Video - Four days after Malicant's message

[highprofilerichkid]

[Malicant has made his move, and Tony has decided that it's time for the Foreigners to step up their game. Starting with their communication network. As Bakura demonstrated, the consoles are no longer safe from Malicant's prying eyes (if they ever have been).

After a marathon troubleshooting session with Akito, Tony has also concluded that if a truly secure secondary network is going to happen any time soon, there's going to need to be a lot more people working on it. His time and resources are stretched thin, and he needs help.]

The consoles are not secure. I don't know if anywhere is, but we can actually do something about the consoles, at least. I know there've been some attempts to encrypt the console traffic and a couple false starts at a secondary network. I think it's time to get down to business and get a fully independent secure mobile network up and running, as soon as possible.

Magic is too susceptible to influence, so this network is going to be strictly technological. Pure tech and heavy encryption give us the best chance of shutting out our nosy neighbor.

If you have any expertise with radio, electronics, or telecommunications - anything that might be helpful - get in touch. Engineering, physics, cryptography... Hell, if you worked a summer job in IT. I want you here at Stark Industries.

Also, if any foreigners from higher-tech worlds brought any stuff along with them that they don't mind giving up, I'd like to take a look at it. Electronic devices like cell phones would be the best. A lot of post-industrial-revolution consumer goods contain minerals and compounds that are hard to get a hold of here, and we'll need as much of those as we can get.

And one more thing: I've put together a dozen... self-defense devices. Nothing big, but enough to give you a few seconds if you're in a tight spot. Distributing them to the turtle parents is the top priority, but if there are any left over, it's first come first serve. If you want one, meet me at SI and I'll give you the rundown here.

[private to ALL TURTLE PARENTS]

The fewer people are bonded to each turtle, the more vulnerable they are. Protecting the turtles means protecting their parents, so you all get first dibs on the toys. Anyone who's interested, send me a message and I'll set one aside. And come to SI as soon as you can.

[private to AYA, RICHIE FOLEY, CLARK KENT, DONATELLO, and MIKE WESTON]

I'm contacting you all specifically because I know you have tech skills or because Aya told me that you've worked on the secondary network in the past. We need you in on this.


---


((ooc: For the sake of security, Tony will only be describing the self-defense gadgets in person. Anyone who comes to SI to claim one will be given the following information:

There are six aversive devices [remaining: 4]. They consist of a slightly concave hemisphere - sort of like a very thick-walled bowl - that fits in the hand. They work on a principle similar to the Active Denial System. When they are held with the concave side facing out, and a button on the side is pressed, they emit a ten-second burst of radiation that, while harmless, causes immediate and intense discomfort to any person standing in range. Anyone without extreme magic- or drug-enhanced pain insensitivity will be compelled to move out of range. The area of effect is a wide cone that extends out about thirty feet. Each device has enough power for two bursts before it must be recharged.
[claimed by: Enjolras, Annabeth]

There are six force field generators [remaining: 5]. These are devices are disk-shaped, with about the same dimensions as a restaurant pager. Press the large button on top, and they will generate a transparent force field bubble about six feet in diameter. The field lasts about six seconds under ideal conditions, but may collapse sooner than that if it is interacting with a lot of matter (e.g., if the person holding it is swimming, or in tall, dense grass). The field can be moved, and will remain centered on the device when in motion (in other words, you can run with it). Each device has enough power to generate one force field before it must be recharged.
[claimed by: Raine]

Both devices can be recharged at any console, or at Stark Industries.))

Comments

[wrathfulkhan]

If we wait until we don't have any other choice, it'll be too late, [Gene says, somewhat tersely.] And firepower is nothing without control. [Look! He's learning.] I want to be able to control it. I want to be able to have that up our sleeve and not have to worry that I'm going to let it control me.

[highprofilerichkid]

What if you can't control it? [Tony asks sharply.] Why would it be any different this time than it was before?

[Lots of reasons, really. Gene is not the same person he was three months - or from his perspective, a year - ago. He's not the same person he was one month ago. Tony knows this. Gene's better than he was, more capable of handling the immense power that the rings grant. Tony's just worried that he's not capable enough. He's worried - he's afraid. And that, more than his tiredness or irritation, is what makes the words harsh.

What if you lose yourself in it? What if I can't bring you back? Tony thinks. What if I lose you again?]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene, however, cannot read minds (not right now, anyway, and he's certainly not inclined to read Tony's without permission), so all of that sentiment and worry is utterly lost on him. What he sees - what is presented - is Tony needling him, thinking he really hasn't changed, that he's not trying.]

You said that when we work together, we're a great team, and we can't work together if you don't trust me a little! [Gene shoots back.

Though, to be fair to Tony, that's more than just a modicum of trust Gene's asking for; he's asking for the keys to the kingdom.]

Either I learn how to use them all, or I do something stupid and burn myself out. And then I won't be any help to anyone. [He's thinking of the black ring in particular; he's not comfortable using it without the pink ring as stabilizing insurance, and he doesn't want to do something really stupid and get himself consumed by an elder god. He'd nearly done that already in his anger.]

[highprofilerichkid]

Well, don't do anything stupid, then! [Tony growls.

It stings, to have his words from the other day thrown back at him like that. And it's frustrating, too. Gene isn't getting what he's trying to say, but then, he's not really sure what he is trying to say.] I trust you, Gene, it's not... It's the rings I don't trust.

[That night when Gene had handed the ring over... It's almost like it was doing something to him. Getting inside his head, dragging out and amplifying all the, for lack of a better word, craziness that Gene normally keeps under tight control. Like some kind of drug or psychic influence. Gene can't be expected to control himself if the last ring itself is messing with his brain.

What he's trying to say, and doesn't know how to express, is: he's not afraid of Gene, he's afraid for him.]

"don't do anything stupid" um excuse who do you think you're talking to here

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene smirks, a sardonic, cruel twist to his features.] Of course I'm going to do something stupid. I'd just rather not be caught unprepared when it happens. It'll be less stupid if I know what I'm doing.

[His expression sours a little at Tony's concern.] So you trust me, but you don't trust me with the rings, is that it? Sounds like you don't really trust me at all.

[Oh my God that is not even what he said. But nope, it's playing out, to Gene, like he'd feared it would - Tony refusing him, and not trusting him, and everything being for naught.]

[highprofilerichkid]

No, that's not what I— [This is not going well. Tony tries a different tack.] Look, how do you even know it'll help? If they've told us the truth about our enemy, it can destroy whole universes. You can't go toe-to-toe with it, even with the tenth ring. And the first six rings have the best offensive powers anyway.

[wrathfulkhan]

How do you know it won't? [Gene shoots back, and then pauses, looking thoughtful.] If it can destroy whole universes, [Gene says, thinking out loud,] then why hasn't it destroyed this one? [Shit, that's what he would do if he were in its shoes.]

And if it can destroy whole universes, [he says, a bit of a challenge creeping into his voice,] then we need all the help we can get to defeat it.

[highprofilerichkid]

[Malicant's obviously not all-powerful, even if it can corrupt whole universes, or else this whole exercise would be moot. But ruminating on the details of that subject isn't high on Tony's priority list right now.]

It won't help because if you have the tenth ring, you'll be its number one target! [Tony nearly shouts.] You're lucky it hasn't tried to take you out already! Right now there are a couple other foreigners here who could probably face off with you, but as soon as you put that ring on, you'll be more powerful than any of us, and it's going to notice. And if it specifically targets you, I don't think you or any of the rest of us are going to be able to stop it!

[Without the rings, Gene is just human. Not even augmented, like Tony is. He still has to sleep, he can still be taken by surprise, he can still get unlucky. He was still affected by the magic that knocked them all out a few days ago.

Tony's afraid Malicant will decide that Gene at full power represents a unique threat, and when Gene dons all the rings, he'll pull another trick like he did with the turtles. Only it won't be five turtles and Evandau on the Palace steps when they all wake up. It'll be Gene.]

[wrathfulkhan]

Good, then make me its target. [Gene says, almost brusquely.] Let me draw it out. Let me draw it out, and let's destroy it and be done with this charade.

[But something about that...gives Gene pause. Not the possibility of death - he's come to terms with that a while ago, and it doesn't bother him nearly as much as it ought to - but something else.

Why is Stark being so vehement about this?]

Why do you care? [he snaps, bewildered.] Why do you even care what happens to me?!

[highprofilerichkid]

[You know, sometimes, Gene's stubborn fatalism is just really fucking annoying.]

Why do I—! I care because— You— [He lets out a snarl of frustration.] God, you're so stupid! [Eyes blazing, he crosses the distance between them, pulls Gene in close, and kisses him.]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Oh.

Well that sure is a thing.

After a moment, Gene shoves Tony away, looking scared and hurt and angry.] How dare you, [he hisses, and shoves Tony again, up against the wall.] How dare you--! [And he kisses Tony right back, fiercely, almost violently, one hand pressed up flat against his chest, right over where Tony's heart implant had been, as if to keep him trapped there; as if to claim him; as if to say 'this is mine, and you are mine, and I am yours, if you wish it'. And all the while, there's an angry, anguished litany running through his head, fierce and desperate and wanting.

How dare you give a damn about me.

How dare you decide you still want me before I've decided I'm done wanting you.

How dare you let me believe I can ever have this.

How dare you.

How dare you.

How dare--!]

[highprofilerichkid]

[Tony grunts when Gene shoves him away, and he's about to shove him right back, until Gene pushes him up against the wall and kisses him again, hard, and suddenly there's nothing else in all the universes that matters.

Tony returns the kiss just as fiercely, breathing hard, nibbling Gene's lip, wrapping one arm around Gene's waist and digging the other hand possessively into his hair.

Yes.

This is what he wants. Even if it still feels wrong, even if he still hates himself a little for it, he wants Gene. Gene and all his backstabbing and whining and stupid drama; Gene, who's hurt him more than anyone else ever has, who he thought he'd never be able to forgive, who he's wanted since the day they met.

And maybe it is wrong; maybe it's a terrible idea and Gene's only going to hurt him again. But he wants it anyway. And here, now— This may be the only way he can ever have it. Stranded with each other in another universe, with no Pepper or Rhodey or Howard or Roberta or SHIELD.

When they return home, Gene will be a wanted war criminal in every country on the planet, and everyone Tony loves will be desperate to tear him to shreds. Every force on Earth will be conspiring to pull them apart.

But they're not on Earth now. And if this is the only way Tony can ever be with Gene... He'll take it.]

[wrathfulkhan]

[It's not fair. It's not fair, it's not fair it's not fair. A year after Gene arrives, Tony shows up and starts throwing his entire life into even more turmoil. And Gene had thought he was over him, especially after that fight. But they kept coming together, they kept testing the boundaries, and Stark kept doing weird little things like leaving a hand on his back to comfort him and brushing the sand out of his hair. How could that not remind him that he still wanted Tony? How could that not give him blissfully false hope that maybe Tony still wanted him too?

It's been two years since Gene's been this close to Tony, to anyone, and he can't believe how much he's missed it. He lets out a brief, surprised noise when Tony nibbles his lip and tenses when Tony grasps his hair, but then he relaxes into it, one hand still pressed to Tony's chest, the other slipping down Tony's side to secure itself on his waist.

He wants this. He wants this and he wants more and he nearly has to pinch himself to be sure this isn't just some cruel dream. While he's loath to admit it, he's been pining after Tony for years on some level or another, drowning it first in anger about the betrayal and then, in Keeliai, resignation that it would never come to be again. Now that it's happening, he almost can't believe it.

It won't last. He knows it won't last; it never does.

But what the hell. As long as they're here, as long as they want each other, they're going to make it last.]

[highprofilerichkid]

[Gene's tense for a second, but then he relaxes, and Tony pulls him closer. Gene's hand slips down to his waist— Tony gives a low groan and his fingers tighten in Gene's hair. They clench, unclench, release; they trail across Gene's scalp and comb through his hair as Tony's hands, too, migrate downwards. His hands pause at Gene's waist, then slide farther and come to rest on Gene's hips.

Tony presses Gene against him, and he isn't thinking anymore about how wrong or dangerous or weird this is, because all he can think about is how good it feels, to touch and be touched, to hold Gene, to have again what he'd lost and tried so hard to forget.]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Oh, not fair, not fair--! How does Tony still know exactly how to get him going? Gene's practically purring as Tony's fingers comb through his hair, and the pleased, satisfied noise he makes turns into a quiet, defeated moan as Tony's hand trails down his side in kind. You complete bastard, how can you still do this to me, even now, even after everything?

Gene doesn't let people touch him, as a rule. He's very stingy with physical contact and especially affection - who can blame him, after the childhood he's had? This is different. With Tony, it's always been different; scary, but exciting, too. He doesn't feel threatened. It would be a stretch to say that he's calm, but there's a weird kind of serenity to this all the same. Even if they aren't very good at using their words, their bodies know what they want, and how to express it. And right now, Gene doesn't care about their history or arguments or even Malicant - right now, he cares about Tony. He wants Tony. And for the first time he can remember, he's actually getting what he wants, no strings attached.

His hand slips down from Tony's chest to rest on his hip, keeping him close, trapped between Gene and the wall, and Gene can't think of a better place for him to be.

(Not strictly true - he can think of several - but this is neither the time nor place for such frivolity.)]

[highprofilerichkid]

[Tony likes Gene's hand on his chest, but he also likes it on his hip. It's probably safe to say that he'd like Gene's hands on him just about anywhere, really.

Tony also likes the way Gene is pinning him to the wall - he'd kind of expected it to be the other way around, but he's pleasantly surprised by the way Gene has taken control of the situation. Any doubts he'd had about Gene's receptiveness have been thoroughly put to rest.

He hooks his thumbs into the waistband of Gene's pants, and as soon as his fingers touch Gene's bare skin he's wondering what else Gene might be receptive to, and his mind starts running through a number of possibilities, none of which are probably appropriate for the semi-public lab. Even if the doors are locked... Yeah okay except that locked doors aren't much of a deterrent to some foreigners (coughsolomoncough). So, maybe not a great idea.

But kissing still seems like a great idea, so he leaves his hands where they are and focuses on that.]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Tony's thumbs brushing against Gene's skin is enough to serve as a sensory trigger of memories long-buried and, since Peru, never acknowledged; they'd done this before, almost exactly like this, and it had been just as exhilarating and good. He gasps, flinching a little at the contact, unexpected as it is. It's not bad - quite the contrary! - but he's not used to it anymore. Clearly Tony will have to acclimate him to it again. (Like either of them are about to complain on that front.)

With some degree of difficulty, Gene manages to pull back, however reluctantly, still breathing heavily and with a smirk spreading across his face.] You always were good at changing the subject, [he says breathily.]

[highprofilerichkid]

[Tony makes a small questioning noise when Gene flinches - is that a good gasp, or a bad gasp? Gene draws away, and for a second Tony's worried, but Gene's smirking, and he certainly doesn't sound displeased by Tony's method of subject-changing.]

It's one of my many talents, [Tony replies, stroking his thumbs in small circles over Gene's skin to test his reaction. He's trying to smirk as well, but he's not doing a very good job of it, because the smirk seems determined to spread into a wide, giddy grin.]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene inhales sharply again, and if Tony is keeping score, that is a good gasp. It takes him a moment to get his breath back, but in the meantime, he's tightened his grasp on Tony, pressing them together as close as they'll go with, you know, obnoxious things like clothes in the way.]

Oh yeah? [Gene asks, his eyes hooded, his smirk broadening.] So what are your other talents?

/shot

[highprofilerichkid]

[putting the whole thing in his mouth

That hadn't been an entirely intentional innuendo, but hey, what the heck, he'll roll with it. Now the question is: to be cheeky and say something like "mechanical engineering and particle physics," or...] Want to come find out?

[Ah, yes, and there's the smirk.]

jesus god

[wrathfulkhan]

[don't make him test you on that

Gene's smirk is still fixed in place, and his glance flicks down, and back up to meet Tony's eyes, lingering first on his mouth for a moment.] Hmm, you have no idea just how much.

[He leans in to kiss Tony, briefly, and resists the urge to make it longer and more intense. He's not sure how he manages to stop himself.] I can't believe it. I can't believe you actually...like me. After all I've done...after everything...

tootsie pop will never die

[highprofilerichkid]

[Is that a challenge, Gene? You do know how Tony loves a challenge.

Ooh, Gene. You naughty thing. Tony raises his eyebrows in response, and his smile becomes decidedly more wicked.

But then Gene kisses him again, before he can get any ideas about doing other things with his mouth (...at least while they're still in the lab).]

Yeah, I can't believe it either. [He knocks his forehead gently against Gene's, a playful headbutt, and then leans in to nip at his ear.] Jerk, [he teases.]

new meme? new meme

[wrathfulkhan]

[You want to see just how bad he can be? You'll get your chance, in time.

Tony, rude! He was trying to inject a little solemnity and humility into this whole exercise! Not that it was ever actually going to work, but, whatever.

Gene still feels terribly lucky that Tony wants him. Even after all he's done. Even after everything. After everything.

If someone had told him back in July that three months later he'd end up aggressively kissing the boy who'd ripped his arm out of joint, he would have started laughing and never stopped.

In point of fact, he's laughing now - first, a little at the unexpected headbutt, and second, to hide the frisson of desire that shot through him when Tony had nipped at his ear.] A jerk, am I? [he asks smugly, and leans in himself to brush his lips against the bare skin of Tony's neck and jawline.] Insolent...that's what you are.

also BELATED WARNING FOR BASICALLY SOFTCORE SMUT LOL sorry everyone about this totally trash ship

[highprofilerichkid]

[WE'RE GOING TO HELL

Tony lets out a very manly and totally dignified squeak of surprise and pleasure when Gene trails his lips across his neck and then his jaw. Gene calls him insolent, and Tony (never one to disappoint) snickers and says,] Yeah, I get that a lot.

[Tony's hands have been creeping back up this whole time, but underneath Gene's shirt now, and they've come to rest on Gene's waist, skin to skin. He nibbles Gene's ear again, then kisses the soft skin of his neck right underneath it.] What do you want to do about it? [he murmurs, grinning impishly.]

haha um yeah SORRY NEVER EXPECTED IT TO GET QUITE THIS INTERESTING /looks at ground

[wrathfulkhan]

[YUP

Hah, Gene likes that reaction.] You also don't know when to shut up, [he says, right before Tony's hands settle on his waist - underneath his shirt! - and he emits a surprised noise of his own. And at that point, he's lost; where in the hell Stark picked up that ear-nibbling thing he's decided not to ask, and he's also decided not to ask why he likes it so damn much. But, er, mind the neck. Tony doesn't hit a danger spot, but he comes close, and Gene feels a rush of adrenaline of an entirely different sort than has been flowing through him. With effort, he manages to fight it down and focus on the here-and-now. With good reason; the here-and-now's pretty damn attractive.

When Tony speaks, he shivers. Having Tony right up against his skin like that is...something else.] First, I think I'm going to find a better use for that mouth, [he growls, and kisses Tony again.

WELL YOU DID ASK.]