren't true. So with Tony not pushing it and Rhodey deserving to take some time, Nebula didn't pursue it at all.

"Tony is already the weird dude in the corner." But a lightening of the mood didn't hurt, surely.

Humans had just as many hang ups as were learned into Nebula's personality, so she figured it wasn't her place to tell either of them they were being dumb, if needed she could flit between the party up stairs and the room to make sure there wasn't issue -parties weren't Nebula's thing anyway.

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