Closed - (Tony / Elena)

[runsonbatteries]

[It felt weird to say (...or rather think) that they were drinking to celebrate the end of the mission. No one was happy blowing up another planet and all its natives, but they survived together. Maybe it helped to create a checkpoint between accepting what they had done and moving on with their respective inner cheer leading and coping mechanisms.

Drinking had always been a tried and true coping mechanism for Tony. One of numerous motivations, so he doesn't immediately have to dwell on using a substance to deal with his surroundings. Another job well done. Another space mission he survived. It was five o' clock somewhere. Statistically.

Later in the evening, he's left alone with a bottle of bourbon and Elena Gilbert, who he's currently trying to convince into coming with him to the hangar deck. He might even reach for her hand a couple times. Higher reasoning dampened by alcohol and impulses feeling so effortless and easy.]

What if I told you Sparky told me I'm leader now, and this is a mission? A very important mission.

Comments

[heightens]

[ tony is good at bullshitting, but not so good elena doesn't know that's what he's doing. she laughs at his explanation, but it isn't a mean laugh -- rather, it's an inclusive laugh, one that invites tony to laugh with her, instead of making him the butt of the joke. he's funny, and okay, maybe a trip to the hangar deck is just what she needs. at the very least, the view will be beautiful. ]

Unwise, huh? Well, we can't have that.

[ elena moves in front of tony, walking in the direction of the hangar deck. she still hasn't let go of tony's hand. ]

[runsonbatteries]

[The laugh receives a 100-watt grin. Tony might not be sober enough to appreciate the empathetic nuance of Elena's laugh, but he still gets it well enough to not back off and give her space (if she wanted it).

She's the one leading him by the hand, though. And squeezing was unintentional when she gets ahead of him and he thinks the link might break before he realizes he doesn't want it to. If anything, he's drunk and he might go spinning out of orbit.]