suffocate your own empire

Norman Osborn, the former leader of the free goddamn world.

[presidentgoblin]

America's Last Hero

greetings friends i have moved i'm no longer using this account

[presidentgoblin]

Dinner had been almost normal. Well, normal by their standards anyway. Norman ordered a Scotch, as was habit and had made sure to only leave it at one. The feeling of Ares’ eyes watching him intently every time he took a sip was grating on the nerves. He pushed the empty glass away from him and settled for coffee. Coffee and steak, what a weird combination. 

The rest of the meal was without incident, and oddly quiet, and Norman tipped the waitress with a fifty dollar bill as they were leaving. They took a cab home, since Norman had angrily fired his last limo driver, and when they got back to the penthouse, Norman wasn’t surprised to find Harry’s bedroom door locked and music playing on the other side. 

He had rather been hoping Ares and Harry would get back into being buddies as they were before and it would draw the both of them out of their shells, but so far no such luck. 

[lovetofightwars]

Ares had sat through many meals and gatherings, but none quite as painfully awkward as that one. And it wasn’t anyone’s fault, not his or Norman’s. For once, he had to applaud the other man for putting forth the effort, and Ares wasn’t slacking, either.

He’d kill to feel again.

He shut the door behind them, shrugging off the black blazer and hanging it neatly. He felt awkward enough in a suit, but it felt like the tie was a garrote wire, despite it pulled loosely around his shirt’s crisp white collar.

He looked at Norman with a mixture of a strained content and a confused agony. So much to say, and no words to say it with.

[presidentgoblin]

Norman tapped his fingers against the bar, feeling the cool granite. Normally he'd be pouring a drink right now. An after dinner drink to go with his dinner drink. 

The only reason he wasn't was the judgmental stares he kept catching Ares sending his way. It was maddening, and he disliked being made to feel guilty when he wasn't even doing anything wrong.

He held his tongue because he was tired of fighting.

"I've got to, hit the bathroom," he said, pointing up the stairs. 

[presidentgoblin]

Dinner had been almost normal. Well, normal by their standards anyway. Norman ordered a Scotch, as was habit and had made sure to only leave it at one. The feeling of Ares' eyes watching him intently every time he took a sip was grating on the nerves. He pushed the empty glass away from him and settled for coffee. Coffee and steak, what a weird combination. 

The rest of the meal was without incident, and oddly quiet, and Norman tipped the waitress with a fifty dollar bill as they were leaving. They took a cab home, since Norman had angrily fired his last limo driver, and when they got back to the penthouse, Norman wasn't surprised to find Harry's bedroom door locked and music playing on the other side. 

He had rather been hoping Ares and Harry would get back into being buddies as they were before and it would draw the both of them out of their shells, but so far no such luck. 

[chiyonoarchives]

Paycheck. Whurr is it?

[presidentgoblin]

In your bank account?

[chiyonoarchives]

No, it’s not. I checked.

[presidentgoblin]

Did you check the correct account?

[chiyonoarchives]

Paycheck. Whurr is it?

[presidentgoblin]

In your bank account?

[presidentgoblin]

Halloween

[presidentgoblin]

He quirked an eyebrow, setting the coffee down. A small smirk tugged at his lips. 

"They don’t explode, do they?"

[lovetofightwars]

"Afraid not. They were fresh out of those." A sad attempt at a joke. But he was trying. "… Happy Hallow’s Eve."

[presidentgoblin]

"Well that's probably good," he said, sitting on the corner of the desk and picking one of them up. "Explosives are terrible on my digestive system." 

[presidentgoblin]

Halloween

 Norman pauses, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and some files in the other. He cocks his head a little, looking down at the cakes and then glances around his office, expecting Harry to show up with some sort of ill-planned prank. 

[lovetofightwars]

"They were in a window of a small bakery downtown," Ares said, leaning against the door frame. "All things considered, I couldn’t resist."

[presidentgoblin]

He quirked an eyebrow, setting the coffee down. A small smirk tugged at his lips. 

"They don't explode, do they?"

[presidentgoblin]

Halloween

Norman pauses, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and some files in the other. He cocks his head a little, looking down at the cakes and then glances around his office, expecting Harry to show up with some sort of ill-planned prank. 

[presidentgoblin]

[Was that a smile? Norman was sure Ares had forgotten how to do that, even. His lips twitch a little, as close as he’s like to get to a smile of his own.]

You want to get some dinner?

[lovetofightwars]

Aye. Dinner sounds good.

[ It’s not much. But its progress. ]

[presidentgoblin]

What are you in the mood for? 

[presidentgoblin]

[lovetofightwars]

Also expected.

[presidentgoblin]

[Was that a smile? Norman was sure Ares had forgotten how to do that, even. His lips twitch a little, as close as he's like to get to a smile of his own.]

You want to get some dinner?

[presidentgoblin]

The night is young and the day was long. 

[lovetofightwars]

Expected.

… You look nice.

[presidentgoblin]

[The comment throws Norman by surprise, and he's not sure how to respond.] 

Yeah. You look...

[Truthfully, Ares looked like shit.] 

Like you. 

[presidentgoblin]

Would you top Ares if he let you?

You say that like I couldn't take him. 

[presidentgoblin]

What's the quickest way that Ares has made you cum?

I.

Uh... 

[presidentgoblin]

I didn’t do it.

[lovetofightwars]

Hm.

You don’t smell of liquor. I’m shocked.

[presidentgoblin]

The night is young and the day was long. 

[lovetofightwars]

[presidentgoblin]

I didn't do it.

[presidentgoblin]

Hey Norman, what about Ares makes you quiver?

You ever seen him get really angry and shatter a glass with one hand? 

It's kind of terrifying.