[Thread] Just What the Doctor Ordered

[dont_waste_it]

Characters: Tony Stark (OU), Yinsen (OU).
Where: The Park
When: After this conversation.
Summary: Tony needs some time to unwind, Yinsen is there to be a good friend.
Warnings: None.

Comments

[yeah_i_can_fly]

As far as Tony was concerned, it really was pleasantly cool rather than biting. He was in his formal attire, business suit trim and neat, sunglasses hiding his dark eyes. The air was pleasant because he was flushed. He was flushed because he was wound up. He tried to relax and mostly failed.

But as he caught sight of Yinsen waiting for him patiently, a part of that fatherly patience took hold of the brooding business and Tony automatically relaxed unconsciously. He threw himself onto the bench without preamble and stared out into nothing, somewhere in the distant sky, as he just sat there, next to his friend and mentor.

[dont_waste_it]

The dark-skinned man sat silently when his young companion appeared. That there was something troubling Tony was obvious even as the mechanical genius relaxed in Yinsen's presence. Yet the older man only nodded once as Tony sat beside him. He poured the tea and handed the well-coiffed man a cup.

After a moment of silent enjoyment, feeling the hot ceramic in his hands, Yinsen began to set up the backgammon board. His fingers moved with easy practice to set up the game. When only a few pieces remained, he finally spoke.

"Well, my friend, we never got the chance to defend the honor of our respective colleges. But perhaps now is not the proper time to do so, I would feel it unfair to beat or be beaten by an opponent so distracted...though maybe you would rather get your mind off other things. A friendly competition, perhaps?"

[yeah_i_can_fly]

Tony took the proffered cup and cradled it gratefully in both hands. It sat in his lap though for a very long time. Until Yinsen spoke, in fact. Then he lifted the drink to his mouth and took a long sip. He glanced at the elder with a hint of a smirk being hidden beneath the cup which he kept near his lips as he answered.

"You just don't want to admit that you'll loose even to a distracted man," he intones almost neutrally.

[dont_waste_it]

"I admit nothing." Yinsen retorted clearly, setting up the last of the worn set with an amused gleam to his eye. Concern still marked his expression, but he let it settle deeper into his facial features. No doubt Tony could read his emotions easily enough, but worry was more a distant feeling in the older man than one of reassuring companionship at the forefront.

He held his cup tighter in his hands as a particularly bitter bit of cold wind streaked through the air. "Ah... I could almost long for the desert again with weather like this." It was clear by his tone of voice that he was only barely considering his former capture to be a better situation. "You start, Tony Stark." Yinsen said finally after a sip of steaming tea and a gracious wave.

[yeah_i_can_fly]

Tony didn't even argue. While taking another sip he calmly picked up the dice and rolled them before making his opening move. "It's not so bad. Back at home the nights get similar to this, especially in the winter." He paused as a small smile broke his concentration briefly. "...Pepper always complained about the chilly air though," he remember fondly. Then he completed his move and sat back to wait for Yinsen.

[dont_waste_it]

"Did she?" There was nothing in his voice but curious conversation. If he had any words to say about his friend's more than business relationship with his PA, he was sensitive and wise enough not to speak them.

Yinsen settled back against the bench and studied his opponent's first move. He rolled after a moment of thought and moved one of his own pieces, then settled back against the bench. "I believe I have only visited LA once or twice for a medical convention. That is where you make your home, is it not?"

[yeah_i_can_fly]

Shake. Roll. Move.

"Yeah, it is," he replied, glancing up at the doctor across from him. "Great place to create a ruckus and watch the people gossip about it one second, forget it and focus on the next 'big' thing in the next second. That's my life in a nut shell." He said this very casually, very lightly and matter-of-fact. Nevermind the undertones that weren't in the voice or expression, but nevertheless somehow made themselves known to anyone who knew of Tony's recent change in responsible behavior.

[dont_waste_it]

"Ah, yes. The life of a man who has everything he could ever desire." Yinsen's dark brown eyes were kind as he looked up at Tony over the upper rim of his glasses. His attention was only partially focused on the board. "That was a good move." The Arab man admitted, and by his tone it was impossible to tell if the older individual meant the businessman's move in the game, or the change of behavior in his life. Yinsen smiled slightly. It was very likely the dark-skinned man meant both.