callmegladio | IC inbox & Interactions: Hugtopia.

[Tony slept a couple hours without moving a muscle. He opened his eyes to find a strange place with no idea how he got there. He got up and found his hoodie clammy and uncomfortable. He stripped it off and haphazardly tossed it on the ground.

Slowly, he made it around the downstairs before braving the next floor. He needed something to drink and somewhere to piss bad. After he washed his hands and drank some water out of his cupped hands, he lifted his gaze to a dark mirror. He could barely make out his reflection but somehow that brought it all back.

He saw the chaos of the last few weeks, getting 'attacked' when he first arrived here, learning about some painful truths. He was here and he was almost entirely alone. One would think after spending.. however long it was, he couldn't recall, in a cramped train he would be eager to sleep somewhere alone. As he stepped out in the hall and spotted Gladio's sleeping form he realized how eerie it felt without three other warm bodies sleeping mere feet from him in a cramped sleeper carriage.

With a heavy sigh, he came closer and slid out of his red, dirty cargo pants. He prayed no one would ever find out about this and he pulled Gladio's covers back.]

Scoot over.

[He didn't give his friend much time before he was sliding into bed with him and curling against his warm side.]

Tell anyone about this and I'll kill you.

[Gladio had started to doze in the chair after an hour or so. In the end he pulled himself to his feet and trudged his way upstairs to first grab a shower and then bed.

He'd taken to enjoying baths since arriving at Havenwell. Not having access to baths on the Trecker had driven him insane. Which was funny, back home it had never bothered him. Not until he'd been denied them. But this time he really just wanted a quick shower, mainly to get the smell of chocolate off of him and afterwards he fell into bed.

He'd taken one of the beds from the other rooms to make his bed bigger. He'd had to lash the legs of the beds together so he didn't end up rolling and falling between the two beds and it had worked pretty well. He could spread out when he wanted to. It was glorious after so many months on a tiny cot, made all the smaller by sharing that cot with one, and sometimes two, others.

Once in bed, Gladio rolled onto his side and was drifting off when he heard movement behind him. Tony was awake. He thought about getting up and helping him out, but it wouldn't be too hard for Tony to find a room with a bed.

Though what Gladio didn't expect was for the bed his friend found was his own. He frowned and scooted before he even realised what he was doing.]

Wait... Tony, why're you... there's a room down the hall.

I know.

[He rolled onto his back and looked up at Gladio. He searched the younger man's gaze for criticism or judgment or worse- ridicule. He knew he was being pathetic and there really were only a very small handful of people he would be brave enough to be this weak in front of, but Gladio was one of them. They'd each been at each other's medical bedside and shared the maddening frustration of being trapped.

He didn't know what possessed him, but he reached a hand out and very lightly traced his thumb along Gladio's cheekbone. The man was handsome even with the scars. He was too young and smart to be with Tony, but..]

Just tonight, okay?

[He watched Tony shift around to face him. He wasn't sure what was going on or why Tony had chosen to climb into bed with him. It wasn't that cold in his house even if it was outside. But no, there was no criticism of the action, he didn't judge and he wasn't going to mock Tony for it... maybe. Gladio just looked confused more than anything. A look that only deepened when a warm hand reached out to touch his cheek.

Tony had never touched him like that before. It was one of the strangest things that had happened that day, even stranger than having his friend climb into bed with him. But Gladio didn't push the hand away. There was something going on here and he wasn't too sure what it was.]

Yeah. Yeah, any time. There's more than enough room.

[Tony let his hand drop as he sighed with relief. He could relax now. He was safe and he didn't have to explain what he couldn't explain. He waited till Gladio was settled and scooted back just an inch... maybe two closer. He couldn't even remember the last time he was the 'little spoon' but he was silently begging for that strong arm to go around him.

Either way, he closed his eyes, content to feel his friend's presence. He was quiet for a while, but he found it harder to fall asleep than he thought it would be.]

How did you get used to this? The silence.. it's so..

[He didn't want to say 'loud' since that was a terrible cliché but it was petrifying.]

Do you think they'll be okay without us?

[The hand moved and a moment later so did Tony. Gladio was still, just waiting to see what the other did before he reacted or relaxed himself. Because this was just... strange. Really strange. So it took him a minute, first to listen to what Tony had to say and then to work through his own thoughts.]

Honestly hated the quiet. I'd convinced myself it was good that first week. After that I... was considering askin around to see if anyone wanted a roommate.

[He'd had an open invite with his friends but... Two couples and then him. As happy as he was for them all, Gladio knew it would hurt if he was around that for long. Luckily the choice had been taken from him now. At least, for now. Until Tony found a better place. Gladio might still go looking for a potential roommate.]

I wanna think they're okay. That they're on the train still, or home... or maybe even shipped off to a place like this where they can be happy. Keeps me sane thinkin they're safe and happy somewhere else.

[Did he wish that somewhere else was there with him? Sure. But there wasn't much he could do about that. He had no control over what happened to the others, only what happened there and then. So once he'd finished speaking, Gladio took a chance. He took a risk. He moved his arm under the blankets and draped it around Tony's middle.]

[He hadn't understood until now why Gladio had been so quick to offer his place. He felt guilty, not catching on when a friend needed something from him. There was no way he was leaving Gladio now.]

Don't. You already have one.

[He sighed, wishing for the control that they both were painfully aware they didn't have. How was he supposed to say goodbye to a second daughter and a son? He'd told them that they were no different than the biological one he had, but that hadn't been completely true. Morgan would forever be the one he longed for the most, but the rest hurt too.

He almost moaned. It was like a balm on his spirit to get that arm. He pressed back, fitting himself comfortably against the larger man's chest. He hadn't meant to do so much but he hadn't realized he'd been resisting all day this need to be against someone. As his bare back brushed against Gladio's naked chest, the relief felt so good. He was trying not to react, but he had to wonder if Gladio was feeling this tension too.]

G- Gladio?

[His voice was breathy and his eyes flew open surprise. What was going on? And would his sparring partner be up for more?]

Hah alright. I won't. [He'd had no intention of pushing Tony into something, though he should have known better. You didn't push Tony Stark into anything he didn't want to do. But it was nice to have that reassurance. And it was nice to know there was someone else with him in the house. Even if it was quiet, just knowing there was somewhere out there would help.

He was considering telling Tony about his first week or two in Havenwell. About the 'Amazing Shrinking Blanket', but before he could, his friend had moved again. Though not in the way he'd expected. If anything, Gladio had thought maybe he'd have rolled away from his arm or removed it with a gentle reprimand. Not shuffle back against him like that.

Gladio's hand fell to the bed as his arm shifted, laying more comfortably around Tony now that it wasn't stretched across the narrow divide between them. And yes, with his arm around his friend he could feel that tension and it concerned him. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask, but he was beaten to it.]

Yeah..?

[His own voice was low, puzzled but... curious.]

[He didn't know how long it had been since Ignis had left. That was such a problem on the train, knowing the passage of time. However, from how his body seemed to be waking up, it had to have been a while. He tried to ignore it all, but Gladio's response to a question, he didn't remember asking caught him off guard.

He carefully turned onto his back again, but put his hand on Gladio's arm to keep it where it was. He stared up at his friend, almost certain this was a remarkably stupid thing to do.]

I think one of those bears left an imprint on me.

[He sure hoped that made sense to Gladio, because it didn't to him.]

[Gladio had actually been about to move his arm when Tony turned, but when the hand grabbed it... he could easily have forced the issue. He didn't though and left it where it was. What he did do was lean up a little on his arm so he could see Tony better. Now he was even more concerned.]

The bears..?

[Click]

Ah, shit. Right. So... hug or I'm not sure the other. But from what I saw I think confessing something. Heard there was another but never saw that.

[So far he'd avoided the bears, he'd just seen the aftermath of them.]

Any idea which got you?

[He'd never really looked at Gladio this way. There hadn't exactly been a moon for moonlight on the train and the man had been madly in love with someone. In his younger years, he might not have cared but having kids made you so soft..]

Just.. shut the hell up.

[He reached up and hooked a hand behind Gladio's neck, drawing his face close. Leaning forward, he caught the large man's lips with a bold, unapologetic, and unhurried kiss.]

[Uh, what? No now, wait a minute... Gladio wasn't prepared for this. When he was told to shut up he did exactly that. Sure he could have, and might have, snapped back if they'd been anywhere else. But there was something about Tony's tone that had Gladio obeying in a moment.

But instead of an explanation, he was grabbed. In a way that was very familiar to him... but in a different world. And it had been him doing the grabbing and then...

Warm lips on his. Warm, strange lips...

Lips he should have pulled away from. He even imagined himself doing it. He would move his hand and gently push back on Tony's chest, putting distance between themselves. He'd apologise. He'd feel guilt. He'd feel regret. Maybe later even kick himself. But all it would take was that first move. All he needed to do was move his arm. Gladio made himself do it. Made the arm around Tony's waist lift and move up. And if his fingertips grazed skin as he did Gladio wouldn't admit to it.

Right. Hand up, now just press against Tony's chest, just like he imagined himself doing...

No... No too high. His hand had kept moving, lifting higher to... what? Slap Tony? No, Gladio didn't want to do that! That was a bad reaction. That was...

... Gladio's hand found it's way to cupping Tony's cheek. Instead of pulling back he was leaning into it. There's been a hesitation, Gladio hadn't known if he was going to return the kiss or not. By rights he should have pulled back, rolled out of bed and walked out of the room. And yet he hadn't. He didn't. Couldn't. He kissed Tony back.]

[If only Tony could impart his sage wisdom. This worked a lot better if you stopped thinking and started feeling. It wasn't like he had a rational explanation for why he was blowing their line between friendship and other to smithereens. He knew this was going to mess things up, even a kiss changed everything. He'd done it often enough to know how this work. But, he couldn't find it in him to stop.

His eyes slid shut and he made an approving hum when he was kissed back. His grip on Gladio's hair tightened and tugged him down even further, right where the older man wanted him. His other hand started to roam. Gladio had a fantastic body, so why not? Thick, hard muscles were well defined underneath soft skin. His fingers found a scar and dammit if Tony didn't find that ruggedness sexy.

His hand slipped around a barrel of a torso till he was pawing at a muscular back, holding their bodies close together. It trailed lower to not-so-subtly hook around a thigh and pull it to one side of his hip. If they were doing this, he was in charge.]

[Gladio was very capable of 'feeling and not thinking', however whatever this was he honestly didn't know. So thinking came into play. The only thing he knew for sure was that there was some need in Tony that for some reason he was willing to answer. At least for now. Was it just the bears though? He knew those things had made people want to hug each other but he hadn't heard of anyone wanting more than that. Not that he expected that to be broadcast far and wide but still...

For as big as Gladio was, it was surprisingly easy for Tony to move him. He didn't resist as he was curious where Tony was leading him.

The hand on him was as strange as the kiss, exploring the plains of his chest, trailing along his scar and down to his side and then back. Without quite meaning to, Gladio groaned into the kiss, a deep rumble of a sound deep within his chest. Strange as that hand may be, it's touch was on the right side of firm. It felt good. Better than he'd expected it to. He kind of wanted the hand to stay where it was, but was surprised when Tony grabbed at his thigh and pulled. Gladio had no other choice but to follow it. The end result was Gladio atop of Tony and the kiss broken with Gladio looking down at the older man, searching his eyes, his face, for some kind of answer.]

Tony... What...?

[Tony looked up at Gladio, comfortable between his legs and under his muscular body. All the hours spent sparring had been good for keeping up the definition in his own physique though the last.. however long he'd been resting.

He was ready to pull his friend down again and keep making out with him, but then he saw the question on Glaio's face. He grabbed the reigns on his hormones and pulled with all his might.]

What do you think we're doing? Making a cake? Did I somehow forget to tell you you were attractive?

[There was a slight tilt to Gladio's head, a narrowing of his eyes... was Tony annoyed he'd asked? Wouldn't it make sense to ask? Or was Tony just so used to people following him and falling all over themselves to get into his bed that he'd never been questioned before?

But the question brought Gladio up short. Because Tony had. On several occasions. Had even flirted after a fashion. It had been innocent, the kind that was all banter and didn't go anywhere. Gladio had never taken it serious. Even the flattery he'd never taken serious. Why would he?]

That's the line you're goin with?

[His lips twitched, he was trying hard not to smile.]

[Even as a seasoned pro at making a fool of himself, Tony was relieved Gladio was being a good sport about this. Even if they stopped right now and he was kicked from Gladio's bed, somehow he had the feeling they'd be alright. It was rare to have a friend like that.]

I could go with 'the teddy bear made me do it' but that might just kill the mood.

[As much as he wanted this to continue, he felt like Gladio was saying no. He could and would always respect that. So he smiled and relaxed back against the bed.]

Come on, I think it's getting out of my system. Want me to go back to one of the other beds?

Actually, that's kinda cute.

[Didn't believe it for a second though. He had a feeling he understood in a way though. At least he could make a guess. Tony was feeling lonely. Lost. He'd felt the same way his first night The quiet and cold, the idea of stepping into a darkened room alone after so long of being around others. Of sleeping to the sound of people shifting and breathing or snoring. Sounds that had become white noise that, once removed, just made the silence worse.

The bear didn't help. A need for an embrace, the loneliness had all made Tony want...

Maybe.

Or maybe he was just a horny bastard and had fallen into the first bed he found and latched onto the first warm body, no matter who it was.]

Never took you for someone who ran away... I want you to stay.

[His eyebrows rose in surprise and he looked back up at the large man. Was he wrong? He didn't want to take advantage of Gladio's generous nature and take anything he might regret later.

It didn't matter that he had a legitimate reason to want to stay close. It didn't matter if this was taking just about every ounce of trust Tony possessed. What mattered was protecting this noble young man who gave far too much.

He didn't have a flippant answer or a wisecrack joke at ready. He'd been finding his armor and bracing himself to face the night alone. He feared what Gladio was seeing now, but whatever it was it was genuine and real.

And since he couldn't actually find the words, he leaned forward and gave Gladio one more kiss. It was less dominant- no, less confident- perhaps more sweet, but definitely grateful.]

[In a way, Tony had been right. There was a no there, or a 'no, not yet' more accurately. Just as Tony was thinking he didn't want to take advantage, Gladio felt the same. If he was right about the reasons behind this, if it was some magical reason behind even some of this, Gladio wasn't willing to do anything that would have either of them regretting the actions come morning.

But he was quiet as he waited for Tony to say something or react. Would he leave anyway? Had he pushed too hard, teased at the wrong time?

No... No, Gladio didn't see any of that in Tony's eyes then. If anything he felt that, for a brief moment, he may have saw the real man behind all that ego. But it was shuttered away when Tony leaned up to kiss him again. Except this time it was different. Gladio smiled slowly and rolled off of Tony, but hooked his arm around the other to roll him onto his side too. He kept him close and went in for a soft kiss of his own, a kiss that was more a caress.]

[Tony might have been less embarrassed if they'd had sex, but the kissing was nice. Being in Gladio's arms was the real prize for the night. His arms slowly wrapped around the younger man's broad shoulders and he went back for a second and a third kiss.

After that though, he let himself relax. He was warm, safe, and could hear the faint obnoxious sound of some roommate snoring. It was perfect.]

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February 15th/ 16th Hugtopia thread continued

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CW: Possible smut like things might occur or be implied or something along those lines

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