callmegladio | IC inbox & Interactions: Hugtopia.

[Tony grinned and stepped closer to give Gladio a kiss. He also handed over the box full of chocolate truffles.]

I was feeling nostalgic.

[He let his gaze run slowly down and then back up his partner's form, letting out a whistle.]

Damn, you clean up nice. If I hadn't made plans I would be taking you straight to bed.

[He'd even pulled his hair back and used one of Pyra's hair ties to put it into a half pony. Even going so far as to give his beard a trim and neatened it up. He had to admit he's scrubbed up pretty well when he made an effort. And he kind of liked the way Tony was looking at him. It made the effort worth it.]

I don't think so. After getting me all dressed up, no way I'm just lettin you get me get outta it again. You're taking me somewhere.

[Gladio stepped back and put the box of chocolates in the house, but not before he paused to open the box and steal one. It would have been rude not to try them after the gift was given, and stepped out of the house and closed and locked the door behind him before Tony changed his mind.]

[Tony laughed and offered his hand. It was just for the short walk from their front door to the taxi, but Gladio was getting treated right tonight!]

In that case, let's get going. Are you hungry?

[He opened Gladio's door for him, before going to his side of the car.]

[He let Tony take his hand, it was much to amusing. Gladio had never been on this end of things before and he was trying hard not to laugh as he was walked to the taxi and the door was opened.]

I could eat.

[He grinned and slid into the car and closed the door after himself. So dinner was the plan? Worked for him.]

[Dinner was one of the plans. One that would appear to be completely lame too! It was another few minutes and the taxi was pulling up in front of.. you guessed it!- Affurgato.]

I hear this place has some lovely salads!

[He was trying hard not to laugh at his own joke since he bought salads from here all the time.]

Wonder if they might have any special drinks too.

[Gladio just laughed once he realised where they were going, not that there were really many places to eat around here.]

So long as it's not on fire.

[He winked and pushed open the car door before climbing out.]

I swear, no salads will be on fire.

[He moved around to Gladio's side of the car and slipped an arm around him before they went in. Looking up at his handsome partner, he smiled.]

You know if people see us together like this, it'll be pretty obvious we're together. You're okay with that, right?

I'd meant the drinks, Stark.

[Gladio remembered their first drink together here and the fiery mess that Tony had ordered. Still he was able to smile when the arm went around him and was more than happy to walk at his side. The question pulled a laugh from the Shield.]

You thought it'd be a problem? I'm not ashamed to be with you and I'm not scared of what others think. Anyone has a problem, they can come to me and I'll straighten them out.

[Tony laughed. He most certainly had remembered. He'd loved the look on Gladio's face when the cocktail was lit on fire. It had been so endearing! He was pleased though that the other man remembered so clearly.

He paused when Gladio answered and after that wonderful answer, he stole a kiss. It was a little on the public side but he kept it brief and really, he just couldn't help it.]

I didn't want there to be anything to make our dinner go poorly. After all, when was the last time you were treated to such a glamorous meal?

[He got the door and let Gladio in. If his ass got pinched subtly as he moved back to his place at the large man's side, Tony's expression would never have given it away.]

[The kiss was pushing it a touch, but Gladio returned it and kept on smiling. It wasn't as if they were in a crowded room with everyone looking at them so it was easier to deal with. Tony pinching his ass, though, was something Gladio would remember and get him back for later.]

Heh, glamorous, huh? [He dropped down into a seat and leaned against the table, one elbow on the top, chin in hand.] What'd ya have planned?

[Tony didn't care. Gladio knew what he was signing up for with Tony and the older man could only behave to a certain degree. A quick kiss and butt pinch was just part of the deal and he was looking forward to getting that pay back later!

Once he sat down on his side of the table, he gave the other man an amused smile. He didn't realize he'd done so, but Tony hadn't even glanced at the others present like he normally did. The only one he had eyes for tonight was the man in front of him.]

What makes you think I have other things planned?

...

Alright, alright. There will be drinks and dessert later and maybe some kind of activity. Is that enough nosy?

[Gladio just looked very amused. Clearly someone had wanted to spill the beans.

He leaned forward a little and smirked.]

I'd meant for dinner. What did you have planned for dinner that's so glamorous, if not flaming salad?

Wha- I- [Tony floundered a moment as Gladio had successfully thrown him off guard. His cheeks colored just slightly and he rolled his eyes. However, even feeling silly for being caught saying something dumb didn't diminish his smile.]

Why would you think I had something specific planned for dinner?

[Because of course he did. It would be here in just a couple minutes, but Tony had told Honerva not to rush over with it too fast. They needed time to relax, right?]

Because you said, and I quote "when was the last time you were treated to such a glamorous meal?", end quote.

[Gladio wasn't sure what was going on, Tony wasn't old enough to be losing his memory yet, was he? The guy was as sharp as a tack but he seemed to on edge right now. Was he nervous? Maybe Gladio needed to give him a break.

He laughed lightly and settled back in his seat, pulling back to relax.]

And we're here. So we're eating here, right?

[Of course he was nervous! No, he had no idea why! It was just.. their first real date. He wanted it to be special. He wanted Gladio to feel special and know that Tony wasn't just about falling into bed every chance they got. He could be romantic and spoil his mate. And he was just now realizing how long it had been since he'd been on a real first date.

Still, when he saw Gladio relax and laugh some of the tension left his shoulders and the edge of his smile.]

Yes, we are. The two of us and...

[He glanced down and reached under the table to scoop up the little gray kitten.]

Rio! How are you? You know buddy, I'd love to play with you but I'm on a date. You can stick your paw in my- pfff- in my mouth all you want- thanks that's my nose- I have something else.. okay fine. Here, you can sit with me.

[He set the cat on the seat next to him with a helpless shrug. Tony was such a pushover. He just shook his head when Rio hopped onto the table to go say hello to Gladio.]

[It was almost a visible thing when Tony began to relax, and that worried him. Gladio couldn't help worry he was the one setting the man on edge... But he pushed that worry aside for the moment. It was helped by the cat suddenly showing up.

Gladio watched with an affectionate smile as Tony played and argued with the furball, then laughed when Rio ignored all attempts to set him in place to come and say hello. He held out his hand, letting the cat sniff his fingers.]

Hey there...

[When he had permission, Gladio scitched the little guy under his chin.]

[Tony watched Gladio for a moment and slowly realized how silly he was being. He reached out and took the younger man's other hand.]

I'm sorry. I know I'm acting strange. I was thinking about how long it had been since I'd been on a first date with someone. Pepper and I had already been friends and coworkers for years before we were anything official. I'm not sure quite when that line was crossed.

[He gave Gladio's hand an affectionate squeeze as his smile turned a bit sheepish.]

I used to be able to sweep anyone off their feet with a flash of my smile and a swipe of my credit card. Obviously I'm not that guy anymore. There's no limo to take you out in, no fine dining restaurants to treat you to, and the only glamorous thing about this place is your smile. It's a strange new world.

And I'm glad we don't have those things.

[Gladio turned his hand within Tony's and held it back as he started to grin.]

Is there anythin about me that makes you think 'this guy likes fine dining'? Or glamour? Or flashing money around? Even if we were in your world were that was a thing, money wouldn't mean a damn thing to me. Never has.

Don't know if you realise it, but my family had money. I just... didn't care about that.

So relax, alright? This is fine. This is more than fine. Spendin time with you is all I need in a date.

[Tony smiled. He really did know that about Gladio. How could he miss it?]

Even if you're not, it was fun to treat people I cared about with things like that. I had this one kid help me out after a battle went wrong and once I got back to my resources, I hooked him up with a state of the art computer system and all kinds of goodies as a thanks. I know he didn't do it for that, but.. it felt good.

And you are someone I'd like to dote on even more than Harley. So what's a guy to do there?

[Gladio was quiet for a moment as he idly petted the cat behind his ear, rubbing the soft fur with his index finger.]

Affection.

[He turned his gaze Tony's way and smiled gently.]

I don't need 'things'. But that's something I'll always want. That's how you dote. No need to spoil me. Just... love me and let me love you, and I'm a happy man.

[Tony's smile softened and he found himself staring for a few extra moments into those honey colored eyes longer than he'd meant to before replying.]

It would be easier to go without breathing than to go without loving you or giving you affection.

[Before he could say much else though, their dinner arrived. Two hearty bowls of pot roast using Tony's recipe from back home (with a few adjustments, of course), two glasses of red wine, and crusty bread to share.

Tony smirked and nodded to the food.]

Sure I can't also give you food type 'things'?

[He just smiled back... and very much wanted to reach over the table and grab Tony to kiss him. But he didn't. Couldn't. Later though, when they left, he was going to kiss the hell out of him. Gladio just had to put it on the backburner for the moment.]

No need to go to extremes, Stark. But I appreciate it.

[He laughed then and pulled his hand out of Tony's when their food arrived to make space for the plates. It looked, and smelled, so damn good.]

Food things are always good, when they're like this.

[This was simple and hearty food, just the kind he liked. Nothing frou frou about this!]

[Tony grinned, enjoying the other man's reaction to both his proclamation and the food.]

This was one of my favorites back home. I hope you like it. If you don't, I completely blame the replicators and not my recipe.

[He picked up his wine and waited to see if the meal met Gladio's approval or not. He was trying not to make it *too* obvious, but he was failing.]

[After giving the cat one last pet, Gladio moved to grab up his fork to take his first bite. It looked and smelled amazing, and the taste... if he hadn't been out in public he might well have groaned.

Okay, so there was that weird aftertaste that replicators had, even there in Affurgato where the food was a hell of a lot better, some of it still had a bit of a synthetic quality, but it was still amazing.

Gladio had gone for a second and third bite before he realised he needed to actually say something to Tony. So he laughed.]

I like it. I really like it. [He grinned.] Guess it's now a favourite of mine too.

[Huh, after all those years of buying tennis bracelets and diamond g-strings, here he was getting that same rush by simply sharing a recipe he loved. Alright, so he'd been on the path to discovering all of this with Pepper too, but he hadn't completely been disconnected from his billions even then. Here, he really was just a man with just enough Dora to pay for this dinner, a few drinks, and a humble surprise later. It was amazing how freeing it was even if he missed it sometimes too.

He was brought back to the here and now when Gladio's eyes met his and he commented on the food.]

I'll be sure to make it for you whenever you want then.

[He set down his wine and finally started eating too. It wasn't bad, even if it still tasted a bit like processed meat.]

What was your first date like?

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