God help them both

[toblameforit]

(from here; warning for some fairly wrong goings-on all round)His room is on the second floor and it's really more of a suite. First through the door is a comfortable little living room containing all the essentials-squashy couch, wall-mounted plasma TV, bookshelf for Sherry, liquor cabinet for Tony, a pair of reasonably uncluttered desks side by

Comments

[be_this_naive]

Yes, this will do well enough.

Obadiah closes the door securely behind them.

"We're not likely to be interrupted, I hope," he remarks.

[toblameforit]

His lips quirk into a wry little smile.

"If Sherry drops by, I promise I won't let him shoot you."

(There's not even a gun in the room, although Tony wouldn't put it past Sherlock to find one somewhere if he figured out who was up here. Still, though-and for a brief instant it shows on his face-if it came down to it, and Obie was literally about to kill someone right that second, Tony could do the shooting himself. Short of that it's not happening. Not here.)

[be_this_naive]

Obadiah chuckles, quiet and benign.

Because he is not trying to add to the tension (at least, not in a way that would be detrimental to him), he does not suggest that perhaps keeping a check on the clone's behavior is an even better idea than Tony thinks. That it could save Tony's life someday. His own counterpart may no longer be an issue on that world, but he can't be the only one inclined to take serious exception to the little bastard's antics.

"That's very kind of you, Tony, thank you."

[toblameforit]

Tony grins, all of a sudden, because there is just no way. He is not even going to try. Explaining Sherry to Obie is something he has long since given up on. Can't be done. And for once that's funny instead of exasperating.

"I love you, man, but you are so clueless sometimes."

[be_this_naive]

"I just wish you'd be more careful with yourself, Tony -" he begins, then shakes his head.

"Never mind. No lectures today."

[toblameforit]

Really. Really.

"Like you're one to talk," he says, laughing.

[be_this_naive]

Touché.

Obadiah grins, crossing the room to help himself to the liquor cabinet.

"It's not my fault you don't listen when I do," he says, cheerily, like it's all a big joke.

[toblameforit]

He shakes his head and flops onto the couch.

"You're fucked up. Pour me a Scotch."

[be_this_naive]

"You say the nicest things."

Obadiah does as he's told, pouring generously for both of them. He brings the drinks over to the couch and hands one of the glasses off to Tony as he sits.

[toblameforit]

"I tell it like I see it."

That habit is going to get him in trouble one day. So is his fondness for alcohol as a problem-solving strategy.

[be_this_naive]

Obadiah snorts lightly into his glass before he takes a swallow.

"No, honesty was never one of your problems."

[toblameforit]

Tony grins behind his own glass, but by the time he lowers it his eyes are closed and the lines of his face drawn tight with pain.

"I really, really missed you," he says, entirely failing to keep his tone light, and takes another drink.

[be_this_naive]

"I'm sorry he was such an idiot," Obadiah murmurs.

How difficult can it be to avoid getting sucked into hell? Whatever's happening to his double right now, he damn well deserves it for that kind of incompetence.

(He'll miss Tony.)

(There must be some way he can use this.)

[toblameforit]

Tony snorts. "I'll bet you are."

It's not like he has any evidence this Obie is less of an idiot. Tony would argue that killing your best friend over money and power is pretty fucking stupid.

[be_this_naive]

As he said earlier: it depends on your priorities.

"Well, it is nice to know that all I have to do to get your attention again is die."

[toblameforit]

"Jesus Christ you're an asshole."

He drains his glass.

Yep, the drinking was a bad idea.