a/n: binch!!! hope you enjoy sorry if this sucks ily uwu <3
he should’ve never brought therion along.
he wasn’t sure why he did either… no scratch that. that was a lie. of course he knew why he brought therion along: to keep him close; because as long as therion was in his line of sight, as long as he was where cyrus could reach it would mean that everything was still under his control. therion wouldn’t be able to slip through his grasp, and no one would be able to take him away from cyrus.
but that was reckless of him; it was irrational and emotional rather than logical. and he mentally kicked himself for losing his grip on his feelings in such a way. he knew he’d been not himself lately, his mind was a mess, and his chest always felt tighter than it should’ve. but this–a foolish transgression that was completely avoidable… this was idiotic at best.
therion shouldn’t have been there. a business arrangement between the elites of the several mafia gangs in orsterra… it was not an event someone of therion’s caliber should’ve even known about–much less been present for. but cyrus had been weak; he had let his emotions get the best of him, just enough for a brief moment’s decision and he cursed himself for his lack of forethought.
and of course, just as his luck would have it, who else would’ve also been there… but darius, himself.
he had felt therion’s body tense up behind him–barely resisting the overwhelming urge to turn around and meet therion’s gaze. but this was a business meeting, an extremely important one. he couldn’t show weakness, he couldn’t show vulnerability–couldn’t let on, even the slightest hint that perhaps therion was anything but a simple thief, a bodyguard, a toy and lever for him to play with and use as he deemed fit, in anyway that would best help advance his own pursuits.
at least therion wouldn’t be noticeable, not in the cluster of people in the room anyways; and of course cyrus had him disguised, hat, scarf, glasses, and all. he should’ve thought this through, should’ve left therion back at the manor–but it was too late now. at least, he would get through this… they would get through this. and then afterwards, he’d teach himself how to get a grip again.
so he had continued to sit there, leaning back into the black fabric of the leather recliner, fingers intertwined together, palms situated atop the glass of the table. he looked at darius, sitting slightly across from him, eyes unaware, clearly not recognizing him, not even focused on him really. the room was a bustle noises and voices, and he stayed quiet, attentive, and alert–but whether it was at the group of people in front of him, or the man standing behind him… he wasn’t sure… or maybe he wasn’t ready to admit it quite yet.
–
therion was quiet after that meeting. he had excused himself early into the night, and retreated into his room for the rest of the evening.
it had made cyrus’ stomach churn and he wasn’t quite sure what the feeling was. his chest felt even tighter and his stomach was in knots. he didn’t know what the feeling was, so he chose annoyance.
yes, he had decided, that was why he was knocking on therion’s door at half past midnight, because he was annoyed. annoyed at his behavior, annoyed by his absence, annoyed at the way it made cyrus’ stomach nauseated and his throat constricted.
“cyrus?” therion asked as he opened the door. his voice was too clear for him to have just awoken–no he had been awake this whole time. “what is it? did you need something?”
“to have a talk with you.” cyrus answered cooly, before allowing himself inside, walking through the empty space previously occupied by the door. “about earlier today.”
therion gave a slow nod in response, closing the door behind him. they are seated at the edge of his bed. this was all too familiar, too informal–but that was how it was with therion.
a silence fell over them, heavy and tense. “you are unhappy.” cyrus stated bluntly. “you have been since that meeting we had.”
therion looked down, clearly averting cyrus’ gaze. “sorry. i’m fine, i just… was tired.”
“i know you saw darius.” he deadpanned. and then he almost wished that he hadn’t, he could see therion’s whole body freeze up, his muscles tightened. almost. “it might’ve been a mistake of mine, to bring you. maybe it was too soon for you..”
therion’s head shot up, his hand waved around in denial. “n-no, that’s not it. i’m ready for this, cyrus. it was just a-a slip. i swear.”
cyrus scrunched his eyebrow in doubt. “as i was saying,” he continued on. “it might’ve been too soon for you, but still. you cannot let yourself have such a noticeable reaction to these sorts of things. it isn’t safe. if any of those people noticed–do you understand what could happen?” his voice was softer than he had intended. he was supposed to be annoyed, wasn’t he?
therion raised his head, his eyes leveled with cyrus’, a slight rawness to them. “i’m sorry.” his voice was rough, but the breath he had taken afterwards was sharp. “it-it won’t happen again, i swear.” his hands are planted against the bedsheets, slightly trembling.
cyrus nodded back. “good. it’s alright now though. it isn’t as if we have any guests to entertain anymore.” and he felt his eyes softening, his voice lacking it’s coldness, or his usual honeyed saccharine tone. but in the face of therion’s raw vulnerability, his frame slightly quivering, and his demeanor pale and ashen, cyrus found no strength in him to continue his tiresome facade.
cyrus albright was no idiot–and no matter how much he wanted to deny it, there was no denial for the jolts therion seemed to ignite in his chest, or the softness that he’d inspired within cyrus. he knew what this was, and whether he was willing to label it or not–at least, for this moment, he would pause with his useless charades of ignorance. whether he wanted to admit it or not, the feelings were there.
“i just,” therion paused, taking a sharp intake of breath. “i didn’t expect to see him again. i knew it was a possibility, i-i just didn’t expect it to really happen.” therion’s voice was trembling as much as his arms were shaking, he spoke barely above a feeble whisper.
cyrus could feel his heart constricting in response, it was hard to breathe, to think even. funny, he thought, for someone like him, who’s brain was his weapon, to be reduced to a single minded idiot like this. something really was wrong with him, something that had everything to do with the white haired man trembling in front of him.
and then his palms were covering therion’s knuckles, his body inched towards therion’s own. “it was my fault. i wasn’t aware he would be there. i should’ve had more foresight.” he sighed. therion’s earthy scent was all he could breath in, and it was getting harder to keep his mind focused, to keep his body still. “cyrus,” therion uttered; the rawness of his name slipping off therion’s lips made his throat constrict, his chest felt like it could burst at any second. “he knows, cyrus. he knows everything i’ve tried to forget. and he’s here again-i, i-” therion turned his head to the side, the words cracking against his lips.
cyrus inched forward, one hand sliding under therion’s chin, a slight turn for their eyes to cross once again. therion’s gaze was intense, and though it felt like it burned his eyes to look at, cyrus couldn’t find it in him to turn away. his fingers cupped the underside of therion’s jawline, his face leaned in until they were a mere breath apart. he could hear his blood pumping inside of him, feel his heart racing against his chest; therion’s breaths hitting the edge of his neck.
therion’s aroma was enveloping his senses, and his fingers felt electrified with anticipation, gravitating towards therion’s skin. cyrus could barely keep his breathing under control, therion’s lips so close to his, his taste almost reachable.
“i won’t let him touch you.” he muttered, his voice was husky and slightly hoarse. his remaining free hand lifted from therion’s knuckles, fingertips clasping against the collar of therion’s shirt, as cyrus pulled him closer, their lips brushing against each other’s. “believe me on that.”
therion tiled his head back slightly, his fingers now clenching the bed sheets, a crumpled mess in his palms. he let out a shaky breath, his gaze not wavering from cyrus’. his expression barely readable, a mixture of confusion and uncertainty–but not unwillingness, no, quite the opposite.
cyrus inched his lips closer, closing the gap between them. breaths of hot air fanned against his face, mixed with the sensation of therion’s lips grazing against his own.
“i promise,” he whispered under his breath, “i won’t let him hurt you.”
tony stark + “I felt bad so I got up and made you breakfast.” :)
sjdhsja yay for finally getting one! lol :)
–––––
Pepper rolled over in the bed, yawning as she stretched out her arms and legs against the silky sheets. She exhaled, lying there for a few minutes, basking under the sunshine seeping through the windows.
“Tony?” She whispered.
He didn’t answer.
Pepper shrugged, pulling in the warm blanket closer.
“Tony?” She whispered again after a while. “What time is it?”
When she received no response, she cracked an eye open, turning to her right. Tony wasn’t in bed.
He’s in Afghanistan.
No, he––he flew a missile into space––did he make it back? did he––
yes, yes he did. He went to Siberia to help and he’s missing–––
No! No, he came back.... but he was taken in by Ross––
He fought Thanos! He nearly DIED!
Pepper jumped up in alarm, breathing heavily against the bad memories flooding her thoughts. Tony was alright––Tony was alright, wasn’t he?
No. No, he’d gotten attacked last night, and he got some pretty bad wounds and he was supposed to stay in bed and rest and––God, where was he? Was he kidnapped? What if he fell down trying to get to the washroom? What if––
Pepper pushed aside the bedsheets, springing out of bed and hurrying to the washroom located inside their bedroom. She pushed the door open, a slight tremble in her hands as she twisted the doorknob, and called out: “Tony?”
He wasn’t in the washroom. Where would he have gone? He wasn’t allowed down in the lab, not after the injury to his head from the previous night.
He was going to drive her mad.
She pulled out one of her silk robes, sliding it on and tying the belt around the waist as she hurried down the stairs, heading towards the lab located in the basement of the house.
“Pepper! You’re awake!”
Pepper stopped abruptly, turning around. Tony was standing in the kitchen, a wooden spoon in his hand as he grinned brightly at her. His head was still bandaged, as was his thigh, but he leaned against the counter for support.
“Tony?” She asked, shaking her head and walking over to him. “What are you doing in the kitchen? You’re not supposed to be out of bed! You’re supposed to rest and––and not give me a heart attack every time I wake up!”
Tony’s smile faltered, and he looked down to his feet, shrugging sheepishly. “Okay, okay. I know I wasn’t supposed to get out of bed. But I felt bad for––for this! I felt bad for always making you feel worried and scared and have you wake up like that so I thought... I thought I would get up and make you breakfast. To cheer you up a bit. I know you like scrambled eggs with tomatoes.”
Pepper’s eyes softened. She let out a soft sigh, wrapping her arms tighter around herself, and gave Tony a small smile. “You know I do.”
Send me a character + a line and I’ll write a small drabble related to it!
anthonystqrk replied to your post: So, I haven’t been actively rooting around the...
from the past few months i’d go with Down to Zero by Sineala, Meet Your Heroes by Wordsplat, and Lost With You (Might Be All I Need) by ann2who (i haven’t been reading much lately either so i’m sure there are plenty more good ones! :)
can you imagine how much Tony Stark needs Diana Prince as a friend though?
someone who understands that every person has good and bad in them and that how they act on it is what ultimately matters and they have to keep making that choice and fighting every day of their life and appreciates that in him?
3. Which of your sets has the most notes? -- i actually had to use the search engine thing for this bc i dont really keep track of how many notes my posts get. so, apparenty, it’s this one
16. How long have you been making gifs? -- lmao my first gifset is dated to be dec. 27 of 2012 soooo, eight years. wow
34. A set that took you a long time/was really hard but you’re really proud of how it came out -- oh my god this one. it took me whole ass day, like i started in the afternoon of one & had to keep going the next one
